beck72

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jan 30, 2005 -> 03:09 AM) Leaving OPS out of the equation (because doesn't OPS consider extra base hits as well as OBP & AVG...?), wouldn't you rather have the guy who has a .250 AVG/.360 OBP over the guy with the .285 AVG/.330 OBP? No. All things being equal, I'll take the guy with a higher avg over the guy w/ a higher OBP. That would be saying you'd rather have Alex Cora over Juan Uribe[who both had almost the exact stats you posted]. Uribe had a higher avg, but Cora had a much higher OBP. Is Cora better because he can take more walks? Dustan Mohr also had a very high OBP [like .370] with a lower avg. Yet both he and Cora were non-tendered, and didn't have all that much interest from other teams. If your theory was true, then teams would have been beating down the door for guys with a high OBP.

The bench as is doesn't seem a good fit for Harris to stick around. But having a guy for on the bench available for pinch running in late game situations shouldn't be discounted. With Everett, Gload and Davis having basically 1 position each [though Carl can play RF and LF], the sox need someone who can play a few IF spots like Timo can play all 3 OF spots. Harris isn't that guy, I know. But his ability to SB's is needed. I guess the ideal UTL guy for the sox would be someone who could play SS and either 2b or 3b, can steal bases, can switch hit, play decent defense, and situational hit [bunt, make contact, hit and run, etc]. Should be easy to find, right

QUOTE(quickman @ Jan 29, 2005 -> 04:20 PM) My only concern with what you post is that Harris is a utility inf. He is not. He is a backup second baseman and Center fielder. That is all. Can't play any other position. I will stick by what I said before, he will be gone. Spring training is a great time for scouts and teams to look at potential. I don't think Harris is a UTL IFer. But the Sox need one and who they get prob. won't have near Harris' talent or upside. That's all I'm saying. I get what you're saying about filling the roster spots with someone who can play more IF spots. But it's also a problem that Everett and GLoad are pretty one dimensional guys off the bench. If Harris had a decent attitude, he could be a very valuable bench guy.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Jan 29, 2005 -> 04:15 PM) That is the big question. Would Willie be an asset ... or an ass? I'd bet that Harris goes to ST on his best behavior. Then he does or says something stupid that shows he's not suited for a bench role

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Jan 29, 2005 -> 03:33 PM) Exactly. That's why my stance on trading him or not is to not trade him. I think he can be a valuable asset off the bench. The sox would be hard pressed to find a UTL IFer who has Harris' talent and upside. But talent isn't everything, esp. for a bench guy. Does Willie have the humility, lack of ego, and ability to cheer on his teammates? Doesn't seem like it. He could very well sit on the bench and be an ass. If this is the case, then the sox could do w/o him, talent and all. My guess is the Sox will give him the chance to prove he can be a UTL guy, and not the brash talking guy w/ a big ego.

I give Hendry credit for dumping Sosa, and getting some talent in return. Hairston's a better leadoff hitter than PAtterson, and could fill an OF spot. But they still have a hole in either LF or RF. Carl Everett anyone?! Do they have anyone the sox could use? Prob. not.

Willie "the team player" sure could help the Sox out as a role player, pinch runner, etc. He has a lot of talent. Whether he has the right attitude is the question.

From ESPN's Scouting Report: 2004 Season After a strong 2003 season in which he showed surprising power, Alex Cintron opened the 2004 campaign as Arizona's starting shortstop and No. 5 hitter. But his production dropped off after a decent April, and after a time in the No. 2 spot, he was demoted to the bottom third of the Arizona batting order. In September, with Jerry Gil called up and Cintron's defense still shaky, he split his time between shortstop and second base. Hitting Cintron has a long, uppercut swing from both sides, which helped generate 45 extra-base hits in 117 games in 2003. But he is more of a contact hitter who, when not overswinging, usually puts the ball in play successfully. Cintron has more power as a righthanded hitter, but his swing wasn't as quick in 2004. He may attempt to get rid of the high leg kick he has used as a timing device, which should help him get by with his slower bat speed. Baserunning & Defense Cintron lacks the quick first step and range to be a good shortstop, partly because he plays too upright. He has good arm strength but sometimes throws off the wrong foot. He can play third base but is better at second. Cintron has speed to steal bases on occasion, but his basestealing technique needs work if he is ever to reach double digits in steals. 2005 Outlook While Cintron is young enough to rebound and show he can play every day, the Diamondbacks may sign a free-agent shortstop, leaving Cintron to compete for a job at second base. He could wind up a utility player if he cannot beat out Matt Kata or Scott Hairston for the starting position at second. How Cintron does in 2005 will go a long way in determining if he has a future in Arizona's rebuilding plans.

Alex Cintron from the D-Backs. He could probably be had for a young bullpen arm, maybe w/ Borchard thrown in. The 26 yr old switch hitter has lost his everyday SS gig to Royce Clayton, and they're stocked at 2b with Counsell, Kata and Hairston. Yet he can also play 3b, and 2b [playing 26 games at 3rd, and 46 games at 2b the last 3 yrs]. He also hits better from the RH side [3 yr split of .317/.364/.457, including .365/.418/.577 in 03. His defense looks a little shaky though.

QUOTE(Jabroni @ Jan 28, 2005 -> 04:22 AM) The Tigers are set to offer Ordonez a 5-year, $70 million contract??? What the f*ck?!? http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews...ts/10752346.htm If true, it shows Det. has to resort to bribing players to come play for them. Any contract near that is completely ridiculous

QUOTE(quickman @ Jan 28, 2005 -> 01:22 AM) Your right basically none. But I still think he maybe moved. Who do the Nationals have? Vidro

On ESPN's MLB main page, the insider has "White sox dealing Harris?" as its lead. Does anyone have any info on this?

QUOTE(JimH @ Jan 27, 2005 -> 05:00 PM) I suspect we'll shortly understand exactly what Willie Harris is worth on the trade market. Personally I would not be shocked if he's designated for assignment. Nor would I be surprised if they kept him thru spring training to let other teams get a look. The unanswered question is still, does this guy have minor league options left? If the market now sucks for willie, the Sox should wait as long as possible into ST to deal him. If someone goes down on the sox or another 2b man around the league, Willie's value will increase. Then, he could be designated. But the Sox should try to wait it out until using the "nuclear option".

QUOTE(winninguglyin83 @ Jan 27, 2005 -> 04:41 PM) Somebody will take him on because he can run, he bats left-handed and he can play the outfield as well as second base. Even if he is a turd, the Sox need to be quiet and not diminish the little remaining value he has left. Let him play a bit in spring training to create some interest. Then deal his butt. But we still need to find a veteran utility infielder. Iguchi is no sure thing -- and we need a backup shortstop better than Valdez. Agree on all points. Nicely put IMO, the sox have been pretty quiet about Harris. This should get more teams interested in him. The UTL Ifer should play SS and another IF spot, in case Uribe goes down, or Iguchi/ Crede tank. Then the backup can take over SS, while Uribe goes to 3b or 2b. Valdez might be able to play a serviceable SS for a week or two. But that's about it.

QUOTE(GreatScott82 @ Jan 27, 2005 -> 03:53 PM) I say get rid of him. I understand he is frusterated, but it takes a real perfesional to keep your mouth shut.. *cough-*cough Rowand! Rowand got shafted waaayyyy more than Willie ever did. And Rowand kept his mouth shut and gave his all every oppurtunity that arised for him. Patience has payed off for him. Rowand is a true team player. Willie on the other hand had to open up his mouth and start whining. I hope KW read that article and is busy as we speak working on a plan to get rid of him. Not only that, but Rowand busted his ass to make it in this league. Rowand's professional attitude and work ethic should serve as a model to any sox young player coming up of how to make it in the majors [provided they have the talent of course]. Willie has the talent. But something is definitely missing.

QUOTE(BamaDoc @ Jan 27, 2005 -> 03:49 PM) Willie's problem is not unique. He is only 26 in a sport/profession where he has the potential to make millions if he produces. It is hard to produce from the bench. Our lineup is now pretty well set in the positions he can play. I expect if Iguchi looks okay in spring training, Willie will be moved for prospects or injury coverage. There is a reason most utility guys are older. You need the attitude of being happy to make several hundred thousand and help the team, not I am a star. I liked that he said it would motivate him. If he plays well in the spring it enhances his trade value. I can understand being pissed when told that "we have great plans for you" and then a somewhat (from Willie's standpoint) unproven guy is given millions for your job. I think you can find a lot of parallels with Willie and other pro athletes. In particular, I can see Jamal Crawford and Willie getting along real well. Crawford thought just because he could score 50 points, he didn't have to work on other aspects of his game or keep a positive attitude. Willie seems like he has a similar attitude. He was able to hit over .300 for a few months, and thought he deserved to play everyday over Uribe, Rowand and Valentin. Yet doing the little things to help the team win [bunting, stealing bases], and having a good work ethic and attitude, were just as important as what numbers Willie put up. My guess is Willie is his own #1 fan and spokesperson, and the sox have tired of his act

Willie doesn't seem the type to sit quietly on the bench, in a reduced role, get "sporadic" ab's, pinch run and do the little things a reserve would be expected to do. He's got his back up already, thinking he deserves to start. I don't see Willie coming out of ST w/ the sox, if he makes it there at all. He should go to a team where he can start. Whether he does anything w/ the new team, who knows. But he shouldn't be on the sox for long. BTW-does anyone else see comparisons with Willie's situation and D'Angelo Jimenez a little?

QUOTE(WSFAN35 @ Jan 26, 2005 -> 04:43 PM) Willie's a major league ballplayer and a pro athlete, it's not like he doesn't have the physical tools to play there (well besides his arm). They should give him a shot in spring training, what have we got to lose? Has Willie played any SS in the minors? High school? Babe Ruth? 2B and SS are two distinctly different positions. Just because he can play doesn't mean he can play the other. Willie came up playing CF and 2B in the minors. We now know he can't play CF except in an emergency basis. Now people expect him to play SS in the majors?! Besides his weak arm, his poor footwork, and his not having played the position before, he'd be a great candidate for SS. Wilson Valdez runs rings around Harris at SS. If Harris can't play SS better than him, there is no need to have this conversation

Crede should be fine at 3b for his money and defense. Getting his avg. over .260 [which should happen pretty easily] would be enough for what he gives the sox, power and glove wise. If he got hurt, or tanked big time and hadn't done anything at the AS Break, then maybe.

I like the part about wanting to do well so other Japanese players could have MLB opportunities. Means he's going to work his butt off not just for himself, but for his countrymen. That's some damn strong motivation. And shows some character.

QUOTE(JUGGERNAUT @ Jan 26, 2005 -> 05:30 AM) I'd like to give Harris a few ops as SS in ST before we give up on him. I'm sure there will be some split squad games & I'd like the Sox to see if he could be an adequate SS. I'm just looking for him to give Uribe a spell now & then. If Harris could prove to be a reasonable option at SS then I think his stock improves greatly with the Sox. He has decent numbers against RHers & when you're looking at him as a bench player you can make use of that. This isn't little league we're talking about. Willie can't learn to play SS in the major leagues in a few weeks

QUOTE(BlackBetsy @ Jan 25, 2005 -> 04:58 PM) Baseball Prospectus did a pretty in depth analysis after 2001 and found that the Japanese leagues were half way in between AAA and MLB. If AAA is 85% of MLB, JPL are like 93-95%. So better than triple A, but worse than the major leagues. Let's put it this way- if a 2B in the Sox organization hit .340/.400/.550 in AAA in a decent pitcher's park, Soxtalk.com posters would be all over KW to bring him to Chicago. That puts some things in perpective. Good info

QUOTE(AnthraxFan93 @ Jan 25, 2005 -> 05:36 PM) You would think Maggs would want like a 2 year deal to prove himself fully healthy and then hit the FA market running. I'm sure Maggs might like a 2 or 3 yr deal. Yet Maggs won't be the one holding the cards, and able to dictate many terms of a contract. Any team that signs him has to risk not having him healthy the whole yr. I'd be surprised if any team offered a guaranteed deal for more than 1 yr.

If Nomar can get a 1 yr deal for $8 mill + incentives, Maggs should get a similar deal [even though he may be an even bigger health risk than Nomar]. Seeing how Det. can't attract many big names though they tried this offseason, taking a chance on an injured Maggs makes sense.

kids these days, huh Jim