iamshack

QUOTE (lvjeremylv @ Apr 9, 2008 -> 12:08 PM) And am I the only one that thinks Quentin should switch with AJ in the lineup? Not while AJ is leading the world in hitting.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Apr 9, 2008 -> 01:28 PM) Sure, he COULD be dealt. But from what I've seen so far, I'd rather stick Fields in LF or RF and keep his bat in the lineup if they re-sign Crede. While Fields isn't some untouchable super-stud or anything, it's going to take a pretty good player - or a VERY nice package of prospects - to get KW to trade away a cheap, young player with Fields' skill set. I just think Fields is sort of a redundant player for us at this stage. We don't really need a player with huge power right now, and while that may not be the case two years from now, if we're going to try and win this division now, I think it's best to use the assets we have to supplement the team's needs now- not in 2 years.

I think it's moronic to not consider all your options- whether that is trading Fields, Crede, or whomever. It's pretty clear that the Sox could afford Joe; it's not exactly clear what Joe expects to get. But simply because Fields is our best young hitter doesn't mean it would be moronic to deal him. If Joe can be signed to what both parties deem as fair, then Josh can be dealt to fulfill a different need.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 10:40 PM) All right, I don't think you understand what the word normal means. Naturally colored facial hair, even if it makes you look like a biker, is more normal than bleache blonde facial hair And that's besides the fact that Bobby has been growing that same damn goat since late 05'...

QUOTE (hi8is @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 10:50 PM) poor piece... "this team could be in first come september if they move crede." give me a break. Well, I don't necessarily agree either, but it's nice to at least have someone giving us a little credit. The fact that the national media, as well as most fans, are judging us as a 72-win team is really foolish.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 10:45 PM) With all the good feelings about KW right this second, I wouldnt be surprised if he did something to piss everyone off like trade Quentin, Fields and Poreda for someone like Harden. Then insert Jerry Owens into the starting role. Probably wouldnt get it done in that deal, but it would be something that would happen when Kenny makes deals. Hah... One thing I am fairly certain of is he will not trade Quentin. I think he kind of feels he redeemed himself for dealing Young by stealing Quentin... But I wouldn't be shocked at all to see Fields dealt...

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 10:35 PM) He could have done this a year and a half ago. He could have done something when they pointed out that KW had gone to Boras's people and asked about an extension and been turned down. If he wanted to stay in Chicago, he could have made it happen a long time ago. I don't dispute that. But I don't think the fact that he wants to make some decent cash and still stay with this team are mutually exclusive. It would have been terribly stupid on his part to re-up last year. Maybe after 06', but I doubt the Sox would have been willing to offer him what he thought he was worth then because it was really a career year for him. I think the finite element is starting to get to him a bit too. He realizes he was almost off this team this spring. I wouldn't be shocked if he were willing to do something along the lines of Mark's contract.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 10:17 PM) In other words, it's not happening. Because if Crede was willing to re-up with the Sox and fire his agent, he could easily have done it several years ago. I don't know man... He keeps reiterating how much he wants to stay in Chicago. I wouldn't be shocked if he either fires Boras or regulates his ass...

QUOTE (DBAH0 @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 10:06 PM) Well they both are obviously, but Fields fits more of what they are after right now IMHO. The Giants lineup is the worst in baseball, and they need to win as much as they can now to keep filling that ballpark. Fields would help them win more over the next couple of seasons than Linecum IMHO, but Linecum's argubly the better talent obviously. Here's a scenario though. If the Sox could include Contreras in a deal, and pay at least 50% of his salary for the next couple of seasons (can't remember if he has a NTC), would you do that deal, Contreras and Fields for Linecum. Jose could put up decent numbers pitching in the NL and in that ballpark I'd think. I do not believe Jose has any no-trade protection any longer. And yes, I would do that deal in a heartbeat.

QUOTE (DBAH0 @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 10:00 PM) Harden's still too much of an injury risk for mine. I'd probably target Blanton if I was going with one of the 2, but he's quite similar to Garland really. I still prefer the idea of targeting either Cain or Linecum using a package including Fields. The Giants are desperate for help in that lineup, and Fields would be an ideal building block for them. How is Fields a building block for them but Lincecum not a building block? Not saying they shouldn't deal Lincecum to strengthen their system, but I think the best move would be to keep him a few years and then unload him for 2-3 high-upside prospects...

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 09:59 PM) I wouldn't give up anything of value for Harden right now unless they took on a contract. Notably, Contreras. I mean, it'd be like trading for Mark Prior a year ago. It's just not an intelligent gamble. Would you trade Egbert and Brian Anderson?

Seriously though, what reason do the guys who don't wear #42 say then? I think it's dumb. Wear a patch. Have one player on each team wear number 42. Maybe the Dodgers could all be #42.

QUOTE (SoxFan101 @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 09:52 PM) If Crede keeps producing and Harden is made available... would anyone be willing to package Fields in a deal for him? I dont even know if we have enough to get Harden but just putting it out there. Well, I made this suggestion last night...and then of course got home from the bar after the Championship game and saw that he was scratched from his next start. So the problems have already started.... As for having enough, I think this latest setback just hurt his value tremendously...even if he stays healthy for the next few months, the fact that injury with him is ALWAYS an issue will cut his trade value in half if not more...

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 09:37 PM) I have a solution to our disagreement. This year, we win the whole f***ing thing. That way, Quentin, Swisher, Anderson, Floyd, Danks, Logan, etc., all have 1 full playoff run under their belt, while Buehrle, Konerko, AJ have 2, and guys like Vazquez, Linebrink, and so on are in-between. That way, when we bring up Richar and Fields next year...everyone else has plenty of playoff experience. Deal? Well, I'd still like to sign Joe and deal Fields, and you know if we won it all again with Joe there is no way he would not be re-signed...

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 08:42 PM) The thing you're missing on that thinking is that you're trying to make the jump from having guys like Uribe, Crede, Cabrera...All of them are hitting the end of their "Prime years" or even moving beyond them in the next year or two. If the thinking is that a player's athletic peak is from the ages of 25-29, and then barring chemical enhancement, they begin to decline from there...Uribe hits 30 next year, Joe Crede tursn 30 in a couple weeks, Cabrera is 33. By the time they finish whatever your next contract with them is (except for maybe Uribe at this rate) they will not be anywhere near their primes, and Cabrera's already past it. No, I understand what you're saying. And I am certainly in favor of transitioning to some of the younger kids. But not ALL of the younger kids. I guess that is the point I am trying to make. You need some veterans. And those with playoff experience are pretty invaluable if you're trying to field a "win-now" team. And I don't agree with your "prime years." I'm a little older with that I think...probably more like 27-34, obviously depending upon position. I think Joe has quite a few very high-quality years ahead of him if he can escape the back injury issues....I'd say probably 4-5.

QUOTE (kjshoe04 @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 01:31 PM) They really are, I'm kinda mesmerized looking at them Hah, that's because it appears as though his front leg is touching the ground, but it's really off the ground in the air...

QUOTE (heirdog @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 04:24 PM) Joe Crede abruptly interrupts a masturbating Joe Mauer by hitting a grand slam Oh man...I just spit out my apple juice...

QUOTE (Texsox @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 06:35 PM) We are getting dangerously close to another Fields v. Crede thread, and we really do not need one. /Back to Fields developing At a minimum, he's a September call up. I think he needs a couple stretches with the club this year, and is probably chomping at the bit to get that chance. Not certain how he gets it, without an injury or trade. I really don't see how the two are separable. Fields' development is absolutely connected to Joe Crede, whether we want to admit it or not. There's no doubt in my mind that Fields could benefit from being down in Charlotte right now, so it's just a matter of how he handles being there. If he truly believes what he said earlier, than he will return to Chicago or another major league team as a better player.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 06:24 PM) Fields can play 3B and both corner OF positions, and can hit the crap out of the ball. I agree with what you're saying overall, but I don't deal Fields unless somebody can offer a pre-arb guy with a lot more upside. Unless the Nats want to give us Lastings Milledge or something, I don't see Fields being dealt in a lateral move. Fields hasn't proven he can play anything other than 3b. I wouldn't trade Fields for Milledge. But I would absolutely consider moving Fields for something else of need and re-signing Crede.

See, I think it's foolish to look at Fields as the guy you've got to keep simply because of the salary differences. I consider myself a fairly sophisticated baseball fan, so I understand the notion of keeping your pre-arb players and letting go of your older arb-eligible or FA-eligible players. But I think it's also important to have a mix of youth and veterans on a club, for leadership as well as experience reasons. You guys are talking about losing Cabrera, Uribe, and Crede after this year, and then Thome and Dye the year after that, and moving in Ramirez, Richar, Fields, Anderson, etc to replace them. While that's nice for the payroll, and in theory, I don't think we want to go too young. I'm in favor of keeping guys that are still near their primes and solid fits for the team. I really think there are a lot of factors in play here that we are not accounting for that are very important for a baseball team. I hinted at this in the other thread last night but there are going to be some big contracts coming off the books in 2010, which would mean any re-signing of Crede might only be a money crunch for 09'. That fact, to me, makes exploring the possibility of re-signing him an absolute necessity. Simply because Fields is pre-arb eligible and therefore subject to very low salaries does not mean he can't be moved for another pre-arb player that actually fulfills a need for this team.

With the prize...

QUOTE (BearSox @ Apr 7, 2008 -> 07:53 PM) well, um... I never said anything close to that. I just said that I think Fields is the better baseball player. already? There's absolutely no way one can argue that accurately. You expect him to be? Fine. But as of right now? That's just a distortion of the facts.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 7, 2008 -> 07:06 PM) A pennant is worth a hell of a lot more than a draft pick. If Joe acts like the Joe of 06, simple fact is, we can't move him. If the team stays in the hunt and Joe keeps hitting, then he'll wind up as a FA this offseason. Odds are, the Sox will make an offer on him, but reality is, unless Joe changes agents, if Joe keeps hitting, there will be teams that offer him more money than we will. Our salary is already what, 5th highest in baseball? When we have a guy who might be able to take that position for a lot less money, we just won't be in a position where there's much we can do. Don't forget we will have some major contracts coming off the books in 2010', so it may be just a function of making the money work for 09' regarding Joe and a contract extension...

let the Fields/Anderson + for Rich Harden rumormongering begin!

I can't wait to taste two koshers, with, tomorrow.