beck72

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Dec 16, 2005 -> 11:06 AM) Some things that you've said there, moving from one hitters park to another, well that isn't a guarantee that he's going to return to his prior numbers, and who knows what Greg Walker will do to him as he goes from one of the best hitting coaches in baseball to one of (well this is what the majority of White Sox fans think) the worst. You've got to remember with Beltre, this was his first season in the AL, and his righty power just isn't suited to Safeco at all. Not advocating trading for him, but if Seattle paid quite a bit of his contract, and he'll have more lefty protection in this lineup, with his excellent fielding as well, I think he'd be a better chance than Blalock to bounce back, but that's JMHO. I disagree on Beltre vs Blalock. He had one career yr [in his walk yr-very suspicious] while Blalock had one down yr. IMO, Blalock got homer happy like Pods did. Blalock was talked about being in the same hitting mold as George Brett and Tony Gywnn. Getting in love with the HR, after the 04 ASG, probably has hurt him more than anything. One thing to consider--in 2004 he hit in the #2 hole for Tex. For his career, he has #'s like .285/.355/.500 hitting there in close to 500 ab's. If he can hit in the #2 hole, he has some skills the sox could use

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Dec 16, 2005 -> 02:42 AM) Regardless, we're trading two proven major league commodoties for another proven player and a prospect. Unless either of those pitchers are can't misses, they better include another mid-level player. You have to ask yourself if they were highly touted, and Texas having the pitching problems they do, why would they entertain trading either? Must mean either they're several years away, or they're that desperate for pitching as to give up a can't miss prospect for Garland. If you're Tex, you do this deal. They are looking to trade Blalock, with reports the Twins are involved. If they can get a quality 3b man and a #1 SP [Jon's not, but on Tex he would be] for a guy they want to trade and a AA prospect with an over 5 ERA [i'd like Danks myslef, for a 20 yr old in AA, that's not bad], with Texas' poor track record, they're in win now mode. Getting 2 solid performers from the winning WS team wouldn't be a bad PR move as well

One thing to consider--how will Aaron leaving affect Joe? They were best buds. Esp as Joe "came out of his shell" this yr. With Blalock's value at its lowest, and Joe's at its highest, this is something I could see going down.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Dec 16, 2005 -> 01:45 AM) Of course I find it highly unlikely that Kenny is going to do that. I could see him dealing for a good major leaguer and a grooming closer (in the minors) but I can't see him going the prospect route (although those prospects could either help him in a year or two or be used at the deadline). But if one prospect could start the yr in AAA [a SP, ala BMac this past yr] and the other help in the pen, I could see KW do it

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Dec 16, 2005 -> 01:42 AM) Miller rehabed his arm and was really good last year (once he got rolling). If his stuff is back a package of the two of them would be nice, but I'd like to find a way to get an arm that we could immediately throw into the pen as well. Thats the reason I like Broxton. Broxton struggled in his late MLB call up. Those struggles could make LA weary of keeping him. Yet one month isn't everything. His pro career seems impressive up to that point

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Dec 16, 2005 -> 01:16 AM) If we got Billingsley and Guzman for him, I'd scream like a girl in excitement. Those two are two of the very best in baseball. Its the one circumstance where I'd deal Garland for prospects (well one of the few). What about LHP Greg Miller? I know he was hurt. But he was lights out before sitting out 2004. If the sox got a sure thing like Billingsley, they could take a gamble that Miller could stay healthy

Bob Nightengale posted that LA was looking at Zito. If they'd want one rent a player, why not Garland? http://www.usatoday.com/sports/bbw/columni...14-majors_x.htm The Dodgers should make a run at winning now. Esp in that division. That team has to be one of the top contenders for him, esp. as they have a good minor league system

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Dec 15, 2005 -> 03:22 PM) I want to say first that I love the idea of Tracey coming out of the bullpen. I don't think much of him as a starting pitching propsect but I think he can be damn solid out of the pen especially being the last guy out of the pen to replace Viz. Me too. Having someone who can go more than 1 inning at a time is what the sox need. Tracey seems able to do that

According to BA's 2006 list, Houston only has two pitching prospects near the big--Hirsh and Nieve. Both have nice numbers--solid control, high K's. Yet I see the sox looking to get a LHP who can help this year

QUOTE(Punch and Judy Garland @ Dec 15, 2005 -> 09:47 PM) Lidge's arm history is a red flag but his contract somewhat negates those concerns. He's a legit stud. He is perfect insurance for Jenks. I just don't know how he'd feel about going to the 8th inning (personally I'd send Jenks to the 8th and have Lidge as my man in the 9th) If the sox got lidge, it wouldn't be him going to the 8th inning. Yet both would see time

QUOTE(Middle Buffalo @ Dec 15, 2005 -> 04:48 PM) I'm pretty sure Clemens can and will resign with Houston after May 1. He's getting ready for the World Championships, so I'm guessing he'll want to pitch another year. He'll be pitching elsewhere in 2006 or he'll be coaching kids in texas

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Dec 15, 2005 -> 01:34 PM) Lidge is a b**** and he got his b****-ass rocked by us. haha. we don't need him anyway, we need a lefty. Two bad pitches doesn't turn an all star closer into a Todd Ritchie clone. Anyway, buy low is the motto w/ regards to Lidge

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Dec 15, 2005 -> 12:47 PM) That quote is a broad over-simplification. The Sox have done everything right RE: Garland and contracts throughout his career. He was considered and underachiever, the type of pitcher you would be more likely to non-tender rather than sign to a long term deal. They kept avoiding arbitration through one year deals, with the intention to sign him long-term should he ever break through. -- BUT, his breakthrough came at such a time -- when young free-agent pitchers are making gobs and gobs of money, and entering his final year of arbitration -- that the Sox have no leverage. Garland is right to decline any offer of less than the 5 years/55M that Burnett got. If the Sox think that Garland is simply "taking it out on them," they're flat wrong. He has the upper-hand, and he will make a fair decision. Just like when the Sox had the upper hand in his first 5 years, they made the fair decision. I agree. It's just a question of good timing for Jon

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Dec 15, 2005 -> 11:28 AM) True, but they wouldn't give up Lidge for one year of Garland. I doubt Garland and Anderson would bring Lidge either. A guy like Lidge though would seem to fit in well with the type of deals KW has made--get a quality guy under control for a few yrs for less than market value by trade There's always that '72 hour negotiating window' to offer teams to get a deal done w/ Jon

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Dec 15, 2005 -> 11:19 AM) Taveras is the type of player Ozzie would love. He's a great bunter, can steal a lot of bases, and plays good defense. But Brian Anderson will be better. The Astros are shopping Lidge for an outfielder... http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports...ez/3516766.html With the loss of Clemens, Garland would have to look good in a 'Stros uni. Esp. if they are built around pitching and defense.

Lidge won't be a FA until after the 2008 season. He made 500 K last yr. While he's bound to get expensive, he's not right now

As fans look to see who the sox could trade with [as Garland seems most likely to be dealt, if and when the time comes], it's speculating time as to who the sox could get. Found this article and it seems the Astros were in the market for Vazquez. http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=54801 It stands to reason that teams looking at Javier would also be interested in Jon. The article mentioned Willy Taveras as possibly available. Another name thrown out elsewhere has been Lidge. How sick of a bullpen would the sox have with Lidge? I'd like to see his contract status and see if that would match up for the sox and if the astros would part with him [as i've read he is on the market].

The dodgers do have a 21 yr old reliever in Jonathan Broxton who made the bigs last yr for a cup of coffee. The guy started like 13 games in AA and had over 100 K's in 90 + innings. He's listed as their #5 prospect They also have an extra SS/ 2b man in Cesar Izturis

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Dec 14, 2005 -> 08:11 PM) If Williams was willing to give up Reed/Morse/Olivo for Garcia, midseason, in his contract year, there's no excuse for Garland netting us junk. I'd request a package similar to the Garcia deal, in the sense we'd be receiving one major league player and two prospects. If not LA, as you speculate, there has to be some team out there desperate for pitching yet not willing to commit a sizable contract. Isn't it about time for an organization to overpay for one of our players? Let's whore Garland for our advantage. It's obvious he's not going to be here, anyways. Here, Here! Well said

Garland will be looking to get paid as the sox #1 starter after this yr. The sox shouldn't make their #4 starter the highest paid. No one is arguing his ability. What I am arguing is paying Jon more than MB, Freddy and contreras

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Dec 14, 2005 -> 11:24 AM) I don't see us trading Garland for relievers but I agree with you on Willie and Borchard. They could be used to acquire young, low-profile relievers with some upside. I see Garland being moved for multiple players, one of which could be a bullpen guy

The relievers will come via the trade route [probably Garland, and the guys like Harris, Gload, Joe B]. Right now the FA market is overpriced and underwhelming in terms of talent

I just have to say, if KW does land Vazquez for the names mentioned, that getting Vazquez for a AA prospect, and two long relievers making over $6 mill. is almost masterful

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Dec 14, 2005 -> 10:57 AM) Broadway, Lumsden, Liotta, Tracey(though I'm not high on him) just to name a few. This whole team is virtually together through 07, by 08 we'll have plenty of prospects on the verge. It all makes sense if you think about it and Kenny's 3 year board that he always talks about. The sox have a decent farm system with players that can help in the next few yrs. And the players KW has traded away haven't panned out. The sox have done well trading their minor leaguers This is the whole sox staff working together--scouts, minor league coaches and staff, KW and his MLB crew, Ozzie and his staff. They know guys who can help this team and target them. Vazquez seems to be the next guy on that list.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Dec 14, 2005 -> 10:30 AM) And 2008? Will baseball not exist then? We're not going to outbid anyone for a quality pitcher on the market. Continue to trade pitching and positional prospects season after season, eventually you're going to trade the wrong one and regret it. Our team is becoming expensive. This offseason, it appears we're giving ourselves too many opportunities to regret a certain move. We need more than McCarthy to advance through the system. In a few years, one of the two scenarios need to occur: continued success for the club to support a higher payroll, thus paying hiking salary of players accordingly; and two, several prospects contributing on the team, which gives the club financial flexibility in other areas. Anderson, Cotts, Jenks, McCarthy is a good start. Winning a World Series obviously helps as well. I just feel our current stock of minor league talent will not be available to contribute in 2007, 2008, when their presence could be beneficial. If the winning subsides, it'd be nice to count on a talent influx. The sox AA and high a teams were among the best teams in their leagues. Don't they have players that could help in 2007, 2008?