hitlesswonder

QUOTE(infohawk @ Nov 22, 2007 -> 09:08 PM) Coco Crisp would not be a poor addition to the club. His only real drawback is that he doesn't have much of an arm for center. Still, his defense is exceptional, he gets on base and he has plenty of speed. He would be a natural lead-off hitter. Crisp has a career .329 OBP. He does not get on base. Plus I don't want to see what Theo would get Kenny to give up for Crisp.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Nov 22, 2007 -> 12:31 AM) Kenny will never allow rebuilding mode, which is why unless he gets lucky again ala 2005, and lightning doesn't strike twice, we're in trouble on the field until he's fired. Sad but true. Wow. I posted something like that after the Garland trade & got ripped by a mod for being too negative. Anyway, I promised no more negative posts here, but I'm struggling to find something good in this signing. Linebrink's numbers have been trending down for 2 years. And he's not in the NL and PetCo anymore. OK, here's the positive thing -- I think middle relief is actual undervalued -- the middle relievers often pitch very high leverage innings. They come in when a starter has been pulled, which usually means men on-base. That's why DET pitching Zumaya as a middle reliever and Jones to close actually isn't a bad idea. So, I don't mind trying to secure a lock-down middle reliever. Whether or not Linebrink is that guy is another question...

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 01:37 PM) Out of Crede, Uribe, and Anderson, I think I see zero guys that the Red Sox would actually want. I think that's right -- none of those guys has any trade value at all IMO. You can't just package up a lot of stuff with no value and expect to get something that has value in return.

QUOTE(fathom @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 01:37 PM) Less grinders, more skilled players. Freel has so many problem off the field, and he's not reliable on the field. Now Josh Hamilton.....where do I sign up? Cause we all know Hamilton has no off-the-field problems

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 11:09 AM) Bobby Jenks is not worth Robinson Cano straight up. End of story. My God, Cano is a 24 year old 2B with a career .314/.346 with decent power and had his best walk totals ever last year... his discipline is sure to continue to grow. For a reliever who throws 100 innings? haha, no chance in hell dude. This is ridiculous to argue about, but I'll do it anyway. 1) You, me, and Baseball Prospectus may think closers are over-valued, but most GMs disagree. Just look at the FA contracts that have been signed recently: BJ Ryan, Danys Baez, Billy Wagner, Rivera. Getting a proven closer on the market costs tons of money. It's easier to pick up a 2B that provides production (e.g. Iguchi, Belliard) than to acquire a player like Jenks. It's a question of positional scarcity. It's not like Cano plays SS, CF or C. 2) Jenks is young, cheap, and under control for 3 (or 4?) years. He's coming off his best season. 3) Lidge is expensive, coming off 2 bad season, under control for 1 year and brought back multiple players (one a major leaguer). Maybe the Yanks wouldn't trade Cano, but the Sox could pick up comparable talent if they wanted to trade Jenks.

QUOTE(GreatScott82 @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 10:01 AM) But the only thing really different about Texas' reported offer and the Sox' offer is the extra year.. In reality its pretty much 14 mill/ season for both teams... Do the Sox buckle down and throw in that 6th year? I doubt it.... If the Sox are serious about Hunter, I think they should try to compete with the Texas offer by front-loading the contract. Give Hunter more than $14M in 2008 and 2009 and keep the contract length at 5 years. That way, he'll be paid the most when he's most valuable (and when the Sox payroll can handle it the best) and they won't be on the hook for Hunter when he's 39.

QUOTE(Jenksismyb**** @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 09:52 AM) I'm still enouraged by what I saw. It's clear the team has 8 or 9 guys with pure athletic talent. It's just going to take time for Weber to teach these guys how to play. My only fear is that he won't be able to teach them how to hit a shot. Man they are a terrible jump shooting team. Maybe I was spoiled watching D-Will, Luther and Dee for so many years... As far shooting goes, Frazier seems to have improved his shot significantly. Hopefully the same thing can happen for McCamey, and quickly. As far as athleticsm, UI has some guys that can jump, but their perimeter defenders outside of Frazier and Jordan seem slow to me. I was hoping Alexander would have more quickness. I think Weber has to start McCamey or Brock at the 2 and hope they step up.

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 09:40 AM) Yeah, I'm sure they'd be itching to deal a young stud 2B for a relief pitcher. My God, Bobby is so overrated around here... people want multiple players for him! I'd love to sell high on him, but that'll never happen. I doubt any poster on this site has downplayed the trade value of Sox players as much as me but even I know that Jenks has significant value. He's coming off his best season, he's still cheap and under control for 3 (maybe 4) years. He's young. He's a "proven closer". Rivera is getting $15M a year. Middle relievers in the FA market are going to sign for $5M a year on up. Jenks is the most valuable player the Sox have under control. He's easily worth Cano straight-up. Maybe the Yankees won't do it because they love Cano, but some team would give up multiple major league players for Jenks.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 09:53 PM) Why would we want that overrated (the next DiMaggio ,) overpaid, crippled junk? Baldelli for Uribe and Aardsma/Sisco/Masset would be a fair deal I think. The Sox have had decent success with physical reclamation projects in the past. I'm sure the Rays would think Rocco was worth more, but the time to sell high on him was last offseason. Anyway the guy has talent, and the Sox organization doesn't have much, so a low-impact trade to give him a shot would be a decent idea. No worse than giving Erstad a chance last season.

QUOTE(TheBigHurt @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 09:51 PM) You forgot to put that in green. If only I could put it in green. In all seriousness, right now Owens has to be the leading contender for the LF job. KW said OC will bat #2, and we know the Guillen & the Sox insist that a leadoff man steal bases and be "contact hitter". Owens is the only player on the 40 man roster that fits that description. What other options are there? Maybe Shannon Stewart or a trade for Juan Pierre, but neither of those is likely (and trading for Pierre would a mistake in my opinion). Really, to me DFAing Pods isn't anything to get excited about if he's just replaced by a similar player.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 11:05 PM) I don't think JJ Putz, Jonathan Papelbon or Joe Nathan are going anywhere so you don't to worry about the best closer in the AL getting dealt any time soon. True enough. But I found the Damon for Jenks rumor refreshing -- it's ridiculously lopsided against the Sox as opposed things in the "Crede for Chad Billingsley" vein. Jenks is one Sox player that does have a lot of value.

QUOTE(Jenksismyb**** @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 10:10 PM) Illinois just does not have the offensive fire power to hold up in this game. And they've played some terrible, terrible D. That sums up the game. I don't think the officiating was biased -- Duke is just better. Really, Duke's biggest advantage was quickness and the ability to penetrate. I'm a little surprised that McCamey and Alexander aren't better perimeter defenders. On the up side, there's some hope they can improve. I think UI chances of making the tournament hinge on Brock, McCamey, and Alexander. If they can step up and provide perimeter defense and some outside shooting I think UI has a decent chance to make the tournament.

QUOTE(29andPoplar @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 05:17 PM) Taking it a step further, adding 3 more pitchers to the 40 man tells me they will trade more pitching, this time a young guy or an underachiever (see: Aardsma/Sisco/Masset) or a combination thereof. Just something to talk about and ponder I suppose. I think that's pretty astute -- IIRC all of Aardsma/Sisco/Masset are out of options, aren't they? There's no way all 3 will be in the Sox pen. I'd be surprised if more than 1 is. And Armstrong on the 40 is mystifying unless Lucy is going to be traded (but really, who'd want him?). At least it won't be a boring offseason.

QUOTE(29andPoplar @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 04:55 PM) Who's looking for young cheap good defensive catching as part of a trade? The White Sox ?

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 03:39 PM) Well, now we know that they'll definitely be going after a new leadoff hitter. No one in the organization fits that bill right now. Jerry Owens...

QUOTE(BlackBetsy @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 01:14 PM) I was just thinking I like Broadway for that role. Throws strikes (mostly), has decent enough stuff. Broadway had significant control problems in AAA last season (4.5 BB per 9 innings pitched). It's true he was working on a new pitch, but you can't cont on him to throw strikes right now.

QUOTE(beck72 @ Nov 19, 2007 -> 01:16 PM) Not at the cost of 20 + potential years of major league experience in top talent such as Gio, Fields, De Los Santos, +. He's got a bat to die for [and sign to a long term deal] but not to trade for only 2 years. Gio, Fields, and DLS are only prospects -- and none are considered elite by places like BP, BA, etc. Cabrera is an elite major league player under control for 2 seasons. Given the current direction of the Sox, trading Gio, Fields and DLS for Miguel Cabrera would be a perfect fit.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Nov 19, 2007 -> 12:48 PM) Yes, he said I owe 364 for my next payment. Did you ask if that shouldn't be a little lower considering the payroll was lowered in the Garland trade? I think you should have, and then demanded to speak to the general manager if the rep was uncooperative

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Nov 19, 2007 -> 12:44 PM) He's a league average starting pitcher. That makes him better than "mediocre" but at the same time nothing special. I think getting paid $12M and being under control for only 1 year is what really dampened his value. The "shoulder knot" stuff probably didn't help either.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Nov 19, 2007 -> 12:33 PM) I could be wrong about Cabrera netting two draft picks. Apparenty a poster at SSS said shortstops are grouped with third-basemen and second-basemen -- is this true? In any case I still think the chances are pretty good that -- barring Cabrera falling off the table next season -- Cabrera will be type-A. It is true that he's in that group, but he should still net Type A compensation if the Sox offer arbitration.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Nov 19, 2007 -> 12:02 PM) Then find a new hobby, or new team at least. ... Just stop. Fine -- no more negative posts.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Nov 19, 2007 -> 12:14 PM) From everything I have seen, no. You're right: AL rankings are here.. If Cabrera can play about as well as last year then he should be a lock to be Type A.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Nov 19, 2007 -> 12:07 PM) Those two picks, if received, would both be in the Top 100, correct? Isn't Cabrera likely to be a Type B free agent?

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 19, 2007 -> 12:02 PM) Could you share with us his plan? Because I sure don't know what it is. Obviously, I could be completely wrong, but....the apparent plan is to try to make the playoffs in 2008 with basically the same team as 2007 but a new veteran SS and CF. With the downgrade in the rotation, I don't see Hunter/Rowand and OCab pushing the Sox over the top. And it looks right now like Owens and Cabrera will be hitting 1 & 2 which is not exactly loading up the top of the order with OBP. I hope it works, the Sox make the playoffs and usher another several years of $100M payrolls. But given the age and porr performance of the team last year I just don't think it's likely. I'd be happier if Garland had been flipped for Aybar (who I don't even think is that good) or someone young from LAA.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Nov 19, 2007 -> 11:39 AM) Will do. Can we disable your account then? No one else seemed to be over-reacting, so I thought I should. I just think Cabrera is not what the Sox need -- Jon Garland + $7M(?) for a lifetime .320 OBP in second spot in the batting order seems like a terrible misuse of resources to me. I'm utterly unimpressed by Williams work over the last year -- not that he or anyone else would care. And of course Cabrera could hit over .300 again this season and I'll look more like an idiot than usual. But I just don't like Williams apparent plan. At all.