beck72

If Robbie comes anywhere near the 2005 Sox, I might start rooting for another team. If the Sox do get someone for 2B, they should be versatile enough to play another position at least [such as Placido Polanco-who has played a lot of 3B as well]. Robbie is old and has little to offer even a team like KC or Sea, let alone a team who is thinking of making the playoffs. I don't think Ozzie is sold on Uribe as the everyday SS. Few guys can play 3 positions as well as Uribe can so I think Ozzie will go in another direction here. Though I did read today something to the effect that if Jose back Ozzie said he was OK with it. [Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!] It's sad to see a guy who hasn't had an RBI or a HR for almost two months still being put out there everyday.

If the Sox want to contend next yr [which they should, given the starting pitching] they can't go into 2005 with an IF of left to right of Crede, Uribe and Harris. At least one and probably two spots will be filled by proven players. Personally, I'd go after Koskie and Vizquel, and trade Crede. Uribe could rotate between 3 spots, and Willie sit vs LHP. If Joe tanks next yr, no team would want him. Yet he has value now based on "potential". I just don't think Joe fits in with the Sox given his style of hitting, ala Jose Valentin [low OBP, high K's, lack of contact]

Koskie has a very respectable OBP as well. Crede probably won't ever walk much. He didn't in the minors. Add in his LH bat, his tough d, and the fact that he's always been clutch vs the sox, signing him would make sense. Few teams will give Koskie much, with his back injuries. Yet the Sox could take a gamble on him with Uribe as a backup. A decent 2 yr deal [when Josh Fields should be ready] is very possible. It may come down to keeping Crede or Uribe. Both are similar hitters [streaky, k a lot, have low OBP]. Keeping two RH hitters like them limits what the Sox can do offensively. My guess is Uribe will stay, and Crede dealt while he still has value.

I also felt Hawk was harping too much on the Valdez play. I didn't see it at the time, only on a replay [and it looked like Valdez got there too late, as if expecting Crede to throw to first--which was probably the best play]. But Hawk mentioned it like 6 times during the inning as THE reason why the runs scored. I thought Contreras' could have pitched over it if he didn't suffer a complete meltdown like he did. Isn't that what a 30+ yr old pitcher should do, pick up a young guy after a mistake Hawk sounded like he had it in for Valdez. He also mentioned that Valdez was a rookie making his major league debut at 2B not his normal position [like a dig at Ozzie], as if no rookies should be playing becuase the sox vets would give them the best chance to win. Maybe Hawk didn't notice but two rookies helped the sox win the previous two games. But Hawks digs at Valdez and him being pretty quiet about Contreras' meltdown seemed strange. I'm sorry to tell Hawk but this isn't exactly the stretch run. Valdez playing instead of Jose wasn't the cause of the Sox loss. Contreras unability to find the strike zone was though.

With the FA market pretty thin as far as bullpen guys go, it's nice to see some of our young arms do well. They have a much better upside than getting some 36 yr old has been who may be mediocre at best. If there is one bright side of getting out of the race early [as long as they couldn't make the playoffs anyway], it's that maybe a few young players will step up big and be able to contribute next year. I'd much rather take a talented young guy into spring training [like Baj, Diaz, Valdez] than getting a veteran who is clearly on his decline [Jackson, Robbie].

I see Adkins taking over Politte's 7th, 8th inning role. At $1.3 mill, Politte isn't a bargain. Or I'd rather spend his money on a guy like Felix Rodriguez, or go for Benitez as closer. then Shingo could move into setup. Diaz could likely take over long relief. [Or be used in a trade. the sox would still have Grilli around] Baj could take over Jackson's spot. With his great control, Ozzie is bound to fall in love with him. [Ozzie likes Cotts and Adkins who give up a lot of BB's and Baj doesn't. If Baj attacks the zone, throws inside a lot, Ozzie and Co. will find room for him next yr]

Valdez is supposed to be a "high energy" guy. As far as his OBP goes, he's been able to get on base last yr and this with more regularity than in previous yrs. this coincides w/ him and Ozzie talking during spring training '03. My guess is Valdez should be able to hit for a higher avg and a have similar OBP as Uribe. Add in the fact that Valdez should be able to bunt and steal bases better than both, and I think Valdez has value. And Valdez puts the ball in play, whereas Jose often only sees 3 pitches and is back on the bench.

It may be a fluke. Yet young guys need some playing time to adjust to the majors. The Sox haven't had the chance to get guys from the minors some "on the job training" the last few years. Guys like Grilli and Diaz could at least work out of the bullpen if they don't make it as starters. though Grilli needs to throw more strikes.

What has to be considered is that the sox will still need some power guys. Soriano gives a team both speed at the top of the order [something Ozzie has wanted] and the ability to hit HR's. His defense is the biggest question mark. Santana was able to work with Jose and improve his d the last 2 years. Who knows if Soriano is able to correct his errors. If he's too much of a butcher, the the sox would be better off w/o him. Yet I still think Soriano is more valuable than Garland. Just maybe for a different team.

With Crede still flailing away at the plate [looking worse than horrible], I really would like the Sox to land a FA 3bman or trade for one. With Uribe and Valdez both RH hitters, a LH hitting 3Bman or switch hitter would be ideal.

I agree. Uribe gives the Sox a back up at 3 positions. If someone goes down with an injury at any one of those three spots, Uribe could step right in and not lose much production and defense. IMO, he's far more valuable than Tony g was, because Uribe has more talent and can play like a starter on an everyday basis for the Sox. Tony G was a bench guy, not a starter. Uribe probably is a starter, but can pay him like a UTL guy.

The Sox just have to keep playing like they have nothing to lose--because they don't. If they have fun and play the game, they could make a race of it. The pressure is on the Twins. Nobody expects the Sox to even come close.

He could hit leadoff as he avg'd .295/ .338/ .500 in 02 and 03 in NY. With his ability to steal bases and disrupt pitchers, that should be the best spot for him [provided the Sox didn't land a leadoff hitter with a higher OBP, which I'd like--though it's likely Soriano's BB's will increase even further]. #3 he'd hit in front of Frank. Not many running chances there.

Soriano's skills on the offense side would fit in with "Ozzie ball". While he might not contact as much as others, his unique blend of speed and power would. Few players in either league have both tools that Soriano would bring. My only question is would his defense be serviceable enough. I don't know.

Not likely, but TB might want more power from LF. Baldelli and Crawford are very similar players, low SLG, speed guys. Upton has struggled at SS, and could be moved to a corner OF spot, as DH is unlikely w/ his speed. If TB could get a lot for him [prob. pitching], Crawford could be moved, esp. if they can't sign him to a long term deal.

Soriano is an interesting name, and would be well worth Garland. Its a question of whether his attitude and performance on the field fit with Ozzie's style of play. Ozzie, Cora and Santana should be able to get a good read on him whether he's worth the investment or not, with the Latin connection. His errors [though his range and zone ratings are similar to both Uribe and Willie] and high K total do worry me a bit. [but his avg, and power would offset losing Jose, Maggs and possibly Lee.] He'd likely be in the leadoff spot where he was for NY. He should be penciled in for .295/ .335/ .500. Also give him 30-40 SB's. [He batted in the 3rd spot most of the yr, not a lot of SB opportunities in this spot]. Jim H has convinced me Willie probably won't be around in '05. So this could happen. Esp. as the Sox don't have many young position players to build around. With OFers a strength in the minors [Anderson and Sweeney] an IFer like Soriano could make sense. As he's arb. eligible, the sox wouldn't have to sign him long term, and would have a year or two to see how he's doing with the Sox. If he tanks, then the Sox could trade him before he became a FA for very good talent.

Soriano is arb. eligible. He made $5.4 mill this yr.

Kw inherited the "core", which has shown is responsible for the Sox not making the playoffs since 2000. KW tried adding to this core, with limited success. Few people would have said to disband the core, but now it's clear.

But another team should give him more money.

Looks like KW's listening to us, huh!?

You've got a good point. while the sox may be "overpaying" for a typical 5th starter [Garland should make near $3 mill in Arb., and most teams use a rookie or a veteran innings eater who are both cheaper], Garland possibly fullfilling his potential [ i hate that word] is worth another year at the price. The Sox rotation could be one of the best in the AL if they get another #2 or 3, and Garland and Contreras throw the way they could. I'm as frustrated as anyone w/ Garland. Yet I dont think the sox could get a decent return on a trade involving him. Its all a matter of risk vs reward. The reward in holding onto Garland is better than the risk in getting rid of him

I say Clement's worthy of getting a long term contract [3 yrs] [esp from the Sox] based on his being healthy [this should be the 6th yr in a row of at least 30 starts], 3 good yrs in a row of stellar WHIP numbers, and being the type of pitcher the Sox could use in their rotation [someone who gets a lot of GB's and K's, and doesn't give up a lot of HR's]. Perez and Clement would be my first two choices for SP's.

You got to give Ozzie credit for not sugar coating things, esp to the papers so we fans know what the manager is thinking. Some may say Ozzie shouldn't call out Garland or Crede. Yet he does it in a mostly positive way, challenging them to perform up to their capabilities. And he's saying what most fans [and the players themselves] would agree on. Both have had disappointing seasons because they had the talent and experience to make the biggest improvements from 2003 to this yr.

Whoever Ozzie is talking about, he probably has a good read on what a winning team needs. But the guys who the Sox got rid of were by no means the only reason the Sox tanked this year. We've seen the same things from the Sox for years now, and most of the problems rest with guys who have been around a while now. I doubt that the "purging" is done by a long shot. This offseason should be interesting, and clear up suspicions and arguments fans have had about long time players over the years.

I was thinking the same thing. I don't think he got his breaking ball over for a strike. But he had good life on his FB. While Adkins will probably compete with a vet for Politte's spot in '05, Baj could work in Jackson's spot. Esp. as he throws strikes