beck72

If a guy isn't on the Sox 40 man, how does that limit the Sox options? I guess someone could be added with the 1 spot open. Or could someone be dropped?

The Sox pen [and rotation for that matter] lacks strikeout pitchers with decent control. Sox pitchers are near last in K/ 9IP and BB/ 9IP among the top AL teams. In the playoff type, close games [when facing the best hitters in the league-patient, selective, etc], set up guys who can strike hitters out rather than have them put the ball in play are needed instead. The best bullpens have these type of guys. Look at Shingo and Marte for the Sox. That's why I'm asking not just about low ERA guys. But about high K and low BB guys in the minors. Santiago might be a decent choice if Jackson or Adkins go down. But not as a Politte type replacement.

Santiago is another Mike Jackson though, a softer thrower, a GB guy rather than a K pitcher.

I know Gary M. has been around a while. How's he been doing in Charlotte?

I listen to B+B pretty regularly and I don't see what Hawk is upset about. I haven't heard them bash the Sox or anyone related to the Sox organization lately. In fact, they interviewed K Will during spring and it lasted for over 30 minutes. In no way are these two guys like Mariotti. I think they're pretty fair in their criticisms overall. In fact, they are far more critical of the Cubs, and say how things really are about them.

While I like Cliff Politte's stuff, his control and location has been less than stellar. If Cliff doesn't turn it around soon, someone could be called up from AAA or AA, not as the 8th inning guy-Shingo has that not-but as a 6th or 7th inning guy. My question is, who in AAA has 'Politte' type stuff to help the Sox, minus the control issues? [hard throwing, RHP, good control, gets a good share of strikeouts] Could any guys in AA like Bajenaru, Josh Fields, or Matt Smith be ready to make the jump?

I agree, a 5th starter is needed. Just because I'm not sold on Hernandez doesn't mean I don't recognize the need. Livian has a 3 yr contract worth something like $24 mill. As he's pitched a ton of innings, and who knows his real age, he could break down any day. I'd rather the Sox get a one year rental, or tops a guy with a two year contract.

No on Livian. If Livian hadn't signed for three years, maybe. If he were a 1 year rental like Garcia then yes. The risk is too great on a guy the Sox haven't seen pitch or been part of the clubhouse. They could get stuck with a big salary for 2 more years on an unknown. No thanks.

I agree. Kelly can be replaced by Cotts. Adkins would still be needed for long relief. Politte will stick around because he throws heat from the right side [at least until he can no longer get people out] A possible replacement--Bajenaru [both are similar type pitchers]

Maybe Mulder takes the guys out to his favorite Chi-town spots.

The more Sea. waits, the more time an injury could occur that would completely wipe out a chance at landing a big bat [say an injury to one of their SP, an injury to a Sox player, etc]. Not to mention one poor outing by Garcia could blow up his ERA past 4.00, and lessen his value. That's why when some people say a trade can't be made in May or early June, the normal rules don't apply here. Espec. as SEA, is a team that's completely floundering and could use a shakeup. And with a trade of only Garcia, Sea. wouldn't be writing off the season. They could call up PCL pitcher of the Week Travis Blackley, call up a high performing AAA guy like CF Jamal Strong, and land a big bat, their season might not be over. By July if they tank, then they could trade away vets for prospects.

My thinking exactly. Interestingly enough, the other teams mentioned as possible trading partners, can't realistically offer Sea. any young players in their prime. The sox have two [Pk and Lee]. The Cubs won't trade Patterson or Ramirez, the only two guys that qualify. Boston and NY have senior citizens. Clev? Why would they get a 1 year rental like Garcia? Plus, they have starting pitching. It's their bullpen that needs help. I'm not sure about the contract situations for the other Sea. SP's. Moyer I think has 1 year left. Sea. will probably ask for the moon, like Minaya did with Montreal for Colon. More than likely, they'll have to settle for far less.

Didn't the Sox skip Diaz' last start and had him throw out of the bullpen for an inning or so before he was called up? I'd say Rauch should be throwing a few innings in the bullpen in Char. this week to be strong for Sat.

True, guys like Guardado, or Boone [under contract for more than a year] could bring in twice what Garcia could get in return. Yet at the deadline, a contending team would give just prospects. That's to win for the future. the M's want to be competitive right away.

A key thing for the M's is, if they want to get young position players in their prime, the only way to do so would be to trade their pitching. The M's may if the deal was right. More likely though, the M's will trade their older guys and a guy like Garcia in his walk year, to address their needs. Thereby saving their yong pitching. But teams that will be "buying" will want to give prospects for an Olerud, Boone or Edgar. Not guys in their prime. Next year, they can pinpoint a FA or two to fill other holes.

From today's Seattle Post- Intelligencer, lists the Sox as one of the top possible trade partners. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/174879_mari25.html Much of what has been talked about regarding the M's is in here--they want young position players in their prime, not prospects; want to field a competitive team; money isn't an overriding concern w/ their revenue besides ticket sales; have a lot of AAA pitching ready for the majors. It's hard to see how the other teams match up with the M's, like the Cubs, NYY, Bos. One thing is they want defense. Though they can't expect one or two trade to cover all their needs. We'll see.

In "Waiting it out", I mean getting a top of the rotation starter. A serviceable 5th starter is probably out there to help ASAP, such as a Paul Abbott, and wouldn't cost much in terms of talent. But they may not be any better than Rauch, Munoz or Grilli. The 5th starters spot is a concern and should be solved for the short term. But a big deal like Lee for Garcia, could favor the Sox as our backs aren't against the wall. The Sox are sitting in decent position, with few injuries and glaring holes relative to other teams A team that is struggling with an under .500 record, but had hopes to make the playoffs, such as Sea, Tor, KC., are more desperate to make a trade now than a team like the Sox. Those teams are looking at a lost season, with no postseason hopes if things don't turn around quickly

I agree, the market tilts in the Sox favor. The market also was off when the Sox acquired Colon. Everyone thought that Mon. would be asking for the moon. Yet they were stuck with a contract they couldn't afford. The same market exists for Sea. They'll still want to compete this year and next. They have other SP's in AAA to plug in with a Garcia trade. But no other sluggers are on the market that could fit their needs [a young RBI guy]. No team will trade a potential or existing 30 HR 100 RBI guy to Sea for a 1 year rental. The Sox can without being hurt. Sea. can't wait two more months to make a move. The Sox can.

Rumors really don't carry much weight with me. Esp those that talk about alleged criminal activity without any proof. Tags such as "lazy", "volatile", are also unfair. I've said before, if acquiring Garcia is alright w/ Ozzie [which I'm sure he has an opinion to offer KW] that's good enough for me. You can throw those labels and rumors in the trash [where hopefully they belong] because Ozzie doesn't want anyone messing w/ his team, and anyone to mess with his success as a manager. The other baggage about pitching splits is overblown. His career home era is 3.76, away 4.07. Home BAA- .244, Away BAA-.255. 59 HR's allowed at home, 56 allowed away. Garcia hasn't exactly "padded" his numbers at home and been horrible on the road.

Saying you know about a pro players "baggage", though nothing can be pointed to, such as an arrest or conviction, is idle speculation and in poor taste. And, you underrate the talent the Sox have. Esp. as 3 of the 4 Sox minor league team has an over .500 record. [and the other one is close]

Even Randy Johnson in his prime didn't that high of a return. History has shown the market to be for guys in their walk year to be a top prospect, and two lesser prospects, give or take. Considering Carlos Lee would be considered a "top prospect +", the Sox would be able to swing a deal with Carlos + a prospect. [That's if the M's would want Lee, a big if. Considering they need some young RBI guys, and don't have them in their system, why not]. Like you said, the M's fans won't tolerate a Clev. type rebuilding. I see Lee fitting in at LF or DH. [He'd be a nice DH for a team willing to spend cash].

Lee could justify his $6 mill salary this yr and $9 mill next yr on a team in need of a slugger. Some team who can let him swing for the fences no matter the count, who will swing at ball four. A team like Sea. isn't going to completely rebuild. The 3 mill + fans won't stand for a complete rebuilding. They need to get younger, w/ Edgar, Olerud about to start collecting social security. Lee has talent. Just not with the baseball smarts the Sox need.

Keep in mind, Neal Cotts would likely come into spring training in 2005 with the best shot to make the rotation. Whoever is acquired likely won't be around for 2005. [Only if he's an upgrade over Loaiza, and throws from the right side.]

Without moving a salary, the SP the Sox need won't be coming. [A top of the rotation guy] That key LH bat also won't see time in Chi. without a trade of a big bat. The question then becomes which bat [and glove, intangibles, etc] is most expendable? It has to be Carlos. The Sox have many options at LF. Borchard, Reed, Gload, Perez, Rowand all can move around between CF and LF based on who is hot. [Though a decision would be made on Joe B or Reed coming up to replace Lee] Lee has talent. Yet the Sox have Frank, Maggs, Pk, and Crede who can do much of what Carlos gives the Sox. Lee just can't justify a $9 mill salary next year. His staying means Maggs likely would be going. Moving Carlos makes a SP attainable. And allows the Sox to make their lineup more versatile. Maybe a Frank Catalanotto could be acquired in July to balance the lineup if in house options don't pan out. But without moving salary or a spot in the lineup, the changes most fans want won't be coming

The Sox seem to like having balance in their rotation [different looks, RH, LH, different styles] What's missing in the rotation is a RHP who can throw some heat, ala Colon. Glavine [even if available, unlikely because with a .500 Mets record, with guys out and now coming back, they'll still think they can get to a world series] would give the Sox three, LH finesse pitchers. Even if the Sox can't get a #1, 2 or 3 now, [difficult at best to pull something like this off] they might be better off getting a serviceable #5 veteran now to give some innings. But even those guys will come with a decent price tag in terms of talent. Then in July a top of the rotation guy might become available.