beck72

If Oakland wanted Crede, either Anderson or Sweeney, and a guy like Tracey or Ray Liotta, yes. BMac is untouchable for 2005 though.

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ May 24, 2005 -> 06:49 PM) I'm pretty sure they were scouting someone from the Cub's. Someone pulled the trigger on this thread to quick. Crede is going to be at 3B(unless injury occurs) all season long. Get used to it fellas. As the one who started this thread, it looks more like the case scouts were there for the Cubs. Yet if the Phillies and cubs are trading soon, its likely a blockbuster [something along the lines of Patterson and Hawkins and a AA guy or two for Abreu and etc]. Polanco likely wouldn't be part of the deal. Yet the premise that the Sox could use Polanco [and that he'd be available] still holds.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ May 24, 2005 -> 05:59 PM) It just dosen't make sense. The Sox are stuck with Joe in 2005. Unless he nets another 3B, trading Joe just doesn't make any sense. I'm just awe-struck by this Crede-trade talk. Bite the bullet and hope he produces some form of offense in this, his last year with the Sox. Am I alone in these thoughts? I do think Crede will stay. Yet the sox need a better option for both 3b and SS when Uribe and Joe both go through long, embarassing slumps that give the sox two easy outs day in and day out. With a veteran guy who can do the little things that the Sox need [make contact, be a #2 type hitter, play solid, dependable defense], Uribe and Crede could stay fresh at least. IMO, keeping these guys fresh is the best way to get them to perform up to their capabilities.

QUOTE(Jabroni @ May 24, 2005 -> 04:16 PM) Uhhh, from who? Wasn't it Levine who said the Cubs may be trading OFers and relievers [and getting a power hitting LH bat]?

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ May 24, 2005 -> 03:51 PM) Fellas, go back one page and read Dick Allen's post. Except most reports have the Cubs getting a reliever and a power hitting, lh batter from a NL team. More likely Reds/ Mets than Phillies.

QUOTE(rafacosta @ May 23, 2005 -> 11:31 PM) Roids? During spring training, a Cle. paper did say that 3,4 Indians were suspected of juicing it. With his big drop off, maybe....

QUOTE(aboz56 @ May 24, 2005 -> 03:53 PM) Playoffs? We can't even win a fricking series on the west coast and this guy is talking about the playoffs? Playoffs? I guess the team with the best record in baseball shouldn't be looking toward a possible playoff birth Getting a guy like Polanco would help the sox win games during the regular season AND the playoffs

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ May 24, 2005 -> 03:45 PM) If it was this past weekend, Birmingham was playing West Tennessee, a Cub affiliate. Levine has said the Cubs were close to a trade. Bruce Wolf mentioned this morning the Cubs may be going after Wagner and Polanco. These Phillies scouts may have been scouting Cub prospects. Did Tracey pitch against West Tenn? I'm not sure. As far as the Cubs trading with Phil, they don't need Polanco. They have Walker coming back at 2b. By all accounts, SS is Polanco's 3rd best IF spot. And Wagner won't be going anywhere until the Phils are completely out of it, near the deadline.

QUOTE(YASNY @ May 24, 2005 -> 03:41 PM) I'm looking at Polanco as a replacement. I don't think they'll bench Crede for him, permanently. Polanco is decent, but he's on the downside of his career, so his career stats are not what you expect in the future. I know Ozuna is 30 or so years old, but I just don't believe Polanco would be enough of an upgrade to justify trading 3 players and adding his salary. Getting rid of Timo would be a bonus though. I also don't think the sox would bench Crede permanently. Yet. But they have never lit a fire under his ass, by getting someone in who could conceivably take over his spot at 3b. That's about the only thing the sox haven't tried doing in getting to Joe. Getting rid of Timo's salary means taking on some of Polanco's extra salary, and/ or additional prospects.

QUOTE(YASNY @ May 24, 2005 -> 03:36 PM) Is Polanco that much of an upgrade over Ozuna at this point? Ozuna hasn't played much at either 3b or SS. I know he's been hurt a bit. But Polanco would be a vet I'd like playing in the playoffs over Ozuna

To answer the question, no the Sox don't pick up Danny Graves. Bajenaru throws better than Graves. Adkins even. Wouldn't help the Sox at all

BHAMBarons posted last night [seeing how he seems to know more about our AA team then most reporters do, I'll take his word for it] that a lot of Phillies scouts [10?] were at the Barons game when Sean Tracey threw the other night. Some may question trading Tracey [with his poor control, and Liotta and Gio coming on strong in high A, Tracey wouldn't likely be close to AAA even this yr], I can see Tracey being expendable. The Sox want SP's who don't beat themselves with walks. Tracey will give up a lot of walks, esp in the majors as players lay off his close pitches. With that many scouts at a AA game in May, I don't see this as a deadline deal [for a Billy Wagner type player]. The Phils must want to make a move now, and aren't going to get rid of a guy who they think can help them get back into the NL east race. That said, a guy like Placido Polanco could be available. The Phils didn't even want to re-sign him, as they had Chase Utley for 2b. This would mean addition by subtraction. Get a good prospect in Tracey, get a guy for the Phils roster [Timo Perez, who has played in the NL east and had good success vs ATL, MON/ WA and FLA, who can play solid late inning defense at all 3 OF spots], maybe a bullpen arm in a AAA type guy like Arnie Munoz, and get rid of a guy making $4 mill who they didn't want in the first place, the Phils get an offer they can't refuse. Where could Polanco fit on the sox? Seeing how Crede and Uribe often look horrible for long stretches at a time [and are both in the midst of a second slump after starting the season slow], getting a guy who can play both spots [as well as 2b, and the OF] to give these guys some days off, makes sense. Their inconsistencies may necessitate the Sox making a trade for a veteran pretty soon. A move for Polanco would be to help the Sox be more competitive, esp. against the good teams. Polanco is a versatile dependable fielder at the IF spots [his career numbers at 3b are even better than CRede--fielding %, .981 to joe's .961; RF: 2.97 to 2.48; and ZR: .825 to joe's .768; #2 type hitter, who can handle the bat, makes solid contact, a doubles hitter, in essence he could help the club without hurting it. And when the sox face tough, playoff type pitchers, having both Crede and Uribe in the lineup going 0 fer and looking horrible doing it, doesn't leave the Sox with any margin for error with the 7 other guys. Crede's and Uribe's recent slide could be a sign of things to come. Maybe not. Yet the Sox wouldn't replace either guy. Both would have the opportunity to battle and get back on track, even while the Sox make a push for the playoffs. Polanco would take Timo's spot, and either Ozuna or Willie could move down to AAA when Frank comes back. Walker would likely go down when Gload is ready to return. If Polanco shows he's solid at 3b, then Crede could be expendable at the deadline. Thoughts?

QUOTE(Sox Hustler @ May 24, 2005 -> 05:02 AM) I know exactly what you mean, I am one of the last supporters in every player you guys hate and I too am getting tired of Crede. Another persons swing im gettin tired of fast is Uribe, its so ugly, he looks like Ken Harvey with his knees almost hitting the ground. I love his defense but damn he needs to do something about that swing. You can bet the sox will try to get someone who could play for one of these two guys on any given day. Someone who can play solid defense, and battle against the tough pitchers.

If the sox were due for a "dead day", this was it. Yet Santana looked awfully good, getting ahead in the count by throwing a lot of strikes. The Sox should look better in the next few days

QUOTE(RockRaines @ May 23, 2005 -> 05:19 PM) I said in another thread, that im not going to be critical unless he keeps f-in up after June. So I will keep quiet until then. that's a big step for you . We should know by the end of June what his true talents/ shortcomings are

QUOTE(BHAMBARONS @ May 24, 2005 -> 04:46 AM) Something is brewing with the Phillies way to many scouts for a AA game yesterday 10 of them I could see a Tracey and Timo Perez trade for Polanco. [Timo played a lot against them as a met, and his $1 mill salary could offset Polanco's a little] The Sox would likely keep Crede. But he would be put on a short leash, with Polanco seeing a lot of time there. Crede could then be traded if Polanco played well

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ May 23, 2005 -> 09:12 PM) Tyler Green could end up sliding into the 3rd (highly unlikely, but possible) or at least I've seen some projecting him to fall into that range. If so, and I realize he's a Boras client (IIRC) I'd still make a grab at him. I also like Billingsly or whatever his name is. The SS from A&M. Really quick, good defensively and has made great strides offensively. Both him and Greene can flat fly. Its too bad Troy Trowloski will be off the board when the Sox pick cause he's gonna be a real good one. You're thinking Cliff Pennington, the SS from texas A+ M. He's a switch hitter as well; high OBP, more walks than K's

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ May 23, 2005 -> 08:16 PM) I am sick and tired of people saying we do not need a closer. If you are suggesting that Hermanson is a monster, a stud, a dominating closer because he has gotten off to an excellent start, you are fooling yourself. I personally am not comfortable with the thought of Dustin Hermanson closing out game 6 of the ALCS with the Red Sox ahead in the series 3 games to 2. I'd much rather it be Wagner(because there is no chance at all that Lidge will be traded, unless we were willing to give up like McCarthy and one of the big 2 OF prospects in Anderson and Sweeney, and that would be beyond dumb - same goes for Brazoban and Gagne) Dustin is going through a great stretch. Yet when he comes back down to earth [which is very likely, though I love his makeup and attitude], all these "we don't need a closer" types will be calling for Hermanson's head. He's a great setup man, a very good fill in as a closer. Yet he has never been a closer for an entire year. I'm with you, I'd love to have a closer who has lights out stuff.

QUOTE(ZoomSlowik @ May 23, 2005 -> 06:35 PM) Trading Lidge doesn't really make much sense for Houston, since they don't really have a solid option backing him up. I can't really see them trading an affordable top notch closer. Even if they did it would have to be a monster package. That doesn't seem to make much sense for the Sox to make a deal like that since it would have to probably involve a package that includes B-Mac, Sweeney, or Fields. Wagner can probably be had for less since he is a free agent at the end of the year, possibly a deal revolving around Tracey and another decent prospect would work unless we get in a bidding war. I'm definitely not worried about the offense once Frank gets back. I am confident that a middle of the order with Rowand-Frank-Paule-Dye/Everett-AJ will produce enough runs to do some major damage. Well said. A guy like Lidge would cost a lot more than Billy Wagner [a FA at the end of the yr, will want big bucks]. Also, the teams that would/ might be in the position to give up a lot for a guy like Wagner [NYY, Red Sox, Angels, STL] really don't need a closer. Also, they'll likely need to fill other spots [ie, yanks ---Clemens, Ana. a bat, etc]. The Sox would likely only need a bullpen guy, and would have the prospects to get Wagner [like you said, Tracey and another prospect, prob. in the top 20.]

Any new signees to Dye's support group, or those who'd like to ease up on their criticisms of Dye after his solid weekend, and recent string of good games?

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ May 23, 2005 -> 01:34 AM) I'd be willing to deal Tracey before Gio Gonzalez but that's just me, I know Jason and Cerb are pretty high on Tracey, and he's having a very good year down at B-Ham. In any case, the top guys in our farm should be off - limits. I agree. The sox could probably fill a hole at the deadline w/o dealing a top 5 prospect. Though a guy in the 6-10 range could be dealt

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ May 23, 2005 -> 01:32 AM) I don't want to mortgage the farm this year just because of the fact I don't think there is a glaring weakness on this team. We're going to be adding frank within the next few weeks which right there will be a bigger bat then any other team could add. I definitely wouldn't mind adding a bullpen arm but I think we have some good in house options there as well with Baj and maybe Jenks. If there is a chance to get Wagner, Kenny should explore that avenue but Bmac should be untouchable, period. I don't want to give up anderson for the fact that he's going to be starting full time next year and I just think so highly of sweeney that I want to hold on to him as well. The guy I'd be willing to center a package around that could net us something in a trade is Sean Tracey. With Tracey's high BB total, he could be dealt. The sox want guys with good control who don't beat themselves [ala MB, BMac, Garland this yr] SP's who walk guys [ala Contreras, Tracey] could see themselves elsewhere

Isn't Lidge making near the minimum? The Astros would be fools to trade him. As far as other closers/ bullpen guys, the only guys I see the Sox going after are LHP's. Like Eddie Guardado, Mike Gonzalez from Pitt, or Wagner. The sox are stacked with RH pitchers. A LHP with great control [to offset the inconsistencies of Marte and Cotts] would round out the sox pen. And if Frank stays healthy, he will hit. The Sox won't be in the market for a DH.

QUOTE(YahtzeeSox @ May 23, 2005 -> 12:05 AM) KW is sitting on a goldmine here and if he plays his cards right he could have his team in great shape for the next TEN years. Will we need ANY upgrades on the 25 man roster over next winter? Perhaps. Middle reliever, third basemen, first basemen? But if we trade one of our 5 over the winter, we could trade maybe Contreras for two stud minor league prospects, one pitcher, one second basemen/shortstop/first basemen. A ballers. It wouldn't hurt us at all if Big Mac is really ready for the show. And it would put us in a Twins like position. Guys can replace guys when they walk. KW could also trade the Count at the break for a King's Ransom if he keeps pitching like this. We could get 3 stud prospects because there ain't gonna be s*** on the market at the All Star Break. KW won't trade SP during the year. The Sox would be one injury away from jeapordizing a shot at the playoffs then. But if Contreras keeps up his pitching, he might be traded in the offseason so the sox can sign Garland to a big increase. There won't be many free agent SP's for 2006. So teams may have to trade for a good one.

QUOTE(Al Lopez's Ghost @ May 21, 2005 -> 10:58 AM) I agree with your assessment of Chris vs. Timo in terms of their skills. And I believe Chris is a genuinely good guy. But Timo is from the same town as Uribe, and I think that has probably helped Uribe's comfort level and growth. KW has the two of them from the Dominican Republic, the two Cuban pitchers, the two Japanese... We might not want to take away from our team chemistry for the small skills improvement Chris would bring. Even though Timo and Juan may be from the same town, the sox have a large enough Latino contingent that could probably absorb losing Timo. I remember that Colo. had virtually no Latino ballplayers, which affected Uribe. I agree chemistry has to be considered in adding/ subtracting any players to this team. Yet from what Timo has done this year [with pop up bunts, bunting when the sox need a flyball, no hitting, etc] the sox may be better off w/o him