Lillian

Even though K.W. publicly dismissed any notion of trying to sign A-Rod, I wouldn't necessarily assume that he isn't interested. It may not take $30 million a year to get him here. If the Yankees and Red Sox aren't players, then that only leaves the two L.A. teams as other realistically potential suitors. Perhaps it wouldn't require quite that much to get it done. Isn't it likely that A-Rod opting out of his contract had more to do with some factors other than the dollar amount? Maybe he is more concerned about extending the contract out several years beyond the expiration date of the old contract. His desire to leave N.Y. and the fan abuse, may also be involved. Then there was always the issue of the tension between him and Jeter. At any rate, isn't it possible that an eight year deal at the same $25 million a year might be enough to acquire him? I'm not sure that I think A-Rod is even the type of guy that we'd want in the club house, however that aside, he would be a huge asset, as so many have stated. Couldn't we fill the rest of the holes without signing another expensive free agent, if we spent the money on Alex? We certainly wouldn't need Konerko anymore, and he could probably net us the players we need to fill the holes at lead off, and in the pen. The Angels would seem like the best fit, as we have discussed many times. Figgins in left, and batting lead off could fill that need. They have a couple of relief pitchers we could really use. The Angels covet Konerko, and they have guys we could use to fill the holes in the pen, and at lead off. Moreover, if we had a good lead off hitter, we could afford to let Owens play CF, and bat ninth. Fields could replace Konerko at first. Trading Paulie would be as much about saving the money, as the players you would get back. Crede could be signed to a reasonable one year deal, keeping our infield defense in tact. We could then keep Garland, giving us a potentially solid rotation. Now if you could just exchange those big contracts on Furcal and Contreras, you could finish filling all of the big holes. In that scenario, you could move A-Rod to First Base, and let Fields platoon with Thome. I think that A-Rod is probably destined for First Base down the road anyway. Here's the lineup: LF Figgins 1B Fields SS A-Rod DH Thome RF Dye 3B Crede C AJ 2B Richar CF Owens Under Plan B, you move Furcal to Short, bat him second. Fields platoons with Thome at DH A-Rod plays First. That team has very good speed, and the heart of the order would be among the best in baseball, maybe even rivaling Boston's. My biggest question mark is whether or not A-Rod can still play Short. If not, then you might have to leave him at third, and then you have to figure out how to move Crede, and replace him with a short stop. I prefer moving him to First, and finding a slick fielding short stop. The other short coming would be the weak arms in CF and Left. Maybe the speed out there would offset enough of that weakness, to afford sufficient outfield defense. The exception of course is Dye, who has slowed considerably, but at least still has a good glove and a very good arm.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ May 28, 2006 -> 11:04 PM) The leg kick probably worked because it helped him keep his weight on his back foot. However, the thing that might help him even more would be to change his stance. I've always hated the way he leans forward. I would love to see him bend his knees and keep his weight centered. Look at that terrific youngster, Alex Rios on Toronto. That is the same kind of stance that Mark McGuire used. It is what some call an "athletic" stance. It helps to keep the body balanced, and utilizes the legs. Of course the other thing that would help him so much, would be to stop trying to pull breaking pitches. It's so painful watching him continue to lung after those breaking pitches that are out of the strike zone. Don't they teach hitters to recognize breaking pitches, and to know that the best breaking balls to hit from a righty to a right handed hitter, are the ones that start inside, and then break across the plate. If it initially looks good, it will end up breaking out of the zone. That is about all pitchers throw to him these days, because they know that he will chase them out of the zone. If he insists on swinging at those pitches, I wish he would at least try to hit it to the opposite field, instead of trying to pull it. I can't understand why he hasn't made any adjustments. How long should it take for him to figure it out? Sorry I included the quote. That was inadvertant. I was just trying to make comments on the general thread.

QUOTE(DABearSoX @ Jan 12, 2006 -> 01:43 PM) So I have decided to take my spring break in tucson this year to spend it with my favorite pastime. For any of you that have gone down there before I could use some info on the lovely city of tucson. Whats the best hotel to stay in pricewise/location? What are the best bars to goto, maybe even some that the players show up at? Is it better to rent a car or just taxi around? What are the best seats to get at TEP? any other info would be great too.... If you don't find the seat that you're hoping for, look at my post regarding a week's worth of games. It's my season ticket, and it's the best seat in the stadium. I'm selling it for face value.

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I have a terrific season ticket for all 15 home games at Tucson Electric Park. I will sell the first, or the last week's worth, at face value ($15 each), if you're interested. The tickets are for a seat in the first section, to the home plate side of the Sox dugout, in the 3rd row. That is right next to the dugout, with a view inside, and very near the plate. You won't find anything that good tomorrow when individual tickets go on sale. I'm not interested in scalping, just looking for someone to help me shorten my stay there, as a whole month will be difficult for me. If you need more than one seat, I'm sure that they would try to get you another seat or two not far from this seat. However, there will likely not be anything this close to the plate and the dugout. It really is an exceptional seat. Your buddy could take turns using it with you. If you're wondering about where to stay, I always stay at the Crossland studio motel. They have kitchenettes, and are about $315 per week. It's only about a mile and a half from the ball park. I haven't figured out how you would contact me through this site, but I will be happy to receive your emails through the "Sox Talk" system.