SSH2005

I think Owens will be better than Taveras offensively but he won't play defense in center field as well.

^^^^^^^^^^

If the Dodgers manage to sign Furcal, maybe they would move Izturis to second base and Kent to first base. Antonio Perez could play third base.

Frank can't be released. He's a free agent already.

I think if the Sox are seriously looking to sign Bill Mueller, the health of Crede's back must not be looking too good.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to nitpick. I just remember a few weeks ago when some people thought that the 2006 payroll would be $95 million. I don't see that happening. I hope I'm wrong though.

It looks like this rumor has legs: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5128574

Yes, it is very unlikely. If the Indians couldn't even trade for Thome or sign Giles, they aren't going to give up a ton of prospects and take on part of Manny's huge salary.

The upper $80 millions isn't $90 to $100 million though. It could just mean $87-$88 million.

I really think the Twins will end up signing Everett to DH.

I think Ozuna is also our backup shortstop.

Haha, they fixed it because they were making a big stink about it this morning on ESPN 1000 and the Score.

It was $75 million. http://asp.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/sa....aspx?year=2005 Rick Hahn was on the Score and said that the 2006 payroll could be in the upper $80 millions.

Per George Offman of the Score: "The Twins are desperately trying to acquire second baseman Luis Castillo from the Florida Marlins."

I don't see that happening after how bad Konerko hit in the 3-hole last season, even if it was a very small number of at bats.

I would love if Garland agreed to a 3 year, $21 million contract but if he repeats on his 2005 season, he could make that contract look like chump change via free agency.

They need a lot of help.

Dye has a $6 million team option or a $1.15 million buyout for 2007. Iguchi has a $3.25 million team option or a $250,000 buyout for 2007.

There's no way he will be gone due to arbitration. At the very least, Garland will be back on a one year deal like you stated. Unfortunately, that's what I see happening. I think Garland thinks he can repeat his 2005 season and get a crazy contract next offseason.

And if the Sox give Garland a 1 year deal, he will still be a free agent after next season so what's the difference?

It makes sense though. Why would Garland want to sign a cheap 3 year extension now when he could just wait a year and break the bank for a huge deal like B.J. Ryan and Billy Wagner?

Exactly, but most people were talking about splitting up the lefties and righties in the middle of the order by going Konerko-Thome-Dye or Dye-Thome-Konerko.

Ozzie must have realized that neither Konerko or Dye are #3 hitters. A healthy Thome is our team's best hitter and highest OPS guy. It makes the most sense, regardless of the lefty-righty order. Like I said in that other thread: Thome: 963 career AB's batting third Konerko: 69 career AB's batting third Dye: 25 career AB's batting third

Nope, Levine just said that it was a 3 year extension that they were working on.