beck72

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jul 4, 2009 -> 02:11 AM) Who would you rather have playing 2B everyday for the remainder of the season, Chris Getz, Juan Uribe (assuming we could get him back) or Jayson Nix? Nice job Wise...it's not like Olivo is famous for having a BAD arm, geez. It's not either, or, or let's get the band back. It probably will be Getz vs RHP, and Nix vs LHP, as long as both hit vs. their splits

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jul 4, 2009 -> 01:51 AM) Why? If Nix has the better OPS against RHP's AND plays significantly better defense at 2B, what's the strongest argument for Chris? So Avg. and OBP aren't important for 2b? You don't include that, why? Because it doesn't fit your argument. Nix has a small sample vs RHP because he looks like Lillibridge vs. them. You can make all your arguments for Nix over Getz. I'll take Ozzie and Kenny's view that Getz has a brighter future going forward, and that is why Getz is still playing over Nix.

I bet Callaspo could be had for cheap tomorrow. That was a real bad mental error.

I can see Nix playing vs. LHP. Get him some favorable match ups vs. them. But he's probably never going to hit like a regular, with career minor league line of .260/. 332/. 415. He's also only hitting .194 with an OBP of .268 vs RHP. Getz, meanwhile, has a better chance of reaching his potential as an everyday player, with a line of .286/.361/.381. in the minors. He's hitting better vs. RHP, .249 with an OBP of .312. Getz should see the majority of time at 2b, with most pitchers being RHP, and Nix playing vs LHP. Over time, both may improve their splits. Until then, play the match ups.

Jose has a place in the rotation if he continues pitching anywhere near the way he's been in his last 5 starts. If the Sox believe Richard has the potential to be as solid as Danks and Floyd, having Jose as the 5th starter makes a ton of sense. Unless the sox make a trade for an elite starter--who would likely be making a boatload of money--I can see the sox keeping Jose around for something like $6 mill. on a 1 yr deal until the young guys like Hudson/ Ely/ Poreda can help.

Awesome job by Jose. He made the 8th look easy, going past the 100 pitch mark.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Jul 1, 2009 -> 06:49 PM) Let's say that JD is dealt. What does our outfield look like? This season and next. I dont see us going into our minor leagues as we dont really have anyone ready to play RF. If Quentin is healthy, he'd play RF. That is his natural position. Then Pods stays in LF. Next year, anyway, the sox could sign Figgins to play CF or LF.

QUOTE (chisoxfan09 @ Jul 1, 2009 -> 06:42 PM) Southsider, I would trade JD for Matt Cain straight up. Not gonna happen but what the heck. May even throw in a AA prospect for SF. Pitcher that is. They can have Omogrosso (AAA). No way. A deal would have to more along the lines of Richard, JD and + for Cain. But Cain isn't likely going anywhere.

QUOTE (Special K @ Jul 1, 2009 -> 01:28 PM) What really bothers me though about this all, is that I think a good majority of us knew Anderson should play over Wise, that MacDougal, Lillibridge, and Broadway had no business on the roster, that Colon is finished, and that Josh Fields is not a starting 3rd baseman. My question is why is it so hard for Guillen to see all this. I know a couple of those guys cost us at least 1 or 2 wins. I know Pods has been a savior that no one and expected and you need to go through a little trial error, but if Guillen/KW realized all these things in the beginning of the year, like I think many people here saw, I think we would be sitting atop the division. Welcome aboard The Sox needed to see what their players could do in the majors, given ample playing time. Instead of overpaying for vets and getting locked into bad deals [Milton Bradley, Gary Matthews Jr, Joe Crede, etc] the sox tried to strike gold with a young guy having a breakout year. What was the likelihood of all those guys doing well? 90-10 against. Yet is cost nothing except maybe a slow start. The Sox missed a few chances to improve. Yet they are sitting in a good position [financially and talent wise] for the rest of 2009 and beyond. I for one wanted the sox to take a flyer on a CFer who was coming off a bad year in 2008, which wouldn't have cost a ton in terms of talent. Michael Bourn was one guy I thought could have been a good fit. I thought he had an upside that was better than Owens, Wise and BA. Yet I couldn't argue with the othe rmoves/ non-moves. Fields was just as good an option as any out there for 3b. It made sense to see what he could do when healthy. Colon was a cheap reclamation project, like most teams took a chance on a few guys becomeing a 5th SP/ 1st option in AAA. Lillibridge was at least a good field/ no hit guy--someone who could be a decent backup. The bullpen guys were no-risk, high reward. Some guys come out of nowhere in the pen and have good years. Now, everybody has a sense of what all those players are about-fans and coaching staff both. That's why, after all is said and done, I'd expect none of those players you listed to be with the sox come Spring training 2010, with two already gone.

This Sox team may make the playoffs, even without their best hitter gone for 2 months and hitting like garbage the month and half he was here. It's a question of making the playoffs and then playing their best ball in October. The sox don't have the talent other teams do. But stranger things have happened. Yet the biggest cause for optimism is the sox young players coming up--both pitchers and position players. In all the key minor league teams [minus AAA, where most AAAA players stay to take up space], the sox are winning. And they have solid prospects on those teams moving up levels. With a solid farm system, a shrewd GM who knows how to get major league talent, a young core to build around, and a decent payroll, the sox are sitting in a position not only to make the playoffs each year, but to contend for titles. The sox have been able to re-make their roster without going through a prolonged stretch of unwatchable, losing baseball. So far, only 2007 was that. The sox also may have added 4 long term players to build around this year--Beckham, Richard, Poreda, Getz, to go along with Danks, Floyd, Quentin, Alexei, Jenks. And Jordan Danks, Allen, Flowers and Viciedo don't look too far away. All in all, I'd rather go into the playoffs with this roster than with last years. The sox are improving their big league club and esp. their minor league teams and talent. Not much more you can ask for.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Jun 30, 2009 -> 06:53 PM) I think it's silly to offer anything guaranteed to Contreras, even if he keeps pitching the way he has been. It's just too much of a risk with his age (there's little doubt, IMO, that he isn't at least 2-3 years younger then the 37 years old he's listed as) and injury concerns. Also, I doubt anyone else would offer him much. If Contreras starts to deteriorate, which is still a possibility, he'll likely have to settle for a spring training invite. So, you don't think a SP who can post the kind of numbers Contreras has in June [29.1 IP, 19 H, 4 BB, 21 SO, 2.15 ERA], provided he posts a near 4.00 ERA the rest of the season, would be worth $5, $6 mill. on the open market? Other teams may be scared off by Jose. Yet the sox know what they can get with him and would probably offer the best deal for him. As far as injury risk goes, Jose made 30 starts in each of his 4 seasons prior to hurting his achilles last year. He'd be a good bet to throw 180 IP, and an ERA near 4.00. Not great. Yet not bad. The alternative--trading for an elite SP--would likely cost a big chunk of the sox top prospects--say 4. Few guys out there fit the Peavy trade mold--an elite SP locked up for 3-4 years. Halladay only would be locked up for a year, and the sox would have to outbid other teams in years and dollars when he hits free agency. That's not what the sox do best. They have only done that with players who have had some loyalty to the org. [MB, PK, Dye, Freddy Garcia--to Ozzie] Would one of the sox prospects be ready around this time next year? Probably. One of Poreda, Hudson, or Ely should be able to help the sox in 2010. Most "aces" are of the home grown variety, unless a team overspends in terms of dollars or talent. The sox probably need to "grow" their own, and the results with Floyd and Danks is pretty good. Not to mention the pitchers the sox have drafted in recent years. Ozzie and Company also seem to think Richard can be a solid SP like Danks and Floyd, who can post a sub 4.00 ERA in 2010. That would probably make Richard the sox #4 SP. And they would then have 3 LHSP's in the rotation. Then the sox should have another RHP in the rotation. Jose, as the #5 starter, would be a good fit, IMO.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 30, 2009 -> 06:27 PM) With Halladay's age (4 years older than Peavy) and the fact that he's only signed for 1.5 more years, you can't offer the same 4 person package you offered for Peavy. They want Richard and Poreda together I'd do that, but they're not getting beyond that. Which probably means...they're not moving him. At least not to us. I'm not moving 2 potentially solid rotation guys for a guy who's only a 1.5 year signee at age 32. You're right that the sox probably wouldn't offer the same deal they did for Peavy. Halladay's age and contract wouldn't be worth the loss of talent.

QUOTE (chisoxfan09 @ Jun 30, 2009 -> 05:44 PM) Beck, but who do we offer? One of Poreda/Richard and then?? I am thinking one more prospect than was offered for Peavy. Need to look at what the Blue Jay s would need and match up wth them. But they are not in slary dumping mode yet and not in dire straits like SD. All I can say is that from what I have read Doc Halliday really is about team and wants a competitive environment and the chance for a ring more than anything a fat contract can offer. I just read a story that quotes their GM as working on offering an extension this off season so the jury is out on whether KW will even approach Toronto about Doc. But the writing is on the wall as far as the AL East is concerned. Don't see the Jays as more than 4th place finishers as long as the Yankees/BoSox have money and the Rays build their team via the farm system. Have a look: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9748020...ut-will-he-stay Toronto has a $80 mill payroll this year and $81 million committed for 2010, not even taking into account increases due to arbitration players. They are in dire straits. For them to compete, the Blue jays should use the Tampa Rays model-that means developing young players through the draft, trades, etc.

I think the Sox would do very well with what they have in house for 2010. Is Contreras ready for a 1 year deal, with a team option for 2011? I think so. If he continues pitching the way he has since coming back from AAA, he sticks with the sox in 2010. But the question is, would another team take what the sox offered for Jake Peavy? Probably. Yet it's hard to see who would be available. Finances come into play a lot. Toronto has to unload salary. Yet both Wells and Rios have full no trade clauses for 2009 and 2010. As much as Toronto say they want to keep Roy, I don't see how they do it financially. If the Sox have the same deal on the table for Halladay, that they did for Peavy, IMO, Toronto bites on it.

The sox will keep Pods around for 2009. They can offer him arb. and see if he accepts [which he probably won't, as other team may offer him a better deal] and then get a pick for him. Thornton shouldn't be moved either. Gobble and Poreda aren't ready to be the main guy for the 8th inning. But a guy like Dotel could and should, as the sox won't offer him arb. and they have young guys who can take his place. I could see Brian Anderson moved, esp. when/ if Carlos comes back [as Pods goes to CF]. If Wise continues hitting, he'll be the 4th OFer, with Norris Hopper and Danks in reserve in AAA and AA respectively. I really don't expect the sox to make any moves by the deadline. Other teams want too much young talent for even marginal vets. With Quentin due back, his bat would be huge pickup, far better than any deal that could be made. Of course, this all depends on how the sox play in July. If they're far back, I could see a few moves made that include Dye, Dotel, and Pods.

Overall, I'm optimistic. The hitting is coming around. But even in June, only 3 guys have been hitting over their norms--Dye, Pods and Alexei. Thome [hitting .204], Konerko, Beckham, Getz are all hitting under .250. And the Wise/ Anderson combo are both under .200. Having Quentin back in LF could be a big lift, with Wise/ BA both playing lesser roles, and Pods taking over in CF. The pitching has been holding up, with a 3.44 overall ERA for June. Contreras, Floyd and Danks have been on fire. They no doubt will cool off a bit. The sox need Richard to give them quality starts or find someone who will. The bullpen hasn't blown many games, though they have been struggling lately. At least the sox have options in the minors in guys like Link, Rodriguez, Carlos Torres [who could start, esp. if Richard doesn't get his act together], and Poreda looks ready to take on a larger role in the 7th and 8th innings.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Jun 22, 2009 -> 03:22 PM) He helped win a game or two and that's important. If he is going to be a part of this team then obviously he needs to produce and he did. I don't see him as more than the 4th or 5th outfielder, but regrdless when he plays he needs to step up. I believe he was rushed back from injury rehab and that was keeping him from doing well. I think Wise's lack of production and basically looking overmatched is what got most people annoyed about him being on the sox roster. Yet it could be directly attributed to being not ready because of his injury. Wise has got a spot on the roster as a 4th/ 5th OFer if he can hit .250 + and give the sox some defense, stolen bases, and decent situational hitting [sac. bunts, making contact, moving runners over, etc]. He wasn't doing that before. He is now. Good for him, and better, good for the sox.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 28, 2009 -> 02:04 AM) Frankly if it hadn't been for inning 9 I'd be saying we should bench both Beckham and Alexei tomorrow for their defense this game. At least one has only played their position in the majors-he's got an excuse

QUOTE (BearSox @ Jun 27, 2009 -> 06:51 PM) I'd love to get Morgan. He might not have the plate discipline or consistent hitting ability to play everyday, but he can play a good LF or CF, is extremely fast, and when he is hitting, he uses the whole field well. In fact, he'd be our best option in CF right now anyway. The pitcher the Pirates asked for from the Nats, in addition to Milledge, Craig Stammen, seemed along the lines of McCulloch. The sox would seem to be able to strike a deal like that without much problem.

QUOTE (YASNY @ Jun 27, 2009 -> 02:13 PM) BA has been given the opportunity and if he doesn't step up, he'll be on the Nats or Padres or whoever. When I saw on MLB trade rumors that the Pirates and Nats were talking about a Nyjer Morgan for Lastings Milledge swap, I was thinking about Brian Anderson and McCulloch for Morgan. I know Morgan maybe isn't a starter on a playoff team. Yet he'd be a good option if Pods got hurt.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Jun 27, 2009 -> 05:16 PM) Clayton should be able to become a solid back of the rotation starter. Nothing special, but there's nothing wrong with having a young, cheap, solid left handed starter at the back of your rotation. Getting him to be a solid SP is key. then they could move him if a guy from the minors is ready

QUOTE (Markbilliards @ Jun 27, 2009 -> 04:03 PM) Do you think it could be bad if we had 4 lefties in the rotation? If we had Buehrle, Danks, Richard, and Poreda.... I doubt it. But if they could all get outs, and not have big splits between LHB and RHB, why not.

QUOTE (Cali @ Jun 27, 2009 -> 04:04 PM) Ugh.... Poreda = The Future Richard = Middle Relief I'd be happy if one of the two at least becomes part of the rotation. Then the sox only need 1 more arm for the rotation.

QUOTE (Lemon_44 @ Jun 27, 2009 -> 03:53 PM) i like what i've seen out of Richard. I think he can be a legit #2 or #3 starter down the road. He's like alot of young pitchers that will throw 4 good innings and then get dinged. He'll start making the adjustments as he gets more experience. The rotation is looking like a strength for the coming years as these guys continue to mature. I'm thinking he'll be more of a 4 or 5th SP myself. I just don't think his stuff is that outstanding, unless one of his breaking pitches improves or he learns a new pitch--like Danks learned the cutter.

QUOTE (YASNY @ Jun 27, 2009 -> 02:53 PM) Yep, I agree. That's one of the reasons I think Ozzie's a good manager. He looks at the long term and manages accordingly. He gives players-esp. vets- plenty of time to make the changes [be they personal or professional]. If they can't, then Ozzie knows its time to go to Kenny and make a move. I look at Javy as a prime example. Swisher, too. Swisher was given plenty of rope-probably too much. Cabrera as well. I know people may disagree about his handling of Anderson, prior to this year. But anderson even agreed he made some changes to his approach to the game. This year, BA has been given every opportunity to prove he's an everyday player. I don't know if he's made the sale, at least for the sox who need a bit more from him than he's showed.