bumptious96

I'm leaning towards the group that wants Kenny to get some quality major league talent if he is going to deal Jon. In order of importance I'd like a stud bullpen arm, a good outfield bat, or an improvement in the left side of the INF. But, I'm skeptical of finding a match for those needs. I think that Jon's value in a trade for minor league talent won't change that much between now and the deadline, because there going to be alot of mediocre teams trying to make the playoffs in the NL. Also, if your going to get two high draft picks if you don't resign him at the end of the season, why not just let him pitch this year and say goodbye after this season. I think you can still get alot of value out of BMac by using him as a spot starter/pen arm and insurance for an injury in the way Buerhle was used in 2000. So, if I'm Kenny, I'm waiting for a deal that is better than Garland and Crede for Blalock and prospects. If its not out there, then I'd sit and wait for a prospect deal, whether its now or at the deadline, that blows my mind. I'm thinking along the lines of the desperate Beltran deal or a deal like Garcia with a window to resign. What I don't want to see is Kenny taking his best prospect deal now, because there are other FA pitchers out there and the teams your talking to now may get more desperate (prospect wise) down the line. And if not, you still have Gar for the rest of the year and two high draft picks after he walks.

I'm leaning towards the group that wants Kenny to get some quality major league talent if he is going to deal Jon. In order of importance I'd like a stud bullpen arm, a good outfield bat, or an improvement in the left side of the INF. But, I'm skeptical of finding a match for those needs. I think that Jon's value in a trade for minor league talent won't change that much between now and the deadline, because there going to be alot of mediocre teams trying to make the playoffs in the NL. Also, if your going to get two high draft picks if you don't resign him at the end of the season, why not just let him pitch this year and say goodbye after this season. I think you can still get alot of value out of BMac by using him as a spot starter/pen arm and insurance for an injury in the way Buerhle was used in 2000. So, if I'm Kenny, I'm waiting for a deal that is better than Garland and Crede for Blalock and prospects. If its not out there, then I'd sit and wait for a prospect deal, whether its now or at the deadline, that blows my mind. I'm thinking along the lines of the desperate Beltran deal or a deal like Garcia with a window to resign. What I don't want to see is Kenny taking his best prospect deal now, because there are other FA pitchers out there and the teams your talking to now may get more desperate (prospect wise) down the line. And if not, you still have Gar for the rest of the year and two high draft picks after he walks.

when you think about it. our payroll has risen by at least $20 million over the past two seasons. 2003 was around $65. now its close to $90. that has to be one of the biggest increases in baseball over the past two seasons.

does anyone know what hotel the sox are going to stay in boston or how i can get the information? im flying out tomorrow morning and would love to see the guys and congratulate them. thanks

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Sep 24, 2005 -> 04:38 AM) That was the one time we overpaid for a player. I didnt care about the prospects we gave up the other times but for the first time we got Everett we gave up some good players. Uhhhhh....Todd Ritchie?

The Sox aren't going to have as much spending room as everyone might think. Alot of players are getting raises after the season. Then add in Pauly's contract and Frank's buyout, there's no way the Sox are going to get Furcal. During the trade deadline, when teams were acting delusional, Kenny said that another reason why he made so many moves this offseason was because of this offseason's extremely shallow FA pool. I think that the team is pretty much set for next year with some small moves being made. I see the following happening: 1B: Pauly 2B: Iguchi SS: Uribe 3B: Crede (not going to get that much in arbitration and signing old man Mueller to a 3-4 mill/yr. deal would be foolish) LF: Pods (ugh) CF:Rowand (has said he just hasn't felt comfortable w/ his swing all year) RF: Dye 4th OF: Anderson (will rotate between left and right and play a good amount) DH: This is the wildcard...Kenny can get creative here and trade prospects for a rising young hitter or go cheap on the FA market for a Durazo like player, which I don't really recommend. Oh yeah...send Everett and Timo packing. Rotation: Mark, Freddy, Contreras, Garland, BMac Pen: Closer:Jenks then Hermy, Politte, Cotts, Viz, Scott Eyre, and see if you can send Marte packing. With the FA market being so poor, the Sox still aren't going to be able to compete for a player like Furcal. With the skyrocketing prices for players like Rollins, Beltre, Delgado, Clement, and D. Lowe, the Sox just aren't going to be able to fork over the dough. Even with the great year we had in regards to attendance, I see Kenny keeping the team together and firing Greg Walker in hopes to find someone who will fix Rowand and others. I don't think Uribe will ever change, but I can deal with that. AJ had never walked and never will. He has one of the worst pitches seen per AB ratio in the league. Offensively what this team needs as far as personnel is a #3 hitter (Frank?!). However, getting a good one isn't going to be too easy. As far as hitting philosophy and our approach at the plate, this has been my #1 complaint all year. Its absolutely pathetic how Crazy Carl will swing at everything. And then you have Uribe swinging at the first pitch no matter what in every clutch hitting situation. Then you have Crede who somewhow still loves swing at pitches away in the dirt after 3 full years in the league. Podsednik is simply a weak hitter and needs to hit more doubles/triples (he has 0!) Iguchi=my boy Pauly=not going to nit pick w/ him anymore...he's really won me over this year. If Dye is healthy I have no problem with him. But please...TAKE SOME PITCHES....Walk every once in a while! I'm done ranting ...later