Wanne

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 09:17 PM) If were in full white flag, then everybody goes, keeping one of PK/Thome/Beurhle wont save the attendance. If were trading PK, Dye will be gone too. Thome may be saved just because he has that no trade clause and is a bit more adamant about staying here (though if he knows were not going to be competitive I can see him okaying a deal). PK also has 10-5 rights, Dye and I believe Beurhle have limited no trades, so your sell off would be tough to pull off. I think I worded that wrong. I'm not saying full white flag...because to be honest, trading Paulie and or JD would address the lack of speed issue and HR or nothing approach this offense has had the past umpteen years...as well as cut some payroll probably. Of course...depending on what we got back...with either one of those guys gone I still think we'd be very competitive. One of the 3 still has to go though...or we go into the season with the exact problem as last year.

If we are in full payroll slash mode...it wouldn't surprise me to hear the Paulie to the Halos rumor pop up again if Teixiera bolts for the Nats or wherever. Depending on what we get back with that (if)...maybe we'd see JD at 1B...or even see a 1B mitt in Fields bag.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 12:30 PM) I'd have a lot of interest in Zack Grienke in a deal involving Dye. I doubt the Braves would do that, but they still have quite a few prospects that I would have interest in. I'd also have interest in a package built around Francouer and a top prospect. Yes, Francouer has struggled a bit this past season but tools wise he's off the charts. However, I still would prefer a prospect the caliber of Bailey. I'd rather have Tommy Hanson than Bailey...but that's probably not happenin'.....

QUOTE (103 mph screwball @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 08:34 PM) I don't know what to think. JD would deserve better than to be lied to. See...I can see people wanting the best for JD...but this is a business...and Kenny is boss and JD is an employee. Not too familiar with many businesses that consult with their employees before they make business decisions.

QUOTE (103 mph screwball @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 07:26 PM) Rosenthal is reporting a Freel for Henandez swap. That won't open any salary unfortunately. I have a feeling there are going to be a lot more sellers than buyers. I'd be very nervous if I were a 2nd tier free agent like Crede, Uribe, or Cabrera. See Rosenthal 7:50 Update speaking of Joe...what's the poop on his back/rehab?........

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 06:42 PM) A Zumaya, Rodney, Wood combo is going to be a terror on the Tigers. At least, until we see Fields launch one of their fastballs 400 +. I'd like to see Fields launch ANYBODY'S fastball 400+ feet.....

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 06:45 PM) Good for CC if he does sign there and declines bigger deals elsewhere. Couldn't agree more... Plus...it's so nice to see the Yankees and Red Sox get snubbed.

So CC wants to be a Dodger now (doesn't surprise me)... http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3755609 Let's see where all the chips fall now......

Not to sound like an idiot (which happens sometimes) and I'm sure no economic major...but could somebody explain to me how "the economy" is effecting the FAs and the GM talks? Are TV revenues going down. Will less people be attending games. Are they anticipating corporate dollars from suites, advertising, etc depleting...

QUOTE (YahtzeeSox @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 05:39 PM) How about signing Garland to a contract? Apparently he is looking for only 2 or 3 years. I doubt he's "looking" for a 2-3 year contract. Maybe this is where you got that... I think Garland would be smart going to the NL. But I would take him back in a heartbeat. I thought the thing on Garland was he always wanted to pitch on the west coast closer to family.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 04:09 PM) I have no interest in wasting my tradeable talent right now on a catcher, not after trading for Flowers. plus...didn't Kenny just sign Corky Miller?

Did Penny have surgery or does he just need it. Isn't his shoulder shot?

QUOTE (103 mph screwball @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 02:23 PM) I don't think Pierre is good enough to demand things. I could see him coming back to the Sox in a trade. The Sox want speed and a leadoff hitter. Ozzie won a ring in Florida with him. It could be worked out so that Pierre's salary offset some of JD's so that it might entice the Dodgers to give up better talent because they do not have to take on so much salary. If the Sox get a guy who they feel is a solid leadoff hitter and some young talented pitching, I could see KW giving this serious consideration. The Dodger's Jermaine Dye and get rid of Pierre and his trade demand. They could let Manny walk and go after CC. I could see that too actually... But this is IF the Bailey move doesn't happen...not instead of.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 11:23 AM) It's funny how articles such as this have JD gone. (This one by Jayson Stark) http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/stor...rumblings081207 I think this is a done deal, but it just is on hold for whatever reason but will be announced later. Agreed...

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 11:38 PM) The feeling that the Twins are some godly team is only felt by us because we have to hear over and over how "grindy and piranha like" they are. They played like crap down the stretch and had a ridiculously (ie lucky) high BA with RISP and 2 outs. I will still say the "kids" in our rotation/system are better than theirs. And get 'em out of that piece of s*** dome too and see what they are. As for this deal if it's true...not crazy to see JD go...but somebody out of Thome, Paulie and JD has to go. JD was the most attractive to deal and if it's for Baily I'll be pretty happy with this.

Money, age, lenght of contract, injuries, glut of middle infielders.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Dec 6, 2008 -> 11:29 PM) I guarantee everyone that Alexei will be the team's starting SS on opening day 2009. This Furcal talk is beyond silly. Why...because Kenny SAID SO? Ever think that was completely a smokescreen/ploy for OC? Have you ever seen Lexi play short (besides maybe once? I'm not sold that he'd be stellar over there. Furcal does make a lot of sense on many levels. Will it happen...who actually knows.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 6, 2008 -> 12:13 PM) Am I the only one who remembers how big of a positive reaction he seemed to get back in 2006 when he put together a really good game late in the season against Toronto? And there was this moment when we thought he might finally have found that groove, so everyone was cheering him on? No...I remember that well. People were clamoring about him being our "ace". I'm not gonna say I'll personally miss Javy. I'll miss his 200 innings he brought every season. You always had a 50/50 chance with him when he went out and prayed he could get past that one bad 5th or 6th inning. The frustrating thing was you always knew he never really turned out to be all he could be. It's hard to be negative or hatin' on a guy that was a consumate professional for our team. I'm not gonna say "good riddance" or anything. Just good luck Javy...and leave it at that.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Dec 6, 2008 -> 12:07 PM) I would have to argue with Kalapse and say that OC is not an "underwhelming" SS. He is a great defensive player and can hit. However, I don't think he is a good fit personalitywise on the Sox. If we bring him back where does all the moving around of Ramirez to SS and a new 2Bman? We will see 3/4th on our infield basically changing with OC gone and if he stays the only position different will be 3B. I would rather see the draft picks come our way. In defense of OC...and this probably applies to Swish too they were brought in here for some leadership and to bring an air of "looseness" to the clubhouse which couldn't get a greased BB through their asses the last few years. When both arrived there were heavy expectations on them and they really didn't know exactly how there were supposed to/or expected to act instead of just being themselves and relax. I think we would see a different OC is he comes back...or was just shown a little love. Swish...a good chance he could have been different...but with that headcase you never know. Of the two...it's more likely OC would fit it much better and be relaxed at the start of the year. Seems like everything's on hold until the OC situation is resolved. One example...especially in Swish's case...that goofy-ass marketing campaign with him doing "the worm"...pretty much condoning being a goofball...which seemed to annoy everybody towards the end of the year.

I personally think we've taken the closer's role for granted the past 2-3 years or so since we've had a very good one in place. If Bobby's gone...it could end up being a circus to end games...regardless of who we get back. Just sayin....

Trading Bobby for prospects really doesn't float my boat....

Hey...if somebody else signs him...super...we get 2 picks. If he accepts arb and is with us for '09 I'm fine with that too. He's a very good player and this team is better with him at SS to tell you the truth. Nobody here knows how Lexi will be at short...and for that matter how Getz or any of the other combos would be on an everyday basis. The biggest thing is a leadoff hitter...plain and simple. I'd be very happy with Taveras leading off in CF and OC batting second. Hell...if you think hanging on to OC will keep Beckham down...I'm not so sure Lexi wouldn't be a better CF than a SS. Don't get me wrong..I'm not a huge OC fan by any means...but this team is better right now WITH him on it.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 5, 2008 -> 02:35 PM) If you want Brian Roberts, you most likely would have to deal Alexei. It could possibly bite you in the ass if he improves upon this season, but that is probably the best trading chip to get a player like that. Why most likely deal Lexi? Lexi's not going anywhere...much less for a possible rent-a-player...and the O's know that as well.

So if OC accepts arb., takes it and bolts next year...what kind of picks do the Sox get? Obviously not LAs anymore....would it be 2 sammy's?

He's not riding the pine. To tell ya the truth...I'd have no problem with OC coming back for one year and batting 2nd. I guess I'm just not confident with what the flipside of him leaving and what we'd trot out to 2B would be just yet.