beck72

Knowing this, would you put Uribe in as part of a deal for Mulder?

I could see the A's wanting Juan Uribe as part of a package for Mulder. Cheap and young. Forget prospects. Though I think Uribe's upside is huge, if something could happen to acquire Mulder then the Sox should think about it. Uribe cetainly won't hit .350 forever.

What would an opposing teams' Scouting Report say about you and the pitches you throw? Scott Illinois

He'd come cheaper than Garcia as far as prospects are concerned. But three LHP's in the rotation who have similar stuff doesn't make much sense. A RHP like Garcia, who can go deep in games and get a lot of K's, makes much more sense even if the Sox have to overpay. But whatever salary comes with the SP, another Sox salary would have to go.

I think someone said ESPN had the M's asking for more than Lee. Joe B, fine. But no Honel.

I don't think the M's are in sell off mode just yet. There's probably time to turn things around for them. But they don't have a month or two to wait to get back to .500 so a deal soon [involving someone at least] should happen. There are few teams who could or would trade a quality hitter like C Lee at this point in the season. The sox are one of them though. Even cellar dwellars aren't making trades yet. That is why is trades are being talked about this early, the Sox have the pieces that Sea. may want and need. Getting Garcia would be more of a luxury for the Sox at this point. Having Diaz as an insurance policy in case someone goes down, instead of inserting him in the 5th spot, would be the ideal.

How so? Seattle is the team in last place and in need of a big jolt, not the Sox.

I don't think they'd take Lee straight up. He's owed $9 mill next year. Seattle's been burned by bad contracts [Cirillo, then taking on Jarvis in the trade]. I agree Honel is too much. But if they're talking about taking an injured AA pitcher, they don't want someone ready for 2 years or so. Something definitely could get done here. If Ozzie is friends with Garcia, he should know whether Garcia has his head and his stuff on right [and Williams has his scouts on board saying Garcia is the real deal this year] he's a 27 year old ace, a RH SP who gets a lot of K's, and goes deep in games. Just what the Sox need in the rotation. If Garcia has a good year, he could be resigned for a 3 yr deal at $6. 7 mill per. With Lee's $9 mill off the payroll, there's his salary.

Is that what ESPN said? If Sea would take Rauch instead of Honel I'd do it.

Both Lee and/ or Konerko are replaceable if the sox get strong pitching in return. These guys are one-dimensional-they hit from the right side. When they don't hit, their salaries are a huge burden on the Sox organization. The Sox would replace either of them with mulitfaceted players. Look at how highly Ozzie speaks of Ross Gload. Guys like Encarnacion and Jeff Conine from the Marlins weren't big names. But they got the job done last year. The biggest thing about Ozzie ball is having players who aren't pretty but get the job done. Guys like Conine are all around the league if young guys [such as Reed or Rowand, or Gload] can't play Ozzieball [such as 1 year signees like Catalanotto from the Jays].

Does anyone get ESPN insider? The main baseball page on "Rumors" had Johnson and Garcia as names of guys coming up in trade talks. I'm wondering what these teams are looking for in exchange. Sea. needs big bats and RBI guys, as they have strong pitching in the minors. Arizona? Who knows? Both teams could possibly still contend, though Johnson leaving would leave a big hole. That would probably mean they'd want major leaguers rather than just prospects. Either of these two guys would be HUGE additions. Garcia is more practical, with his $6 mill salary, and close ties to Ozzie that could lead him to resign with the Sox. Carlos Lee and/ or Paul Konerko would have to be a part of any deal, with their big salaries for the Sox to fit either guy in this year though. That's something I could live with.

Trade Konerko [possibly to LA, maybe a salary swap for Jeff Weaver to free up space. [Weaver is owed $15.5 mill over next two years, PK owed $16.75; LA could put Green back in RF; Dave Roberts blew out his hammy and is on the DL, the same one he hurt last year. My guess is LA plans on getting by without him, esp. with Bradley in CF. Ventura is at 1B now. PK could platoon w/ him at worst] Frank can play 1B, along with Ross Gload, or Jeremy Reed. Reed could get regular time at 1B [his spot his first 2 years in college, his Jr, year he played OF] to see if he can hit in the bigs. If he hits, it makes Lee tradeable for a possible ace by the trading deadline. Players can rotate in the DH spot, with Valentin seeing the majority of time there, along with Lee. While Weaver may never regain his Det. form, he could be a solid #5. He's always had success vs. the AL Central. A steady diet of Central teams may be what he needs. The key is the Sox have too many power hitting RH, who can't hit an off speed pitch. If every pitcher threw a 2-0 fastball to PK, he'd be in the HOF. Moving PK is the first step toward retooling the Sox lineup, giving them flexibility to move guys around who aren't so one-dimensional as PK.

No Griffey. The Sox need .300 hitters who can make contact vs. RHP, Lh or RH hitters and pitching. Lots of pitching.

I wouldn't want Lee traded if the Sox couldn't resign Maggs. But both of them are corner OFers [the most replaceable positions on the field]. A cheap FA guy could be signed on the offseason who could do the job if Reed or other prospects weren't up for the job If Lee was traded and if Maggs decided to bolt for a few extra bucks, it wouldn't be the end of the world. The fact that Uribe looks like the future SS, and Harris looks like he could do the job at 2B as well, [2 big question marks before the season began] makes a corner OF, DH guy like Lee replaceable.

I agree, the pitch isn't necessarily the problem. It's the location of the pitch more than anything. Cotts' change was belt high and over the plate when Sandy was set up low and inside

Santiago is a guy like Mike Jackson, a GB pitcher. It looks like he's going more than an inning at a time, in 10 games over 19 IP. Politte is a late inning guy. Santiago is a middle relief man, and would probably only come up if Adkins, Jackson or Takatsu went south or got hurt.

Pinero signed a new 3 yr deal this offseason for $14.5 mill. Sounds like he's part of their long term plans even with his struggles this year.

I haven't read the article. But my guess is bringing in a new CF without trading anyone would be shot down. If Winn was included in the deal, he wouldn't necessarily play CF. His best position is supposed to be LF.

Sea. isn't going to write off the season now. They need to do something to shake up their team before it's too late. They can't score runs. That's why I put Rowand in the deal. He's a great 4th OFer, with some pop which a lot of teams would like to have. On the Sox, that would be a demotion for him, something that wouldn't sit well if Reed came in and took his job. I'd put Borchard instead of Rowand. But no team would see Joe B as a guy capable of stepping right in and contributing like Rowand. Sea could see Lee as a building block for the future and to help them win now. This year in LF, the future as a DH for when Martinez retires. Sea. may view Garcia as someone on a hot streak now who will cool off, and who won't be around next year anyway. If they have guys ready in AAA, which I think they have 4 or 5 solid guys in their rotation who could help them this year, why not. The Sox could add Wunsch to the deal for their bullpen.

Looking at Winn, he's a switch hitter, though he hits better from the right side [a .320 avg compared to a .270 avg over the last 3 years] He also signed a 2 year deal in Dec. ala Lee. [both sides showing buyers remorse?] Winn was moved to CF and may not be cut out for the spacious CF in Safeco. But a winn and Reed OF would be an upgrade over Lee and Rowand defensively. Winn also offers speed [23 SB last year and 27 in '02; hits for avg- .295 in '03 and .298 in '02. He's more of a doubles and ground ball hitter- had 37 -2B in' 03 and 39 in '02. Winn also can bunt and sacrifice. Winn's OBP was .346 and .360 the last 2 years While Winn's not the big addition, the key is landing Garcia. Winn is serviceable and seems to be a versatile fit on the Sox.

The M's are stocked w/ SP in AAA. That could make Garcia expendable. The M's are definitely lacking RBI guys-esp. in the OF. Paulie could play 1st and DH. Borchard could provide some pop off the bench, with good speed for their OF. A decision on Wunsch needs to be made by this Sun about his status. The M's could use him. I'm sure the M's would love to release Winn. [or maybe eat some of his contract] Winn may be better suited for Ozzie ball than Lee. And the Sox would get a potential #1 or #2 pitcher. Maybe a Rowand and Lee deal for Garcia and Winn. Rowand would be the 4th OFer and Lee in LF. Ichiro would move to CF and Ibanez to RF. The Sox would still have a versatile OFer in Winn and open a spot for Reed in LF or CF. Willie Harris could still play some CF, as Winn bats RH. The deal could be adjusted, with some prospects for the Sox and cash to offset Winn's $3 mill salary. But with those 4 principle players, its doable. Sea may think Lee is someone to build around. He could be for them, in LF or at DH. But the Sox can't afford Lee and Maggs next year. I'd keep Maggs in a heartbeat over Lee's $9 mill next year.

I'm not sure. But Munoz could also eventually be used like Cotts is now, in multiple bullpen roles. Personally, I'd try him in the vacant 5th starters spot. With Kelly Wunsch sitting in AAA, knowing if Munoz can help this year or not would clear up the Kelly situation. As Ozzie likes Cotts in the 'pen [knowing cotts could be a SP], Munoz could have a shot on the next 5th starters spot. Then the Sox could see if he can throw strikes and get people out. Though Felix Diaz looks like the best bet to try as the 5th starter, the Sox have to make a decision on Kelly. Better to know now if Munoz has a future and present on the Sox.

I'd be more concerned if Marte showed a drastic drop off from where he was the last few years. Except for opening day and yesterday's pitch to Delgado, Marte still has filthy stuff. His BB's are a concern [and his reactions to missing the strike zone]. He has looked uncomfortable at times, frustrated at not hitting his spots, etc. Yet it's early. He should come around and get in a nice groove.

I agree. Adkins would be the most likely guy sent down. Maybe he could get a chance in the closer's role at AAA.

It looks like Danny is being given a fair shot this year. Is today going to be his 4th start? I say 5, 6 starts tops and the Sox should know if Danny is OK for the 5th spot. Danny will be on a regular schedule in these next starts. Ozzie and the staff want Danny to have no excuses.