beck72

The OF defense of Manny, Willie and Trot Nixon would be absolutely brutal. Nice to see other AL playoff teams get worse and the white sox better

Grieve shouldn't be anywhere near a starting job. He's at best a 5th OFer, a pinch hitter off the bench. Borchard and his .225 avg and his solid defense would be a better fit IMO. With a healthy Crede, Mackowiak will be a better option as a 4th OFer over Joe B or Grieve anyway.

"Prior has what I call a 'loop' in his motion," said Marshall, who had a career 3.14 earned-run average even though he rarely reached 90 mph on the speed gun. "He brings his right hand up close to his ear. When his elbow starts forward, his hand goes back and flies laterally away from his body. That's an incredible amount of stress on the front of his shoulder." If Prior puts extra stress on his shoulder and that's the biggest problem about his mechanics according to "Dr" Marshall, why hasn't he had any shoulder/ rotator cuff problems? He's only lost time due to his elbow [and the other freak injuries].

A team would be foolish to not try and get Prior. Can't blame the sox for looking into it. Esp. if it would have cost a package of Contreras, Sweeney and low prospect. Prior's injuries don't seem career threatening or due to poor mechanics [despite what Mike Marshall, the guy MLB teams avoid like the plague]. His Achilles/ elbow problems at the start of 2004 no doubt were caused by the way Baker kept him out there in '03 over 10 games with over 120 pitches, and pitching deep into Oct. And the line drive. And concussion. He and Kerry Wood aren't in the same situations where its been the arm everytime.

QUOTE(spiderman @ Jan 17, 2006 -> 07:05 PM) Maybe somebody should let Terry Boers/Dan Bernstein know about Griffey's lack of range. Last season when all the trade talk was going on about Griffey, those two constantly made fun of callers who suggested that Rowand was better defensively, and that Griffey was not the CF he was earlier in his career before injuries. I remember one caller actually had numbers to attempt to support his argument about Griffey's diminished range, and they had said numbers can be anything you make of them... Rant over. Looking a little at the guy John Dewan, and his staff, with Bill James on board, his stats seem interesting and worth further looks. Though stats alone aren't the 'be all end all', along with solid scouting, stats like these could really help a team improve without spending $200 million. IIRC, most of the argument was to get Griffey for DH--not CF. Few people advocated for Griffey to play CF.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Jan 17, 2006 -> 06:57 PM) I heard this as well. According to their stats, Rowand was the #1 ranked defensive center fielder in the MLB. Podsednik was the #2 ranked defensive left fielder in the entire MLB, tied with Carl Crawford. Dye was just under the average MLB right fielder. This stat doesn't take into account throwing runners out though. Thanks for the 'Cliff Notes' version

Listening to 'the Score' 670 around 12 pm today, Murphy had on John Dewan [sp?] of Baseball Info Solutions. He always has him on doing "The Stat of the Week". Today he talked about a category that calculated how many balls an OFer got to, that took into account exactly where the balls were hit on the field and how many outs the fielder got compared to other players at the same spot. Anyway, he compared the sox and cubs OFers, and gave some of the best and worst in MLB at every spot. In LF, coco Crisp was first. Tied for 2nd were Pods and Carl Crawford with something like +27 [outs more than others players at the spot]. Manny Ramirez was last with something like a -37. In CF, Rowand was first with +30. Last was Bernie Williams at -30 with Griffey Jr close behind. Patterson was like a +8 and Pierre was like a -2. In RF, I think Dye was below average, with something like a -2 or -4. Burnitz got a few less outs than Dye did. TIFWIW, but it sounds like this guy's formula is a more precise measure of fielding than typical range factors and the like. He was plugging a new book called "The Fielding Bible". Interesting how well Pods and Rowand both did for this guy--even though a lot of us fans discount how good these guys are, based on typical measures and stuff like arm strength. I'm sure these guys fielding had a lot to do with the improvement in the sox pitching in 2005. I'm also sure the sox won't go backward and hurt their defense. Hopefully, Brian Anderson can be an above average CFer who can get close to what Rowand did last yr.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Jan 12, 2006 -> 06:44 AM) There trying to say the right thing, and also try and make it look good if that is the route they have to take. Im sure right now Kenny is out there looking for another arm, if not two, and if something doesnt work out, we are already hyping up our own system. I don't the sox are hyping up the young pitchers. If anything the sox don't make moves unless they have a solid backup plan. With the trades of Viz and Marte, if the sox didn't think they have guys who could at least duplicate their production in house, I don't think the sox would make the deals. Esp with the cost of bullpen help goin through the roof, in terms of FA salary and talent in trade. I think the sox knew they wouldn't be able to make a trade for bullpen help. that meant they'd be going into ST with the young guys.

Baj's style of pitching and numbers seem to fit with what the sox need---a guy who goes after hitters, can get K's and not hurt himself by walking people. Esp. with Hermanson's health an issue.

QUOTE(RME JICO @ Jan 7, 2006 -> 07:06 PM) He is on the 40 man roster for a reason - to compete. Otherwise why bring him to ST? So the sox can see what he can do, see if he has the skills to replace Pods in 07. Owens needs AB's, as he was injured and missed most of one yr in the minors. He won't get those being the sox 4th OFer. Maybe after he gets 300 ab's in AAA and the sox need him late in the yr I can see him being called up. But not out of ST.

That's what it is the---6 year minor league free agent list. That's where the sox picked up Pablo Ozuna last yr and offered him a minor league deal. Other teams are now coming up with offers for players and I suspect the sox will soon announce around 5-6 guys who they'll have come to spring with them. A bullpen guy or two should be among the list.

With BMac in the bullpen, he's not just going to sit there and wait for the trade deadline waiting for Jose to be dealt. He's going to get a lot of quality innings, with the game on the line. I'd look for him to go like 2 innings at a time [say the 7th and 8th on the day after Cotts and Politte pitched to give them both a rest, and then Jenks can come in]. So you're looking to fill the last two spots in the bullpen--guys who may not get any time. As far as mop up innings go, Tracey looks to be that guy, and right now Tim Redding and he seem to be vieing for the spot. The last spot should be filled with a vet who hasn't had a FA offer [no one available looks decent though], or a minor league rule 5 guy who is a FA now [the situation Jon Adkins finds himself in now]. I'd say a converted reliever who used to be a SP, someone who can give the team a few innings at a time. Preferably a LHP. So the pen looks like: Jenks=closer Hermanson=set up/ closer Politte=set up Cotts=set up BMac=setup Tracey or Redding=long man Unknown

The more I think about it, the more it makes complete sense to add Tejada. The sox are in win now mode for the next few yrs, esp with their pitching. If they can upgrade at a key spot [ss, #3 hitter, an MVP type] without giving up too much, why not? And it's not like the sox are trading away their entire future. They are keeping key young players locked in who won't let the sox get like the Cubs---old, bad or always injured

I thought Tejada was more than 3 yrs older than Uribe.

I'm a little mixed about the whole deal if it came down. Maybe I haven't seen Tejeda enough to get excited about it. Though I'm pretty sure it would be worth it in terms of talent to land him. Yet I have some reservations. the sox do have some key young players to build around [cotts, Jenks, Bmac, Anderson it would seem] locked up for a few yrs cheaply, in addition to the big names [the starters, PK, Thome, Tejeda]. the sox just need the farm system to keep replenishing the roster with a few key additions. Yet it leaves little room for error

taveras is traded. Here is an article about how Willy was one of the only Latinos in Houston. Jose Vizcaino took him under his wing. Yet Vizcaino went to the Giants this offseason. Now he's basically alone as a young guy. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/12/sports/b...serland&emc=rss

QUOTE(South Side Fireworks Man @ Jan 4, 2006 -> 01:53 AM) If the Sox do wind up acquiring Taveras, I'd bet Ozzie would still try Uribe in the 2 hole with Taveras batting ninth. Actually, I think that's a good idea. Still, it's not going to happen (at least I hope not) unless the Astros throw in a quality reliever and a top pitching prospect. I agree. Jose is worth more than just Taveras

QUOTE(SEALgep @ Jan 4, 2006 -> 12:56 AM) Don't know if this was posted, but can Preston Wilson's signing be a way for them to play him in CF, making Tavarez expendable so to say? A lot of Astros posters at MLB.com seem to think a trade is coming, either Lane or Taveras. Seeing how Lane for Tejeda is a pipe dream, Taveras seems expendable.

QUOTE(JimH @ Jan 4, 2006 -> 12:30 AM) Here is my take, even with all of KW's faith in Brian Anderson, his manager IMO is not completely sold. I do believe Anderson will get a shot and play a lot. On the other hand I believe Guillen loves speed and defense. When I say speed I mean stolen base speed. Now of course they would not trade a starting pitcher just to get stolen bases, that makes no sense. However a guy like Tavares brings a lot to the table, and if they can add other pieces along with him in a trade, great. It was Ozzie who told KW and convinced him to get him the right "horses" [ie speed, defense and pitching] so he could manage. Seeing how it was one of Ozzie's only public "wishes" to add speed and a #2 hitter, I am firmly convinced something will get done that addresses it.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Jan 2, 2006 -> 05:44 AM) I just want to clear something up from another thread. I'm not totally against the idea of getting Taveras, but to bash BA based on 34 AB's, call Willy a "proven .291 hitter" when he did it once, and trading Jose Contreras to get him are all f***ing ridiculous ideas. I don't know anyone who has said that they'd trade Taveras straight up for Jose. I think the sox could expect another player or two. The value is much like in the Rowand, Gio and Haigwood deal for Thome. In this case Jose is the most valuable player and players other than Taveras would have to be added to make the deal even.

It's starting to make more sense why Houston would trade Taveras. They want more power, and the Of is the best place for it. They're looking at adding Preston Wilson or Burnitz [who supposedly didn't sign with the O's], and supposedly are pretty close. Looking at the Astros stats, Adam Everett, chris Burke, Brad Ausmus and Taveras has SLG % under .368. With three light hitters, keeping a 4th puts a lot of pressure on the offense in the NL. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/3559670.html The sox though are a team that can add another light hitter. Of all the sox regulars, only Pods had a SLG % under .400. Rowand was the next lowest, then Uribe [.412] and AJ [like .418]. Neither Juan or AJ would be considered "light hitters" like Pods or Taveras. And both should likely improve rather than decrease their SLG [AJ had a drop off in 2b's, while he increased his HR's-his career SLG is .434]

QUOTE(JimH @ Jan 2, 2006 -> 02:53 AM) Point being ... I don't think all these rumors are totally made up. The White Sox like Anderson but if they think someone is better they will explore it. Some Hou. fans think Burke would be able to move to CF if Taveras was traded. Don't know what they'd do for 2b but who cares. These rumors don't seem all that far fetched

FWIW, here is BA's 2004 report on Taveras from their Prospect Handbook--- #11-Houston "Taveras is a potential leadoff hitter whose line drive approach and control of the strike zone suit him well for the role. He has to get stronger to keep pitchers honest, but power never will be a big part of his game. Taveras' best tool is his speed, which made a huge impression on Carolina League managers in 2003. They rated him the fastest baserunner, best baserunner and best defensive outfielder in the league. Not only can he fly, but he also has basestealing aptitude, succeeding on 57 of his 69 attempts last year. Taveras can cover more ground than any outfielder in the organization, including the majors, and he has a solid arm. He really need to be playing everyday in Double A at this stage of his career, so if Houston holds onto Taveras, it will come at the expense of stunting his development."

QUOTE(Felix @ Jan 1, 2006 -> 04:06 PM) Why keep Anderson in AAA when he's better than Taveras is? While Anderson may be better than Taveras at some point in his career, BA probably won't be better than Taveras in 2006, in avg or OBP. SLG % maybe. But the sox have a lot of sluggers.

QUOTE(shawnhillegas @ Jan 1, 2006 -> 03:59 PM) what if? what it? what if? why is everyone so paranoid? we need 7 starters and 5 good outfielders just in case of an injury now? what if jenks needs tommy john surgery? we better trade for danny baez just in case. Do you like the possibility of having Joe Borchard take over on an everyday basis? That's all I'm saying if BA is given the everyday job, and someone goes down from one of three spots. Pods went down last yr, Dye has gotten hurt over his career, and expecting a rookie to play 162 games at a high level may be a bit much w/o a clear backup plan.