beck72

With the Phillies staying close, they wouldn't part with Wagner [who'd cost a little more in terms of talent than Eddie due to his elite closer status--eddie's stuff has always been underappreciated and prob. would in the trade market] No matter if Phil. contends or not, Polanco should be available. Yet top guys for 3b prob. won't be. The sox might have to settle for a platoon guy, like Mackowiak, or Desi Relaford, in which Crede plays better defense than who they get. Randa might be the best guy out there come the deadline.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jun 5, 2005 -> 02:15 PM) Personally I think Anaheim would be crazy to deal Kotchman when he's got Darrin Erstad in front of him. Maybe the Sox could go for a bullpen arm from the Angels instead. Doubt they'd give up someone like Scott Shields for Everett though. The angels bullpen has been weakened, w/ K Rod out. They don't seem to have the depth they've had in the past, with guys like Percival and Ben Weber moving on. They are stocked with versatile bench guys. The more I think about it, having a SS who could step in on an everyday basis in Izturis, should Uribe go down [Ozuna may be OK], could help the sox this year and in the future. Yet the Ricky Guiterrez experiment in AAA hasn't gone that well. And Pedro Lopez hasn't hit his weight in AAA. With Valido the best option at SS in A ball, the sox are thin here. Too thin if Uribe goes down

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jun 5, 2005 -> 02:08 PM) Stoneman would be crazy to deal Kotchman for Everett, I agree wholeheartedly. Get Sean Tracey involved in the deal then. Anaheim is always looking for pitching, and there probably won't be a great role for Tracey in the future for us anyway (he just walks too many hitters). Izturis would be a nice get though, had a great year in AAA last season. There's no role for Davanon basically unless Timo is gone, which probably won't happen knowing Ozzie and KW. kotchman should be used as bait for pitching for the Angels.

Maicer Izturis had a great spring this yr, hitting .329/.430/.506 in 64 AB's [with 5 triples]. They had him playing 3b mostly, to go with his more natural spots at 2b and SS. He was set to be a defensive replacement for Dallas McP at 3b when he sprained his MCL in April. I know he should be off the DL soon. He could be a great reserve this yr, and a possible starter in the next few years

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jun 5, 2005 -> 01:58 PM) Ok this is what I'm thinking. I still think there's no way Frank Thomas is dealt. He means too much to the fans, in terms of attendance, his contract option automatically kicks in if he's dealt, and that will put most teams in the NL and ones who have a good DH automatically out of the race. So Everett makes the most sense, which is unfortunate because this situation was bound to come up at some stage. Here's what I'm proposing. Some of us want a bonafide 1B prospect to take over for Paul Konerko next off-season. Casey Kotchman. Lefty hitter (which is something we need), and he's only 21. Look at these stats in AA and AAA from last season; AA - .368/.438/.544, 10 BB's, 7 K's, 3 HR's in 28 games. AAA - .372/.423/.558, 14 BB's, 25 K's, 5 HR's in 49 games. If there was some way KW could pull an Everett for Kotchman deal, I would take that in a second. We'd basically have our own version of Justin Morneau, and the best thing is, he's cheap and under out control for a good 4 to 5 years. This was some pieces on Kotchman from the start of the year from BA; Other prospects the Angels have, are Edwin Santana, he's probably untouchable. Dallas McPherson would be very nice, but he's starting to heat up, and they need another bat as it is, so why give up one, Kendry Morales (which would be interesting considering the Cuban connection we have already, not sure if he can be dealt or not though) and Howie Kendrick who is a good second baseman prospect . But if KW is smart, he could try to get a 3 team deal going, involving Oakland and Eric Chavez. Oakland needs to rebuild, and they could get quality prospects from both the White Sox and Angels, kind of like the Carlos Beltran deal from last off-season if you get my drift. I could see Jeff Davanon be part of a deal, maybe along with a guy like Maicer Izturis. Two versatile players who could help this year. And in Izturis's case, in the years ahead. [Could make Willie expendable as well, as they sox have their LH hitting 2bman to give Iguchi a rest.] I don't see the angels giving up a top prospect for a guy like Everett.

QUOTE(Jeckle2000 @ Jun 5, 2005 -> 01:46 PM) What sickens me in this whole situation is it reeks of Ozzie's desire to find at bats for Timo. If he would just give Carl Timo's at bats then everyone would be happy and we could get rid of Timo. Timo doesn't get that many AB's as it is. He doesn't factor into this equation. The fact that Frank and Carl can only DH is the biggest reason a deal may go through

QUOTE(JimH @ Jun 5, 2005 -> 01:17 PM) In general, a bad idea to trade solid proven veteran hitters in the midst of a pennant race. But, as always, it depends what you'd get in return. Except if Gload is healthy, then the Sox could use PK and Frank at DH. Seeing how Gload can only play 1b or DH, Carl. I know Gload isn't a "proven vet". But he could step in even if Frank went down. Or Brian Anderson could play the OF or DH, depending on if he can play better defense than Jermaine. The other thing to think about, the sox are almost sure to add another veteran bat for 3b by the deadline. If it's a guy like Randa, he and Carl's numbers are about a wash.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Jun 5, 2005 -> 12:44 PM) We lose either way. I wish they both could co-exist. Only if Carl could play better OF defense

Everett getting dealt makes the most sense. He's relatively cheap, and has proved he's healthy. Ana. really needs a DH. With their depth,[in AAA and on their MLB roster] the sox could use any number of their guys ATL may be another decent option.

Cotts is also getting regular work. Early in the season, he'd go 5,6 games w/o throwing [though with the SP's going deep into games, it was hard to find work for him]. We have to consider that this is only cotts' 2nd season pitching out of the bullpen. Vets have a hard time staying sharp, going a while after not throwing. The sox will ride his hot hand and hope guys like Marte, Viz and Shingo get on track

Cotts hasn't shown a lot of consistency. It's not a big news flash. Yet it's good to see him have some success lately. The sox will be a whole lot better if another bullpen arm or two can team with Politte and Hermey to put up a lot of zeroes. Neal looks sharp, seems to be hitting his spots, and opponents aren't getting good AB's off him. Keep it up Neal!

Frank will be in the #3 spot. Only 9 games ago, Rowand was at .261/.320/.391. He's caugth fire the last week. Yet Everett and Frank [for 1 game] were in the #3 spot for most of his hot streak, Rowand only hitting 3rd the last 3 games. The sox should go with Frank's high OBP and SLG [which can be over .400 and close to .600 respectively when healthy]. Aaron's .484 slg in the 3rd spot won't cut it.

QUOTE(SHAFTR @ Jun 4, 2005 -> 08:16 AM) I like Podsednik Iguchi Thomas Konerko Rowand Dye Pierzynski Crede Uribe Thomas should be 3rd b/c of his high OBP. Also, I really like this idea of Dye learning to play 1st for next year. I like that lineup as well. Except Crede should be 9th and Uribe 8th. Frank's high OBP should be at #3. He'll give PK and Rowand RBI opportunities there

QUOTE(sox-r-us @ Jun 4, 2005 -> 02:46 AM) The other thing is Count or El Duque will be available in the pen too for the playoffs. Right now, I would use Count as the 4th starter in the playoffs and Duque from the pen. But way too much baseball left, and with Duque's playoff magic experience, he might get the nod for 4th pitcher Playoff Bullpen roles Count (for 6th/7th) Marte & Politte (for 7th/8th) Hermy (9th) And if it goes to extra innings, then we go with Viz, Shingo, Cotts conteras [or Hernandez, whoever the 5th best Starter was at the time] would be the long man in the bullpen, not a short guy. He'd come in before the 6th inning if a starter got into trouble.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Jun 4, 2005 -> 02:01 AM) For the longest time, I have envied any ball club lucky enough to posses the power of the seven inning game. Whether it was the Dotel-Wagner, Mota-Gagne, etc. combo, those teams seemed to have an almost unfair advantage, knowing full well that the ballgame was nearly over after the seventh. My question to you: Does Ozzie know he may be sitting on a very similar Pollitte-Hermanson combo? Although those aren't the sexiest names when discussing relievers, I believe those two have the ability to nail the game down in the eighth and ninth respectively. Both pitchers are pitching about as well as they ever have in their careers, and in many respects, pitching beyond their means--ride the hot hand. I'd be much happier if the sox added another stellar arm to the mix, esp from the left side. Esp as these two may cool off. So to answer your question, maybe

I think KW has cleared this up rather nicely. Bmac will be around this yr. Any deals could and should be made w/o him.

While I like the idea of getting Chavez, I could certainly "live with" the Sox getting Joe Randa and an ace bullpen guy like Billy Wagner. Getting a Chavez type big bat would mean the best the sox could do would be adding a Ron Villone type to the pen.

QUOTE(EvilJester99 @ Jun 3, 2005 -> 05:12 PM) Personally, I am not that concerned with the Twins... I am more worried about the Sox beating themselves and of course injuries. Agreed. If the sox keep winning games, they'll make the playoffs. If two teams from the AL central can make the playoffs, so be it

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Jun 3, 2005 -> 06:30 AM) I just looked at the sites for both teams, and I see they're talking about Furcal possibly being part of the deal. I know he's having a down year, but the Twins getting him scares the hell out of me. The way Bobby Cox loves pitching and defense, trading Furcal would be a big blow. Esp. as they don't have any solid options for SS. I think furcal will stay a brave

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jun 2, 2005 -> 09:15 PM) He's still in low A but regardless he's been exceptional so far. I thought he was in W/S?

Found an article on Chavez. Mentions golf as his passion along w/ Jermaine Dye. http://espn.go.com/magazine/life_icebreaker_020809.html

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jun 2, 2005 -> 09:13 PM) He didnt say anything, he said that he will come around and that hes not worried, he sounded pretty calm about the whole thing. Its speculation around Oakland that he is just pushing so hard to make the team win that he is swinging at some bad pitches. he also has no protection in the lineup. thanks

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jun 2, 2005 -> 09:11 PM) Eh, I personally think Gio will be better than BMAC, but thats my opinion. An 18 yr old kid doing what Gio's doing in high A, his ceiling will be pretty high

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jun 2, 2005 -> 09:05 PM) I will tell you what I heard from his interview this afternoon, his personality seem to be right in line with AJ and A-row etc. The guy has been put in a leadership role that he is not comfortable with, if he came here, I personally think he would blend in with the character of this team nicely I'm sure Kw would talk with Jermaine Dye and get a run down on Chavez. I was just seeing if anyone knew what Chavez said was wrong with him.

QUOTE(GreatScott82 @ Jun 1, 2005 -> 05:38 PM) On with Boers and Bernstien explained why he is struggling this year and explained his team's struggles. Says if the A's keep losing- Beane will likely trade him to a contender. He says that there is no way (with his large contract) that he will be there when they are doing a rebuilding process. BTW--what did Chavez attribute his bad start to this yr? I haven't heard much about the original B+B interview