Rex Hudler

Colon hit 100 mph more than any other Major League pitcher this year, according to ESPN. You don't have to argue the point that you don't think he is worth $12 million because that is indeed arguable. But I don't see any evidence that he is falling apart other than high pitch counts and many innings pitched. That could apply to lots of pitchers. He may be about to fall apart...... it may be next year or it may be 5 years from now.

I don't think that is the case, Cerb. I am checking on that and hopefully will get clarification. I think all free agents are classified.

See my most recent post. If BA is correct, the ranking of the free agents signed dictate the draft position, not the record of the club losing the player.

Graffy is not listed on the list of free agents on the latest BA. I am not sure what classification he is considered. My guess is he is a Class B free agent, which would give the Sox a first or second round pick from the team that signs him. Of course, the Sox will have to offer him arbitration by December 7, which I believe they will.

You can look at Bartolo however you want. I didn't say # 1 starter for a reason because I knew that would be debated. But I can guarantee you that KW and the Sox don't view Colon in that light. What makes you think his "rubber arm is about to fall off"? Any evidence? Seems that if teams are willing to give him big money, they would know more than we do about his health.

Caving in?? Damn Pathetic??? The Cubs are spending money on free agents and making trades to make them better and you criticize them?? They are doing EXACTLY what Sox fans are calling for their own team to do!

If a team should forfeit multiple picks for signing multiple free agents, the team losing the highest-ranked of those free agents gets the highest compensation choice. This was from the latest Ask BA. If this is the case, the way I interpret it is that the Braves would get the higher choice because Gary Sheffield is ranked higher than Tom Gordon (or so I assume). It also includes a complete list of the Free Agents and how they are classified. Ask BA - Scroll down about midway

Jason, I don't think there is any way that Mags, Carlos, Konerko, Koch and Valentin will all be moved. Nor do I think they should. One or two of them, perhaps. Three possibly if it is Koch, Konerko and Valentin.

There is ALWAYS a slim possibility something could happen. But it won't happen unless KW knows he can free up the salary. In the Colon case, I believe the difference is in retaining your own player versus offering a contract to anotehr team's free agent. Couple that with the fact that Colon is a top starter and I think you have your answer. Some may disagree with me, but I think there is a big enough difference in the two situations for it to make sense.

The best thing the owner's could do for the game is to cut loose every player that is arbitration eligible. Release them all! Of course this will never happen, but theoretically it would be a big way of reducing salaries.

I disagree with putting Encarnacion in the same company as Weaver and Fick.

Encarnacion made $3.45 million last year and is arbitration eligible.

I believed the Sox offered Gordon between $2.5 and $3 million for one year. In my mind, that was a fair offer. Obviously, he has been able to get more, so more power to him. But just because the Yankees or any other team deems a guy worth a certain amount, doesn't mean the Sox were wrong because they offered less. The Sox will never win if they have to obtain or retain free agents through a bidding war. They have to be smart in getting good value for the right kind of players. Now if the Sox trade Maggs and don't take on much salary in return, then they would have some more room to play with and could up the ante on certain players a bit. But without flexibility, they are resigned to be bargain hunters.

Yes, if he signs the contract before December 7th, the Sox will get compensated for sure. As of right now, the Sox will get a supplemental 1st round pick and another pick from the Yankees. It is very confusing, but other free agents the Yankees sign will affect the position of the second pick the Sox receive. Even if the Yankees don't officially sign Gordon before December 7, due to the demand (at least perceived) for Gordon, the Sox will feel safe enough to offer him arbitration, which will ensure the picks. December 7 is the deadline for teams offering arbitration to free agents.

Catch is, oh smart one, that they haven't dealt anyone so there is no money freed up right now. If Castillo is still available in January, then your scenario is possible. But in all likelihood Castillo will sign with someone before that will happen. KW is not going to go out and sign players now in hopes of trading someone to free salary later. What would happen if he couldn't move Maggs after making a deal like this? Would he be forced to trade Maggs and take on a crappy contract in return since teams would know he HAS to get rid of him? That wouldn't help. Would KW look smart if he in essence gave Maggs away getting next to nothing in return for the same reason? The bottom line is, until salary is freed up, there is no money to sign Castillo or anyone else with any halfway decent sized contract. And even then, I am not convinced that KW would commit to him (or any player) for 4 year. Hope you can understand my original concept of you can't spend money if it is not there. Not sure it will sink in though........

With what money would the Sox use to get Castillo? They are trying to get rid of some payroll, not take on another $5+ million/year.

And where do you think Jack would play for the Sox?? I don't think there is much doubt he can hit, but he can't do anything but DH. The Sox already have one of those.

He only hit .420 for a month!

Castillo will be long gone by then.........

MSF, you smoking crack today???

Never seen one......

allow me to add...... regardless of money.

What the hell is/was a blog???

All it said on the Sox official web site is that a "limited number" of seats would be available. Didn't say how many. It also said on a first come-first served basis.

If Griffey was playing at his old level, the Reds wouldn't need to pare payroll. He would attract enough fans to pay for himself. The bottom line is if Griffey were an All-Star, they would keep him, not trade him. The whole purpose for getting him was to have a hometown star to boost interest and attendance. Unfortunately, it hasn't worked because of his struggles and injuries.