beck72

The low Minn. offer, and the lack of any other offers, makes it very possible for the Sox to come in and get him. A decent 3 yr deal could still be lower than the numbers Vizquel was going to get.

I think so too. But waiting on RJ and other teams to agree on a trade, while letting decent #3 SP's sign elsewhere is a recipe for disaster. Vazquez would be signed for 3 yrs, and would come with cash, to lessen his big contract. I'd like that option as well. Most likely it would take 2 big names like PK and Jon for the deal. That's why having a 3rd trading piece like Crede to fill other holes makes sense.

I'm sure you're kidding about Sosa. Crede makes near the league minimum. And could give a team exactly what they need from his position-power and good defense. Think how many teams are in low budget, cutback mode then those who are increasing payroll. Crede should hit in the .270+ range easy. His avg was the only thing holding him back. I like Crede. But the Sox need to get more trading pieces in order to get the layers they really want.

You'd be wrong. If Crede was shopped, you'd be surprised what other teams would be willing to trade for him. Yet of the 3 young Sox IFers, though, Crede prob. has less upside. But the prospect of having a proven vet for 3B, who knows the AL Central, a winner, would be too much to pass up. Esp, if the added benefit was to "steal" him away from the Sox biggest rival

Crede has value to the lower market teams in need of a 3b man. Esp, a team with a big contract they'd want to get rid of [like Danys Baez or Jose Cruz Jr. in TB]. The Sox could match up with a few teams this way--Milw, for bullpen help. Crede's value is in potential. Whether teams would have the Sox "over a barrel" remains to be seen. But the upside of the Sox to having to deal from a position of strength would outweigh the loss in terms of possible talent. IMO, there are many teams willing to jump at a bargain, even if it helps a team get out of jam. Think about how many teams looking for their FA 3B, who will still need to fill a spot when their guy signs elsewhere.

The first move the Sox should do is sign FA 3B Corey Koskie. With Koskie signed, and Crede, Garland and PK as trading chips, the sox would have more flexibility via the trade route to fill their holes [which KW seems to prefer anyway]. With possible deals with Pitt, Oak, and Ariz, out there, the more chips the Sox have the better their chances of landing the player they really want, instead of settling for a lesser choice. Signing Koskie would then put the Sox in a better position to shore up their other holes, either by trade of free agency. A MN paper reports that the Twins have offered Koskie a 2 yr, $7 mill contract. And that despite some interest from a few teams, no other offers are on the table. The Sox could come in with a 3 yr offer, for say $10.5. That’s a decent contract for a guy like Koskie. He would give the Sox a LH bat that hits for a .280 avg, a good OBP, and solid defense. And provide a veteran for the IF to go along with Uribe and Harris [and possibly Gload if PK is traded]. It's even less than what they were going to give Vizquel. No doubt Crede has upside. Yet, IMO, Harris and Uribe have even more so. Yet all three are question marks going into 2005. And IMO, having an entire infield of unproven players is too big a gamble, esp. seeing how hard it would be to add players mid-season. We all saw what Uribe is capable of. And Harris was hitting over .300 in June, along with a solid OBP and the best speed on the club. Even in the minors Crede wasn’t a big OBP guy. He hit for avg, and power. But hasn’t hit for avg. in the bigs, a lot of K’s and even less OBP. Koskie’s solid production could be counted on in a day in day out basis. Signign Koskie would just be the start of various scenarios. Here are just two off the top of my head. Option 1 [my preference] The Sox go after Jason Kendall for leadoff. Word was that a deal was close with Pitt., Kendall + cash for Garland. Yet trading Garland, w/o filling the 4th starters spot, is very risky. I’d say that more than the money is the biggest hold up. Pitt. would probably take Crede + other lesser names for Kendall. They have solid pitching as it is and need cheap, young position players. That way Garland would still be on the Sox. Or if they wanted Garland, the sox would still have Crede and PK as valuable trading chips. The Sox would still have money for a #3 like Perez or Ortiz [Or could still pull out a deal for one the A’s pitchers]. Worst case scenario, the Sox keep Garland as the #4, and get a vet who makes $1 mill to come in and eat innings. Option 2- target RJ [with PK and Jon / Joe part of the trade. Leadoff would go to Harris, as the Sox couldn’t afford Kendall. Either Jon or Joe could then be traded to fill the remaining holes, at C, bullpen, or SP. The Sox shouldn't be held hostage by overpaying for mediocre fee agents or hoping the right players on other teams and free agents fall through. But by being a little proactive now, the sox could wait for things to sort themselves out later in the year.

And not bad for a guy who was hitting leadoff when he should have been hitting #9

The key to getting someone besides Uribe or Willie for SS or 2B, is would they be better than what the Sox already have. Uribe should be able to post similar numbers. [i don't think Uribe was fully prepared to play 150 games. With a better offseason focus, conditioning etc. Uribe should be able to repeat his 2004 season if not improve]. Willie should also improve on his 1st season [esp his offense, bunting, making hard contact]. With his speed and defense, few FA guys out there would be a definite upgrade, and worth the big $. The Sox have two young guys to start at these positions, along with Crede at 3rd. While it's a gamble and risky to let them play it out, the sox then have money to put into other positions, like SP, maybe C like Kendall, the bullpen, Rf, etc. It's early and I'm not overly concerned. The teams that have moved on deal so far have overpaid big time.

The only real moves have been made by teams that have dramatically overpaid for guys. The trade route is where the sox will make their biggest changes [for better or worse]. The only FA's the Sox might have an interest in would be a #3 SP, like Perez, Ortiz, Clement, or a guy making around a $1 mill or so. The thing I want KW to get going on is a trade for a leadoff man. the other holes can be filled in time.

Except weren't there rumors that PK would be signed to an extension before any trade would be completed? Ariz. wants to remain competitive, by the sounds of it

Those two salaries are new for 2005. NY picked up only $2 mill of Jose's $8 mill. salary. The sox picked up Carl's 2005 option at $4 mill.

Contreras $6 mill Everett $4 mill

I like Renteria but he's not a leadoff hitter. Kendall could bring far more positives to the sox than Renteria, with his OBP and the hole he'd fill at C. And they'll both be in the same price range, yet Renteria should sign at least a 4 yr deal [Kendall has 3 more yrs left.]

Balt. will fill 1B with a FA, w/o trading away talent.

No need to worry about Jose hurting the Sox. Don Cooper may come from the dugout himself and strike Jose out

It seems the Twins will be looking at Craig Counsell, Jose Vizcaino and Valentin for SS now that Guzman has signed. Counsell or Vizcaino wouldn't be bad to rotate in for the sox infield, allowing Uribe most of the time at SS. Yet the Twins want one of these guys to start.

I guess I should have said get someone who can play 3 spots "well" But cairo seems like a guy who can kill LHP, and has played in that role. Jose is so streaky and a poor PH, that I don't see him in a UTL role. Maybe a decent option for a team if they have an injury. But not for the sox

The yanks always upgrade, even if they don't need it. Cairo probably will be replaced. Maybe the Venezuela connection will come in handy this time for Ozzie with Miguel

With Guzman signed w/ Washington, few other names come to mind for SS. At this point, few other SS would be worth the price and might not have much more upside than Uribe. With that in mind, how do the sox shore up their infield, while still giving Crede and Harris room to grow? Plan C--Sign a veteran utility infielder, who can play multiple positions but mostly be a platoon with Willie at 2b, with Uribe the starting SS. Miguel Cairo might do the trick. His best spot is 2b, but can play 3b and SS as well. In STL in 2002 and 2003 he also played LF, RF, and 1b. He could platoon with Willie vs LHP. Last yr w/ the Yanks he hit .336/.377/.445 vs LHP.[overall, 292/.346/.417 in 360 ab's] stole 11 bases and caught 3 times. He's from Venezuela. Has been a platoon player in the past, and at age 30 isn't too old. Don't know much about his defense, though had a .987 FDPT in 125 games. But if he can play with the Yanks last yr, can't be all bad. Has experience with playoff teams. Any other ideas?

Washington overpaid for Guzman. Simple as that. Guzman deserved a 2 yr deal at that kind of money. Oh well. Onto other possible additions. good luck to him in the NL.

I thought Davis was a FA. But I don't see his name on any list. Though it makes sense if he's arb. eligible. Does any one know for sure? Davis could be used as a trading chip, esp. if the Sox have their eye on Jason Kendall. Rumors that LA is offering C Ross and a young bullpen arm for Kendall. Davis would be a good fit for a team like Pitt. the sox would seem to match up well w/ what Pitt. would be looking for in a deal involving Kendall [as long as Pitt. coughed up some cash]

If the Sox got Kendall, I'd be content if they signed Scott Schoenweis to be the 5th SP!! A bit of an exagerration, but he'd solve a lot of the offensive woes.

It should definitely lessen the price. Teams have a lot of SP options [though true aces are few]. That's why I don't buy into the theory that "the big 3" are all available. And think Beane is trying not to sound desperate in having to trade Hudson.

Unless he signs an extension soon, Hudson is the most likely guy to get traded.

For some reason, this sounds like a red herring, having two guys available who are locked up for two yrs and are relatively cheap. Hudson is the guy they have to trade, as he'll be too expensive after 2005. Beane could be trying to take the focus off Hudson, like he doesn't have to trade him. I don't buy the two stud LH's being available.