Balta1701

QUOTE(iamshack @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 07:41 PM) I agree with you, and this is the idea that sort of spurned the activity in this thread today. But I just don't see Kotchman as being a good enough player to move Konerko (for reasons not only on-field related) unless another significant piece would come back. If I was moving Konerko for Kotchman, I would demand Santana/Sean Rodriguez back as well. And the Angels WILL NOT be even considering that deal.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 07:36 PM) We were just talking about this at work. I really hope the Cubs pull this deal off. They would make themselves very weak at SP, and upgrading a position that is already servicable. They'd almost have to go out and spend the money on someone like Silva or Colon.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 07:07 PM) Just curious, to all advocates of bringing Roberts in...2 parter... 1. What will it cost? 2. How much does Roberts' addition improve the Sox chance of making the postseason next year? again, just curious 1. Knowing the Orioles, more than we'd be willing to give up. It at least starts with Gio + another guy. Not sure if they'd be interested in Richar or not, but it'd be a decent fit. It might well be Gio + Fields. Just for reference, the Tribune seems to have suggested the Cubs are talking to them and they floated the names Rich Hill and relief pitcher Sean Gallagher (which is probably less than the Orioles would ask). 2. It depends. It certainly improves it. Makes our offense much stronger, if he stays healthy. If you added Roberts and also signed Jones, then this team would look like a force to my eyes.

QUOTE(Al Lopez's Ghost @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 06:51 PM) What, Sosa's not available? Worst winter meeting ever. I think a lot of teams would be happy to walk out of the Winter Meetings having picked up a guy like Quentin.

QUOTE(hitlesswonder @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 06:47 PM) And the Sox would free up a decent chunk money if they can find someone to spend it on. Not to knock Konerko, but he's one of the few tradeable assets the Sox have. If the Sox can turn him into 2 talented players, that's a good deal. The point i keep making is...right now in this market, it certainly doesn't seem like anyone will actually give up 2 talented players for Konerko. And especially not the Angels, who's prospects everyone keeps drooling over.

QUOTE(GreatScott82 @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 06:35 PM) Its not like Rowand is the answer to all our problems but was signing Hunter going to get us into the playoffs? The market is what it is.. Konerko would have signed a bigger deal THIS offseason if he was a free agent THIS offseason. As time goes on, the more and more free agents will make. And lets face it, we need a CF with a good OBP and average and Rowand is that. Aaron Rowand does not have a good OBP, he had, at least last year, a good batting average. His OBP was high because he hit .310. He took more walks last year than any other year of his career and still only took 47. If the previous 2 year Rowand, who hit .270 or Lower, were to return, which I fully expect will happen a couple years of his contract at least, then there's no reason to expect to see Rowand putting up anything more than the .325 OPS we saw from him in 05 and 06.

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 05:42 PM) Not for one second would I trust Ozzie to use Luis properly. As long as you expect to trade him in June...that doesn't matter that much. But I agree with you.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 05:36 PM) The last two organizations he has b****ed out as he's left. He got pissy for the same reasons in both organizations (LA and 'Zona) -- he was being phased out towards the end of the year for younger, better players. He's still got a little left but damn, this would be a terrible signing for the Sox. If the Sox are smart about it then this signing could work. Specifically, you have to think about him in the Royals mode. You do a 1 year deal, minimal dollars, and you expect that at some point during the year, due to injury, out of the 20 teams in the pennant race, 1 or 2 will emerge who lose an OF to injury who could use a veteran at those positions or as a DH/Platoon player or something. Exactly what the Rangers did with Kenny Lofton last year. Even if all you get is a mediocre prospect, the more depth in the minors you have the better off you are. But, with right now, Owens and Quentin, followed by Anderson and Sweeney as still potential OF candidates, you can't give him 50 at bats a month unless someone is hurt. Because as young guys, Owens and Quentin, or Anderson or Sweeney could push their value much, much higher with a good/lucky season.

QUOTE(Friend of Nordhagen @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 05:12 PM) Wasn't there some innuendo, by the DBacks ownership, about his jump in power numbers? Maybe keep an eye on the Mitchell Report on this one. Yes. There has certainly been "Innendo" out there about him.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 05:09 PM) As "horrible" as people might think he is, he hit .278 with 15HR and a .359 OBP with the Dodgers last year. That's not exactly a hitters paradise in LA. I wouldn't want to pay him $7 million, but if he wanted to play for half that, its certainly more production than they got out of Pods. It isn't horrible, but my biggest issue is that I don't think that a guy like Luis Gonzalez helps us rebuild from a 70 win season unless he's there as a backup. If he takes AB's away from Quentin, or right now, even Owens or Anderson, then all that does is prevent our young guys from having a chance to either learn or to build some value on their own. If he's a backup, fine. Otherwise, if you're thinking of him as a starter, then that means you think Quentin isn't ready, and if that's the case, then the Carter/Quentin trade was moronic. The other single benefit of going after him is that maybe 1/2 way through the season someone finds they need an OF so you consider picking him up just to move him for an A ball pitcher at some point in the hopes of restocking, because Luis Gonzalez is not going to fix this team. Esp. not if we think he's a starter.

Well, the one thing worth noting is that he would cover our need for a backup corner OF. If he's paid like a backup, and plays like a backup, ok. But we really don't need to try to platoon every single one of these guys.

QUOTE(Reddy @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 04:08 PM) i dont get why people dont like cantu - he hit .298 with a .382 OBP for the reds last year. why are people so down on the guy!? He put up those numbers in 57 at bats. In his other 58 at bats of the season, he put up this line for the D-Rays: .207 .277 .224 .501

QUOTE(mr_genius @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 02:44 PM) There is no way we should start invading African countries. Why does it always have to be the US doing all of this? The US militaries purpose is not to 'right every wrong' that goes on in the world. It just amazes me that people still want to do this Iraq kind of stuff all across the world. I really think it's time for us to take more of a 'hands off' approach. ps. It just shows the level of abuse our country is at when it comes to using our military. Even the peaceful liberals want to blow stuff up, invade countries, and kill people. The main point of contention? Which country to invade. This post isn't directed towards any one poster in particular, just the overall atmosphere in the country as a whole. 2 days ago weren't people saying that if Sudan did decide to try this person that a military option was the clear solution?

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 02:27 PM) So wouldn't that mean we'd have to come up with a better offer than Chuck James? Doesn't seem like it would be in our best interest to give up something like Gio and another of our few legit prospects. Well, all these people are jumping off a ledge because we don't have proven veterans at every position and so we can't compete for the next 4 years, so if they're demanding it then that's an option. I think it'd be stupid, but I think a lot of these desperation find a CF moves are pretty dumb as well.

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 02:24 PM) The Braves offered Chuck James, a highly touted lefty MLB starter, and I believe the Royals said no. I'm worried about what we'd have to give up to get DeJesus. I'd much rather trade for Josh Hamilton. Things could change if they were to sign Jones or Fukudome.

QUOTE(EvilJester99 @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 02:20 PM) IIRC Gooch said he doesn't want to play 3rd and thats one of the reasons he opted for FA. $

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 02:17 PM) Umm, what? Who else has he platooned unnecessarily? If anything, he's less willing to platoon guys who maybe should be platooned. Iguchi in 06 was significantly worse against left handers than right handers, yet his rest always came on days when a lefty was on the mound. Anderson in 06 was worse against righties than against lefties, so Anderson only would start against Lefties.

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 02:13 PM) He won't be facing lefties...I'll guarantee you that we'll platoon at 2nd base. I actually wouldn't mind a Richar/Ozuna platoon at 2nd. Just because he "Won't" be facing lefties, which under Ozzie Guillen's "Platoon everyone no matter what the numbers say" is probably the truth, doesn't mean he "can't" face lefties or "he will never ever ever perform against lefties".

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 02:06 PM) Interesting, Tigers never spoke to Willis or Miggy before deal was made. So that certainly suggests there's a non-trivial chance they'll both be hitting the FA Market in 2 years.

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 02:07 PM) But what if it's a guy that can't get on base against LHP? As our division stands right now, it's possible we'll have to face Santana, Liriano, Rogers, Robertson, Willis, Sabathia, and one or two other tough lefties in our division. We already have a 2nd baseman that can't face LHP and a DH that is below league average when facing lefties. Does anyone know how Fukudome is against LHP? Where exactly are you coming up with the conclusion that Richar can't face LHP? According to MLB.com's splits, and those are just his rookie numbers, his OPS against LHP last year was .696 and his OPS against RHP was .695.

The best reason to pick him up? If Nancy is still around next year, it would give her many more chances to play "Anything you cantu I cantu better" when he comes to bat.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 12:59 PM) What's really got me puzzled is Ozzie now thinks the pitching is fine, and the offense needs a lot of work. Swapping out Garland for Linebrink on the pitching staff that ranked 13th out of 14 and now you are fine? The other thing is makes clear, is Ozzie isn't too high on the rookies. To be fair, the Sox were actually 12th out of 14th. And given that one of the criticisms we've heard over the years leveled at Ozzie is that he does play favorites and isn't necessarily the best guy at working kids into the lineup, should we be surprised by that sound?

QUOTE(chiguy79 @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 12:38 PM) Sox aren't going to offer Crede arbitration if they can't trade him so keeping him to see his value rise is not going to happen, that is a $5mm gamble the sox won't take. Well, the arbitration deadline is in about 2 days, so, as Dr. Nick once said...at least we'll know.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 12:28 PM) Cashman may be a worse GM than KW; he just gets to deal with $80 million more in salary. Seriously, I don't know how he hasn't lost his job yet, it's absolutely ridiculous that the Yankees haven't won a World Series with all the money they've spent in the past 7 years. I mean, seriously, they've spent a billion dollars in like 5 years, and more than that in the past 7, and haven't won s***. The big problem with that job of course is that on occasion, you have someone step in and make a decision for you. The classic example I think in recent years is with deals like the Giambi one, or in deciding to pass on Vlad and sign Sheffield. Those were decisions that seem to have been made over his head.

QUOTE(bschmaranz @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 12:19 PM) Danks ERA was 5.50... Lincecum was 4.00 and Cain was in the 3s. Both are quite a bit ahead of Danks imo. Lincecum is also nearly a full year older than Danks, and we'd be putting in the 2nd pitcher. Cain is only 6 months older, but Cain also has pitched in the big leagues for 2 years now. And then we can always bring up the NL/AL difference in magnifying the difference in their ERA's. Anyway, I don't like the proposal anyway, just trying to defend our guys a bit. If you can get a Lincecum for a Rios, if I'm the Blue Jays, I make that deal.