beck72

Yes, Uribe would be fine at the #2 spot if his 2005 is like his 2004 yr. IF the Sox got AJ [and that's a big IF] he wouldn't hit #2. You might want to argue this, but can you see Ozzie Guillen trying to make the case AJ is his best fit for that spot?! I can't. Avg speed? For a C maybe. Ozzie doesn't want a guy who hit into 27 DP's last yr near the top of the lineup. If that is avg speed for a LH hitter, I'd hate to see what a slow runner would look like BTW-Uribe hit very well w/ 2 strikes on him last yr, and is a good "bad ball" hitter. He seems very capable in the #2 spot, much more so than AJ

The Washington Post reports that AJ cleared waivers on Thursday, which means he's free to negotiate a deal with any team. [And will likely come cheaper than his $3.5 mill 2004 salary]

No speed; Isn't as good a situational hitter as Uribe, Rowand; can't bunt; Hasn't hit in the #2 hole, want me to go on? The sox have far better options than AJ for the #2 spot. Ozzie doesn't want a guy who can't score from 1st on a double hitting in front of Frank or Dye.

AJ would be fine batting 6, 7 or 8. He's not a #2 hitter

From the Boston Herald: "The Sox are continuing to have civil, daily dialogue with agent Scott Boras about free agent catcher Jason Varitek [stats, news], but continue to make little progress. Varitek must accept or reject arbitration by Sunday. If he rejects it, the sides will only be permitted to negotiate until Jan. 8. . . . A report out of Minnesota that the Sox had shown interest in former All-Star catcher A.J. Pierzynski appears to be premature. As long as they continue to have a shot at re-signing Varitek, the Sox will keep their distance from Pierzynski out of respect for the incumbent. Pierzynski, who batted .272 with 11 homers and 77 RBI in 131 games last season, was put on waivers by the San Francisco Giants earlier this week after Mike Matheny was signed to a three-year contract. The 27-year-old, who was acquired from the Twins on Nov. 14, 2003, made few friends in San Francisco. Pierzynski was paid $3.5 million in 2004 and is eligible for arbitration. If he clears waivers, however, he'll lose that right when he signs with a new team. . . ." ******************************************************************** Interesting. A team can pick him off waivers, but would have to be prepared to probably pay him more than $3.5 mill. in arb. But if he clears waivers, he'd be free to sign w/ any team, at a lower price. Would the sox claim him off waivers [or any other team] knowing he'd make at least $3.5 mill? Or wait and try to sign him as a FA? From the sounds of it, the sox have tried to talk with him, prob. to gauge his interest in joining the sox and clear up any questions.

Cairo would be the ideal guy-- a vet who can switch around the IF, play solid d, hit for avg, handle the bat, has some speed. Whethee he's up for a UTL role or not , who knows. But he'd likley see a lot of playing time, primarily at 2b, but to rotate and rest Crede and Uribe. Someone who can play SS is the key. The sox don't want Uribe to wear down playing everyday. He'll need time off to stay fresh

The sox need a vet who can play at least 2 of 3 IF spots--3b, SS and 2b.

I heard on Chi. radio that the sox were looking into AJ, going so far as asking him about the reports he doesn't prepare for games, etc. My guess is he'd want to go back to the AL where he knows the hitters. I'm not sure who else in the AL would be looking for a C. I know LA is mentioned in the NL

FWIW-I don't know if this was on another thread, but Buehrle was on the radio Thurs, and was asked about AJ. He sounded very diplomatic, toeing the company line, ie, 'some people had problems w/ him, but if he can help us win fine' etc. Like he was asked about him by mgmt. He was guarded about AJ, when he was more open about other questions and topics. Seemed a little strange

It's not all about the money. Kw can make moves at the trade deadline because he has young talent and prospects to trade to fill holes and get better. Bos. and esp the NYY have to make impact signings now because they can't make big moves later. These teams have guys making a lot of money that few other teams want in trades, and have piss poor farm systems. These high payroll teams [who throw huge contracts around like they're sidewalk fliers] aren't w/o faults. Look at the Giambi, Manny Ramirez, Kim contracts. Many of these big contracts are an albatross they'd love to dump. I don't have a problem w/ how the Sox are going about the offseason in preparation for 2005. They are locking in and rewarding guys based on performance [last yr, Buerhle, Marte, this yr, Uribe, prob. Rowand as well]. They are filling their holes via FA's and trades [maybe not as fast as people would like]. They have options [in guys like BMac and Anderson playing in 2005] and flexibility [in adding payroll and with minor league talent to trade] in case things don't work out. I don't think the sox are done filling holes. they are a few players away from a very solid offseason.

I haven't read all the posts so sorry if this has been brought up before, but a few thoughts: *the sox can check w/ Dustin Hermanson and get the scoop on what was wrong in SF. AJ probably caught Hermy so he'd know what was up *If AJ's "playing cards before a game" rubbed people the wrong way, didn't he have other people playing cards w/ him?! Was he playing solitaire?! Are the other card players "clubhouse cancers" as well? AJ always seemed to play well defensively vs the Sox. And has very solid offensive numbers. If he'd be a decent fit personality wise, the sox should probably get him. Maybe in the NL a team can take an easy out in the C's spot, but not in the AL.

I heard Levine's comments being mentioned two times on Silverman's show [moronotti was off today] during the 11am to 12 pm hour on the updates.

PK would prob DH and Gload play 1B, like last yr.

You post the way you want, I'll post the way I want.

No. No. Welcome to Soxtalk

Wouldn't Garland be part of deal for RJ, leaving a hole in the 5th spot? I know RJ is better than Vazquez. But isn't Vazquez arguably better [stuff wise, upside wise] than MB and Freddy?

Why would a CHI reporter know about a possible RJ deal [esp not coming from the winter meetings] if the sox weren't involved in some way?

Vazquez, Buerhle, Freddy, and Jose C >>>>> than MB, Freddy, Jose and Garland I agree it leaves a hole at the 5th spot. But the key is getting a #1 or a #2 based around Garland [Anderson would be tough to lose. But I'd rather it be an OFer than B-Mac who could pitch for the sox in 2005]. The 5th spot could be filled by a non-tender [like a Jarrod Washburn, etc], or Schoeneweis, or an innings eater. If the Sox can get a guy like Vazquez for less than Clement, I'd do it.

I doubt Pk would go. But a guy like Brian Anderson to AZ [who went to college there] would be a good PR and baseball move for the D-Backs

On the updates, the ESPN 1000 announcer has said a few times that Bruce Levine believes RJ could be traded by the end of today. If its true, its probably to the NYY, with the Sox involved [getting Vazquez]. Few other names have been mentioned surrounding RJ to get a deal done so quickly. While it's an outside shot the sox would land RJ, its possible. Whatever happens both Vazquez and RJ are better SP's than Clement [esp at his reported $10 mill a yr deal]. I can live with Vazquez at some $8 mill/ yr, but not at his full 3 yrs, $34 mill price tag. So money from the Yanks should be part of any deal. If the more likely scenario happens and the Sox get Vazquez in the deal who would likely be in the deal? My bet--Garland, Everett, and a top 10 prospect [Anderson?]. Thoughts? [The RJ scenario has been played out on multiple threads. So this

No. I think it's KW trying to get a top SP before they're all gone

Has Clement even visited Bos? He's been to LA, Ana., AZ and Cle[?]. But Bos. has just jumped in. Unless they throw some serious cash above and beyond what's on the table [which the Bos. Herald says it won't], I don't see Bos. being the favorites to land Clement

Yes. And its the Red Sox who they're talking about. One of these days the White sox will win and force the baseball world to differentiate between the two teams

I think Beane won't move Hudson to Bos, or the Yanks because the A's have to go through them to get to the WS. The sox are a maybe as Beane probably thinks the sox aren't that big of a threat. More likely is Beane deals w/ an NL team, like the Braves, LA, or FLA. I think the safe move is to sign a FA now. Clement's window is closing, and the other SP's left will prob. get into bidding wars the sox won't likely win or want to win. Yet Hudson's salary could fit in another deal down the line, w/ only the A's. I don't think the sox get two SP with big long term contracts in Clement and Vazquez would be smart or fit in the Sox budget

From different newspaper accounts, the A's would want a SP and bullpen help Whether that means a SP prospect or not who knows. But a deal starting w/ Garland, and Marte? BMac and Marte? http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c...SPG1HACOP91.DTL The Newark star Ledger said that Beane had expressed reservation about trading Hudson to an AL playoff contender unless he was overwhelmed, as NYY were looking for a team to do a 3 way to get Hudson [mentioned the sox w/ Vazquez]