beck72

The Sox probably won't sign any big name FA's with a shaky history [injury or inconsistent production], pitchers or position players. Though they may take a gamble on a guy making less than $5 mill a yr, for no more than 2 yrs with an option yr. It doesn't make sense to take on huge contracts for questionable players who pose an injury risk or could tank. A few guys who could be worth a large multi-yr contract-Odalis Perez, Matt Clement, Edgar Renteria, Orlando Cabrera [$6 mill tops]

I think Polanco would be a decent Ozzie type player. Jim H has me convinced Willie won't be around for 2005. Though Polanco doesn't have the speed numbers the sox should be looking for. Isn't counsell like 80 yrs old though?

What's interesting is that Ozzie has only been able to pick his bench players [Gload, Burke [who impressed Ozzie during ST but was only hitting .220 at AAA], and bullpen guys like Cotts + Adkins. Ozzie liked Grilli in spring as well. Ozzie has a decent record with his "picks". The fact that he's publicly lobbied for guys like Valdez and Anderson and Sweeney to see some time in Chi, based on seeing them play first hand, bodes well for the immediate future. We may be seeing these guys faster than we think. All in all, I trust Ozzie's judgement helping KW pick "star" type players to retool for 2005. Whether its w/ trades or FA signings, players with the "Ozzie stamp of approval" should be on the way, and the Sox should be better for it.

I think Polanco is a FA. Prob. why he was mentioned in deadline trades.

I agree to a certain extent. Yet signing a FA to a long term huge contract [like 4 yrs at $10 mill + per, ala Beltran, etc] is almost certainly not going to happen. Too many teams have been hurt by these type of contracts.

Don't forget his .300 + avg., his 16 + SB, or his 15+ SH, and the fact he uses all the field to hit [all big pluses in Ozzie ball] I'll stop. He's a bum.

Didn't he just break a ML record for appearances? Give him his record, then give him his walking papers. He probably would have been released sooner if not for this

With SF talking about trading for Shawn Estes, they'd have to be interested in Garland by the deadline, you'd think. A guy like Matt Cain or LHP Pat Tisch [both in AA, who weren't on the 40man roster] would look nice, along with a position player or two. The playoff push may make SF overpay, with Bonds nearing his end. As far as trading Lee, PK, Garland, Crede et al goes, the sox need to get depth for the high minors [guys who start 2005 in AA or AAA] and players for the 25 man roster.

Nah, I'm still in the "Willie camp". But you're right, there would be no reason not to play Willie fulltime at 2B unless the sox have a reason. [only play him vs RHP so he can get his avg up and increase his trade value? Same with Crede vs LHP?] Uribe moving all around the IF means he's staying. Something behind the scenes must be up re: willie, because he should be out there full time now. Roberto and Jose have no reason to be out there though. Unless some team is desperate before the Sept 1st deadline. Guys who Ozzie liked and gave a chance performed well this yr--Gload, Burke, Cotts, Adkins. Maybe Valdez will be around in 2005.

Getting a major infusion of talent will only happen by trading a guy like Carlos Lee, Mark Buerhle, or by signing a FA to a long term deal for $10 mill + a yr. While it's nice to fantasize, its unlikely the Sox will get a FA position player in this category, as they are building around pitching. Would you like a guy like Renteria or Beltran at the expense of another stud starter [Odalis Perez] and relief help [Felix Rodriguez or Steve Kline] and a lower FA like Vizquel? Locking themselves into one big name player isn't wise for the Sox.

I'm starting to think so too. With Uribe at 2B, Harris could be expendable. I still think he has a decent future in this league. And he'd have good value, ala Crede. Interestingly enough, Valdez came up as a 2b man.

That's why going by the law of averages alone, the Sox should get one or two impact rookies soon.

Who the Sox should get via free agency: Edgar Renteria Odalis Perez Frank Catalanotto Felix Rodriguez Steve Kline Who the Sox will probably get: Vizquel Odalis Perez Felix Rodriguez

Konerko would probably go to a contending team for prospects [maybe who start the year in AAA or AA and could help late in the year, which is what the Sox need in case of injuries to guys on the major league roster]. A young guy like Crede could land another young player who would start the year for the Sox. He has value because he should be around the league for years to come. In no way should the Sox just "give" Crede away for some has been or long shot prospect. Crede on a lower payroll, long shot for the playoffs team would be a decent fit. That's why I was thinking the Expos.

This year showed almost all Sox fans how the core of the Sox needs to be rebuilt/ retooled/ changed. I think most people gave KW the benefit of the doubt, that trading vets wasn't the way to go. That maybe Jerry Manuel didn't get the most out of the core of the Sox 2000 team. The Sox inconsistency this year clearly showed how badly they need the "grinders" he talked about last year. Big changes should be coming.

It hasn't been the "cheap" players who have kept the Sox from winning since 2000 [for instance this year, guys like Perez, Politte, Shingo have been decent pickups and have helped the Sox]. It's been the "stars" who have gotten big money [the $5 mill + guys] who should carry the team who haven't gotten the job done. The Twins have shown how team salary isn't necessary for a team to win consistently. But spending big money on the right guys is.

the Sox will probably avoid going after guys wanting [and should get] big contracts [$10 + mill] and who have been health risks. FA's who are in both categories should definitely be avoided. Beltre and Pavano likely won't be close to the Sox

Garland could be a good 5th starter for the Sox. Yet as Garland's salary creeps up into the millions of dollars, he's no longer a 5th starter. Most rookies are expected to put up the type of numbers Garland has, at only $300,000 a yr. He'll be getting 3rd starter's pay in 2005 through arbitration and should perform like one. Whether Jon will remains to be seen. "Potential" means nothing after 4 years. "Performance" means everything.

From the Daily Southtown Sunday, August 29, 2004 By Joe Cowley Excerpts" "Kenny (Williams, the Sox general manager) respects my job," Guillen said. "We're on the same page. I talk to him all the time. I like to know his mind, he knows my mind. The way we're doing stuff, it's going to be good for the organization because most of the time we think the same way. "I don't care (about Borchard's signing bonus) — if he can't play he can't play. When we go to the winter meetings and I think this kid can't play in the big leagues for me, he's not going to be here, I don't care how much money they invested in him." ------------------------------------- Going by Ozzie's comments, fans should expect Ozzie to have a lot of input on player personnel. I'm glad Ozzie can get "his" type of players. He inherited most of the guys on the roster, and this year showed him what the guys were capable of. It also sounds like Borchard is the only young guy he needs to get a look at. Once they know what all the current guys on the roster can do, then they can see who will or will not be around for 2005. That means guys like Harris, Uribe, Crede have been evaluated. It looks like even vets are being evaluated for 2005 as well, like Robbie and Everett. Why else would they be getting time over young guys this late? Whatever the case, I'm glad to hear KW and Ozzie are on the same page and able to work together. It worked for the Koch trade and getting Garcia and Davis. I'm sure KW can use some of Ozzie and Joey Cora's knowledge of current players. In some ways, KW has seemed "out of touch" with young ballplayers, and relied on "old school" vets a little too much. I think KW's done a good job. Yet I think Ozzie and Co. have a better grasp of the young players the Sox need to re-tool this organization. Kw seems to be listening and it can only help the club

If Crede is traded [which it sounds like you'd be in favor of] then the sox would likely go after a FA to take his place. If the Sox get the right 3Bman [like a Koskie, or a Mueller] then the Sox could probably have Uribe/ Valdez at SS. Likely, the Sox sign a FA for SS or 3B, and a vet to compete for an OF spot. [Or fill these via trade]

Even if the Sox couldn't land a FA, they'd be better off with Uribe or Valdez. They could then use the money to upgrade at other positions

I think Crede will have a Joe Randa like career. One thing is he'll probably always have a low OBP, in the range of .290-.310. Whether the Sox could live with his streakiness, what he may make up with his power, I don't know. Yet the sox have too many all or nothing hitters which Joe is not likely to change in the next few years if at all. So I would trade Crede for a younger guy who has a decent upside, who also may seem "underachieving" in another teams' eyes, who offers the Sox something different. Nick Johnson comes to mind. He'd offer the Sox high OBP, a LH bat and a great glove. I also would trade Joe if the Sox could get very good talent in return. Having Uribe as an everyday 3B isn't ideal, and I would want a FA like Koskie or Mueller signed to replace Crede.

The basic point is set up men have value, particularly Marte. Penny [26] coming into his prime, Choi, [a big LH bat who LA thinks is coming inot his as well-i disagree] for LoDuca and Mota [Encarnacion was given away-he's owed $4+ mill in 2005 and is hitting in the .230's] was still lopsided for the Marlins [LA thought they'd get the Johnson's, clearing salary for them but didn't]. With Ozzie in the win now mode, wanting to get more of "his" guys so he can play his style of play right away so he can start his managing career off by winning [he inherited this team and has had to live and die w/ their limitations], it makes sense some kind of deal w/ FLA would be talked about, seeing how he knows the players so well. A few other points. FLA looks like it won't pass a stadium deal. With money tighton salaries, FLA can't afford guys like Alex Gonzalez and Encarnacion making $3-4 mill each. They could clear salary by including one of these guys with Pierre. The "talent" in any straight up trade might not be equal. But the money saved by teams who can then go out and afford other talent, can be the equalizer. So while LA's trade may have seemed lopsided, they freed up money so they could get additional talent. [it didn't work out so they looked foolish] LA needed SP help, as they had a lot of injuries. the were using Lima, enough said. Penny is still locked up and coming into his prime.

The Sox are due for rookie or two who make an immediate ROY type impact , aren't they?

Part of the struggle vs LHP is that the Sox are mostly pull conscious. They like FB's rather than off speed stuff. Most LHP who throw off speed stuff, and hit the corners vs the sox have a field day. Most of the Sox guys try and pull outside pitches. When they've tried hitting to the opposite field vs, RH or LHP, the Sox have done well. This is where getting contact hitters come into play. Guys who hit the ball where its pitched, who know an outside pitch is coming and they slap it to the opposite field.