beck72

QUOTE(sircaffey @ Jul 26, 2005 -> 07:13 PM) Overbay would be our best hitter...gotta be in the lineup everyday. With Carl hitting better as a RH hitter this yr, Lyle's lefty bat would get into a lot of games as a DH, and to rest PK.

QUOTE(JimH @ Jul 26, 2005 -> 07:14 PM) Overbay would be a great addition, the lefthanded bat they need. Williams and Melvin are on great terms, plus they did a win-win deal last winter. If true, the sox must be really worried about Frank not being able to contribute as the #3, #4 hitter this yr.

Don't know if this has been posted anywhere, but in the 1 pm hour the Score said the sox were scouting Lyle Overbay as well as Aubrey huff. Whether MIL would do something like that who knows. But 3b is a real need for them, and Josh Fields could play a part of such a deal. He'd be a yr away for them. Overbay's bat, hitting for high avg and great OBP would fit in nicely on the sox, even with Frank and CArl around this yr. With Everett likely gone after this yr, PK and Overbay could split time at 1b and DH. Maybe it's just another name tossed in the rumor mill. Yet Overbay I'm sure could see some AB's this yr somehow, esp if Frank is gone for a while.

I think the key quote is "The Giants had Ted Uhlaender, one of their top talent evaluators, in attendance at Monday night's Sox-Kansas City game." This means that SF is at least looking at a player from the current 25 man roster to include in a trade, in addition to any minor leaguers The only logical guys who played and could be parted with--Willie, Uribe, Vizcaino and possibly Jenks. You wouldn't do a Jenks for Eyre, but if somehow it could help get Vizquel...

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Jul 25, 2005 -> 10:57 AM) No Billy Wagner, that is interesting. Not with Phil. playing well and in the playoff picture. More likely the sox will target a guy like Scott Erye or Ron Villone

Looks like Boston thinks the marlins aren't interested in Arroyo, as no scouts were in attendance yesterday. No doubt the marlins would want a reliever in any deal, hence the "3rd team" to go w/ Boston and Arroyo for AJ. http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/reds..._possibilities/

Sounds like FLA. is mulling over the sox offer. Sounds promising. FLA can now go to other teams and tell them, "beat the sox offer". Also, a little info on getting bullpen help and another middle infielder Here's the link: http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...tesox-headlines

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Jul 25, 2005 -> 10:03 AM) Here is the article from the Miami Herald: Posted on Mon, Jul. 25, 2005 NOTEBOOK Burnett options narrow BY CLARK SPENCER cspencer@herald.com The Marlins have apparently narrowed their focus to the Chicago White Sox in discussions for A.J. Burnett, but there remains a chance the pitcher won't be dealt before Sunday's trade deadline. That's because the White Sox aren't sure they can sign Burnett, a free agent after the season, to an extension that would keep him in Chicago beyond this year. Burnett said he's content to remain with the Marlins through this season but would rather test the free agent market to gauge his value than agree to an extension with a new team if the Marlins are able to work out a trade. ''If it's the right team and the right place, why not?'' Burnett said of signing an extension if traded. ``But I'm still pretty key on seeing what's going on in the off-season.'' The White Sox could likely give up minor-league starter Brandon McCarthy and left-handed reliever Damaso Marte to get Burnett. If they trade Burnett, the Marlins might also look to acquire a starting pitcher from some other team. Could be the sox are posturing a bit, saying they want to work out a deal before trading for him but probably would acquire him w/o working out a new deal. They don't want to seem too eager, willing to do whatever it takes to land AJ. Whether that kills the deal who knows.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Jul 24, 2005 -> 07:05 PM) I agree with you there Jas, why would the Marlins need an OF???? They have a loaded outfield with Pierre, Cabrera, and Encarnacion. They also have a few good OF in AAA. Hey, it's only better for the Sox... Don't forget that CAbrera would go to 3b in a Lowell deal, leaving a corner OF spot open for the future.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jul 24, 2005 -> 07:01 PM) I like Burnett, just not sure I want to give up Bmac. I'd gladly deal outfield depth though (just not named Chris Young). My question is, does Fla really need an OF prospect? Pierre is a FA next yr, and has been mentioned in trade talks this yr [not that Anderson could come in this yr and perform]. Not to mention Conine and Encarnacion getting old as dirt adn expensive. But FLA could use more power from their CFer. And they have Castillo who could lead off. Anderson could find a spot there in CF. And FLA would still have a corner spot for Jeremy Hermida

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jul 24, 2005 -> 06:44 PM) Disagree, Freddy is an overpowering pitcher. Freddy's K/ 9 rate says otherwise [though I agree, he can be lights out when his control is on, getting ahead of hitters and then they can't sit on a fastball. His fastball alone (94 mph] isn't overpowering. But the thing is BMac's more of a FB pitcher. Both MB and Jon get their fair share of GB's. KW has talked about getting a diverse set of pitchers in the rotation. BMac falls more in line with what the sox have. Getting a strikeout pitcher [like Burnett] compliments what the sox already have. That's why it wouldn't surprise me to see BMac part of the trade to get a SP like Burnett

IMO, BMac is expendable because the sox already have 3 control pitchers as part of the rotation for the next few years. MB, JOn, and Freddy don't overpower opponents. BMac also relies on his control in order to be effective. While I don't think signing AJ to a long term deal is smart, it makes sense for this yr as the sox try to win it all

QUOTE(maggsmaggs @ Jul 24, 2005 -> 03:23 PM) Also, Bruce mentioned that the Sox still will want to make the deal even if they can't re-sign A.J. If we don't re-sign, we can always offer him arbitration and get two draft picks. Not the worst thing, IMO. That's the key. I don't want the sox to sign AJ to a long term deal [not unless he's lights out and pitches the sox to a WS win]. But getting 2 supplemental picks for him isn't bad. But a long term deal that hamstrings the sox could be even worse than losing Bmac and Marte

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 24, 2005 -> 12:48 PM) Except pitching isn't a glaring hole like it was last season. I agree. But it sounds like the Freddy deal in that they'd like to resign AJ. If the sox were able to land Burnett, i'd like it far more if they then traded him for billy Wagner.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Jul 24, 2005 -> 12:14 PM) For some reason, I don't think Burnett is in our immediate future. Kenny's liable to do something that nobody sees coming. As his style has been in the past, Kenny flies under the radar. This Burnett talk is probably just a smokescreen. There aren't many other "big" moves out there. I think there's something to this, with similarities to Freddy last yr.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jul 24, 2005 -> 11:42 AM) Good to see KW sticking to his guns, and not making a trade if he can't re-sign A.J to a long - term deal. Doesn't sound like Burnett wants to anyway, hence why I think this ain't gonna go down. Burnett will probably wait to sign anything, in order to weigh other offers in the offseason. Can't blame him for trying. yet if an offer's decent, Burnett should sign with his injury history

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...i-sportsnew-hed I could see the sox doing this. then El duque or Contreras would go to the pen. the sox get a LHP like Villone or Scott erye, and both the pen and SP has improved. Even if Burnett wasn't re-signed, the sox could still get 2 draft picks for him, as they'll offer him arb. Keeping contreras is big. He could blow up. But in the pen, he could go as far as he can with other guys to back him up.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jul 24, 2005 -> 10:59 AM) Villone or Eyre are perfect as lefty LOOGY's, and can be used in the 6th or 7th. Makes perfect sense if we aren't going to go after a closer, and decide to "improve" our bullpen. Villone and Eyre have very similar stats--good k/ 9, ok BB/9, low OBP, SLG and BAA, low HR's against [both have given up 1] And both could probably be had for prospects

A few guys who might be available with good stats to help the sox migth be Ron Villone, Scott Erye or Matt Wise.

KW can't make the deals most of us are talking about because there are only a few teams willing to trade important pieces for prospects. Most teams in both the NL and AL are only willing to trade/ swap major leaguers so they can make runs for the playoffs. The sox could swing a deal if they're willing to give up guys on the 25 man roster. Yet few guys would be big upgrades over the players we have now that would be swapped. All you KW bashers have to look at is the trades that have been made. The bottom teams are trading pieces for prospects and the "contenders" are swapping players. A little patience is needed. There might not be a big trade in the offing. Guys like Ron Villone, Matt Wise, Scott Erye or Desi Relaford might not be exciting players. But they may be the best players available for the sox without a ridiculous price tag.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 23, 2005 -> 08:40 PM) Why does everyone think that every player is openly being shopped on the market? There were a few media reports that said Furcal is being shopped by the Braves, according to MLB sources

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 23, 2005 -> 05:44 PM) Manny leads the league in assists with 12. Cora better not make that same play tonight. When it comes to PK and Frank on the bases, you need to play it safe. Many of those assists no doubt are helped by the short porch of the Green monster, where he can play shallow

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Jul 22, 2005 -> 06:36 PM) Excellent points. I feel for Mr. Williams. I can only imagine what he is going through right now. Hopefully, he has one of these grand plans all figured out and all he needs is some time and cooperation to make it happen. I just think he'd have an awfully hard time getting Burnett, the most coveted, attainable SP at the deadline, on the roster only to ship him elsewhere. No doubt KW has a tough job. Yet one thing is for sure, he'll make a move or two. He doesn't seem the type to hold pat if he could do something to better the team. Even if the moves made fail in hindsight, any deals will be made that logically would better the team for the present. The way I look at it, Wagner as a closer >>> than Burnett as a SP. Wagner is lights out, say good night Gracie, here's the heat, try and hit it. Burnett can be lights out. What scares me more is that Burnett may be signed to a long term deal, like 4 yrs and $40 mill [and probably will be on the DL for 2 of those yrs]

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Jul 22, 2005 -> 06:24 PM) Alright, beck, then I pose to you the orignal question: Do you think the Sox would be better suited to have a stronger SP taking the bump every fifth day in the midst of a pennant race or move said stronger SP for bullpen help, another bat, etc? I mean, then we are thinking Wager>Burnett? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...boy, I dunno. Tough one. Personally, I'd rather have the stronger arm to get us to the later innings than rough it with our current starters. The sox probably won't have a real "pennant race", in that they won't be slugging it out to the end. Barring a total collapse, they'll make the playoffs. For that reason, having the stronger bullpen [and with Hermy's back problems, and no Shingo] adding to this area for a short series, where Wagner can pitch in 3, 4 games, IMO makes the Sox stronger. Burnett may only throw in 1 playoff game. Burnett may not even be better than Jose or El Duque for one game. Maybe over the course of two months, he could be. But Burnett could and does get pounded. So he's no sure thing. Wagner, on the other hand is a sure thing. So I'd like Wagner and another #1 or #2 type hitter who can take over at SS.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Jul 22, 2005 -> 06:19 PM) Beck gets it. If Neal continues to progress at the rapid clip he has been, does he somehow make Marte expendable in a deadline move? I don't know. I don't know if Kenny knows. I'm not one for trade-talk, but this does offer a really, really interesting discussion. If the sox picked up another LHP who is lights out facing that one LH hitter [be it Garret Anderson, Ortiz, etc] it could make Marte expendable. Marte facing that one LH batter doesn't give me the confidence he once did. right now, Cotts gives me the same confidence as Marte coming in and shutting the opposition down--in the 60-70% range [not shut down, but very respectable]