beck72

One thing I've noticed since he's been playing everyday is he's being more selective at the plate. He's not flailing away like he was when he was pinch hitting and getting spot starts. [trying to impress in order to get more playing time, probably] Ross is getting more BB's and cutting down on his K's.

If I recall, Crede hit well in the second half last year when the Sox were in 1st place. And in 2002, Crede had no say when he was called up. He put up good numbers when he played though. Actually, there may be less "pressure" in april and May when a lot of players have slow starts, and there is plenty of time for a team to make up ground if they are trailing] Hawk and DJ talked about this a while back. They said Joe's offseason workouts may have something to do with his poor starts and better finishes. He bulks up during the offseason, and as the season progresses, loses weight. They said this revelation may 'teach' Joe something about his offseason workouts. Makes sense. Players may build up strength at the expense of flexibility. I can live with Crede at 3B. There seem to be few "cornerstone" guys the Sox could get for 3B anyway. Crede is one of the few young position players with the potential for the Sox to build around [Rowand and Uribe are the others]. I'd much rather the sox upgraded at SS or 2B [with Uribe at the other spot], C, OF, and pitching.

Jones isn't a FA.

The Angels have plenty of young prospects [McPherson, Kotchman] and UTL guys [Riggs, Quinlan, who like Figgins played like 5 spots this yr, particularly 3b, where he hit .342 before going down for the yr], along with guys signed for 2005 and beyond [Erstad, Salmon, Anderson, Vlad, Kennedy and Guillen] that could make Figgins trade bait. Salary isn't an issue in Ana. They'll need a big bat to offset the loss of Glaus and Guillen, more than a table setter like Figgins. It depends on whether Ana. signs Eckstein to be their leadoff hitter. Because Figgins looks to be the odd man out, w/o a position for '05. Why not get a big bat, as those are scarce in free agency

The Sox shouldn't look into getting Guillen. Some lesser tier team should take him provided the Angels pay a lot of his contract and get some prospect for him. His poor track record [numerous teams, bad attitude--no team fighting for the playoffs would just sit their 2nd best hitter w/o a huge reason, such as bieng a true "cancer"] doesn't sound like a guy the Sox need around at any price.

The angels may be a team to deal with, as they should need a LFer. Esp. w/ Glaus probably not coming back at 3B, they'll need a big bat or two to replace both Guillen and Glaus. McPherson should be at 3B for them next year [or Robb Quinlan]. A guy like Carlos Lee might be a good option for the angels. There aren't many FA LFers out there the likes of Carlos Lee. Instead of the sox acquiring Guillen, though, the sox should look into getting Chone Figgins, a proven bullpen guy [like Scot Shields] and a prospect for Carlos Lee. Figgins could play CF, and Rowand go to LF or RF.

The Sox need guys who can "get in other teams heads". They have had "nice" guys and look where its gotten them. And AJ should be able to be had for less than he's worth. If the Sox match up w/ what SF needs, they should strike a deal That's not to say the sox should pick up jerks. But getting some high energy types [ala Eric Byrnes], guys who go all out every play and leave some blood on the field for the team should be a start.

Without knowing what is Pierzynski's problem [whether or not he has any problems w/ his teammates, or why he's having a down year] he's the type of veteran the Sox could use. He plays a difficult position to fill, and he'd post very good numbers '02- .300/ .334/ .439 '03- .312/ .360/ .464 Though his #'s are down this yr, [.273/ .318/ .413] there are other factors involved. He changed leagues, and is having unspecified personal problems [as stated in the article. The Sox can either stick with some young guys like Uribe, Harris and Crede and have some solid vets [like AJ] fill other spots. Whatever happens, the Sox need an upgrade at C. Ben Davis I don't think is the answer. Burke is a decent enough backup. But over the course of an entire year, the sox need consistency and talent. Hell, even in AJ's worst yr he's popsting numbers sox fans would drool over at the C's spot

I just think the Sox are going in another direction at 2B. Why not, Willie has value.

I wouldn't surprise me at all. Both Lee and PK have their strengths. Yet both have their weaknesses that make them a questionable fit for the team the Sox seem intent on building---Lee his baseball instincts and his seriousness, PK for his streakiness, defense and lack of speed.

I'm not sure what exactly SF would be looking for. Yet they should need a CFer [grissom becomes a FA, and has seen better days] and a 2B man, provided they found a taker for Durham who isn't impressing SF these days. But putting together a package starting with someone who could play both [Willie Harris], along with Borchard + pitching could be possible. SF should take less than what they gave up for him--Nathan- a good, not great set up man; Boof Bonser, an injured SP, and someone else?]

Boston will re-sign him. He's the heart and soul of their team.

His teammates in Minn or SF disliked him? If it was only the guys in SF then one year isn't a lot to go on. He certainly fits the grinder mold. He always came across as someone who would do anything to win, whether it was trash talk or get a key hit. And he'd usually back it up on the field

He's under contract. But could be had via trade, as he hasn't done well lately. He was up near .300 before his recent slump.

AJ Pierzynski. I know he hasn't exactly endeared himself to either his SF teammates [some pitchers complained about him earlier in the year] and fans have been rough on him. He certainly would be an upgrade. Being a LH hitter for lower in the order [6, 7 or 8], his defense is good. And the Sox would have Jamie Burke as a backup. And sounds like he'd be available. SF makes decisions quickly, and if something isn't working out, they'll go in another direction. The Sox need to upgrade at a few positions, getting solid, dependable veterans, if they plan to stick with young guys like Uribe, Rowand, Harris, Crede. The catcher FA's aren't the best group. A trade like this is probably the best way to upgrade at this spot. AJ was always a pain in the ass when he was w/ Minn. If he were the Sox' pain in the ass, though, I think fans would like him. For some reason, AJ reminds me of Bill Laimbeer playing for the Pistons. Everyone hated him but Detroit fans loved him. Maybe AJ has the same type personality. Here's an excerpt from the Contra Costa Times: AJ. struggles Catcher A.J. Pierzynski continued to struggle offensively, going hitless in three at-bats and grounding into an inning-ending double play in the fifth. He was booed as he left the field. "I'm used to it here," he said. "It's just like it was at the beginning. The fans have a right to boo. If I was them, I'd boo me, too." Pierzynski, hitting .155 (11-for-71) in his last 20 games, said, "It's been pretty embarrassing. It's the worst stretch I've ever had. I can't go back and change time." Pierzynski revealed, "It's been a rough month for me on and off the field. I had so many things happen off the field, and it's been just as bad on the field." He declined to elaborate on his off-field issues. ******************************************************

jones is signed through 2007 for like $13 mill a yr. ATL would probably jump at an offer like this for a young pitcher who could give them innings. Salary relief is just as important as talent. Sure Jones is more talented than Garland. But look what other talent ATL could get for the big salary difference.

I do like the additon of Furcal and PK, but a question: With a straight Garland for Jones deal, would that make both PK and Lee possible trade bait?

I know he's not healthy now. But as long as he'd be ready to go for '05, the sox should jump. the sox need a GB pitcher. Esp. since Garland hasn't been able to do it consistently. BTW, can you count out a healthy Scott Schoenweis from the Sox plans? [He did well early, but fell off when the arm started hurting] Though doesn't he have a big option that the Sox would refuse? If he came back cheaper, he could compete for the 5th spot [if Garland is traded and the sox signed a #2 or #3, Clement type]

Now that's getting strong up the middle, with speed and defense.

My point is people advocate getting players under contract w/ another team, w/o proposing how the Sox would get these players. I wasn't advocating getting Damon. I was responding to someone else, hypothetically

The key to getting either Hairston or Damon is they require trading major league talent. The Sox would then have fill those holes they created. Hairston has been injured a lot. I don't know if he's all that better than Uribe, though he has more speed. Damon would be fine. If it was something along the lines of PK for Damon, maybe. But w/o proposing who you'd trade to get guys who aren't free agents, it's hard to see how getting these guys will just happen.

Exactly why getting Clement would be a wise signing for the sox. The Sox don't need a FB pitcher. They need a guy who gets a ton of GB's so the balls stay in the park. Clement would do so and be affordable. [Provided he's healthy]

So, you're saying the Cubs not scoring runs for clement is Clement's fault?! Doesn't the offense have more to do with run support than "mound presence"? I don't buy it. Run support differs from year to year for most pitchers. How do you explain that?

With Matt Clement seemingly out next yr for the Cubs, he's the type of SP who could do very well in the Cell, with his 1.6+ GB/ FB ratio. His stock has dropped a bit with his recent struggles. Yet he carried the Cubs early when everyone else was injured. He could be tired, hurt, who knows. but we all know how poorly Baker handles his pitchers. Him coming to the south side might be a good fit for both the sox and him. I've always liked Clement. He's more of a thinker and quiet, not like most of the fools on the cubs. While the sox are at it, why not sign Damian Miller. His defense is solid, and should be able to give the Sox an upgrade w/ his handling of pitchers. His offense is steady hitting .275 with a .340 OBP. [He hit the same in '02, after a poor '03 with the Cubs]. There are few options out there to improve at C. Miller would be better than Ben Davis, IMO. If the Sox sign one, the other may want to come as well. Who cares about the ex-cub factor.

Crede's numbers are more likely his floor. While they are more like Hernandez' and Branyan's ceiling. Keeping Crede makes sense if the sox can improve at other positions [OF, C, SS, 2B], trusting that Crede can solve his horrible slumps and be more consistent. With him getting hot now, [and looking back at the 2nd half from last yr] he should have tape of what he's doing right now and what he was doing poorly before. When he's been hot, hit gets hits ala Frank, whatever hits his bat falls in for hits, even pitcher pitches and balls out of the zone. with the glut of 3rd basemen this yr. being available [via FA and trade], the Sox wouldn't get much if anything for him. Might as well keep him and have Uribe as the backup plan