beck72

That's what I said, that Lee prob. wouldn't be a good fit for Ariz, as they need plenty of help and not much in the top minors for them

Well, Boston certainly didn't give up any of their top prospects to get Schilling. They gave up two fringe major league pitchers, a AA prospect and a PTBNL. If I were the Sox I would think of giving at best a Chris Young type, who would be years away but w/ other guys in front of him at his position.

the southtown reported [either on Sat or Sun] that KW called Ariz. four times last year, and is intent on calling them after the World series.

Does anyone else sense a similar ring between the lead up to the Sox getting Garcia via trade, with the news the Sox seem intent on getting Randy Johnson? Word was the Sox were willing to "top any offer" for Freddy. Sea. went around trying to get more out of other teams. Yet went with the Sox in the end. With the Daily Southtown article, saying the Sox will be going after RJ hard, after KW tried 4 times to acquire RJ in 2004, a similar scenario makes sense that the sox will have a tough trade offer for Ariz. to decline. My guess is RJ would have two years left in his tank. Seeing how RJ has veto power over any trade, the team he'd OK being traded too would probably be the team he'd resign with for 2006. As RJ supposedly said the Sox would be a team he'd go to, if he wanted to pith again in 2006 the Sox would probably resign him [if he brought the Sox to the playoffs in 2005] I first thought Lee might be made available to Ariz. Yet it doesn't make sense for them. They only have Gonzalez and RJ set to make good moeny for 2005. Trading both to help rebuild makes sense. Their AAA team was 74-70, and the rookies who played in the majors really didn't have much of an impact. Only 3B Chad Tracy did well. 2B Scott Hairston was OK. Yet AZ's AA team was horrible--48-89. doesn't look like they'll be good for a few years. Their high A team was 86-54, though. If the Sox got RJ, a trade of Carlos Lee for prospects to another team to help rebuild those lost to Ariz. makes the most sense. Some of the big names I wouldn't trade would be Anderson, Sweeney, B-Mac, or Honel. Still I don't see many teams trading an "impact player" near the bigs for RJ, and don't think the Sox should. Maybe a 10 ten prospect from the lower levels, along with other decent prospects from the upper levels could get it done.

The Sox could prob. make a trade for RJ w/o trading away keys to their future, like Sweeney, et al. The key is do the sox have guys Ari. would want that also don't fit in the sox long term plan? this was the thinking w/ the Garcia for Olivo and reed deal. Who do the sox have that may be to the D-backs liking? I'd say only Lee [a big bat, signed for 2 yrs] or Garland [young SP, relatively inexpensive, and a proven innings eater] fit that description.

The cost in trade for a one yr rental should be high but still doable for the sox. If Lee is part of the package, it might be near a swap. Yet having an ace like RJ helps the Sox win in 2005, maybe even 2006, without disrupting the Sox future. But the sox shouldn't include any guys like Sweeney, Anderson, B-Mac or Rowand who fit into the Sox long term plans. Lee doesn't fit with the long term plan of the sox, and maybe not even for 2005. Crede and Garland will prob. be given another yr at least w/ the Sox. Crede esp. as he's dirt cheap. Jon might not with a $3 mill price tag. Yet both may have a long term future w/ the Sox. Schilling's cost was high, but he was signed for I think 2 yrs. RJ's deal might be even less than Schilling's.

A few things to consider: 1] Arizona dealt Schilling to Boston for LHP Casey Fossom [had a 5 era with Bost], RHP Brandon Lyon [similar] and two minor leaguers, Jorge De La Rosa [a AA pitcher at the time] and a PTBNL [not sure who it was] AZ got burned on this one. May not want prospects as part of a Randy deal. Though the market value is about par for the course. Just Ariz's scouts got it wrong. Would prob. want a proven hitter or pitcher instead of prospects. 2] Rowand won't be part of any deal. Lee or Garland could be. None of the Sox top prospects would be included [2 guys of the likes of Diaz, Munoz or Borchard could be enough]. I'd go with Lee. 3] Getting an ace like Johnson, at $16 mill for 1 yr might be worth it. Since no FA's out there are locks to be the #1 the Sox need, why get caught signing another #3 SP to a 3, 4 yr deal worth $9 mill per?

The sox need at least one "difference maker" for the top of the lineup [and a solid #2 hitter]. Yet this guy should be able to steal bases, get on base, bunt and hit for avg. I think this is their number one priority and will be addressed via trade.

Uribe may be the sox SS of the future. Yet not for 2005, w/ big questions about Crede and Harris. That threesome, if progress isn't made by the other two, is fine for a 3rd place team. Uribe should see the bulk of time at 2B, with Harris playing a reduced role. Yet he's also insurance for 3B and SS. If a #2 hitter like Vizquel can be signed for $5 mill, that's worth it keeping Uribe moving around for a yr or two

I'll take your word on the "inside Omar" thoughts. Omar would be a great #2 hitter for the sox, someone who can handle the bat and do the little things right. If they signed him, they still would go out and get a leadoff man via trade.

If the Yanks want to move him, he'll be moved. But probably not to the sox.

Rather than the Twins being the "favorites" to land him, I'd think Sea. might be able to get Vizquel now that Hargrove is managing there. I've heard Vizquel lives out west. But the Sox would fit in well with what Vizquel is probably looking for: a 2 yr deal, play for a contender. Who knows what else he's looking for and if the sox match up. But the fact that the sox play in the AL central and he's familiar w/ the league may play a part.

All the teams with the most cash to spend [bos and NYY] will be looking to sign him. I don't think the Sox were at the top of his wish list

Soriano was getting roasted by fans for his horrible defense at the end of this season. I don't think TEx would be sad to see him go. I heard they were thinking of moving Michael Young back to 2B and get another SS.

Moving Texiera for pitching would be very smart. Esp if they can't move Soriano [which isn't likely]. But Texiera for Wells wouldn't be a bad move for them either, if they get pitching elsewhere.

FLA does, a Jason Stokes. But I don't know about Tex.

You are correct. Gonzalez came over from FLA in the Urbina trade

The Sox aren't a "beltran" away from beating the Twins. They need a few more Rowand type position players and Buehrle type pitchers who don't beat themselves, competitors who give the Sox a chance to win everyday by contributing even if they go 0 for 4 or give up 5 runs in 6 IP. If the Sox build their roster, they won't have to worry about who's on the Twins

With a trade of Hunter [and probably Jones--I could see the Cubs going after him] the Twins would free up money to sign Radke. Most likely the Twins would stock pile pitching with these trades

"We have to work w/ the available dollars we have" means Delgado is going to get a better offer that Tor. won't match, prob $9, 10 mill a yr.

I haven't heard Delgado going back to Tor. He'll probably want and get a 3, 4 yr deal somewhere. Tor doesn't seem like they're interested in that. I've never said Lee would go Tor. They've got OFers. I mentioned other spots they might need. Both Garland and Contreras have a lot of value. But I think the Sox might give up one of these projects this offseason.

You'd probably be looking at Uribe, Gload, Garland [or Contreras] +. Tor's mgmt. may be dumb but they're not stupid.

The article was looking at Ana. and what they needed to do. I suspect that Alexis Rios is a CFer, and Wells can't play a corner spot. With only 1 HR this yr for Rios, and with Reed Johnson coming on for LF or RF, and Frank Catalanotto signed for 2005 and 2006, it could make Wells odd man out. But I suspect the Jays would want to fill a lot of holes, ala the Richie Sexton deal. PK alone wouldn't do it, as he's a FA in 2006.

Seeing how no big name FA's would go to Tor, their only hope is to fill spots via trade. Though I'd like to see Lee go over PK, it's something I could live with. [though I'd still like to see Lee go even if something like this came to be]. ESPN's profile listed something to the effect that Wells is 'a cerebral player, who studies pitchers'. Sounds like he's serious hitter. I've always liked him.

Wells signed a 5 yr, $14 mill contract that started in 2003. His 2004 salary was $800,000+. In looking at their stats, Alexis Rios would probably move to CF, as he only had 1 HR. With Reed Johnson and Frank Catalanotto on the corners, he could be moved. Tor. has a lot of needs--1b, SS, and lots of pitching.