sircaffey

I don't see us being a good fit to trade with the Brewers with our current farm system. We don't have the pitching down there that they are going to want. The only way I see us being able to acquire Hardy is a three-way deal where we send Dye/Konerko. I'd like Hardy as well, really don't see it happening.

QUOTE (Nokona @ Oct 24, 2008 -> 01:58 AM) Weeks is pretty crappy defensively though. I'd prefer Hardy Understatement. Weeks is the worst defensive 2B in the league.

Kelly Wunsch to replace Boone Logan.

I don't think Alexei determines the offseason moves. I believe it to be the other way around. Whatever moves KW is able to make will determine where Alexei plays. It allows KW to explore numerous avenues, and not handcuff him into only being able to explore 1 position. I'm confident we'll love our SS/2B combo.

It should be interesting to see Zito next year. I think he will do much better (4.10-4.20 ERA). I saw a number of his starts and it seemed that he threw less and less fastballs as the season went on, and his stats started to turn around some. He has an above average changeup which he threw a ton later in the year. His velocity also returned up in the upper 80's as opposed to the mid to low 80's he was throwing early in the season. Should be interesting to see where he sits next season. If he can continue to improve on his slider, he could return to being at least a middle of the rotation SP.

The majority of players perform better at home than on the road no matter the stadium. Buehrle (for his whole career), Vazquez (while on the Sox), Floyd, and Contreras were all better at hitter friendly US Cellular Field than on the road. Danks was the only one better on the road. In the case of Peavy, sure Petco helps a little, but to shrug him off because he pitches in Petco is ridiculous. When healthy, he's one of the best, and would dominate in US Cellular Field as well.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Oct 20, 2008 -> 09:52 AM) Has this topic been done yet? I was gone for 2.5 weeks so apologies if this comparison has already been made. Both teams won their respective division and lost in the divisional series. 2008. We won a game in the playoffs.

Rays sign K-Rod? Revenue explosion and not many holes at all.

QUOTE (SoxFan101 @ Oct 19, 2008 -> 02:13 PM) I think he will stay in the NL, he obviously prefers that style. Weaker lineups and he gets to hit. Dodgers definitely could be major players with Lowe/furcal/Manny coming off the books. I don't think there's any way the Dodgers justify taking Manny's money and using it on anything but Manny. Not after what Manny just did.

QUOTE (DBAHO @ Oct 17, 2008 -> 11:54 AM) So long as Gavin keeps the ERA down, I could care less how many runners steal bases against him. My thoughts exactly.

QUOTE (joeynach @ Oct 16, 2008 -> 11:55 PM) The Rays pitching staff this year is defiantly lightening in a bottle, just like the 05 sox. The couple exceptions being Buerhrle for the Sox and Kazmir for the Rays, who I believe is a bonafied ace (less his recent struggles in Sept). Other than that I think James Shields is overrated, hes a twins like pitcher, good in his dome where other hitters and teams struggle. Sonnastine is def having a career year considering he had a 5 ERA last year. Garza isn't bad but hes still a #3 at best. I do like the Rays lineup much more than their pitching. Their bullpen is also career year USA, percival has miraculously "found it" again, who is JP Howell, same for Grant Balfour, etc. That being said they are still winning the world series, its just their year. The white sox got the Angels with no Bartolo, the Red Sox with Matt freaking Clement starting game 1, and the astros with a banged up Clemens, it was just their year. The Rays have a pitching staff of career years, got to face a white sox team deprived of their best player, their everyday 3B, and one of their starters, and a Red Sox team without Lowell, Lugo, Manny, and a banged up Beckett. I would be 1000000 bucks that next year the rays come no where close to 97 wins again, we saw this happen to the 06 Sox, and 07 Tigers. Point of my post, u want to make $, bet the Rays from here on out. While I won't argue with the bullpen, I pretty disagree with everything you said about the rotation. I'd be careful using the phrase "career year" considering Shields is the oldest in the rotation at 26 years old. And it's Sonnanstine's sophomore season. They are going to improve. I will say that Sonnanstine's improvement was a little more than I would have thought, but not outrageous as it's just his 2nd season. All of these guys are immensely talented (Sonnanstine is a step below the others), and not doing anything unexpected. In fact, Kazmir was a disappointment this season. Their rotation is for real, and they'll add David Price into it next season. If it stays together, I think this could be one of the best rotations we've seen in years, top to bottom.

Well, was anyone right on Floyd? Tough to see this one coming. Even within the Sox organization, I doubt many (if any) believed he'd win 17 games.

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ Oct 10, 2008 -> 01:52 PM) Well there is no suitable option. Moving Thorndog to the closer role means you lose him in the 7th or 8th. Nobody we have is guaranteed to fill that spot like he can/did. The way I see it, we have 2 reliable guys in our 'pen: Thorton and Jenks. And until someone steps up and proves to be as reliable as them, neither one of those guys is moving. Yes, there is no in-house replacement.

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ Oct 10, 2008 -> 01:00 PM) Why is Poreda a lock for "awesome setup man". Trading away one of the best closers in the game while he is under team control for years and makes It's not the dumbest idea posted. Jenks is a risk to keep around, and always will be. His elbow is rebuilt and his K rate is dropping at an alarming rate. He's still great, but he has red flags and to not even consider trading him at peak value would be one of the dumbest ideas, imo. I don't want to trade Jenks just for the sake of trading him at peak value, but if there was a suitable option to replace him then sure.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 8, 2008 -> 10:16 PM) Most teams would be neutral (at best) about a Konerko deal...coming off this season...and due to having to pay him $20+ million for two more years, when he's 32-35. Maybe a team losing out on Texiera would have to give him some consideration, and obviously he been a "money" player in the post-season. Not to mention it seems as though the injuries are mounting. The days of Pauly playing 150+ games per year are gone, imo. I think 140 is the best case scenario.

Just get Roberts somehow...I want no part of Figgins.

I would rather receive less for Konerko/Thome and keep Swisher. I love the versatility he brings, and he is a much better hitter than he performed this season.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Oct 8, 2008 -> 07:40 AM) batting Nate McLouth leadoff is as stupid as batting Grady Sizemore leadoff. Depends on the team. I don't like either leading off on their current clubs. They are both the best hitters on their teams, but if McLouth ended up on the Sox, then batting him leadoff would make a ton of sense.

All of the above.

If Alexi can improve his base stealing and bat control, then he could bat second. If not, I'd like to see him down in the 5th/6th spot (depending on who's still on the roster). With his current skill set, he's more of a run producer. He could be a 100 RBI guy, IMO. Don't put a leash on him by batting him second and expecting him to move runners over, take pitches, etc. Unleash him.

I am shocked a pitcher would clash with AJ. Absolutely shocked.

Yaaawwn. 1 for 8.

1

Morneau is undoubtedly the most valuable to his team of any of the players in the MVP discussion. That offense outside of him is pathetic. The only stat categories he doesn't lead in is OBP (2nd to Mauer), AVG (2nd to Mauer), and 3B (1 behind). He leads in GS, AB, R, H, 2B, HR, RBI, and SLG. Most of these categories are far ahead as well. He's the most valuable player, but as we know, that doesn't mean he'll take the MVP. I'd vote for him though.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Sep 17, 2008 -> 11:42 AM) point noted and understood, but have you considered Dye as an MVP candidate? Most seemingly haven't and that's just a bit sad as far as I'm concerned. If Quentin wasn't on the team, then Jermaine would be. However, Dye hasn't even been the best player on his team for the entire season, so it's tough to consider him for the MVP.