SoxWatcher

This isn't a major point, but it is of some significance. I was wondering how old everyone thought Jose Contreras is. I read the article about Jose in the Sept. 29 CST in which Ozzie referred to him as "this kid." I wonder if Ozzie was joking. He is officially listed as 32 years old. Of course, everyone knows this is BS. He came out of Cuba and could say his age was whatever he wanted to say. His age is of relevance because both Sox fans and Sox management is talking about how Jose needs to change how he pitches in order to become effective. He needs to not tip his pitches, throw more fastballs, get better control, get better command, etc. If he really were a kid, I'd be more likely to be optimistic that he can change how he pitches. But, he isn't a kid; therefore I'm not so optimistic. With Jose, what you see is what you got. How old do you think he is? I'd put the over/under at 39. (bet the over)

If the Sox pitch Schoenstiff before the end of the season, then this means bad things for the Sox. The remainder of this season is like early Spring Training. They are pitching guys they want a look at for next season. The only reason to pitch Schoney is if you are considering having him on the roster next year. Paying him more than $1 million (again!) to suck would be another bad move by the Sox.

Pavano would be great. But, I doubt the Sox are going to get the most coveted FA pitcher. The Yankees need him and the Yankees get what they want. If one is realistically looking at what the Sox might end up getting (if they go after a FA starter at all...you know how KW loves trades), Lowe is more likely. His numbers haven't been great, so he won't get premium money. He's not a great starter, but at least he has a penchant for groundballs, and maybe he'll give up fewer homers than Judy.

Very true. The Sox will already be paying Thomas $8 million and he could easily have a season with 100-200 at bats due to yet another injury. Hard to argue that we should risk additional millions on another player with serious injury risk.

You're probably right that they can afford to sign one or two of those. Radke probably is at the top of the list. If they pick up Guzman's option at $5 million, then Ryan isn't as smart as I think he is.

Buehrle is a solid, but unspectacular #2. No better, no worse. To claim anything else is just plain silly.

Not for Kenny. No Sox player, and particularly no Sox prospect is untouchable. I hope you guys aren't in love with Anderson, Sweeney, or any Sox prospect, because Kenny would trade them all for the next grinder.

Erstad is pretty worthless. Except for one aberrant year, his offensive production has been downright bad. Unfortunately for the Sox, KW has been interested in him for years. I wouldn't be shocked to see KW acquire him. Sounds like a Kenny move to me.

Dream on. They give up Griffey and take two scrub prospects who haven't panned out for the privilege of still paying half of his salary? They would get a better offer than that...probably already have.

95% of FA's go to the team that makes the best offer in terms of dollars and years. I bet he'll come to Chicago if JR outbids all of the other teams interested in him. THAT is why he won't be a Sox next year.

I don't know if we want to debate how much money JR and the Ownership Group "have to spend". But, I didn't intend this thread to be JR bashing. It was merely intended to inform the debates about what the Sox should do to improve this team. Some Sox fans are still talking about "using the $14 million of Maggs money" to get an $8 million pitcher and a $6 million position player. Given the various raises for players and the contracts of midseason additions of Garcia, Contreras, and Everett, the Maggs money is already allocated. Any improvements to this team will have to come from increased spending by the Ownership Group, or trades, or both.

With all this talk about potentially signing FA's, making trades, etc., I thought it would be helpful to point out what the Sox 2005 payroll projects to be. If the Sox stood pat and didn't make any significant signings or trades, this would be the Sox 2005 roster and payroll: 1B - Konerko (8.75M) 2B - Harris (320K) 3B - Crede (350K) SS - Uribe (350K) LF - Lee (8M) CF - Rowand (1M - est.) RF - Everett (4M) C - Davis (1.4M - est.) DH - Thomas (8M) Bench - Burke (310K) Bench - Gload (310K) Bench - Utility (300K) Bench - Utility (300K) Bench - Utility (300K) SP1 - Buehrle (5.75M) SP2 - Garcia (8M) SP3 - Contreras (6M) SP4 - Garland (2M - est.) SP5 - Grilli/Diaz (310K) RP1 - Takatsu (2.5M) RP2 - Marte (1.25M) RP3 - Pollitte (1.3M) RP4 - Cotts (310K) RP5 - Reliever (300K) RP6 - Reliefer (300K) TOTAL = $61.7 million That is about what the Opening Day payroll was this year. But, the above team has holes (aka dead weight) at 2B, 3B, RF (depending on your opinion of Everett), C, one SP spot, and at least 2 RP spots. That is a $61.7 million payroll with 6 or 7 holes to fill. Since JR probably won't spend a lot more than $70 million, it looks like some trade or trades are necessary in order to address the many holes in this swiss cheese roster.

I'm sick and tired of the "he's still young" argument. Garland now has 5 major league seasons under his belt and has pitched 773 innings. Yes, he is young, but he has had 5 years to develop. AND HE'S NOT IMPROVING. If he were a young very talented pitcher, then I would have expected him to show at least SOME improvement over these 5 years. He hasn't shown any improvement in any way that can be measured statistically. In fact, in many ways he's gotten worse over the years. His ERA appeared to have leveled off at about the 4.50 point, but then ballooned up to 5 this year. His ERA has levelled off at about 1.40. His K/9 have dropped over the last 3 years (to under 5). His K/BB have levelled off just under 1.50. His OPS against has increased over the last 3 years (to just under .800). And, he's giving up more and more home runs every year. Isn't he supposed to be a ground ball pitcher? What's to like about this "kid"? His stats aren't particularly good and they haven't shown improvement over his major league career. What evidence is there that he'll suddenly be a different pitcher? He has good stuff, not great stuff. His command and control are usually poor. And he's a headcase. What am I missing? I've watched Garland be an unrelenting stiff for the Sox for 5 years, and I'd rather not see anymore of it.

Uh yeah, it does bother me. Does it make me turn my back on the Sox? Nope.

Indeed I did.