beck72

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Oct 29, 2005 -> 01:02 AM) If Joe can get that AVG up to .280 consistently for a few seasons, and keep hitting those 20-25 HR's, his value will be very good indeed. If he keeps repeating what he did in the playoffs, not swinging at the first pitch, not popping it up every AB, I think he can do it. Remember, right now he'll be the most confident he's every been at the major league level. That said, I still hope he's working out in that batting cage he built at his house in the off-season. It'll also be interesting to see if Joe lost weight again this year during the season like he has in the past. He looks /looked OK to me.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Oct 29, 2005 -> 12:37 PM) I just heard Bill Melton on the score. He said that Konerko had expressed concern that the union would pressure him to just take the highest dollar to keep the market on an upward swing. Melton said he to Paulie to screw the union, they'll forget about him as soon as he hangs 'em up and to do what he believed was best for himself. For the record, these are not direct quotes. That does sound promising. As long as the sox are very close [in both years and cash--I don't see PK settling for anything less than a 5 yr deal] to other offers, I see a deal with PK happening. The sox esp. need to have him around for the next few yrs, with the pitchers all locked up. Even if they have to take a "hit" in the 4th or 5th yrs of a deal. The pressure for the Sox to sign and overpay on a deal have never been higher, IMO, with the series win, the weak free agent market and what PK has given [and will continue to give] the sox.

All this talk about Rowand being traded---what would his price be if he were a free agent this yr? How much would teams pay him? Sorry. Arow isn't going anywhere. Now anderson OTOH....... with Chris Young, Jerry Owens and Sweeney around in AAA for 2006, Anderson could go somewhere to play. And the sox could get some nice talent for him as well. Not as much as Rowand. But a good chunk

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Oct 29, 2005 -> 05:59 AM) Because we won a ton of games just barely squeeking out enough runs, often times with clutch hits. Do you honestly think we are going to get all of those clutch hits next year? I don't. That's why it would be a good idea to improve the offense. I think there's a lot of room for improvement in the guys the sox already have, which will produce a better and more consistent offense. Look at ARow, AJ, Crede, Uribe, Iguchi should improve---those guys had sub par years

FWIW, I saw a Boston article that quoted PK's agent Landis as saying they are looking at a 5, 6 or 7 yr deal.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Oct 29, 2005 -> 11:43 AM) I agree. I mean, what's he led us to? :headshake I do see some people's point about overpaying for PK, though. When he was hitting .249/.349/.479 w/ 20 hr and 55 rbi's at the ASB, how many people would have wanted the sox to pay him $15 mill a yr until 2011?

I think PK could stay w/ the sox. But it'll take a 5 yr, $70 mill deal [$14 mill per yr] from them to keep him. PK might get $15 mill a yr, $75 mill offer from LAA or Bos. But the sox money has to be real close. The only way to invest all that money in one guy is if he can give the sox more than just numbers. PK does that with his leadership and clutch playoff performances. I think the sox do and will have to overpay

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Oct 23, 2005 -> 04:18 PM) We don't need another starting pitcher in AAA for next season. Contreras Buehrle Garland Garcia McCarthy With El Duque as our longman out of the pen who could spot start if needed. I agree on trading Marte though. The sox don't have a young SP who could take over in the rotation should someone get hurt. [i already consider El Duque as just a bullpen guy--maybe get like 10 starts if someone goes down, and consdier BMac the 5th SP]. If they can get one for Marte, great. If not, I'd consider a Brian Anderson trade as he's ready and isn't going to take over for Pods or Arow. But with the OF and IF pretty set, stocking young arms couldn't hurt. With the bullpen stocked, getting SP's in AAA and AA who could pitch in the next yr would be ideal The sox have won based on their pitching. Getting arms [not via free agency but via the farm system] is the way to keep up the winning long term

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Oct 23, 2005 -> 03:19 PM) yeah, those extra 17 games in september really show why he was no where near his 2004 prodection in april/may/june/july... So you think Rowand is gone or should be traded? My larger point is that 2005 should be his floor production wise. 2004 could be his ceiling. Those kind of guys who can play great defense don't grow on trees. Rowand isn;t going anywhere

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Oct 23, 2005 -> 12:25 PM) Pretty much inevitable; I've read somewhere a rumor of Rowand and Cotts for Gary Sheffield. Now why the Sox would do this, I don't know, but what would the Yanks have to give us in a possible deal. Someone like Chen - Ming Wang for starters perhaps? Trading Rowand's not going to happen. The Yanks don't have what the sox need--which is more SP pitching in AAA and AA. Even if they did, Anderson isn't a guaranteed improvement over Aaron. Rowand will likely have a 2006 closer to his 2004 yr. I think a lot of his drop off is probably due to playing everyday. In 2004, he only played in 140 games, compared to 157 this yr. He should be able to handle the grind better next yr. And Ozzie should try to get him some more days off. That didn't happen this yr with Pods' injury

MB should be able to keep the sox in the game. The offense should be able to manufacture more runs with the first game under their belt. Let's make it 2-0 going into Houston

Once the World series is done, we'll all know who could be moved and who won't. Already, guys like Uribe and Crede have cemented their spots for the next few yrs. No way do the sox go after Furcal. Juan's defense and adjustments at the plate will keep him around. With Robert Valido in AA in '06, he's not far off from even being a back up in case of an injury.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Oct 17, 2005 -> 05:32 PM) We don't need Burnett. That's very true. But the sox certainly could use a SP in AAA who could fill in, in case someone goes down to injury next yr. Trading Marte probably could net the sox a very good SP prospect.

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2005 @ Oct 16, 2005 -> 10:55 AM) I see your point. But this is Chicago we're talking about. Throw out the Jordan era, and this city has had flat nothing to really get excited about for atleast 20 years. I think every "true" Sox fan has earned the right to go crazy. Maybe it's me, but IMO, only the players, coaches architects of this team, etc. have earned the right to "go crazy" if they want to. The rest of us are mere voyeurs. But to each his or her own

QUOTE(rangercal @ Oct 16, 2005 -> 10:44 AM) It would be different if the sox went to the WS in my life time. I will be celebrating like a mad man when we win that one more game to make it to the WS. Don't get me wrong, I would be devastated and depressed if we lost the WS. But winning the pennant is defiantely reason for celebration. Maybe I'm just too "old" and am trying to put things in perspective, but the sox making it to the WS and losing wouldn't be something I'd be devastated and depressed about. Losing a family member or loved one, or getting seriously hurt--now that's real cause for concern. I think how a person handles success tells as much about a person as how they handle failure. Right now, we sox fans are experiencing success. I'm certainly enjoying the ride. Maybe I'm just concerned about the media images of dips***s tearing stuff up as indicative of the "real, passionate" sox fans. Personally, though, I see the ultimate destination. And just getting there isn't worth acting like complete idiots

Am I the only one who isn't ready to go tear it up in the streets if the sox win more ALCS game?! Yes, just making it to the World Series is a big accomplishment. Only two teams in all of baseball get that honor. Yet judging by many peoples reactions--and the media of course--just an appearance seems enough. Jay Mariotti's latest column, though very congratulatory and upbeat on the sox, far different than his usual drivel, is once again off the mark. The city of Chicago shouldn't go crazy over an appearance in the WS. That's what a city like Tampa Bay would do. I'm glad the sox players realize this would be just another step closer to fulfilling their goal of winning a WS. I hope more fans also have this point of view as well. Then after five more wins, the city can have real reason to celebrate

QUOTE(mwolfson @ Oct 15, 2005 -> 03:00 PM) I agree with almost all of the things you said but on top of resigning our guys I think we should really go after home-town favorite JIM THOME as our #3 hitter from the left side and let Carl go... but besides that picking up a vetern utility infielder like a Tony Graffanino or acquiring another reliever would be good The sox couldn't afford re-signing all their guys, get Furcal and get Thome. He's far too expensive and as big a health risk as Frank. the sox need some guy who won't go on the DL after a week. The best bet is to trade to get a #3 hitter, someone who's cheap and hits left handed. The Brewers would trade with the Sox, and Overbay has to be dealt. Other names like Chad Tracy and Aubrey Huff could work. Guys who also play other positions to rotate people in and out of the DH spot to give guys some rest.

QUOTE(bulokis @ Oct 15, 2005 -> 02:30 PM) I like how Uribe fields, we just need him to have a higher avg/obp. I very much doubt Juan will better his 2004 yr of .283/.329/.506. Those are the numbers the sox need [at least the avg and OBP]. Playing everyday instead of 4 times a week will take its toll. I think that more than anything contributed to his .252/.301/.412 yr this yr [with his career numbers of .262/.305/.432, expecting him to repeat '04 is asking a lot of him]. Seeing how he's an everyday player now, the 2005 numbers may need to be improved on by the sox in 2006.

QUOTE(sox-r-us @ Oct 15, 2005 -> 04:37 AM) One thing I forgot on the pitching side Add El Duque to bullpen for middle relief (6th-8th inning kinda work) and make BMac the starter. If BMac has issues we can always use El Duque as our #5. Sigh ... how far have we come from the days of starting Diaz as our #5 Having a $4, 5 mill long man or set up guy in the bullpen doesn't make a lot of sense, financial or otherwise. El Duque should go to the Yanks where he'll get to start, be a long man, get lots of offense.

QUOTE(Antonio Osuna @ Oct 15, 2005 -> 03:13 AM) Write off tomorrow as a loss; Santana is unhittable. Let's just hope we don't let Byrd beat us twice. I'm sure the sox are writing today's game off

I doubt there will be as many changes as most people expect. Most of the money will be spent on re-signing their own players--PK, AJ, Garland, maybe Contreras. Marte should be gone. The sox should then add a Ron Villone or Scott Eyre LH reliever. Other than that, the sox pen is set w/ Jenks and a healthy Hermanson The biggest move should be to add a #3 hitter. I'm thinking Lyle Overbay [the sox need a LH hitter who can get on base, and hit close to .300] who can DH most of the time and give PK a few days off at 1B and late in games. [that would probably mean moving either Anderson or Young, and a guy like Sean Tracey] I love Frank. But w/ his health concerns, the sox need stability for next yr rather than hope he heals and have someone to take over for him. I don't see him back. The rotation should stay the same, w/ Bmac taking over for EL Duque. If Duque can handle a bullpen role fine. If not, the yanks will take him. but he won't be in the rotation for the sox. I'm a little concerned about a leadoff hitter, esp if Pods goes down. But the money Furcal will likely ask for and get, i'm not sure if he's worth it. Though if his glove and attitude could fit in w/ the sox style of play and he could fit in the clubhouse, his speed and top of the order skills would be worth it. Though Uribe has found some consistency with the bat since he's added his little leg kick, I think his 2004 yr was more of an aberration. His .329 OBP being the high mark and shouldn't get much higher. Realistically, leadoff hitters could be found only in Uribe's or Rowand's spots. If the sox could get a top AAA SP prospect who could fill in the rotation should a sox arm go down for Uribe, Furcal's $10 mill a yr for 4 yrs, could fit, I'd make a deal. Aaron had a down yr at the plate. But is a good candidate to bounce back. Esp. after he played in 157 games this yr, after playing in 140 in 2004. He seemed to be dragging at the end of the yr. A full yr being the starter should help him get used to the grind and get closer to the .310 he hit in 2004. Seeing how Aaron can play all 3 OF spots, should an injury occur to Pods or Dye, and he had to move, he's too versatile and is the face of "grinder" baseball to trade Crede stays. But no long term deal just yet.

The bats will awake tonight on the road

QUOTE(TLAK @ Oct 10, 2005 -> 11:58 AM) I guess Commisioner FOX has ruled. Commissoner CASH has ruled, as it does everytime.

QUOTE(kevin57 @ Oct 10, 2005 -> 04:16 AM) Okay, I'll fire a shot across the bow... I'm wondering if Ozzie likes Marte, despite all logic, because he's a "home boy" (i.e., Hispanic). That should get some conversation going! Marte being a Latino has nothing to do with how Ozzie's treating him. [maybe, though, the opposite is true, and Marte being Latin has given Ozzie more leeway to call out his ass--ie, Marte pitching scared isn't very macho = less respect Ozzie has for Marte as a man.] Marte has stellar stuff, when he trusts his stuff and lets it fly. Few people can hit him. Marte gets in trouble when he tries to nibble [which he as done a lot the last two yrs]. That's why Ozzie is on his ass and has backed him to this point. Marte could dominate but he's a head case. And why he frustrates the hell out of the sox coaching staff and fans. Equating frustration with liking him because he's a fellow latino is a huge stretch.

MLB doesn't want to mess with its money schedule. The only off days are on Thursday and possibly Mon of next week. If they had pushed back the start of the ALCS to Wed, that would mean they'd have to play Wed-sunday w/ no days off. Seeing how Fri-Sun would have the most viewers, no way would MLB have an off day be on Friday night. So they stuck with Thursday being the travel/ off day. It sucks for either the yanks or angels, having to play 4 dyas straight. But it's great news for the Sox.