beck72

But will the SP the sox want still be around, whether its via trade or FA? I don't know if the sox can wait until other teams get around to PK. Lee on the other hand, could get a deal done quickly.

I read that Beane did NOT want to put that window in. [Why, I don't know. He'd likely get more in return for Hudson if a team could re-sign him] My bet is any team getting Hudson would do the trade knwoing they may not sign him

those moves alone wouldn't make the sox favorites. more needs to be done to diversify the sox lineup

The A's are looking for a big RH bat. The sox are looking for a top SP. Seeing how Carlos Lee has a reasonable contract, maybe the A's would like a Lee for Hudson swap. I don't think Juan Gonzalez will do it for the A's. http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Stories/0,14...2586039,00.html

I think it's safe to say a big bat will be traded soon with Dye being added. While PK's most likely the one to go [even though few teams have talked about getting him], it wouldn't surprise me if Lee was traded instead. I guess it depends on whether the sox think Gload can handle 1B every day or not. Why not keep the A's thing going, and get PK's buddy Hudson on board with a trade involving Lee? Garland then would stay and be the #5 SP. While I'd like the sox to go after Edgar Renteria for SS, a more likely scenario would be to sign a vet UTL IF, like Cairo to platoon with Willie at 2B, and trade for a CFer like Podsednik. With Rowand on board to play LF or CF, [and Everett around to play the OF--he's just not going to sit the bench when Frank is back] the sox now have options w/o Lee.

I don't really buy into the A's wanting or only settling on pitching for Hudson. They need a power bat that they won't get by free agency. Few teams will trade pitching for Hudson, unless it's bullpen guys. Maybe that's why the sox signed LHP Kevin Walker. Trade Arnie Munoz as part of Hudson deal?

I like Diaz for his control. Adkins ERA was solid. But still gave up more Hits than IP, and a ton of walks. Bullpen guys can't be giving up all those walks. I think Adkins could be dealt. Diaz can take over for long relief, with Hermanson on board. Cotts I'd be leery about trading. He was just about the best Sox pitcher in keeping inherited runners from scoring, better than Marte. Munoz should probably start in AAA in late setup with Bajenaru closing. Also, where does the LHP Kevin Walker just signed as a FA fit in?

I don't know about the numbers, but with the conversion of SP's to the bullpen and closers, Hermanson looks like a solid guy to put up better numbers in the pen. As he gets older, with more wear and tear on his arm, going to the pen might help lengthen his career. With him having 4 pitches, he should be able to get some outs in relief.

With the extra picks the Sox got last yr [and beefed up the minors] losing a pick this yr wouldn't be so bad [even for the sox who seem to take not losing draft picks as a badge of honor]. sooner or later, KW has to realize that he can't trade his way to winning the division. Some balance is necessary. And Renteria is the kind of guy worth losing picks for.

STL won't budge much from their backloaded 4 yr $32 mill offer to Renteria. The Sox could come in with an offer for 4 yrs and under $40 mill and would be tough to beat. I don't know why the sox aren't making a play for him [at least publicly]. They don't have a position player to build around, set for the next few years like their pitching. What better spot to fill than SS, with a consistent, productive hitter, gold glover, and a winner like Renteria. [Yet the sox want to spend $5 mill on an old RFer like Dye when they already have one in Everett for $4 mill?!]

When it's how many months until spring training, we have plenty of time. And only the truly insane will go "crazy" with all this speculation

It does seem quiet on the Perez front

On the Score this PM, KW spoke a little about his philosophy of going after players. He said something to the effect that when like 5 other teams are going after a top player at a certain position, it's unlikely he'll top a bid with all that interest. So, he'll target the #2 guy, build a relationship, talk, etc. [i'm also assuming he'd talk to other GM's about possible trades this way, and could target a #3, or #4 guy as well, depending on the fit of the player] By the time the other 4 teams get around to the #2 guy, KW will have a leg up on the competition. Following that logic, which players could the Sox be targetting fit into that category, at various positions? I came up w/ a few to get the ball rolling SP via trade #1 --RJ #2 --Hudson? CF #1 --Beltran #2 --Finley, Burnitz? C #1 --Varitek #2 --Matheny? Other ideas?

And it leaves the door open for a rookie breakout [manhands, arnie, or diaz] or Cotts and Adkins taking it up a few notches. With a vet like Hermanson able to eat innings, rookies and young guys in the 'pen can pitch until they get in trouble. That may only be 1 batter. But the vets can handle the extra work that comes with young guys pitching in the majors w/o much experience. As long as Shingo stays a 1 inning pitcher, it's lights out.

Lee signed for 2 years is worth more than just Hudson [and I've never been a big fan of Carlos's]. Esp as Lee is signed for a reasonable [in this marketplace] contract. Though seeing how Hudson would at least get 2 compensation picks if the sox didn't sign him, Lee and a prospect [not a top ten] could be enough, provided the A's wanted Lee

Solid signing. Decent closer insurance in case Shingo goes down. Versatile, can go multiple innings, can start, ala Wilson Alvarez though has a better GB/ FB ratio than Alvarez. Should be a good set up man in the 7th, 8th inning.

per the Score's Mark Vasco. 2 yrs $5 mill+

Glad to see a local guy "gets" it. Maybe he's been reading our words of wisdom http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/stor...phil&id=1941740

In order to afford both Drew and Hudson, it wouldn't mean Anderson being dealt. It would mean Lee. [which I could live with in the right deal]

The Baltimore Sun article said Oak. would like a pitcher and an OFer OR a 2B man for Hudson. Garland, Willie Harris plus a prospect?

Whatever team does trade for Hudson, they'd be able to get draft picks for him if they didn't sign him to a deal and they offered him arb. If the sox traded for him, they'd offer him arb. He wouldn't get more than $10 mill a yr in arb [and would only accept a long term deal] so even if the sox couldn't sign him past 2005 they'd get something in return. This sounds like KW's M.O. rather than getting a FA. A Lee for Hudson + a prospect deal wouldn't be out of the question. Worst case scenario, the sox get 1 yr of Hudson and at least 3 minor leaguers [w/ 2 coming from compensation picks in 2006].

A 1 yr deal for $5 mill for a guy one year removed from a .309/.385/.572 season while playing RF where he had 22 assists, wouldn't be bad. Also a native of Venezuela, so Ozzie should know if the guy is healthy and worth the risk

Lee has a team option for 2006 for near his 2005 salary.

Swisher isn't a top prospect. But I think the A's really need some power. Lee could be right up their alley, with Swisher and Byrnes in RF.

The key is having guys locked in for a few years. Vazquez [if PK and Garland were traded for him in a 3 team] would be around for 2 more yrs, while PK and Jon would prob. be gone after '05. Hudson's a FA in 2006. If Pk and Garland were offered, prob yes. Locked in guys like Rowand or Lee, no.