beck72

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jan 5, 2005 -> 12:24 AM) Maybe someone can explain this to me, but if the Sox, or Kenny Williams specifically, is that confident that Pierzynski wouldn't cause any clubhouse problems, what's the big deal on giving him the multiyear deal? I don't see why giving him two year, six million (with a third year team option at four million, perhaps) is that big of a problem. Again, Jim -- you usually give great explanations on this thing, so maybe you can give me some insight. Why not give the extra year to a catcher who's only 27, a guy who you'll know you'll get a solid average from (and low strikeout numbers, something Ozzie likes, a real grade-A b**** at the plate), as well as (now, I'm saying this by reading Kenny's new comments on AJ) a guy that would give this whole team a kick in the ass, and be an ass to play against. Any thoughts, Jim? Beck? Right now, it seems like there aren't a lot of teams he's negotiating w/. The sox must know what's on the table, so their offer must be in line w/ the other teams. I'm not sure what the sox offer is or any other teams. But its likely the sox topped other offers, and should be willing to go up if they need to [which they should]. But as happened in the Vizquel deal, the sox put their best offer on the table and got beat [like showing all their cards]. KW sounds like he's keeping them close to his vest, and has some leeway to go up

QUOTE(Winnin Ugly @ Jan 4, 2005 -> 10:21 PM) I believe I heard a report here in San Fran that the DevilRays are also intersted in AJ A FL paper today said the Rays had only a few million left for an OF and an IFer. Mark Grudz is one of their top targets and a guy like Danny Bautista. I don't think they have the cash for AJ

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Jan 4, 2005 -> 05:12 PM) No, that's not true, someone DID say that AJ was a "cancer". The full quote: "He's the cancer in here. The pitchers aren't happy with him. If they can trade him, that would be fine with me. We all know Yorvie (Yorvit Torrealba) can catch this staff." There's no way this is a question of context, or something being "overblown". He just wasn't liked, and it seemed widespread. Here's one article on the love for AJ. Btw, if we should be more careful about labels, hows 'bout we start w/ "winner"? My bad. The article did say "cancer". But "widespread" dislike for him? Two players were mentioned [anonymous at that]. And the articles after this one from an OAK. paper seemed to down play the whole thing. Now the media would never a mountain out of a molehill now would they?! BTW, I think KW or Ozzie used that "winner" term when praising one of their new players. I know Hawk did. I'm sure it made your skin crawl

Is Timo Perez the antichrist? For those of you who don't like him get over it---he's signed and will play in Chi in 2005. For those who support him, get over it---he'll likely improve on his 2004. But enough of this old lady b****ing on every thread about Timo.

QUOTE(chi-guy2 @ Jan 4, 2005 -> 04:39 PM) Why do i envision him going back to the minnesota twins? Not with Mauer there. And them paying good money for Mike Redmond to be his backup.

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Jan 4, 2005 -> 04:52 PM) I know, which is why I didn't put "jerk" in quotes. He was called a "cancer", however. Also, "I've never in all my years seen a catcher who didn't watch video before games. He doesn't watch hitters—other than the Twins games when they are on TV." Which clearly implies that he's unprofessional, even though it doesn't use the word "unprofessional". I think "jerk" is a fair summary of their feelings about AJ, maybe even charitable. ("Cancer" is much worse, imo.) And this isn't just one pitcher (Tomko) -- the article states different pitchers made many of the statements. It's not just a personal beef. As for the sportswriter, I don't really care how he feels. These aren't his quotes. I'm just saying a sportswriter can make a player look bad. The writer wasn't a SF beat writer but an OAK writer. It was well known OAK players hated AJ. A writer with an axe to grind can make any person look bad. I'm not saying AJ's an angel. But some things could be overblown in the media, taken out of context, etc. In one of the articles, AJ talked about being known as a "cancer", trying to live that label down. That was the only spot I saw that mentioned. We fans throw around labels. But we should be more careful. I was just pointing out that "implied" words and labels are not the same thing as "actual" words and quotes of teammates. Seeing how the players qouted were anonymous, they could have said "cancer" and "jerk". But no one did.

It seems AJ did testify. the Nov. 21 article Nov. 21, 2003 Pierzynski talks in BALCO case Ex-Giant Estalella also testifies John Crumpacker, Chronicle Staff Writer One week after being traded to the Giants, catcher A.J. Pierzynski on Thursday appeared before a federal grand jury investigating a Burlingame nutritional supplement laboratory at the center of a widening sports doping scandal. The 26-year-old Pierzynski was one of six athletes, three of them baseball players, to give testimony at the federal building. The other baseball players were a pair of former Giants, catcher Bobby Estalella and outfielder Armando Rios. The other three athletes were from track and field, including identical twins and Olympic gold medalists Alvin and Calvin Harrison of Salinas. Giants general manager Brian Sabean, asked Thursday about Pierzynski and whether he knew before the trade was finalized that the catcher was subpoenaed, said, "I have absolutely no reaction. It's being referred to in legal channels, through Jack Bair and in-house counsel.'' Bair, the Giants' legal counsel, did not return calls seeking comment Thursday. The timing of Pierzynski's appearance before the grand jury in San Francisco had nothing to do with his trade from the Minnesota Twins. His name had surfaced weeks before in discussions with sources familiar with elements of the probe into Victor Conte's Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO) and Greg Anderson, the personal weight trainer for Barry Bonds. It's unclear how Pierzynski made the connection with BALCO because he had no apparent Bay Area ties. He was, however, part of a barnstorming tour of Japan by Major League players after the 2002 season that included Bonds and Yankees star Jason Giambi. On the tour, Bonds brought along Anderson, who Giambi has said introduced him to BALCO. Bonds and Giambi have been called to appear before the grand jury. Bonds is expected to give testimony Dec. 4.

QUOTE(lvjeremylv @ Jan 4, 2005 -> 04:47 PM) Teams/Owners couldn't care less about their players taking steroids. If they did, MLB would have a real steroid policy instead of the slap-in-the-face-of-a-joke one they have now. I'm talking about Sf mgmt keeping Barry Bonds happy. If AJ did give any info on Bonds during the BALCO investigation, would he want AJ on the team? Wouldn't he try and exert some influence?

Here's a list of the relevant articles from the site: http://www.aj-pierzynski.com/main.html For some reason the "articles" page isn't showing. But click the articles link and people can get some good info on what happened, and on AJ in general

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Jan 4, 2005 -> 04:30 PM) Hold on -- it wasn't AJ's opponents that called him a jerk last season, it was his own teammates. And the pitchers, too, who he should get along with as a catcher. I keep reading things that sound like he just manages to tick off the opposing team in the spirit of a 'gamer'. This is not Torii Hunter we're talking about -- AJ is badmouthed not for a rough play, but for playing cards, for chrissakes. If you look back on all that was written, no teammate called him a jerk. I saw a list of all the articles on www.aj-pierzynski.com [some bias, sure] and from the sounds of it, an Oak. sportswriter w/ a beef [AJ hitting the game winning playoff HR vs OAk, they thought AJ was over the top and most of the A's players hated him], started the whole thing. Aj apologized to Tomko about finishing his hand of cards, and the issue seemed to fade. Which was the basis of the story. Imagine that, though, an A's writer who could get back at an old annoying nemesis in print. One thing that isn't mentioned was AJ being part of the BALCO / Bonds thing. AJ and Bonds were playing in an allstar deal in Japan [?] when Bonds' trainer was around. I believe the grand jury took AJ's deposition but didn't testify. Could that play a part in SF getting rid of him, along with his grating personality?

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jan 4, 2005 -> 02:30 PM) I think everyone knows stats wise, Pierzynski would be a serious upgrade to what we have now, it's only the chemistry impact in the clubhouse and the signing price which are still the question marks. Still I expect to see a deal done, although it will depend on whether A.J is willing to settle for a 1 year deal instead of a multi-year deal, which could be what the Sox are offering. If he is, the Dodgers would be back in the hunt, as Navarro likely isn't ready at this stage to be the everyday catcher in 2005. If the sox offered less than $3 mill a yr, it must have been at least a 2 yr deal. It would be an insult if it was a 1 yr deal for say $2.5 mill. Now if it was a 2 yr deal, with the 1st yr being $2.5 mill and the 2nd say $3.5 or $4 mill, that would be different. Even with AJ's "issues" he's worth Matheny and Damian Miller money If Aj were smart, he'd sign a 1-2 yr deal w/ a playoff contender, even for a little less cash, to re-up his value. Then he could become a FA at 30, a prime age. Seeing how AJ knows the AL's hitter and pitchers, that would be his best bet to have short term success.

AJ can't help but be an upgrade offensively over the Sox 2004 C's. Looking at his last stats from the last 3 yrs, though [courtesy of ESPN], he could add much more. *vs RHP, he hit .305/.353/.450 *hit the best vs finesse P's [the avg, journeymen type SP's who always seem to give the sox trouble] AJ hit .337/.364/.460 *hit avg G:F P's 2nd best w/ an OPS of .802 *hit P best the 2nd time he faced them in a game [the Sox have had trouble scoring during the middle innings. many times its taken the Sox 3 times through the lineup to get at a P. The Sox want to get an early lead, so their SP's can hand off a lead to our stronger 'pen] *hits best ahead or even in the count. [This shows he won't "beat himself". If a P gets himself in a hole by falling behind, hitters should make them pay. the Sox haven't done this well at all. AJ hit for an 1.091 OPS w/ a 1-1 count; a .940 OPS w/ a 1-0 count; and a .936 OPs w/ a 2-0 count] * hits well w/ RISP: a .316 BA and a.841 OPS * hits well w/ runners on 1st and 3rd: a .396 avg * hits well w/ a runner on 3rd: .375 BA and a OPS of 1.117 * hits well w/ the bases loaded: a .409 avg w/ an OPS of 1.047 * hits well w/ a man on 3rd * hits well w/ runners in scoring pos, 2 out: .294, .802 OPS AJ might not be a star. Yet he would seem to be a great complimentary player, someone who won't beat himself, who makes P's pay for their mistakes and falling behind in the count, who seems to step up his offense when the situation calls for it, who can hit avg P's very well [who make up the bulk of the leagues P's] AJ's bat would be a very solid addition to the sox everyday lineup.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jan 3, 2005 -> 01:30 PM) Yeesh, I didn't think that team could strike out anymore but if they get Burnitz......wow. EDIT: They do have some players that don't strike out that much but if they got Burnitz, basically half their lineup would strike out a ton. But they re-signed Todd Walker! For a team that needed bullpen help, and changes to their everyday lineup like the Sox did, the Cubs changes so far might get them 3rd place. Esp with Cinc. making some solid moves, MIL getting better, their division will be stronger

QUOTE(qwerty @ Jan 3, 2005 -> 11:01 AM) I was really thinking that they were gonna non-tender hillenbrand. Now it is a no brainer in my opinion that he will be traded. If not, i don't really see where else on the diamond backs that he can play. The DBacks are pretty messed up. They have like 12 IFers, [with Counsell and Clayton signed] and no OFers. And little pitching

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jan 3, 2005 -> 10:18 AM) I wonder if Green will play first base for Arizona instead of the outfield. If the D-Backs do trade Vazquez to the O's for that package including Matos and/or Bigbie I think, that could be a distinct possibility. Suppose it would depend on where Chad Tracy plays as well I guess, unless he stays as third base. Green will probably play RF. AZ has Tracy and Hillenbrand to play 1B. Not to mention Glaus if he can't play 3B.

QUOTE (DBAH0 @ Jan 2, 2005 -> 02:02 PM) I only thought of the dodgers not based on the fact that he doesn't want to go to the West Coast, but since the D-Backs and Dodgers are likely to trade anyways, the Dodgers are in the NL, and L.A needs some good starters in their rotation, but looking at it more closely, it probably isn't a good fit. If Vazquez is to be traded to an NL team only, teams that come to mind as possible trading partners would be the Marlins, Mets and Phillies. Az is stupid if they trade him within the NL and within their divison to LA. Then they have to face Vazquez a number of times. If I were AZ, I'd get the best deal possible, regardless of where he wanted to go. It's not like Vazquez deserves special treatment, like his child is dying and he needs to be near his home in PR. I see the Marlins and Phils being interested. But Balt. seems the likeliest spot--they have the cash, players and need

QUOTE (DBAH0 @ Jan 2, 2005 -> 01:19 PM) Found this about Vazquez in Phil Rogers' latest piece. A Navarro and Vazquez for Green and prospects or players pethaps? In Rogers' 12-30 piece, he wrote about KW not getting Vazquez and then added "not yet anyway". Something changed in the last few days?

QUOTE (DBAH0 @ Jan 2, 2005 -> 01:19 PM) Found this about Vazquez in Phil Rogers' latest piece. A Navarro and Vazquez for Green and prospects or players pethaps? If he limits himself to only NL teams [and ones on the east coast] where does LA fit in? esp if he wants to be near his family. Even though Vazquez has no say in where he goes, any team trading for him has to be prepareed he'll ask to become a FA. Though realistically, will he give up the remaining $35 mill he's owed? Prob. not. Though with an allstar type yr, he could get a lot of cash as a FA I wonder what the deal is w/ only wanting to pitch in the NL. I know that's what he's known, and it's easier. But if true, sounds pretty weak to me.

QUOTE (DBAH0 @ Jan 2, 2005 -> 01:23 PM) Thought this was interesting to see; So if the Sox had a young pitcher with loads of potential who was major league ready (can anyone say Kris Honel or even Corwin Malone if things worked out), Tim Hudson or Mark Mulder could very well be on the Southside as we speak. Over time, we'll see if B-Mac ends up being a better pitcher than Haren or Meyer though, and whether or not Mr. Moneyball did indeed make the right deal. If B-Mac continues his success this yr in AA and AAA, then he'd have the same type value Meyer or Haren had. I think the A's want someone who can pitch this yr. B-Mac will likely be ready in 2006. With the Sox SP's set, they can let Bmac develop. The sox haven't had a SP from the minors who could help out right away. Keeping BMac is a must and should make him untradeable. [though getting a guy like Mulder for 2 yrs would have been worth it]

A baseball astrologer has predicted bad things for Clement, RJ [high injury risk], Nomar, Russ Ortiz and Jon Lieber [bad 2 of 3 yrs]. Interesting that she was at the winter meetings, and has the ear of some baseball big wigs. An interesting quote: "Literally, I could save teams millions of dollars. Baseball and astrology run in cycles. And timing is everything". Though everything should be taken with a grain of salt, it'll be interesting to see which players work out or not. http://nsnlb.us.publicus.com/apps/pbcs.dll...20114/-1/sports We'll see if the sox missed out on getting some of these names. I certainly couldn't imagine how up a creek the Sox would've been if RJ went down for an extended time, after trading PK, Garland and prospects. Maybe that's the key to any deal/ trade-'Hope for the best but expect the worst'. Worst case is the guy you get goes down to injury. The team then has to have a backup plan ready. What I like about the Sox is they are getting backup plans at key spots: closer; bullpen; power guys; OF; maybe C and IF. I'd like the Sox to have a backup plan at leadoff in case Pods gets hurt/ plays like 2004. Iguchi anyone?

I disagree. the rodman comparison works. Rodman was a perfect complimentary player to the Bulls team, he filled a very big need. His fire and energy allowed MJ and Pip 2nd and 3rd shots. Few players in the league could match his rebounding skills, which is what the Bulls needed Is AJ another complimentary player for the Sox? Could be. He'd be filling a big need at C, with his O, his LH bat, and possibly his attitude. There are few ML C's who can hit .300 from the LH side, with big game experience like AJ. My take on AJ is he doesn't like to lose. Part of the problem is guys on the Sox have accepted losing as "part of the game". Losing is part of the game if you are overmatched talent wise say in TB or in Pitt. But when a team like the Sox have the talent but still don't win, that goes to the teams' heart and desire to win.

I was checking the O's site for some Vazquez info. I think they have the cash, the need and could part with a few players to get him. Yet one thing got me thinking. The whole "Vaz will only go to an east coast team" thing. It probably has to do with Vaz and his family traveling back and forth to PR. Well, I checked on some flights and there was about a 20-30 minute difference between flights to Baltimore [bwi] and Chicago [ORD] from San Juan PR. While Chi. isn't on the east coast it's a decent plane flight away. So that excuse is out the window.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jan 1, 2005 -> 09:58 PM) I want nothing to do with Vazquez, especially at the asking price. We are fine with our rotation right now, and if needed, we can get another good starter at the trading deadline(or before) I'm sure the teams after Vazquez have the medical reports on him [esp as he was the big piece in the RJ deal and the deal took a while to get done]. If he was injured, it prob. wasn't anything long term. And we don't know the asking price. But it is less than what was being talked about before.

QUOTE (trexer @ Jan 1, 2005 -> 12:30 PM) A.J. is a cancerous troll and as such has no business on the White Sox. Welcome to Sox talk But neither you or I know the true extent of AJ's "problems". It's documented that he had some problems in SF. But not in Minn. Should a guy's career be tarnished over 1 yr, when he wasn't a "cancer" his previous 4 yrs or so?

QUOTE (DBAH0 @ Jan 1, 2005 -> 12:19 PM) The problem is with dealing Everett at the moment is that there are still FA outfielders available for around the same price range, such as Danny Bautista and Jeromy Burnitz and there are probably better trade options out there for a team looking for an outfielder like Eric Byrnes, Larry Bigbie or Luis Matos. I just don't know if there's going to be that much of a market for Everett and if the return of probably prospects for KW to accept that type of deal, especially after he's given up 5 prospects for him before-hand. I disagree. Burnitz is looking for a multiyr deal for big bucks. Everett is versatile and can put up power numbers in LF or RF, and a 1 yr deal w/o giving up talent via trade isn't a bad way to go. His $4 mill looks like a bargain for a team in need of a bat. I always thought Carl would be good fit for the Cubs. Esp as Sammy will likely be on the DL after another big sneeze I don't think KW is in the business of saving face. He needs to field a competive team w/o breaking the bank. W/ these talked about moves, the sox would come close to "breaking the bank" and have a $4 mill a yr bench guy.