beck72

The question was about reports that Pods misplayed some balls. KW compared it to Mike Cameron learning how to play CF in the majors first coming up in the big

"we spend whatever we bring in" on budget

"will upgrade other areas if no impact SP available" on C question; "Davis is the C now"

Kw thinks Pods has the physical attributes to play CF; needs tweak a few things

"Podsednik can learn from ARow" how to play CF; compares Pod to Lance Johnson; has talent to improve CF defense

good bullpen w/ Hermanson great bullpen now w/ Vizcaino

"looking for an impact SP"

From my handy BA 2002 Prospect Handbook: was STL's #3 prospect heading into the 2002 season. born Nov, 5, 1978, 6'4", 180 lbs, Bats RH, Throws RH. "He signed w/ Bos. as a pitcher and threw in the low 90's, btu an arm injury ended his career on the mound. He emerged as a hitter in the Rookie-level AZ league in 1999...He jumped to AA at mid-season in 2001 and performed so well that he was named Boston's AA payer of the yr. He has a loose, balanced swing w/ good leverage and can drive the ball to all fields. He's wiry trong w/ a body like Richie Sexton's, and he's more athletic than might be expected. He showed good pitch recognition and is a potential #5 hitter. Garcia is a good defensive 1B w/ smooth actions, though at times he's awkward going to his left. He played 10 games in the OF last season and could move there if needed." Insurance in case PK is moved? Sounds more like a guy who could compete for a job in 2006 or in 2005 if an injury occurs

The long reliever shouldn't have to pitch with solid SP 1-5. One guy should do it, either Adkins or Diaz. Hermanson started a lot last year and can go more than 1 inning at a time. Having too many above avg setup guys is a good problem to have. Hopefully, they'll be fighting for work. But they all can get outs and keep a lead in order to get the game to Shingo

Well said. The sox get a SP, add a vet UTL guy like Miguel Cairo to hit LHP and give Willie a rest, and it could be an offseason. The bullpen is very stacked now, even in case of injury. The score had on a MILW writer from the J/S saying he was most upset about losing Vizcaino. They thought he'd be the guy to replace Kolb as the closer there. Vizcaino could very well be the key--a Dotel, Lidge, Mota, type who moves from set up to closer

Karsay [not Kotsay] would go to FLA, which supposedly wants Vazquez. Burnett would be good for the sox [ala Tim Hudson, cheap, arb. eligible?]. Would Pk and Jon be too much for him? Maybe. All this is talk. who knows what will happen. I'll just wait for the press release

I'm not sure what you're arguing. I've just said FLA wants stability from a SP.[they've lost Pavano, Penny via trade, Beckett and Burnett have been hurt, they signed Leiter to a 1 yr deal]. I'm sure FLA would want NY to give some of Vazquez's salary. But the Yanks nor the Marlins prob. want Garland. I'm not sure how the Sox get Vazquez in this deal w/ NY.

I guess it's also lost on some that the sox have key guys signed/ under contract for a few years [Garcia, Buerhle, Dye, Marte, Rowand, Uribe, etc etc] and have solid prospects near who can help [sweeney, Anderson, BMac] The sox aren't selling off their players like the Blackhawks and going with bottom of the barrel talent. Lee is talented. But the sox have 2 guys with different talents lacking on the Sox who can help now, another prospect who could help, and the money for another SP like Clement. Time will tell if this trade blows. I don't think so. But C Lee could easily have another 2002 yr when he had 1 SB, only hit .264, and was out of shape.

I haven't read all the "fine print" of this proposed trade, but most of this is speculation anyway. My basic premise that FLA wants more of a proven SP, who could be locked up for a few yrs, like Vazquez, still holds. They were willing to pay Pavano $8 mill a yr for 3 yrs, why not spend it on Vazquez? The Sox getting a younger cheaper guy with a lot of upside [with some risks] makes sense in some respect over getting Vazquez, a high paid guy for 3 more yrs who's still a risk.

As Hunstville plays in the same div, as the Barons in AA and MIL's AAA team is also in the IL, the Sox should know the prospect pretty well.

I also like the direction the sox are going. It shows that Ozzie has big pull in this team. He had to make do with what he had in 2004. Yet w/ moves like this, he'll have his "horses" to play his aggressive style of ball. The moves may or may not work out, w/ injuries and the uncertainties of baseball being what they are. Yet one thing is for sure, White Sox baseball won't be boring in 2005. I'll take aggressive defense, solid pitching, and more consistent scoring from the offense over what I've seen the last 4 yrs.

Well said. What people also have to realize is the sox have to improve their roster in order to win games at home but esp on the road. The 3 run HR plays well at USCF but not that well on the road. Even w/o Lee, Maggs and Jose, the sox will hit a lot of HR's with guys like Dye, Frank, PK, Everett, Crede, Aaron and Uribe all good locks to hit more than 20. The sox were 46-35 at home last year. Decent. But horrible on the road, 37-44. Even if the sox improve to near .500 on the road [say 41-40], it would have gotten them to 87-75. IMO, the sox are changing their roster for the better, getting guys who can help them win at home and on the road. Playoff teams win on the road, to at least .500.

Adkins. The Sox have Felix Diaz ready to take over his role while throwing in AAA

Vizcaino's addition makes a lot of sense, for one important reason: the Sox want to hand Shingo a lead so he only has to pitch in the 9th. Vizcaino's success vs LHP means he and Marte can alternate days, with Hermanson and Politte in the mix vs RHP in the 7th and 8th as well.

A few things: *I can see the sox wanting a LH hitting power threat for a little more than PK's salary. *FLA wants a SP who's a healthy lock like Vazquez [with cash coming in from NY, his contract is OK] AJ isn't a sure thing yet would be a good risk for the Sox at a little more than Garland's salary. Yet AJ could be the #2, #3 SP with his stuff. And a far better value with more upside than a FA SP like Clement or Odalis Perez. *The sox could get a #5 SP for cheap, an innings eater who gets bypassed/ non-tendered and use the savings from PK and Garland on Delgado [we know how once KW gets a player on his brain, he doesn't let go, and Delgado has been on his brain]

This is a good trade. Lee for a leadoff hitter /difference maker on the bases [should be closer to .300 than his 2004 numbers], another very solid bullpen arm, and probably another solid, #3 SP [with the difference in salaries]. Filling two holes with low salaried players helps the Sox get a lot of flexibility to address the other holes at SP and the IF. Anytime you can fill 3 spots on the roster [not bench players but big contributors]for 1 player, that's a plus. The sox also didn't have to raid the farm system with the big names. [Though some may be dealt to get a top player. At least it gives the sox the option to make a move later]

MIL's AA affiliate Huntsville plays in same division as Birmingham in the Southern league. The Sox should know the farm system.

I could very well see a Crede for Podsednik swap. Though a Hinske for Podsednik swap would give the sox more payroll flexibility, as Hinske will make $3 mill this yr. Hinske's SLG was undr .400 this yr

How would people feel about the Sox losing Pk and Lee and getting RJ and Podsednik, which in essence could happen if the deals to 3 teams went down?