Gregory Pratt

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 04:23 PM) Got free Cub tickets for tonight. I'll be the asshole in the Rowand jersey.... Go in there with a fighting spirit.

QUOTE(NCsoxfan @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 04:02 PM) Given that we are only fans, and this KW's job, you have to believe he has considered this. That being said, what would preclude him from pulling the trigger on a deal like this? Media backlash? Afraid of a white flag image? Having not been afraid in the past to make unpopular deals, why would this be any different? What unpopular deals? Frank and Durham and Rowand?

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 03:34 PM) I wouldn't want to deal with Atlanta with their prospects. Ask Beane how his sack of peanuts for Tim Hudson is working out for him. Andy Marte had more hype than Saltalamacchia (refuse to call him "Salty) and he's in his third organization doing nothing right now. John Schuerholz pitys no man. Fred McGriff, too. I was talking to Wite last night about Hudson and I've been talking to people about McGriff and Hudson and Marte. John Schuerholz is so handsome.

QUOTE(joeynach @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 01:17 PM) Why the hell would we want Willy Mo Pena unless hes going to be a 4th OF. We are in the middle of change away from the lethargic poor defense playing OF (or player) anyway so why would we want Pena. His defense is terrible and hes slow doesn't sounds like a grinder nor the type ozzie would want. I think Eric Byrnes when I think outfielders the sox and ozzie want to see on their team, not Willy Mo Pena. Who told you Pena is slow?

QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 01:16 PM) Back then, quiet and dead would have probably been the best thing. However, if you got him now, you bet your ass it would be broadcast everywhere, and he would probably get better healthcare than the Pres. Well, yeah, completely different circumstances.

Better be Masterson

QUOTE(SoxFan77 @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 01:05 PM) Drew looks sexier in a Boston Uniform... I love this deal btw.. Name one other team with this many 4th OFs??? I dare you... Fourth outfielders can play more than one OF position.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 12:53 PM) Boston fans at BTF seem to think Lowrie isn't a sure bet to stick at SS. He seems like a rather 'low-ceiling' player. I'm really intrigued by getting Masterson -- see, Greg Pratt, we can agree every once and a while. I'm just glad you didn't call me GP!

What will it take to re-sign Pena? Hope he can catch the ball at least.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 12:47 PM) Wow, you guys are definitely right about Masterson. He has a GB/FB ratio of 2.31 this season -- he also has a K/BB of better than 3-to-1. If Kenny's "statistical people" are giving him this info, this seems like the type of pitcher Kenny has been talking about acquiring lately. If they somehow can get all three -- Pena, Delcarmen and Masterson -- that'll be a fantastic deal for our Sox. I doubt we get Masterson but he is very very nasty, I love him.

I'd be more comfortable with the picks if I were more comfortable with the organization's scouts and drafts.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 12:41 PM) Your constant posts about Schuerholz are probably a start. ATL is stacked right now, lineup wise. They are the clear front-runner in the NL, at least IMO, so it's hard to complain about the deal. With that said, as Keith eluded to, the pitching looks like it could have been a concern, and maybe ATL looks to bolster the staff, hell, maybe with a Garland or Vazquez.. I just think "red and blue glasses" sounds silly, since the expression is rose-colored glasses, but whatever. Atlanta is a very handsome city and organization. I'm sure Schuerholz called about Garland or Vazquez but the conversation ended fairly soon for a variety of reasons. Money, and our asking price, I'm sure, were pre-eminent, and I don't believe that Schuerholz and KW get along very well based on their lack of significant history and the kind of things Schuerholz says in his book.

Manny Delcarmen? Sweet Lord.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 12:16 PM) A pitcher, perhaps? Have you noticed through the blue-and-red shades that they have no fourth or fifth starter? Or that they just made a trade (McBride for Ledezma) that looks extremely silly now that Ledezma has been DFA'd? Pitching's good, but they could really use a boost at first. There probably wasn't anything worth biting on available for pitching. PS: why are you insinuating that I'm wearing 3D glasses?

I like Masterson a lot.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 12:11 PM) It's all about value. The value of a catcher with the skills of Salty are much more rare than the value of a player with the skills of Teixera playing first-base. I will say this. JS has, quite obviously, earned his own 'leeway' with trades and other transactions, so I'll keep my mouth shut. What should they have given Salty up for?

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 12:02 PM) Hah, this was predictable. JS is giving up six years of Salty -- a catcher who, if he wasn't behind McCann, could probably step in and be one of the top eight catchers in all of baseball -- along with some other good prospects for a year-and-a-half of Tiexera. Basically, if Atlanta doesn't win it this year, I can't see this being a very good trade for Atlanta... It's as predictable as people saying, "Oh, no, they've given up so much!" They haven't given up anything more than what they can afford.

QUOTE(AirScott @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 11:48 AM) Keep in mind he had a stint on the DL, which explains the 13 home runs. And who knows how long he was playing hurt before going on the DL. He's also a Gold Glove first baseman and still ranks 11th in the AL in OPS. This is a fairly low cost for Atlanta, especially since Saltalamacchia wasn't going to supplant McCann at catcher or anything. Yes.

I meant, hope it's not Pena and Hansen. Masterson I'd like. Bowden, too.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 11:42 AM) If you actually capture UBL, you'd be insane not to brag about it. You don't capture the leader of your enemy, the guy who's been the face of that organization, and then not tell anyone. Hell, especially if you're an administration with 25% approval ratings, but that's beside the point. Capturing him is pretty much the biggest trophy victory we could claim in the fight against AQ. We're talking during the Clinton years, 98, not now. I think at that time he'd have been interrogated and all that then sent over to Fitzgerald who had a warrant out for him. Who knows, though. At that time, you might want him quiet and dead.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 11:39 AM) This is a great deal for Texas. Catcher has been one of their biggest needs since Pudge left, and they have one now. They can use him at 1st if need be too. Andrus and Harrison included only makes it that much sweeter. Great haul for Texas...not sure what Atlanta was thinking. Teixeira isn't the guy he was a couple years back. In his book, Schuerholz does a lot of talking about the Fred McGriff trade and the night Fulton County caught fire. He's looking to do the same this season. This isn't such a bad deal for Atlanta at all. Salty = second to McCann, with good reason. He was just a trade chip for them. They've filled their huge hole at first base. Sure, they gave up Elvis, who is phenomenal, but who knows how he'll end up. That's a crapshoot -- and besides, they've got Renteria and Escobar. With the pitchers, that's always a crapshoot, too, especially when any injuries are involved, but it's a trade off that's definitely worth it and it doesn't do terrible harm to their system because these guys were expendable, and Atlanta's farm is self-sustaining.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jul 27, 2007 -> 07:25 PM) I heard the Sox are looking to trade for Carl Everett and Roberto Alomar. No. The new Sox route is for lower levels relievers.

Chipper is so handsome.

QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 11:02 AM) 3184 hits and 431 home runs.... 14th and 37th all time. Some would say that's more a testament to longevity than peak or total value. I wouldn't. I love Ripken! Just throwing it out there.

I really doubt they'll keep him long-term. Just a year and a half.