beck72

One thing I was worried about was Harris not lasting the entire season, tiring and fading late in the year. [kind of what Uribe is doing now with the everyday work that he's not accustomed to getting] With the time on the bench, he'll be fresh and ready for the the 2nd half. I think Willie will bounce back and play a huge role in the final months of the season. With his speed, and LH bat he can give the Sox what no other guy can offer them at the top of the lineup

With strong starting pitching 1-5, a nice long winning streak is possible. Esp. with Maggs back, SS back to his April form, a trade or two. The Twins are scouting Benson [which they won't get, as that would involve making a trade and taking on salary], and looking for help for their offense from AAA. I'll take the Sox position anyday.

So Maggs has a few more clauses than another offer. If the money is near what other teams will or could make, some loyalty and connection to the fans, to the city should make up for the "inconvience" of some contract clauses such as deferred money. If Maggs is happy playing with the Sox, he'll stay. If not, he'll go elsewhere for a few extra bucks, ala Bartolo Colon. Now, if Maggs was offered a 4 yr, $32 million contract, I'd say the sox were lowballing and MAggs has every right to feel insulted and leave. From all reports, the total money being offered is not an insult, no matter if the terms are complicated. That's what agents are paid for.

Even if the Sox were swept by Minn., it would have been too early to panic. Being swept by the Cubs might be embarassing for city pride. But nothing in terms of position in the standings that playing Minn. means. The Sox will be fine. Playing in NL parks has been a struggle w/o Maggs and /or PK and Frank. Once the Sox are back playing AL teams, get ready to see the Sox roll. A few nice long win streaks will put distance between us and Minn. and this will be nothing.

I'm surprised this fool still has a job. Sosa will welcome a move to LF to make room for MAggs?! You expect this kind of thing from a middle school kid not a professional sportswriter with his own radio show. Is there a person in this city who likes this guy or thinks he has anything worthwhile to say about anything? He needs to move onto the next town because he's certainly worn out his welcome here.

No way should the Sox be interested. I think the speculation is there because of the off season trade talk. The Sox are just fine at SS w/ Jose having a nice year.

Since Jones' name has come up in possible trade rumors, he has started swinging the bat. I don't have the numbers, but he seems to be hitting. A case could be made that with the departures of Javy Lopez, Maddux, Sheffield, et al, the same motivation to win might not have been there. Who knows how the ATL brass treats Jones. A logical scenario is ATL would have loved to get rid of Andruw in the offseason, weren't quiet about it, and tried their best but couldn't deal him. But with a possible trade out of there now, Jones could be turning it on. BTW-Jones hit his 23rd- 2B. Manny Ramirez has 28 doubles.

The Sox have decent prospects for the bullpen, in guys who can get K's and give up few BB's, like Jeff Bajenaru, Matt Smith, Josh Fields. Adkins and Cotts have done well this year as rookies. Francisco looks like he has control issues, not what a team with playoff hopes wants. Few teams have three rookies in their pens, at least good teams. I'd rather have Politte, a vet who has proven himself, than Francisco. The trade for everett was decent. Give up prospects that the Sox don't think fit w/ their team for a veteran who could help them now. While the Sox didn't win the division, Everett helped the Sox, no question. Wasn't he one of the few guys hitting in Sept, when others slumped?!

He may be in time. But the Sox can't wait on Diaz to find his groove while he gets blasted. They need to win now. Like Baggs said, a veteran like SS could get it done far better than a rookie like Diaz or Rauch. If SS can't get it done, then KW should find a 5th starter who can.

It sounds like the reporter told SS him about the Sox plan of possibly moving him the bullpen, the first time he had heard about it. If I were SS, I'd be pissed too. While he over reacted a bit, Cooper and Ozzie should be talking with their pitchers as well. Deep down, SS has got to know that his performance on the field will dictate if he remains a SP or goes back to the bullpen. The Sox aren't in the position of giving up games just so a player can play where he wants to.

It would take more than a newspaper interview, which could very well have taken SS out of context and misinterpret what he meant, to blow team chemistry.

I guess the Sox can't use a .315 hitter who has a .399 OBP, who has a career .419 BA vs Kevin Brown and a .318 BA vs Javier Vazquez? The Sox struggle vs tough RHP, the same type that Kendall has a lot success against. The Sox top of the order will need help in the coming months and into the playoffs [uribe and Harris are not the answer this year]. Greg Zaun may help a little. But not where the Sox need him, for now and the next few years.

Benson has done very little in his career to warrant KW giving up much talent. He deserves the insult, IMO. My beef with bringing in another SP who may or may not be a big improvement over what the Sox have in SS, would also hurt the chemistry of the club. Garcia was no doubt a big improvement. Benson is a stretch. If SS throws like he did to start the year, he deserves the spot. If he throws like he did his last 4 or 6, then he should get moved. It all depends on performance who gets the 5th spot--SS, Diaz or Rauch.

If only I wrote the checks

With Willie and Uribe coming back down to reality, the sox need a vet who could hit leadoff. There aren't many guys who could fit the bill, that wouldn't upset the Sox clubhouse or mean trading away players like Maggs or PK. Kendall still improves the Sox and would give them another guy with good baserunning speed.

I've been among those looking for a top of the order guy, who could bat LH, who could hit tough pitchers. Yet a RH hitter who could hit them would be just as needed. Looking at potential playoff opponents, the Sox might have to face guys like Kevin Brown, Javier Vazquez, or Curt Schilling. Kendall has faced these pitchers a lot, as they all came into the AL this off-season. Kendall has hit Brown the best [a .419 avg, 13 for 31, with a .455 OBP and .516 SLG], and Vazquez [a .318 BA, 7 for 22, with a .400 OBP, and .455 SLG]. Kendall has hit only .235 off Schilling [12 for 51], though he has hit 3 HR’s off him. Kendall has done well against top right handed pitchers in the National League. Against guys like Roy Oswalt [.448 BA, 13 for 29]; Eric Gagne [.364, 4 for 11]; Mark Prior [.381, 8 for 21]; Greg Maddux [.341, 15 for 44]; Carlos Zambrano [.318, 7 for 22], Kendall’s more than held his own. He’s been a catalyst at the top of the order on weak Pirate teams where pitchers try not to let Kendall beat them. Though Kendall bats from the right side, he hits both LHP’s and RHP’s equally well. This year, he’s hitting .346 with a .424 OBP vs. LHP and .311 and has a .387 OBP vs. RHP’s. From 2001-2003, Kendall hit .291 off both. Kendall may not seem like a "sexy" pick up, but Sox fans would fall in love with this guy.

A page right out of Corg's book, huh

He's been at the helm now over 20 years, getting up there in age, not many chances left to win it all, why not? That alone should convince him to open up the wallet a little.

I don't think anyone on the Sox present roster [except from the bullpen] is going to be moved, and that includes Maggs. Or at least they shouldn't. It would mess too much with the chemsitry of the club. After Miguel was traded, that should be enough. Too much tinkering could mess up the success they are having. With the Sox in 1st, they need to add without subtracting. Getting a guy like Kendall wouldn't subtract a thing from what the Sox have accomplished. Just like getting a bullpen guy to replace the ineffective Mike JAckson wouldn't hurt the club.

With the uncertainty surrounding Maggs, going for it now is probably the way to go. Trading Olivo showed that they're serious about giving up a big part of their future to win now. All getting Kendall would cost is cash. With attendance up, a new media deal for next year, why not. I can't see why this wouldn't work. Adding a guy like Kendall wouldn't subtract anything chemistry wise [ie, a trade of Maggs or Konerko, etc wouildn't be necessary]. Plus he'd be one of the few veterans locked in for a few years. With Uribe, Harris and Crede around, a few vets are needed for some certainty. Esp. a guy w/ Kendall's intangibles and style of play.

I don't see Benson fitting. He isn't even an upgrade over SS.

At first look, the Sox trading for a player owed $10 million in 2005, $11 million in 2006 and $13 million in 2007 seems way too steep. Even for a catcher who has career .305 avg., a .386 OBP, and a .419 SLG. Yet if the Pirates can take on some of Kendall’s contract, the Sox would be well suited for the playoffs with a player of his caliber. Based on past reports, a deal could be made that would make Kendall’s contract more reasonable. In January of this year, San Diego was on the verge of acquiring Kendall from the Pirates. The biggest hang up was the remaining $42 million owed to Kendall through 2007. ESPN reported that the Padres had wanted the Pirates to assume $25 million of Kendall’s remaining contract [60%]. That’s a huge chunk of change, especially for the Pirates. In the end, the Padres were the ones who backed off, not wanting to commit money to Kendall after they acquired Brian Giles. Could the Sox get the Pirates to pay 30% of Kendall’s remaining $34 million for his 2005-2007 contract? Probably. That would slice off $10.2 million, with the Sox paying him an average of $7.9 million per year. Could the Sox add an additional prospect to the deal, and get the Pirates to pay 40%? Probably. That would slice off $13.6 million, making Kendall’s Sox salary $6.8 million per year for three years. $6.8 million contract, for an all-star catcher, who can hit leadoff, get on-base, has speed, and can hit tough right handed pitchers, especially the best pitcher the Sox most likely will face in the playoffs this year? Factor in the Sox don’t have any catching prospects near ready for the majors [this year’s high draft pick Donald Lucy is a few years away at least], and a deal would help the Sox win now and for the next few years. Getting Kendall wouldn't cost a lot in terms of talent [Maybe Rauch, Ben Davis, a AA pitcher [maybe Arnie Munoz]. Its the money that's key. If the financial hurdles can be overcome, it makes sense. The sox would have a leadoff hitter who can hit tough RHP pitchers [Kendall has has hit .291 off LH and RH pitchers over the last 3 years, and hit over .300 off guys like Vazquez, Kevin Brown, Prior, Zambrano, Maddux] Tell me, who wouldn't want Kendall leading off a playoff game instead of Uribe or Willie Harris?!

Olivo has caught E-Lo since he's been with the Sox--all last year

I wonder how much his injury affected his last couple of starts. If it did, which is probable, losing the spot because he got hurt and tried to pitch when the Sox needed him, he's got reason to speak up. My guess is the writer asked him "what if" [worst case scenario] and he responded accordingly

I agree. Jones wouldn't cost much in terms of talent. Rowand, Rauch, a few lower level guys. The big reason is his contract.