harfman77

QUOTE(IowaSoxFan @ Nov 22, 2006 -> 04:21 PM) I like the idea of Freel as a fallback option, though I do not really dig the imaginary friend thing. I am still holding out hope for Crawford and I think that we can work out a deal that will bring him in. Verlander and Bonderman dropped by as well

BA to the Marlins for Petit and Mitre. Mitre, BMac and Fields to the Rays for Crawford.

QUOTE(beck72 @ Nov 22, 2006 -> 04:20 PM) If McPherson shows a pulse, he should be there. But I guess that's the key. They need power from 3B, which Figgins won't give them. I could see them make a trade. I haven't heard their names come up for any 3b men. It would make sense if Figgins was part of that deal. The rumor a while ago is that they were trying to get Tejada to play 3rd.

I like the idea of Freel as a fallback option, though I do not really dig the imaginary friend thing. I am still holding out hope for Crawford and I think that we can work out a deal that will bring him in.

QUOTE(Hatchetman @ Nov 22, 2006 -> 04:17 PM) what's the appeal of figgins? Hes fast and versatile. Plays decent defense at a number of positions and bats lead off.

QUOTE(beck72 @ Nov 22, 2006 -> 03:54 PM) I have only heard the speculation that Figgins might be moved if the Angels got a CFer. With Sarge Jr., on board, it only makes sense. The questions are, 1] what would the Angels realistically be asking for and get and 2] what could the Sox offer in return? Has anyone heard of names being mentioned with Figgins? I don't count the Crede talk because that must have come from fools. Mackowiak's versatility might intrigue them with Figgins gone. Mack and a young arm that doesn't fit with the sox like Heath Phillips. They will likely hang on to Figgins until they are blown away. Figgins wasnt supposed to be their CF'er last year until Erstad was hurt. They will use him in the super utility role again.

Freel strikes out too much to lead off for us. He strikes out a lot against the mediocre national league, imagine what he would do playing with the big boys

The benefit that this gives us that BA's trade value continues to rise tremendously with Pierre getting $9 mil/year and Gary Matthews getting $10 mil/year. He will be under the control of the team that signs him for a while and plays a position that is far too overpriced in free agency. That can be a big chip in acquiring someone like Michael Young from a team that is looking to replace their CF'er and have payroll flexibility to sign another slugger.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Sep 12, 2006 -> 04:33 PM) If you could get that much for those 2, that would be absolute dynamite...but I think you're asking too much when you stick Adenhart and Wood in the same deal. We might be able to get them to part with 1 of those 2 in a deal involving Crede...but I just can't see them letting go of both. They're too protective of their prospects for that. I agree, but if they want Joe, the price should be that high

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Sep 12, 2006 -> 04:21 PM) What would it take to change your mind? I wouldn't think about it for Figgins...but the Angels do have a ton of young talent that I'd love to get my hands on. Brandon Wood would look awfully good at Shortstop here in a year or two. What about a package of Figgins, Wood, Adenhart and Cabrera for Crede and Uribe. Wood will end up either at SS or third long term and could be a replacement for Joe is Fields does not pan out. Cabrera can play SS for a little while until either Wood or Valido is ready, plus the Angels have Erick Aybar who can be their next SS. Figgins could spell Fields at third, Iguchi at second, Sweeney in LF and Anderson in CF. It would give us a solid backup CF finally. Crede would be missed, but if the Sox could make that deal, I would be ok with it. QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Sep 12, 2006 -> 04:30 PM) Well the article unless I missed it never said that prospects would be involved either.... so thats where im taking it from. The article talks about Figgins being part of a package.

Brian Anderson on the bases this season - caught stealing 5 of 9 attempts - he needs to learn to run the bases better and get better jumps off pitchers so that he is in a position to score. He has hit much better since June raising his average all the way to .227 and bringing his OBA up to .299. In September he is 1 for 12 with 5 K's. The things that Ozzie said are not incorrect, while its great to have an excellent defensive centerfielder, we need more from him. He needs to be able to move across the bases better. To me thats what Ozzie is talking about when he refers to speed, not that he has to run a 4.3 or anything, but that he has to be better on the bases. I think that some work in the offseason would really help him, and I dont know why he would think that he is too g ood for winterball, that is just frustrating to here from a kid that you want to see develop into a star player.

I love Jose, but if you can get something good in return for him, kiss him goodbye. He is aging, and while he can be dominating at times, I dont see that as a lasting attribute. At the same time, I think it is a mistake to move Haeger into the rotation anytime soon. I think that he could be a great long man in the bullpen next couple of seasons. I think that a Garcia - Fields - Pods - Valido for Peavy and Klesko deal is a possibility but not likely. I think it is more likely that Freddy goes to the Cards for prospects. I think dealing Contreras to the D-backs make sense, especially if you can acquire Carlos Gonzalez, Justin Upton and possibly Juan Cruz back. The rotation would be: Beurhle Garland Vazquez McCarthy Cruz/Free agent But getting rid of Freddy and Contreras would allow us to make at Zito too, although I think he has Boras so that is a long shot. I think it is time to sell high on Contreras and see what the market will yield.

Maybe MLB should quit scheduling games in September to be played in Collge football stadiums on Saturdays. Why not have the Sox play at Minnesota last week, when the dome was open, and have the Twins come to Chicago the last week of the season? Its just dumb and shows a lack of foresight

One thing that you want from your top two hitters is the ability to battle. It is Iguchis job to look at a lot of pitches that way the guys behind him can see more pitches. I think the two hole will always have a lot of K's for this reason. The difference between Gooch and BA is that Gooch usually has a longer at bat, he takes a lot of pitches and battles quite a few off, BA so far has a terrible time with two strikes, I think it may just be the pressure in his rookie season and not wanting to strike out, be K's on some really bad pitches. I think he will correct this in time, but I think he will not ever end up as a 2 hitter, he will probably be a Rowand like number 5 guy when he settles in.

QUOTE(WilliamTell @ Aug 22, 2006 -> 04:25 PM) I'd love to see Anderson be in the 2 hole in the future especially if he can get that average around .275 for a season with a high OBP. Who hits first then?

Gload for Betemit?? That gets my vote, that guy is a super sub infielder that can play all four positions. He is young and still has upside as well.

The last big power prospect that we had was Kip Wells, I think after that the front office got tired of the under producing power pitchers that they were continually drafting with no success and had a change of philosophy to grab guys that can hit the strike zone consisitently. I really think that KW and crew has done a good job at the top of the draft recently, I think Broadway and McCulloch will develop into middle of the rotation starters. Later in the draft is a good place to grab those power guys, I think Oswalt was drafted in like the 21st round. Also it seems most of the dominant power pitchers now are not available in the draft - Liriano, Pedro, Santana, Zumaya, all have been signed as free agents from other countries. That is the area where I think the Sox need to devote the most resources. Who is the last foreign player that we have signed as a kid and made an impact in the majors? Iguchi doesnt count as he was never in the system and the Sox did nothing to develop him into what he is.

QUOTE(mmmmmbeeer @ Jul 29, 2006 -> 01:21 PM) As mentioned earlier, it would surely be a precursor to another deal. With the addition of Linebrink, as you pointed out, our pen would be overflowing with arms. We'd need to move one of those arms either in a trade or, more likely, into the rotation (BMAC). So your pen is set, your rotation now has 6 pitchers. One of them would be dealt, hopefully Freddy or Vaz. So your pen is stronger, your rotation is stronger (should be), and you're probably going to get back a pretty nice offensive contributor for a SP in this market. Assuming this is the plan, I deal Fields straight up for Linebrink. If for whatever reason this wouldn't serve as a precursor to another move, there's no way I make this deal. How bout: Fields McCarthy Vazquez for Peavy Carillo Headley If the Pad's were talking to the red sox about a Peavy for Lowell swap, this wouldn't be out of bounds by any means. Pads get three major league ready guys and the Sox get Peavy, a top prospect, and mid level prospect to come up and fill Fields's spot in the system

I am still holding out hope that KW will bring in Crawford, and that he is super ninja top secret negoitiations with the Rays right now. We could probably swing a deal involving only minor leaguers plus Pods. I really am torn on Fields, he reminds me in a lot of ways of Joe Borchard, but then again, he may be our next 1B after Thome retires with Paulie moving to DH.

The more I think about it, it is probably a bad idea to try to put BMac in the rotation at this point, we would be better off bringing up someone who has been starting. I dont think it would be easy to stretch him out at this point of the season, and by the time he becomes effective it wont really matter.

What would be bad about going to a six man rotation for a while? Send Gload down and bring Tracey back up, move Tracey into BMacs role and insert him in the starting rotation. It seems that our pitchers have lost something, which I believe is the result of pitching more in the last year then they have ever pitched in that time frame. So in order to drop a little of the workload from these guys for a while, I think that a six man rotation would make a lot of sense. Also at the same time you can evaluate BMac as a starter in case you would like to move any of the other starters in the off season.

What about acquiring Pierre to play Center and lead off the rest of the season? CF Pierre LF Soriano DH THome 1B Konerko RF Dye 2B Iguchi C Pierzynski 3B Crede SS Uribe Hopefully after those moves we weould still have BA as a defensive replacement for Piere late in the game

I think a trade of Garcia and Valido is probably good enough to get Hawkins and Cabrera. I love Cabrera, he has a rocket arm with nasty stuff, his major fault is that is K/BB ratio is like 1/1 due to control issues, he pitches like Ricky Vaughn before the glasses.

I know this is kind of an old topic, but with everyones interests changing in the mean time I thought this still may be a pretty viable option, only as a three way deal though. Something like this: Sox get Chone Figgins Austin Kearns Reggie Willits Angels get Alphonso Soriano Brian Anderson Jerry Owens Nats get Pods Adam Kennedy Lance Broadway Joe Saunders Nick Adenhart I know it is a pretty huge trade, but I think it makes a lot sense for all sides. I know a lot of people really like BA and will hate this, but I think this gives the Sox the guy at the top of the lineup that Pods is supposed to be. Angels get their guy in Soriano, plus we help keep him off the Tigers.

Well it has happened before: Matt Karchner for Jon Garland Victor Zambrano for Scott Kazmir Bartolo Colon for Brandon Phillips Cliff Lee and Grady Sizemore Teams sometimes have to pay high prices for pitching sometimes when they are trying to make a run for the playoffs, and it looks like the Reds are in win now mode and KW might be able to take advantage of that. We could add in Jason Stumm or Corwin Malone as well