beck72

QUOTE(JimH @ Dec 4, 2005 -> 02:39 PM) Guillen wants somebody who can hit lefthanded in that role, so the focus is on Bill Mueller for now. With the #2 guy hitting between two lefties in pods and Thome, I'm not sure why. Though a switch hitter or another lefty would make it 4 in the lineup

QUOTE(FGarcia34 @ Dec 3, 2005 -> 11:50 PM) After hearing that Garland turned down a three year deal from the Sox on ESPN Radio last week, it got The Rock thinking. From the lists of players to be traded the main pitching name that sticks out is Barry Zito. Now with Garland likely to leave in 2007, why not deal him now while his stock is the highest its ever been. Adding another lefty to the staff would be a great addition and from what I can tell Billy Beane loves good looking white pitchers (Zito, Mulder, Harden, etc). So I suggest trading Garland for Zito and securing Zito to one of those patented 3 year 20-some million contract, what do you guys think? Not going to happen. Garland will make a very reasonable amount this yr, through arb. What happens to Jon in 2007 depends on his performance this yr. If he does well [another year like 2005] I expect he'll be signed to a long term deal, along the lines of what other young, dependable SP's are making [Think Carl Pavano money--4 yr, $40 mill] It might make him the highest paid SP on the team. But the market is the market So the sox might have to overpay, like they did with PK. But paying for a workhorse who can throw 200 innings every yr is worth it. If Jon goes back to his 2004 numbers, all bets are off.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Dec 4, 2005 -> 01:50 PM) Lugo is supposedly earmarked for Atlanta. The beautiful thing about this is players are actually turning away the chance to play for Dusty in the Urinal. If you read the Tribune, you would think it is every player's dream to put on the Cubs uniform and play in that disaster area. If Furcal was "so" perfect for the Cubs, they should have upped any and all offers. I don't see many SS's out there that could help them. Maybe Alex Gonzelez from the Marlins. But they'll still need OFer's, and a leadoff guy like Pierre

QUOTE(Felix @ Dec 4, 2005 -> 01:22 PM) Its dependant on two questions in my mind: Would Loretta be willing to not start? How much would it take to get him? 1] Loretta doesn't have a choice. He'll be a FA after 2006. But seeing how he was a UTL guy for many yrs, he may be better suited now for that role as he's getting up in age [35 in aug, 2006]. But you're right, his personality and game has to be able to handle a reduced role for him to fit. I think Mueller would be even less likely to handle that sub role, and he has a choice 2] The NY Post reported a source saying Daivd Wells for Loretta. With Boston backed up against a wall with Wells demanding a trade to one or two teams, that price doesn't seem like a lot.

QUOTE(WinninUgly @ Dec 2, 2005 -> 02:38 PM) I agree, this is some great PR work. It is funny how this stuff pops up before the winter meetings, when this would seem to be more of an issue closer to ST. If you think about it, the El Duque of 2005 is still a better starting pitcher than what a lot of teams have in their #3, 4, or 5 spots in the rotation; so this seems to be a clever way to advertise that he is available. Many teams may have thought the sox would keep El Duque in the bullpen for 2006 based on his playoff success there this yr. Yet by coming out and saying he's a starter now, that lets teams know the sox have 6 SP's [with duque the most likely guy to be moved]. This allows other teams to approach the sox with offers, not the other way around. That way, the sox know what they can get for Duque

There have been numerous reports that Mark Loretta from SD is available, and could be part of a David Wells trade with Boston. This is a guy who's a career .301/.365/.408 hitter--a true #2 hitter who is regarded as one of the best hit and run guys in the bigs [at least ESPN labelled him as the best "hit and run" guy in last yr's offeason rankings--it shows at least that he can hit behind the runners, and his numbers from the #2 hole are even better than his career #'s]. And he's one year away from a season where he hit .335/.391/.495, before hitting only .280 in 2005 as he missed two months from a thumb injury. With all the sox talk about getting Bill Mueller as a UTL who can get 400ab's playing different positions [even though he's played only 50 some games at a position other than 3b], it would make sense to get a guy who'd be a true "super utility guy". Loretta fits that bill. He's played all the If positions: 593 games at 2b; 329 at 2b; 171 at SS; and 160 at 1B. If his defense at 3b was solid enough to have him play everyday there in case Crede's back hurt him, the sox should make a play for him He's signed through next yr at an affordable contract [like $3 mill, IIRC], and wouldn't affect the sox ability to strike a deal with Crede. Thoughts?

I first see the Cubs targetting a SS who can hit leadoff. Julio Lugo from the d-rays fits that. Then they might target Pierre. If the Cubs get Lugo, they'll still be looking for some LH Ofers who can hit w/ power.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Dec 3, 2005 -> 11:15 PM) Buehrle Contreras Garcia Garland McCarthy El Duque El Duque will be able to stay healthy since he won't be trying to make 30 starts next season. The man is old as dirt. His arm is about to fall off, if it hasn't already

Tony Armas is a FA. He's a health risk. Though if he could stay healthy, he could be a steal. Throwing in the bullpen. He'd come cheap, and would allow the Sox to trade el Duque, put BMac in the rotation. I could see the sox getting a guy who may not start the yr healthy. But could help out later in the yr. It sure would cost less to add a guy now [just cash at least ], then if a SP went down and the sox had to add at the deadline

QUOTE(maggsmaggs @ Dec 3, 2005 -> 10:46 PM) He will likely get 2-3 starts per week and can pinch-hit. IMO, if he gets that, he's going to have 350-400 at-bats. Trying to sell a successful major leaguer on that would be a nice coup. Unless they said 'Hey Crede's back is screwed up bad. He may miss the season', I don't see the sox being able to sell Mueller on that deal

Don't get me wrong, I like what Mueller could give the sox, with his avg, OBP, and switch hitting. But I don't see him getting that many AB's--unless Crede is close to having surgery or something. I don't see him taking AB's from Thome or PK, from either 1b [which he hasn't ever played] or DH. One thing is for sure, if the Sox do get Mueller it would mean Crede is bound to miss a lot of time in 2006.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Dec 3, 2005 -> 11:14 AM) Willie Harris wouldn't be a bad fit for the Marlins. Few teams are going to be giving up position players who can play right away. With what the Marlins got for Castillo--locked up for 2, possibly 3 yrs--Pierre's price shouldn't be high

QUOTE(chitownsportsfan @ Dec 3, 2005 -> 12:37 AM) IS HE GOING TO HIT LEADOFF FOR THE SOX. No, but Pierre would also be a great backup leadoff man in case Pods got hurt/ needed a rest to stay fresh [which he will need, esp as he's another yr older]. Right now, Ozuna is the backup leadoff man [that is a putrid option]. Yet he couldn't even take over everyday in the OF if Pods went down. Now's the time to get stocked up for the season, and have backup plans ready. If Pods gets hurt in April, the sox would have to wait until the trade deadline to strike a deal.

QUOTE(chitownsportsfan @ Dec 3, 2005 -> 12:18 AM) we need a number 2 hitter with a little bit of Pop for crying out loud. The sox already have that with Iguchi. They evidently haven't got your memo or email or else they wouldn't be looking for the speed, avg and OBP being talked about in the papers

QUOTE(chitownsportsfan @ Dec 2, 2005 -> 04:51 PM) Ok, I've not nearly as familiar with Owens as I am with BA and Juan Pierre. Here is a long winded yet thorough post about Juan I made earlier. I think it might convince you that he stinks. http://www.soxtalk.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=43560 No it doesn't.

QUOTE(JimH @ Dec 2, 2005 -> 02:31 PM) This I would be against, let me tell you why. Owens looks like a blossoming leadoff hitter, the age thing doesn't mean much with this guy because he'd been away from baseball a few years. Less baseball miles on his body. Leadoff hitters are harder and harder to find and develop. Owens is a perfect replacement for Podsednik at some point if Pods gets expensive or injured. They want Owens to improve his walk rate, although as Keith noted he's got good strike zone judgement already and bat control as well. The thing is he's best suited defensively for LF. Chris Young is a potential high impact player who's best suited for CF. Sweeney is a potential high average great arm who's best suited for RF who'll be ready right about the time Dye's contract expires. Interesting that on Guillen's conference call yesterday, he "guarantees" they will have a new #2 hitter. Hmmmm ... You do realize one of the sox young OFers--Sweeney, Owens, Anderson or Young--almost cetainly would have to be a part of a deal. The Marlins need someone to play OF next yr--which has been reported--maybe nbot start the yr but be able to be called up at least in Sept. IMO, the Sox don't trade one of those 4, they don't get Pierre If Pierre can play LF--which Ozzie would know enough about Pierre and whether he can handle that spot--does that change your opinion about Owens? I understand that Owens is a blossoming leadoff hitter. But Pierre is established and not that much older than Owens

QUOTE(chitownsportsfan @ Dec 2, 2005 -> 03:09 PM) Trading Owens for Pierre would be the dumbest move KW could make. I thought Owens was projecting to be an All-Star, (the highest cieling of any position player the sox have right?) and you're suggesting trading him for a number "2" hitter who doesn't work the count, had a .326 OBP (OMG!) in 2005, has had 2 good seasons out of 7 in the majors, makes 5 million a year, and plays crap defense? No thanks. 2 good yrs out of 7 and he's still a career .305 hitter along with a .355 obp? Owens is 3 1/2 yrs younger than Pierre. Juan's not exactly an old man. More than likely, Owens will need time in AAA I like what Owens brings to the table. Can he hit .300 in the bigs? CAn he steal 30 bases? Who knows. But I know Pierre can. And seeing how the sox need a guy who can hit #2 in 2006, IMO, Owens would be worth it

If trading Owens could get the Sox Juan Pierre, they should do it in a heartbeat. Owens do very well in AA as a 24 yr old. By the time Pierre was 24, he had over 1000 ab's in the bigs and already had hit over .300 over an entire yr and one season with over 200 ab's. They are only 3 1/2 yrs apart in age. But the experience between the two is tremendous. If Owens was 19 or 20, the sox should keep him for the long term. Yet with either Pods or Pierre able to get re-signed for 2007, when Owens could be ready, Owens is expendable

QUOTE(hi8is @ Dec 2, 2005 -> 04:14 AM) i expect that el duque is going to be on the market durring the winter meetings and this is our camps way of trying to up his value and convince teams hes healthy enough to start I second that. The sox will go into ST with both guys -in case one of the sox SP's get hurt]. If everyone is healthy, and El Duque's arm stays on long enough for some dope team to trade for him--as some will, 'cause they have an injury---, good bye Duque. Neither he nor BMac are going to the bullpen.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Dec 2, 2005 -> 02:48 AM) That's where I'm going with this. I'm looking for an inexpensive answer to spell Crede if/when his back problems flare-up on him. Mueller is certainly an answer. But, he is an expensive answer. You also have to ask would he even be willing to sign on as a reserve/platoon type? I think the sox go into 2006 with a UTL guy who can play 3b and a few other spots. If Crede's back is a big problem during the year, the sox would and could trade for a Burroughs type 3bman mid year.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Dec 2, 2005 -> 03:04 AM) Bill Mueller may be a little expensive but $3 million a year is what I think he will get. Timo Perez made $1 million last year. I'd rather have one Bill Mueller than three Timo Perez's. Add in the fact Mueller has to accept a lesser role instead of a starting job as a personal and professional choice [what FA wants to be a bench guy, esp one who has proven to have skills left], I think the chances are slim and none Mueller comes to the sox

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Dec 2, 2005 -> 02:48 AM) Mueller is certainly an answer. But, he is an expensive answer. You also have to ask would he even be willing to sign on as a reserve/platoon type? Mueller could start somewhere and get decent money--more than the sox should and probably would pay him. But a relatively cheap guy like Burroughs wouldn't be bad

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Dec 2, 2005 -> 02:39 AM) If it's only a 2 year deal I think it makes perfect sense. We still have some money to use so why not add a damn good insurance policy if your worried about Joe's back?? Then if and when Boras makes Joe bolt then you have Mueller for another year to hopefully allow Fields to be ready in 08. The sox aren't going to pay these guys w/ monoply money. $8 mill for a UTL guy who can only play 3b is a lot of money

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Dec 2, 2005 -> 02:34 AM) I'm going to throw Sean Burroughs' hat into the mix. Thoughts on him, beck and Jim? Although he has mostly played 3B in his shot career, the transition to 1B is quite logical, and documented as rather easy for most big-leaguers. He is making a little over $1.5M this season and in my humblest of opinoins, can be hand for Damaso Marte straight-up. Take a look at the Padres' left-handed situation...it's dreadful. Yes, that kid they drafted last year is on the fast-track to the bigs, but Damaso Marte is proven MLB talent. You trade for Burroughs, you sign Myers--who is dynamite against lefties. Honestly, I want thoughts on this. If the sox are going to get a guy via trade, a versatile guy like Alex Cintron or Billy Hall would make a lot more sense than a one trick pony like Burroughs. More than likely, Crede will be around. But if he went down for a lot longer, getting a strictly 3b guy like Burrouhgs would be OK

Mueller won't be with the white sox. It would make more sense if the sox got someone who could play a solid 3b as well as another position. Mueller only plays 3b. Paying Mueller $4 mill a yr as Crede insurance makes little sense, esp as he can't play somewhere else in the field