WCSox

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Aug 2, 2009 -> 11:11 AM) How about this then: Crawford LF Beckham 3B Quentin RF Thome/Dye DH Konerko 1B Pierzynski C Ramirez SS Getz 2B Figgins CF Crawford AND Figgins? In our dreams...

I'm always skeptical of what I hear from the Sox front office (they have nothing to gain by telling us the truth), but it's nice to hear regardless. I like that they're already thinking about middle relief, which will be key with Dotel on his way out and Linebrink possibly done as a quality reliever. Thanks for posting and thanks for the audio link.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Aug 2, 2009 -> 10:40 AM) They mentioned it was his calf that they were worried about, atrophy from being immobilized in a boot. Muscle atrophy is a lot worse than many people think. One of my colleagues tore his ACL skiing earlier this year. Right after he went off crutches, he showed me the size difference of his calves, and I was shocked. The calf below the torn knee was only about 2/3 the size of the other. I'm sure that Peavy has less ground to make up, but rebuilding muscle in his legs is an absolute must before he starts a major league game.

I hope that some of you are right about Crawford, but I just don't see it happening. The Rays would want a massive package in return and, after Richard and Poreda were dealt, I just don't see Kenny tapping the farm system again. The Rays might not be willing to deal him anyway.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Aug 2, 2009 -> 10:01 AM) I know his transaction history, Im just referring to a homegrown player signing with a hated rival I see.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Aug 2, 2009 -> 09:14 AM) More like AJ Pierynski-esque A. J. was traded to the Giants before coming to the Sox. He wasn't exactly a star player that the Twins desperately wanted to re-sign as a FA.

QUOTE (League @ Aug 2, 2009 -> 09:09 AM) That would be a s***load of momentum, and that is definitely what this team needs. I'd say that acquiring Peavy and then taking three straight from the Yankees has already given them serious momentum. A sweep would be more like the icing on the cake.

Nice

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Aug 1, 2009 -> 10:52 PM) The Yankees will throw everything at Joe Mauer. Everything. And the Red Sox. And maybe the Mets, if Minaya doesn't kill their payroll flexibility with more stupid contracts. I'm also not sure that Mauer would like the Johnny Damon-esque "traitor" legacy of signing with a rival. I'd say that we have about a snowball's chance in hell of landing him.

QUOTE (RME JICO @ Aug 1, 2009 -> 07:58 PM) He has looked great since the ASB, and PETCO will only make him better. I hope he pitches well and beats the Cubs every chance he gets. +1

QUOTE (chw42 @ Aug 1, 2009 -> 08:00 PM) I don't think of him as an above average offensive player yet. With his speed, he should be. If he can post a .340 OBP, he could be very valuable. I never claimed that he's an "above-average" offensive player. And, frankly, the difference between .340 and .322 isn't exactly vast. Getz's OBP has improved dramatically since last year, and I don't see a reason why it won't improve a little more next season. He's far from an offensive liability, and his speed and defense are a plus.

QUOTE (rangercal @ Aug 1, 2009 -> 04:56 PM) I don't see any reason why he would not be able to make the transition to SS. I also feel Nix is a late bloomer and could be a really nice MLB player. I love Alexei, but I think we can get a King's Ransom for him. Despite having a very good day at the plate, Nix's OPS so far in the bigs has been pretty bad. He's going to have to do more with the bat to earn a permanent spot in the lineup. IMO, Getz is a better every-day option (he's played SS in the minors). That said, keeping Nix around as a utility guy sounds like a good idea.

With the economy in the crapper and the addition of Peavy's contract, I don't see Kenny spending much on FA position players next year. More likely that any extra money goes into the bullpen. I'm also assuming that Beckham keeps 3B warm next year for Viciedo, before moving to 2B in 2011. I'm going with... Podsednik LF Beckham 3B Quentin RF Dye DH Konerko 1B Pierzynski C Ramirez SS Getz 2B (FA)* CF *This would be Willy Taveras-type speed/defense guy who struggles a bit to get on base.

Even if Peavy doesn't pitch until September, it appears that his acquisition has provided a serious morale boost in the clubhouse. And that very well may be translating to their play.

QUOTE (MexSoxFan#1 @ Aug 1, 2009 -> 04:36 PM) I much rather Becks be a 25-30 HR hitter with .325 plus average than a 40-50 HR slugger because his average would no doubt suffer... Agreed, and I think that he'd need to do more than hit the weight room to hit 40-50.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Aug 1, 2009 -> 04:26 PM) Getz is a nice little player. I really like his speed. He just doesn't get on base enough. He has a career .322 OBP, which isn't terrible as long as he's not at the top of the order. A number of teams that are lacking a 2B or a SS could benefit from a guy like him hitting 9th (or as a utility player).

QUOTE (jphat007 @ Aug 1, 2009 -> 03:42 PM) Hope Jenks gets back soon. It would be nice to go to Matt here. So are we looking at Dotel in the 8th and Thornton in the 9th then? Way to minimize the damage! Man, we've pitched out way out of A LOT today.

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Aug 1, 2009 -> 03:36 PM) Danks being a baby in the dugout I'm happy that Danks is pissed about his lack of command over the past two innings. I'd rather see that than a guy who says "Oh well" and falls back on his first four innings and the lead that his offense gave him.

QUOTE (BlackBetsy @ Aug 1, 2009 -> 03:34 PM) Danks isn't a #4 on most teams right now. He's a #3 on the Yankees, #3 on the Red Sox, #2 / #3 on the Angels this year. He's at worst #3 for the Sox (I think he's pretty equal with Floyd overall but Floyd has been hotter the last few months) and will only go down to #4 because the Sox will have two legitimate #1s for the first time since who knows when (Peters / Horlen?). It's pretty exciting that the Sox have a rotation consisting of: a Cy Young Award winner, a guy who is a #2 at worst on any team, and two guys who are #2s on many teams and #3s at worst on the best teams. That may not quite reach mid-90's Braves dominance, but it's pretty freaking impressive.

Man, that was close.

Yikes, tough play there.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Aug 1, 2009 -> 03:19 PM) When it's on, Gavin's curve is one of the nastiest things I've ever seen. It is. If he could throw it for strikes more consistently, he'd be Chris Carpenter.

Wow, what a horrible day for shortstops.

Danks! This guy has really impressed me over the past year. He loses his stuff, loads the bases with no outs, and escapes with only one run allowed (with some help from Quentin, of course). His ability to pitch over mistakes is becoming Buehrle-like.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Aug 1, 2009 -> 03:12 PM) Quentin just saved a run there. And may have saved the Big Inning from rearing its ugly head.