beck72

Seeing how Marcus Giles has had an OBP of .370+ and .390+ the last 2 years, w/ 14 SB's in '03 and 17 this year in limited action [350 some AB's], I'd put Giles there. I know Giles is a good #2 hitter. Yet he could probably hit leadoff. The question would then be who would hit #2. I haven't checked on that.

Any pitcher who can beat Bos. 2 times in a month should be re-signed by the Yanks. Even if he gets lit up his next few starts. But that $8 mill is a tough sell, esp. as the league lit him up for a .298 BAA in the reg. season. Maybe the Yanks will rework a deal, for 2 yrs at $5,6 mill per

That's why I thought if ATL could get a cheap everyday SS, they might go for it. Uribe seems like a possible fit for ATL

No threat on the bases?! I guess Furcal's 29 SB's this year were a misprint. My bad Uribe is a nice player. Yet the Sox could use Furcal's speed, batting eye [55 BB's to 71 SO's] and switch hitting ability. If you can get a leadoff hitter for a #6 hitter, you should do it.

the key is would Uribe be the type of SS that the current/ future Sox need? If its either Uribe or Furcal, I'd have to go w/ Furcal. He's more of a difference maker. Uribe hsould be good. But he can't [and probably won't] do the things Furcal can. But in order to get quality the Sox have to give up quality. Uribe is valuable.

ATL would need a starting SS. Uribe would probably be part of any deal. He's cheap and provides good d, and has power. 1B is set for LaRouche. Probably full time in 2005. He looks like an Olerud type. which means getting power at other positions necessary [like at SS] thomas may not be their answer in LF or RF. But if Drew leaves, they'll definitely need some power to fill the void. A guy like Lee, locked up for two yrs, might be to their liking.

If Drew isn't resigned, then a deal for Lee might make sense. ATL, even w/ Drew, was lacking power. LaRouche, their rookie 1B man, is more of an Olerud type. Garland should be making around $3 mill. If he doesn't fulfill his potential in 2005 [have a similar year as this yr], that would be an expensive contract for a 5th starter. But Garland has value. Esp under a guy like Leo Mazzone

A deal along the lines of Garland [a Leo Mazzone special] and Uribe for Furcal would be possible, yet tough for the sox to do. ATL would probably do something like this. Uribe's power for Furcal's speed? Plus Garland being a virtual lock for 200 innings? If I were the Sox I'd want more than just Furcal.

I wouldn't write off a 27 yr old pitcher who threw in the playoffs for the 1st time. Esp as veterans have been hit hard as well--Radke, Schilling yesterday, Clemens. And Perez wasn't hit that hard. It was the walks he gave up that killed him.

Looking back, Clement's had 6 straight years of 30 or more starts. He hasn't gone 200 innings in each season, but hasn't missed significant time in 6 yrs.

Nick Green wouldn't. But Marcus Giles definitely could. I didn't know how good a hitter this guy was. Though he's only hit #2, his numbers show he could hit leadoff. And he has speed. 2004: .311/.378/..443 with 17 sb's in 379 ab's 2003: .316/.309/.526 with 14 sb's in 551 ab's Furcal should get a big raise in ARB, something like $6 mill. Yet ATL has big money tied up w/ the 2 Jones's, Hampton and Smoltz [$45 + mill?]. ATL will probably try to resign Drew, Jaret Wright and Paul Byrd rather than Ortiz. Wright and Byrd won't cost that much, but Drew will. And all will likely get more than 1 yr deals. Furcal is worth his money. But if they could get a cheap, proven starting SS [Juan Uribe--If Ozzie liked Uribe's attitude wouldn't Bobby Cox?] putting money into their pitching and power makes sense. Esp if Giles can hit leadoff. Rookie Charles Thomas has speed in LF that could make up for Furcal's SB's Some deal involving Uribe and Furcal could be possible.

Trouble is ATL doesn't have a leadoff hitter [Marcus Giles maybe?] or a SS to take Furcal's place. The sox could part with Uribe as part of a deal. But who would take over leadoff for them? But Furcal is the type of talent to build around. Even if he's immature.

Billy Koch Jr.? No thanks.

Tavarez, [ass or not--could be] only gave up 1 HR in 2003 in 83 IP and only 1 this year in 63 IP. His K and BB numbers would look great on the sox. Yet he's signed for 2005 for $2.3 mill.

Interesting enough, both Alfonseca and Cruz had great years getting away from the Cubs.

ATL would have to get a SS to replace Furcal [uribe]. With Furcal due a raise in ARB, it's possible. They'll lose at least Ortiz but should resign Drew and Paul Bryd. ATl isn't likely to add Konerko's salary. But a deal involving a SP like Garland and Uribe might be more reasonable. What about Chad Bradford returning to the Sox? He's a FA. Getting a GB pitcher who can eat innings, and stop rallies, and a hard throwing closer [Will Detroit pickup Urbina's option?] should round out the Sox 'pen.

I've been looking at other potential bullpen guys, who aren't closers. Guys who can pitch in the Cell [high gb/ fb rate, who don't give up a lot of HR's, who can get K's], who can eat up a lot of innings, and guys who can keep inherited runners from scoring. Playoff teams with great bullpens are filled with these guys: Julian Tavarez, Wilson Alvarez, Juan Cruz, Kiki Calero, Scot Shields, etc. A few FA's to consider who fit this mold: Chad Bradford; Alvarez; Ramiro Mendoza [if he's healthy now]; Ben Weber

In looking at the FA's, a few names stick out, that fit the description I'm looking for [someone with playoff experience should also included, as the Sox have a lot of young, "non-battle tested" arms]: Ramiro Mendoza [i think he got hurt last year, and has been slow to come back this year]. But he looks like he's getting close to his 2001 and 2002 form. He could eat up a lot of innings [100 in '01 and 91 in '02], has a career g/ f of 1.98, is a sinkerballer, can keep IR from scoring [only allowed 7 of 46 runners to score in 2001 and 18 of 52 in 2002. This year he allowed 2 of 13 to score. Here are a few other names, that I haven't checked out but are FA's: Ben Weber Paul Shuey

The sox will need 7 guys for the pen, right. Even with the guys you mentioned, there's room for two more guys [a closer and a guy to fill Jackson's role]. Adkins is OK. But there's a lot of room to improve here. Cruz, Tavarez or Shields may not be available. Yet those are the type of pitchers I think the Sox should be looking at, as well as a closer, to round out their bullpen. I'd love a Furcal and Cruz deal. Yet I don't see it happening. Unless the Sox included Uribe as part of a package for Furcal. but still ATL would be w/o a leadoff hitter.

Kline has NYY written all over him. The Yanks need a LHP out of the pen and can only use free agency. I was thinking a RHP, just 'cause the sox have Cotts and Marte. But Kline is good.

A hard throwing closer is a given need for the Sox. Yet they are few and far between. But looking at what guys the playoff teams have, and what is missing from the sox, something glaring stands out. the sox don't have a GB pitcher out of the pen. Mike Jackson was the guy last year. Someone who doesn't give up a lot of HR's, who walk few hitters, who keep inherited runners from scoring, have a low BAA, and who can get some K's as well. The Sox have guys with low GB/ FB ratio. Cotts was the best at like 1.20 Two guys stand out from the NL who would be the type of guys who may get overlooked but would be a big key to a bullpen's success: Julian Tavarez from STL and Juan Cruz from ATL. Scot Shields from ANA did the same. I haven't looked at FA's. But I know Chad Bradford offers much of what the Sox current bullpen lacks. He kept 76% of inherited runners from scoring; had a 2.25 G/ F ratio, had a BAA of .234, and gave up 5 HR's in 60+ IP. Any other bullpen FA's out there that fit with this MO?

I have heard talk about Lowe going to Detroit, as he's from that area. But I haven't paid much attention to him. But the Sox shouldn't go for another "project" pitcher to fill out the rotation. they already have two in Jon and Jose.

What big surgery did Clement have? I wasn't aware he was hurt before

Clement would be steady if healthy.

Was Lowe injured at all? With his big drop off, one has to wonder.