beck72

Here was a blurb about David Murphy back when he was a Red Sox prospect. Sounds like Ryan Sweeney. http://sonsofsamhorn.net/wiki/index.php/David_Murphy Scouting Report Murphy is a tall, athletic left-handed batter with a sweet swing. Pulls a lot of pitches, and displays excellent patience at the plate. Loves the game, and displays good leadership skills. Needs to work on adding more power. Accurate, strong arm. Major-league ready defensive outfielder at all three OF spots. Above average speed for a corner outfielder, perhaps about average for a centerfielder. ~ SoxProspects

QUOTE (Disco72 @ Jul 18, 2009 -> 03:29 PM) So, we're willing to pay Rios more than $11M per year but not Dye? Considering what guys signed for last offseason, Rios' contract is still pretty bad. Not awful, but still well above market value considering his last couple of seasons. I like Rios and think he could be a valuable addition. Ideally he could play CF (I've read mixed reports on this) for a season or two until Danks is ready, then move to a corner spot. Generally, I think KW won't trade for an OFer unless he can get him for a pretty good deal. IMO, KW sees this year as a "win it if you can" but "see what you have" year. If the financial struggles of other teams make good talent available at a discount, then by all means go after it, but don't pay "full price" for guys with over-market value contracts. The sox probably will pick up JD's option for 2010. He should be the primary DH next yr. And play some RF. I don't know if the Sox would pay for Rios. This is all speculation. But the sox might be able to have the Jays pick up some salary for Rios as well if they add solid players in a trade.

David Murphy of the Rangers could be an option. Of course, the sox would have to add someone who helps the Rangers win now, like a bullpen arm. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28582

QUOTE (3E8 @ Jul 18, 2009 -> 03:14 PM) Cody Ross Someone like him. But he's their starter and the Marlins aren't out of it. If the sox traded BA and a bullpen arm...

QUOTE (South Side Fireworks Man @ Jul 18, 2009 -> 03:55 PM) I always thought Rios was a pretty good ballplayer and I didn't think his contract was that outrageous if he could return to form, which I believe he will. However a couple of posters on this board who seem to be pretty knowledgeable tell me he has character issues and doesn't hustle. That kind of cooled me to the idea of the Sox getting Rios. However, if KW and Ozzie think they can handle him, I'd say go for it. I always liked Wells more than Rios. But the difference in salary is the biggest factor. But if the sox can get the Jays to pay salary like they did for Thome, and get the cost down per year to something like $12, 13 mill per, it might be doable [He's owed an avg. of $19.7 mill./ yr; so would they pay $7 mill a yr to the Sox?]. He and Rios have posted similar numbers through the years. The Sox would have to include solid prospects in the deal, in order to get the Jays to pay that much.

I messed up Rios' contract. He's owed like $60 mill over 5 years, not 6. Now, if the Jays can add like $7 mill a yr, to get Wells' contract down to what Rios' is, it wouldn't be the worst deal in the world.

QUOTE (DBAHO @ Jul 18, 2009 -> 02:31 PM) Yeah they guys you've mentioned all have big contracts, or you'd have to give up some premium talent for some. Hence why I suggested Giles is another thread, albeit he is having a terrible year, but his numbers away from PETCO over the years indicate he'd be prime for a bounce back, and well he may get DFA'ed as Lugo was yesterday. As for some other names, I'd inquire about Dan Murphy from the Mets and see if you could buy low on him, although his defense in LF certainly leaves a lot to be desired, and you might need to make him an infielder again. Giles doesn't do much for me. Any OFer should be able to play decent defense, esp for CF.

The Sox can't take the chance to be left with little OF depth before the trade deadline. They need to add an OFer, esp. someone who can play a solid CF, and also be able to play RF or LF. I know Carlos is due back. Best case scenario would him being healthy and playing 5 times a week in LF. With him still not running well, I don't see that happening. Worst case, he gets hurt and misses significant time. Yet I see him taking a lot of time at DH, resting Thome vs. LHP, if he stays healthy. And that's a big IF. The other thing to consider in adding another OFer would be that the sox can keep Dye and Thome fresh [i don't see Konerko getting much of a rest, other than having Fields spell him once a week]. By Thome's comments from last night-'I felt like a kid after getting 4 dyas off'-the sox need to keep their big bats fresh for the 2nd half. Adding another bat who can contribute more than what BA and Wise have, is a must. The sox won't go anywhere with a weakened, worn out middle of the order. If the sox have to start Wise or BA, the other big bats won't get much time off. The question is who to add. It prob. won't be a rental. Someone who can contribute in 2010 and beyond would prob. be best. Alos, the names who'll be FA's after 2009 out there don't really seem to add much to the sox [besides prob. Holliday]. *Alex Rios. He's got a full NTC. His contract is low this yr, [$5.9 mill.] and wouldn't cost the sox much additional cash this year, or a huge boatload of talent, esp. from previous years. A good "buy low" possibility. The questions would be 1] if the sox think Rios is worth the $60 some mill. over the next 6 years, and 2] if the sox could swing a deal. I'd be a fan of this, as Rios can play CF, Pods play LF, CQ could play some RF and DH. *Vernon Wells. He's owed $98.5 mill over the next 5 yrs. No dice unless the Jays paid a ton of that deal. And Wells has a NTC. *David DeJesus. Not a big fan. He's avg. in LF and CF would be horrible. He'd likely cost a lot in terms of talent. But he'd be an improvement over BA and Wise. And he's owed only $4.7 mill. for 2010, with a $6 mill club opt. for 2011. *Matt Holliday. I know the A's are asking for two top prospects. Even with offering him arb [he might not get a deal for more than his $13.5 mill this yr], I don't see him as fit, as he plays LF. Depends on if Fields could be one key guy included. *Mark Teahan. Can only play the corners. Also likely cost a lot in terms of talent. *Juan Pierre. He's still owed $18.5 mill. for the next two years. Having to LFers w/ below avg. arms in the same OF? Not a good prospect. I'm just not seeing a whole lot out there. But the Sox can't keep playing Wise or BA regularly. Even with CQ coming back, an OFer will still need to play a lot to keep Carlos from re-injuring his foot. And to provide insurance in case Pods or Dye get hurt. What other names are out there? Or should the sox add another starting pitcher--someone who takes the pressure off the offense?

This is Kenny Williams' mess. Wise doesn't deserve to start. Neither does BA. But Ozzie has to put someone out there because Williams hasn't given him anyone with the talent to be a starter.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 18, 2009 -> 01:21 AM) It's very possible Webb is a FA this offseason. There's also reports his injury is much more serious than the organization is stating it is. IIRC, AZ has a team option on Webb. Like you said, if he's hurt, they likely will decline his option. Another guy in the same boat [with health concerns] as trade bait could be the Marlins Josh Johnson. He'd be due for a big arb. increase from his $1.5 [?] mill 2009 salary. Though the sox have to be sure he's healthy going forward as well.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Jul 18, 2009 -> 12:29 AM) Throw in Hudson and another SP prospect or a guy like Nathan Jones and maybe we could get Haren. I wouldn't pay that price though. I think that unless we can get an ace for well below his normal trade value we're best off waiting for the offseason to see what teams are looking to dump what players. Assuming he checks out medically, I'd much rather acquire Webb for half that cost or less. I agree on that wholeheartedly. Webb would likely be a target in the offseason. Also, I'd have to think another name or two could be available in the offseason that's not on the radar now. Pitchers are overpriced in terms of talent it would take to acquire them right now.

I'd pass on both. Neither of them would be good fits on the sox, IMO. Instead of Lugo, the Sox at least have Nix who has some upside at little cost. Does Giles still have a NTC? Either way, I'd rather stick with Quentin and see if he can come back. I still would like the sox to trade Dotel for a young OFer [AA, AAA] who could be called up and be a factor should an injury occur. Preferably a LHB.

The sox can probably take on one, new big contract for 2010. Whether that's Rios, who knows. I do like the buy low aspect of him, and middle of the order type hitters are hard to come by. But the sox have to be damn sure he's still worth the big dough. He probably is. But still. That said, it still doesn't address the sox leadoff needs. Though I could see Pods coming back in LF, Rios in CF, Q in RF, with Dye at DH. The sox would have to be sure that one of Beckham /Getz could hit #1, though, in case Pods gets hurt. And the Sox would be counting on Jordan Danks to be able to be a factor in 2010. The sox then couldn't go after Chone Figgins. Yet who's to say the sox would get him [as many other teams should go after him] and sign him at a decent price. They always tend to lose out on FA's who are in high demand. All in all, Figgins is likely to get a contract for not much less than Rios's per year.

The Marlins look like a potential trading partner, who need a closer type like Dotel. One guy who could be a fit for the sox [a LHB, who can play all 3 OF spots, who can play solid defense and has 5 tool potential] is Scott Cousins. He's only hitting .251/.314/.416 in AA. Yet he has hit since being drafted in the 3rd round in 2006. Low A-2007, .292/.358/.480; In High A, 2008, .304/.370/.513. He got in 91 Ab's in AA last year. He might fit in as a "buy low" type with his struggles in AA. He was the Marlins #14 prospect by Baseball America. Here's a write up on him by a Marlins blog. http://floridamarlinsminors.blogspot.com/2...tt-cousins.html I like this quote: “this guy has easy loft power . . . this is Chipper Jones, this is Daryl Strawberry kind of easy-swing loft power. You get some guys that just power balls out with a hack swing, but this guy is loose.” The sox need a few more power LHB's. Esp. ones that can play defense. Baseball America wrote this on him--"He's capable of playing all 3 OF positions with the range for CF and the arm strength and accuracy for RF"

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jul 12, 2009 -> 12:05 PM) Would love to have Endy Chavez type player....just not sure if his bat would hold up as an everyday player. Pierre also comes to mind because of the Marlins connection with Castro and Pierre to Ozzie. The sox have Pierre in the form of Pods. I was thinking someone with upside, a young OF who was another teams top 10 prospect [like Brandon Allen's was the sox' #6] who could possibly be ready by Sept. But that would likely be a factor and ready to contribute in 2010.

Dotel to the Dodgers. Didn't Broxton go to the DL? Get an OF prospect in AA/ AAA who might be more ready than Jordan Danks. The sox could also get a lesser prospect prob. as well. There a lot of teams that can use a guy like Dotel. What the sox should be adding is a guy for the OF who could has speed, can play defense, and potentially be used this year in the bigs. If Jordan Danks can do that, fine.

The sox need to win the series to get an edge on the Twins-plain and simple. They need the next two.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Jul 9, 2009 -> 04:53 PM) Taking on Rios could turn into another JD type of deal where we get a way undervalued player coming off a bad season, although the year JD was coming off with Oakland was his first full healthy season post-injury. IMO, the sox could be more likely to trade for Rios, or Vernon Wells independent of Halladay. Yet even that would be remote.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Jul 9, 2009 -> 04:56 PM) Took me a few days to respond cause I'm just not sure how I feel about this deal. First off, hopefully there was something in his mechanics that Cooper saw that he can fix ala Thornton. As for Allen, I'm not high on him at all but I really think he could have at least been a piece to a bigger deal(not the center piece). Oh well, hopefully we get a new and improved Tony Pena. It's probably more like Kenny and staff saw Pena pitch when he was lights out and had him "in their sights" list, of players to acquire should they come available. Coop probably isn't consulted on trades but can fix something if he sees a guy throw in person. IIRC, that's what Coop had said in some past trades, that he isn't really consulted before a deal goes through.

If Halladay was signed for a few years ala Peavy, I could see the Sox trading for him. But that's not the case. If the Sox are seeking to add an elite SP, that deal is likely coming in the offseason, not this year. With so many teams in dire need of SP, one of those will overpay for Halladay. There's no guarantee that the team that trades for Roy will be able to sign him after 2010. Roy should be able to get a CC Sabathia type deal. I'm not sure of the numbers offhand. But IMO, CC's deal should a benchmark for what Halladay will get.

The sox so far have been a .500 team. Kenny and management should expect the sox to be near the middle in attendance. I don't know if the league numbers have been posted anywhere. But if the Sox had a better record, then I'd expect more people to show up and watch them play.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jul 8, 2009 -> 12:53 PM) Holds is really a flawed stat. The best statistics to use when evaluating reliever performance (especially non-closers) is WHIP and LOB%. With that said, I like Pena a lot. He's got a dynamite arm. Mid 90's fastball and a pretty good slider. He hasn't really reached his full potential yet. But the Sox obviously believe they can max out his potential. And when you look at their track record in these types of cases (Jose Contreras, Matt Thornton, Gavin Floyd), I've got no problem giving them the benefit of the doubt. I know holds alone isn't a good indicator of performance. But taken with K/9, BB/9, BAA-[which, IIRC, he has a career .224], along with WHIP, age, cost, possible ceiling, pitching arsenal, etc, Pena would seem a decent fit for the sox. I have confidence KW and Co. did their homework on Pena [like in other similar deals for pitching] and look forward to him, hopefully, replacing Dotel.

QUOTE (santo=dorf @ Jul 8, 2009 -> 12:34 PM) Holds is the stupidest stat out there. A team with a manager like LaRussa can really rack 'em up. Meaningless or not, if you look at each years top 10, top 15 leaders in holds, there are few names there that are horrible. It's mostly about consistency. A guy who can consistently keep his team in games, by not blowing leads, is valuable. So far, Pena has done that the last 2 years. Few other names have been able to do that on a year in, year out basis. And IIRC, Ariz. uses their relievers like the Sox do, in set roles, not like LaRussa who uses his entire bullpen each day.

On paper, Pena actually looks better than most people give him credit for. Doing a quick search of ESPN stats, in the past two seasons [his 2nd and 3rd full years], Pena is 3rd in MLB holds. Only Scot Shields [62] and Heath Bell [57] have had more holds than Pena [53]. That is more than Okajima [50] and Scott Downs [48]. Not coughing up leads and keeping inherited runners from scoring are key tasks for relievers. I'm not sure what his numbers are for not allowing IR from scoring, but he's done well in protecting leads. Even this year, with the D-backs horrible, he's got 8 holds. Dotel has 10 and Thornton has 12.

QUOTE (WSoxMatt @ Jul 8, 2009 -> 02:40 AM) The '06 draft was a disaster Many of the sox drafts were in the last 10 years