beck72

Konerko for Andruw Jones would make sense. But not Maggs for Jones. Maggs won't be ready til late July. Konerko is ready now and they have a spot for him. I'd do the deal provided Jones was healthy, and ATL kicks in a lot of cash. At 27 he's hardly washed up though. Jones' defense would help improve the Sox pitching every day, not every 5th day or every other. Why is ATL looking to trade him? 3 years and $39 million left on his contract.

C Gregg Zaun [33] is hitting .307 with an .399 OBP for Tor. He's a switch hitter and could platoon nicely with Sandy. He's also thrown out 45% of would be basestealers.

Another deal is possible, probably involving either Rauch or Diaz. Neither Rauch or Diaz has pitched out of the pen and should keep starting, even if they go back to AAA when SS comes back. Vic D.'s a surprise but could stay to keep the pen fresh.

My guess is either Rauch or Diaz would go back to AAA and Davis would take olivo's spot. Davis should stay with the sox. Besides Burke [age 32], no one else is close to the bigs. Davis may get some time in AAA, or get a lot of work with Greg Walker. But I can't see him going elsewhere.

The farm system is used to help the major league club. Whether its bringing up talent to play in the bigs or trading talent to acquire major leaguers, the goal is to help the major league team make the playoffs. This trade gives the Sox a better chance of winning this year. I agree losing Olivo and Reed is tough. Yet SP's like Garcia are hard to find, and expensive this year with all the injuries. KW could have setttled for a Kris Benson type SP. But how much would a guy like him have helped? Not much I'm afraid. Garcia is the best of the bunch. Reed must be viewed as a corner OFer. I like his OBP but a RF or LFer should have more power. Anderson is probably viewed as the CFer of the future, while Sweeney, and Borchard, are more likely to provide the power typical of a corner OFer.

I'm afraid you have just earned all the scorn that's probably coming your way. You don't see the big picture.

The Sox are going for it now. They had to overpay, as other teams were also willing to ante up with all the injuries to SP around both leagues. And the Sox did it without trading away Diaz or Rauch. Big insurance in case a SP goes down. Let's welcome aboard Freddy. And hope this is the start of a long and winning relationship. One thing to consider. Are there any veteran catchers around who the Sox might be able to pick up?

Baseball Prospectus has some "Runs Above Replacement" for some CFers' discussed on the board. While I don't agree with all the stats [RF, ZR from STATS, inc. have Biggio about the same as Jones], BP has stats more in line with the naked eye. BP also rated CFers in all defensive categories and had Rowand near the bottom. Basically a below avg CFer, and an average to above avg corner OFer. What most of baseball would agree with. Jones Rowand Beltran Finley 2002 33 16 25 19 2003 32 7 24 11 Rowand may get decent jumps at times. But this can't overcompensate for the speed, reads, arm, quick release and quickness of an Andruw Jones. And getting regular playing time won't add to his defensive abilities. It's hard to quantify which balls an OFer could get to or not. But I've seen Jones, and guys like Beltran and Torri Hunter catch little bloopers and shots in the gap that no Sox OFer seem able to do.

Having better defensive players, esp in CF where he can make plays in LF and RF, would help improve the pitching staff. Rowand is decent. But not in the same class as Jones.

A key to a possible deal for a CFer like Andruw Jones is how much he would help improve the Sox pitching. That's the consideration Kenny Williams and staff must make. If he makes the difference that he has shown in the recent past, he'd be a big addition to the Sox. The sox can add a SP and get bullpen help. Yet getting defensive help also improves the pitching. Is it enough to offset the loss of Maggs' numbers? I think so, as Maggs won't be the .300 hitter right away when he comes off the DL. Maggs may not be back to form until Aug. He also may re-injure the knee. If Sox scouts knew Jones was healthy and in decent shape, Jones could probably help the Sox more than Maggs over the rest of the season.

Deal may include Andruw By DAVID O'BRIEN The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 6/26/04 Baltimore -- The Braves might be close to trading pitcher Russ Ortiz to the Chicago White Sox, and there are rumors the deal could possibly expand into a blockbuster involving outfielders Andruw Jones and Sox slugger Magglio Ordonez. The Jones and Ordonez portion, which was making the rounds in Chicago on Saturday, couldn't be confirmed by reliable sources with either team. But a White Sox official confirmed there have been ongoing discussions about Ortiz. The Braves would likely get 6-foot-11 pitcher Jon Rauch in any deal for Ortiz. Rauch had his best major league start Thursday against the Cubs with Braves scout and special assistant Jim Fregosi in attendance. The Braves have been offered Rauch and a couple of outfield prospects for Ortiz. However, general manager John Schuerholz indicated Friday, without talking about specific discussions, that he wouldn't make a deal that wouldn't help the Braves now. Trading Ortiz for Rauch and prospects would not help the Braves now, and could send a signal to fans and team members that the Braves are looking to next year. There has been nothing from Schuerholz or manager Bobby Cox to indicate that. They still believe the Braves can win a 13th consecutive division title. That's why acquiring Ordonez would make some sense. He's making $14 million this season and can become a free agent this winter, and he has let the White Sox know he wants a four-year deal worth $14 million a year. They want him at about $12.5 million annually. So if they don't think they can re-sign Ordonez, the White Sox could justify paying the three years and $39 million that remain on Jones' contract after this season. Jones is making $12 million this year. The White Sox want sizzle to compete with the Cubs for attention in Chicago, and Jones' reputation as a six-time Gold Glove winner and consistent 34-35 home run hitter has sizzle, even if those who see him every day see his overall performance declining. The Braves need a big bat and clutch hitter, and there aren't many better than Ordonez. He's a .308 career hitter who averaged 32 homers and 118 RBIs the past five seasons, with at least a .380 on-base percentage for three consecutive seasons. He was batting .311 with eight homers and 34 RBIs in 42 games before having arthroscopic knee surgery, and he's expected back in about a week. With the money the Braves could save by trading Jones, they could possibly afford to re-sign Ordonez or J.D. Drew. Ordonez has played almost exclusively in right field, but does have some experience in center. Drew is exceptional in center or right field. Rauch, 25, hasn't developed as the White Sox hoped, but remains a prospect in part because of his extreme height and wing span. He doesn't throw sidearm like 6-10 Randy Johnson of the Diamondbacks, and the arm angles Rausch presents are a unique challenge. He has a 3-2 record and 6.51 ERA in 10 games (eight starts) for the White Sox, two this season and the others in 2002.

Interesting to note is the poll on the AJC link, with 54% of Brave fans wanting a blockbuster trade. Reading from the ATL mlb.com boards, they seem to want Maggs bat more than Jones' D. They seem to think Drew can play CF. And it would free up money to resign Drew next year and get someone else.

I don't if anyone posted this link from ATL http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/b...04/27notes.html I'd have to say yes to a Ortiz + Jones for Rauch and Maggs deal. All things considered, getting a GG CFer like Jones would be hard to pass up. Esp. watching the Sox OF defense for the last few years. Getting an everyday CFer who can: steal a hit or two / keep runners from advancing/ get an outfield assist each game would be huge. The Sox don't have SO pitchers. With the pitching staff the way it is, the Sox need a top defensive CFer who can make plays in left and right center. Even at the expense of some offense lost [Maggs]. Jones may need a fire lit underneath him. Yet he's responded well to Bobby Cox in the past. Ozzie can do the same. Wasn't Ozzie with Jones in ATL? Also, the sox players won't let Jones take plays off. And here, he doesn't have to be THE superstar who carries a team with his bat. Just a guy who carries the team with his glove, and hits for his career avgs [.274, 350 OBP, .500 SLG]. Maggs is a risk this year with his knee. No doubt he'll be a step or two slower when he comes back. He could be lost for the rest of the year and the Sox would get nothing in return. No doubt Maggs will also be slow getting his hitting back as well. We're talking about late July for Maggs to getting back to his customary .300. The biggest reason though--Reed, borchard and Rowand are better corner OFers than Cfers. While they might be avg. Cf'ers. They would be above avg RF'ers. This would be a deal for the future, and to help the Sox win now. My guess is ATL won't trade Ortiz away this early unless a team is willing to take on JOnes' contract

On Baum and Ronsenberg this AM , Levine stated that Moyer would not likely waive his no-trade clause to come to the Sox.

If Jim Fregosi was in town and was watching PK or Rowand this week, he probably liked what he saw

Jones has been playing 3B this week. Hasn't he been hurt this year? Looking at their lineups, 1B and LF are the big open spots for ATL. LaRoche hasn't done anything, Franco is about 60, and now they have Eli Marrero in LF. Rowand or Konerko my guess.

ATL has Paul Bryd back and is getting Ramirez back from injury. ATL is lookign to salvage the season still, by media reports. That means a Sox bat would most likely be involved, not a minor leaguer.

Looking at the ATL message board on mlb.com, they are under the impression that a deal may get done to try and help them salvage the season. That means with major league hitters. 1B and the Of are the big concerns. This link also said that the Braves sent Jim Fregosi to scout the Sox this week. Maybe Rauch. But probably a bat. http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/b...04/26ortiz.html If a deal for Ortiz was done, I wouldn't count out additional moves. Esp. with SS out. And if it involved major league hitters.

If were going on the 48 hour premise, then he would be available. Just throwing out names of guys on teams who should be selling.

Except PK could be had for the same price for 1 1/2 years as Delgado for a 1/2 year. My guess is a RH batter in front of or behind Green would help more than a LH bat. Sweeney from KC would make more sense than Carlos as well.

Toronto should also be packing it in. 31-41, behind TB, 15 GB of the NYY. Holladay wouldn't be available. Maybe Ted Lilly and Miguel Batista though.

Moyer threw in relief because they used up their bullpen by the 15th inning. Seeing what OAk gave up for Dotel Eddie would bring in a king's ransom. Another team is LA. Guillermo Mota's name has come up in trade talk. Maybe for a big bat or a SP. Mota would look sweet in the 'pen, with Damaso and Shingo. PK for Mota anyone? The Sox need another setup guy who could double as a closer if Shingo falls off.

Sea also has to realize that the longer they wait, the less theyll get for their guys. More teams will fall out of contention and make trades. Then the buyers will be fewer. Hopefully the Beltran deal will spur these teams on to tarde their vets.

Colo. and Ariz have no one who does much for me. Except Randy J. but that's not happening.

The most interesting aspect of his tak was the part about flying under the radar, ala the Colon trade. SP and bullpen guys that haven't been widely mentioned as trade targets, with teams that are likely to pack the season in. Newsday reported today that ATL is scouting NYY minor league guys, and that Russ Ortiz may be available. Names that haven't been tossed about that much, but some. Any other ATL pitchers, besides the obvious Smoltz? I've also seen Ben Sheets name in a few papers. Moyer. I can see a bullpen guy gotten first by the Sox. The best will be traded pretty quick. Food for thought