harfman77

The only reason that he has not been called up yet is because the Twinkies want to keep his service time down and delay him reaching arbitration. I think Slowey has 9.00 ERA in July, but he is a better option.

I could see a deal, but it would revolve around JD whom the Red Sox tried to trade for a year ago. Some sort of deal that was PK and JD for Manny and Crisp or an SP would be feasible. Q goes to right, Manny to left, Crisp or the platoon in CF, Swish to 1B. For the Red Sox, Youk can play OF better than Manny and has played there the last couple years. Its not likely at all, but it could be made to work, Boston would get some players under contract for a few years below market value.

This move would make no sense unless we were immediately flipping Street for a starting pitcher. We have the best bullpen in baseball and a starting staff that needs some rest, Javy appears to have a dead arm, Floyd and Danks will hit the their career highs in IP, JC is starting to slink back into 07 form. We need another starter to provide some depth and take some pressure off of the rest of the staff and allow the team to handle Danks and Floyd more cautiously. No sense in adding a piece to the strongest unit of the team at this point.

Lowe for OC would be a swap of impending Type A free agents, JC would need to be included because the Dodgers lack depth in the rotation. The available pitchers are likely: Harang CIN Arroyo CIN Oswalt HOU Burnett TOR Washburn SEA Bedard SEA Millwood TEX Lowe LAD Oswalt probably won't waive his NTC, Arroyo is not an improvement, Harang is having a bad year and has been hurt, Bedard is a head case, Burnett, Millwood, and Lowe would be options, and Burnett is probably the most attainable.

With the idea that Fields could be moved before the deadline for an SP, we will likely be looking for a 3B come this offseason. The free agent market looks like this: Casey Blake (35) Hank Blalock (28) - $6.2MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout Joe Crede (31) Nomar Garciaparra (35) Wes Helms (33) - $3.75MM club option for '09 Chipper Jones (37) - $8-11MM vesting option for '09 Dallas McPherson (27) Depending on what happens with Blalock I could see KW making a run at him in the offseason. He is in a similar situation that Dye was when he came in, having lost time to injury that will likely cause him to sign under market value for a short term deal. If not McPherson or Blake could serve as stopgaps that would provide adequate offense and be a stopgap until such a time that Morel would be ready or Getz could end up at third. I am not sure there is a deal that would bring us a good enough SP to make it worth dealing Fields to be had at this point, but it sounds like there is the possibility of something happening.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 12:30 PM) In that deal, both Sizemore and Phillips were considered upper echelon prospects (Phillips was the grand-old prize) while Cliff Lee was considered a good prospect who already had some major league experience. Basically put, I guess you can compare this trade to that one, but just note that the other prospects given up aren't as highly thought of as Sizemore and Lee were (Phillips and LaPorta are on the same level though). I would say that Lee and Jackson are at similar points in their careers, Jackson had some success in the majors last season, like Lee did in Montreal. From what I have heard LaPorta, Bryson is pretty highly thought of as well with his 11.9 K/9 and 3.5:1 K/BB ratio. And the PTBN Taylor Green was the Brewers farm systems player of the year last season and is mashing again this year with an .813 OPS. I think that this trade could be every bit as good as the Colon trade if the players develop. At the time of the trade Sizemore was a huge project, great athlete with no power and incosistent contact.

Cleveland has made a deal like this before in 2002: Cleveland sent Colon, minor league pitcher Tim Drew and cash to the Expos for Lee Stevens and three prospects: pitcher Cliff Lee, outfielder Grady Sizemore and top prospect Brandon Phillips, a shortstop. http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/0627/1399893.html I am actually surprised that the Brewers didn't ask for Borowski to be included in the trade as they need another bullpen arm and there is little risk there. This is a great deal for Cleveland for a rental player. AJ Burnett is not a good answer for the Sox, however I would like to see if there is a way to upgrade Contreras before the deadline, but there really isn't alot out there that will fit the bill and matchup well prospect wise with Sox. Harden is always an injury waiting to happen and the price is too steep, Blanton has been bad this year, Bedard is proving to be a headcase, Oswalt will not likely waive his NTC, Harang could be an option but he hasn't pitched like himself this season either.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Jul 6, 2008 -> 10:42 AM) Why the hell does Chris Young lead off? Never figured that one out. Because they have no one else in that lineup that fits the lead off spot either, but someone has to do it. If O-dog walks at the end of the year, Bonifacio could bat leadoff next season for them.

To me it depends on the matchup and if we have homefield advantage. If we start on the road I am definitely going with MB and Javy in either order I dont want Danks or Floyds first playoff game on the road. If we start at home I go the opposite way using the same logic. But if we start at home I want Danks in game one so he can come back in game 5 if necessary.

But signing doesn't preclude Long from going to college, just playing college baseball. There have been other players who have gone to college while playing in the minors, kids who have played other sports in college while playing minor league baseball. The way the college game is played now it just prolongs the learning curve for players when they finally do go pro.

We also have Fields and Owens down in AAA to use as trade bait, a package of Owens, Fields, Richar and Broadway could be enough to bring in Roberts. I know we do not have a 3B next year if that is the case, but KW is not trying to win next year. We could find a way to add Rowell into the package and give him a shot next year or go after Blalock, Crede, or Dallas McPherson in the offseason.

It could be that Ozzie is using Juan to try to take some of the workload off Alexi because he is not sure that the missile can handle the rigors of the mlb season, giving him a couple days rest can payoff down the line. Uribe is a pretty decent clutch hitter, but that seems to be the only time he can hit. I think he needs to be retained so that he can fill in defensively in the MI, and there isn't anyone available that is better than him right now. I think the Sox are going to take a concerted effort to try and limit Thomes AB's to ensure that he doesnt trigger his extension, which means probably no interleague play and he will continue to sit against LHP. That solves one issue next season when you can take his contract and struggling bat out of the equation. Then slide over PK to DH, Swisher to 1B and BA into the everyday lineup.

If the Sox are able to take a flier on Freddy at a discount rate, go for it, you can never ever have too much pitching. That being said I think it is going to take more than a flier to sign Freddy when he is ready to go. Freddy for all his ups and downs is a money post season pitcher.

QUOTE (Cubano @ Jun 9, 2008 -> 11:40 AM) Article in English: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/c...ory/562497.html The baseball union has done nothing for cuban defectors. I literally mean nothing. The MLB is in bed with the cuban government since the Orioles went to Cuba. Why would people who come into the country get any different treatment than people that were already here? He should have to go through the draft. But again, another player will try to work around the system so that they can pick their own team. Sorry this is a sore subject for me, I feel that every player should have to pass through the draft in order to sign with a team regardless of their country of origin, otherwise it becomes a bidding game that excludes too many teams that need the talent the most.

It is about time something is done with Broadway though, he pitched really well in his limited exposure last season and seems to be as major league ready as he ever will be, and with everyone in the rotation locked up through next season there should be some type of move made there. I think you are hard pressed to move anyone out of the rotation the way the team is pitching so that would lead you to trade Broadway, unless you are planning to move Contreras after the season a la Freddy Garcia. Maybe a Broadway and Ozuna for Taylor Teagarden or Max Ramirez and Ramon Vazquez to add a quality C prospect to the system and Texas can certainly use anyone who can pitch, especially since it seems they will be sending Millwood to the Braves sometime before the deadline.

I am not crazy about the pick but BA had Beckam as the #6 prospect in the draft ahead of Hosmer, Smoak, Skipworth and Alonso.

Thanks for the info, based on that list, it would seem he has a chance. Another question would be whether Uribe can maintain his B status, which seems possible given the defined criteria.

Will Crede be a Type A free agent at the end of the year? I know it is weighted over peformance of the last three seasons, so did last season ruin it for him (or us). Also doesnt it depend on the other free agents available at his position or is it at that position overall? I know that type A free agency gets talked about a lot with OC, but I wasnt sure how close (or far) Crede is from attaining that status. 5 picks before the second round next year would be huge in infusing talent into our system.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ May 26, 2008 -> 12:27 PM) Regardless I'd like to see the Sox take a different approach in the draft and take a boatload of toolsy but raw middle infielders. These are the type of guys that if they develop can be impact guys at SS/2B & CF (all areas of weakness in the Sox system). We are pretty bare at the CI positions as well. There is not really any position where we have any amount of depth. Silverio, Miranda, Getz and Paiml should provide some depth in the MI, Shelby, Estill and Gallagher have potential at CF. At the corners Allen and Marrero are at 1B. None of these guys are cant miss, and thats what we need. I want more of a sure thing then a toolsy guy, toolsy guys seem to falter more often than not. I think with the system we have we take the best player regardless of position each time, if you load up on one position you have a better chance of solving that situation in the long run and also have potential pieces to move to acquire some established players down the road. It sounds like Danks could still be around for the Sox due to his lack of power output at Texas, and I dont think there is a doube in anyones mind that Kenny will jump on him if he can. I would like to see the Sox draft BJ Hermsen in the 5th or 6th, he is a hard throwing right hander from near where I live. And actually Ryan Sweeneys school has another kid that is projected to be a more ahtletic version of Ryan Sweeney that will be in the draft, Brent Warren. BBA ranks him as the #130 draft eligilble prospect, an option in the third round if Danks is gone.

I think that Brian Roberts is still an option and his price will fall, Figgins is probably out of the running because the Angels really value him, but I think a sleeper could be Rickie Weeks. It seems like the Brewers are starting to lose patience with him and he might be able to be had for some pitching and Crede or Fields. Adding OF's seems like a bad idea because we have a crowded OF as it is.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ May 27, 2008 -> 10:36 AM) Fields today is a better prospect than Brandon Wood. Woods swing is much too long and he hasn't been that good of a minor leaguer since his breakout 40+ HR season. He still has a lot of power and raw skills scouts like, but at the same time he's failed to make the necessary adjustments in the minors that will help him be a successful major leaguer and it has shown in his limited time in the majors. Fields has a lot of holes as well, but he has at least produced at the major league level. I still say I wouldn't have any problem moving Fields because I think his value is greater than what his actual production will be (I say this because I still have concerns over his ability to hit for a good enough average and not strike out 170 times). For those more focused on Slugging, I'm sure he'll do fine with that, but I don't have any desire in having a .250/35HR/160 strikeout average fielding 3rd baseman (not given the other parts on the Sox roster). I'd rather try and acquire a prospect with a better all across the board prognosis. Wood is still 3 years younger than Fields, he has mashed in AAA 23 HR in 06 and 25 last year, but K's much too often, similar to Fields. I just dont think the Angels would be interested in the same type of player. I wouldnt mind moving Fields either, but I am willing to trade anyone for the right return.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ May 27, 2008 -> 11:33 AM) Skipworth has shown all the ability/athleticism to stay as a catcher. In fact, most things I've read indicate that he grades out as an above average defensive catcher. If he were to move my estimate would be because a team wouldn't want to waste his ability behind the plate, although, personally I consider it a major premium to have a stud catcher who can hit. Just my two cents. Plus I'm not a fan of Alonso. He is slow as dirt now and I can only see him getting slower. I think it is moot anyway because Skipworth will likely be gone, I am curious to see who is going to slip unexpectedly. It seems every year there is someone that falls and someone that jumps into the top ten out of nowhere. Hopefully that jump isnt Wallace to the Sox, I think we can do better with this pick. I would rather get Weeks than Wallace.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ May 25, 2008 -> 06:24 PM) If Skipworth is there, I will be furious if the Sox pass up on him. He doesn't have unreasonable signing demands (Hosmer does, so I understand and won't blame the Sox for passing on him) yet he has very good tools. While he is a prep player, these type of catching prospect is very rare and the Sox would be foolish to pass on it. I understand people like taking the college player (safer route) but it is hard for me to compare the value in a stud catcher and a stud first baseman (how many more stud first baseman are there in the game than catchers). However, given that route, I would say that I'll be excited with any of the three guys you listed as I think all are capable of turning into perennial all stars (and while none are guarantees to do such, the goal of your #8 pick should be to get a guy who is capable of being a perennial all star and whether its Skipworth/Alonso/Hicks you are talking about guys with serious tools). It would likely come down to Alonso or Skipworth, but with the new rules there is not a lot of risk in taking Hosmer either, buys you an extra first round pick next year if he doesnt sign. Skipworth is intriguing because he is a catcher, but I am not sure he will be able to stay there in the pros. Alonso makes the most sense as he is the safest pick and is not far away from being able to contribute on the major league level, potentially a replacement for Thome in 2010.

Its doubtful that LA would even do a Fields for Figgins deal, why would they add Fields when they have pretty much the same guy in Brandon Wood? Plus last I saw Fields was htting around .240 in AAA. Figgins wont be going anywhere until at least when Howie Kendrick is healthy again and then they can use Izturis in Figgins role. I think that there is still a much better chance that Roberts will be the Sox target as time goes by and Baltimore starts to adjust their asking price to the market. Something like Owens, Broadway, Uribe, and Richar would help boost the Orioles rebuild project and but payroll. All four would be immediate starters for the Orioles. Some lower level talent would proabably need to be included as well, or the deal could be expanded to add Fields and Rowell.

The way I look at it is that OC takes a lot of pride in his defense and wants his statistics to reflect his ability, and if he felt that the error was not his fault, then he did all he could to rectify the situation. It is competitiveness and the desire to win, something that the Sox really seemed to be missing in the second half of last season.