YASNY

I was under the impression that Meaux was designated for assignment, rather than being released.

Some posts are better left unread ... or ignored.

Considering Ozzie is not sold on Willie Harris, picking up Cora may not be a bad thing. If he can put the ball in play from the number 2 spot to get Scotty Pod's wheels in play, it could be all good. I was thinking they might try Harris in that role ... just have him slap the ball in play and run like hell. Might work out well with Scotty Pod's speed on the pads in front of him, and Frank or ARow hitting behind him. He'd see his share of fastballs under those circumstances. Then again, Uribe may prove to be deadly in those same circumstances.

I believe that in spring training, the best defensive CF will be our CF. I think that will be Rowand, and Scotty Pod will end up in left.

I agree with all your assessments except the Contreras trade. I'm afraid that he won't pan out to be worth 6 million a year to us. At the same time, with cost of free agent pitchers this off season he may turn out to be a bargain.

There is no such thing as a sure thing, even if you are talking about a proven major league winner. The next pitch they throw may be their last. Minor leaguers are even more of a longshot. Even the best of them. That is why KW has traded Jeremy Reed (still an unknown), Royce Ring (Unclaimed Rule 5er), Anthony Webster (same as Ring), Tim Hummel (released by Reds) and so on and so forth.

Oh, I can relate to that.

Maybe, just maybe, KW had to remove payroll before comitting to more payroll.

And the tenth is about the Sox ... but it will have a negative slant. Also, every one of the other 9 will have a negative comparison or connotation about the Sox. At least he is consistantly a tool.

mariotti is not worth the powder it would take to blow him to hell. Don't concern yourself with that tool. He's not worth it.

Frank will almost certainly be hitting number 3, since that's his preference. If not, then clean-up.

KW was seen talking to Clement's agent. Kinda hard to stay under the radar when that happens. Why try and BS when it ain't gonna work?

Come back when you can carry on a civil conversation.

I think you are sorely mistaken. The money will be spent. Konerko may be gone too, but I doubt Buehrle goes anywhere. This team is building around pitching.

Typical RED state. Couldn't resist.

I agree, but I also want to see who they bring in with the extra money.

Sometimes ... green isn't necessary. The sarcasm speaks for itself.

I think a starting pitcher is more of a priority than a catcher. Varitek's Sox won't be white.

Yes. This bullpen is looking to be quite a strength. Let's hope it works out that way. Though, I can see one of Cotts, Adkins, Politte, Marte or Viscaino been traded.

Runs scored. That's the stat that really matters. Even with a subpar year out of Scotty Pods, he scored 85 runs. Not too bad. A little more production at the plate and he's sure to hit 100 again, as he did in '03.

I just read 50 freaking pages in this thread. Whew! I may have missed this, because that's a lot reading, but in over 50 pages of discussion about lead off hitters, with arguments and stats being thrown around like potatoe salad in the Animal House food fight ..... Not one person mentioned the single most important stat when it comes to measuring the effectiveness of a lead off hitter........ That's all.

You know I'd love for us to get a guy of that caliber. But regardless, we don't need Piazza.

Piazza is just the type of player we don't need. A righthanded hitter that should be a DH. No, thanks.

Cleveland was priced out the Jaret Wright market. They aren't going to sign Milton or Clement, as both will command more.

Piazza's done. He'll never see a 30 homer season again.