beck72

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jul 25, 2008 -> 05:38 AM) Keith Law mentioned today that he thinks Beckham projects well as a SS and will be good enough to keep Alexei at 2B. He would be more valuable at SS potentially. Seeing how Beckham won't be ready for a few years, he would likely come up through the minors as a SS. At he could be moved to 3b for a 1/2 a minor league season if Alexei was tearing it up at SS

If the talk is true, I give Kenny credit for trying to land a guy like Halladay. Yet I don't see it happening. Toronto doesn't have to move him and they could do it in the offseason where they'd get more value. But I still would like an arm like Duch for about half the price of what would likely be offered for Halladay [ie a package w/o Floyd.--like Fields and Poreda]

Peavy has a complete no-trade clause for 08, 09 and '10.

IMO, only a few names jump out that could even remotely be possible--Halladay, Tim Hudson, Jake Peavy, and Felix Hernandez. And Peavy and Fernandez wouldn't be possible. Seattle has so many holes, though, that they would need a blockbuster trade to fill them all. The Pad's? Don't know. I know they're pretty tight with the money and going younger/ inexpensive might be appealing.

Roy Halladay would be a name. Move Rolen to DH, plug Fields at 3b....Not sure what Roy's contract info is. Here it is: And he's due for a big raise in 09 and '10. 4-year deal- will make 6M in 2004, 10.5M in 2005, 12.7M in 2006 and 12.8M in 2007- + bonuses he has earned: 75K for 2005 All-Star selection- + later signed 3-year EXTENSION worth 40M thru 2010 season on 3/16/06- + he receives salaries of 10M in 2008, 14.25M in 2009 and 15.75M in 2010 Agent: Greg Landry (SFX)

"Pitching -- the Sox' major strength most of the year -- is suddenly below average, with a 3-3 record and 6.34 ERA by the starting staff in their last nine games before Friday. Williams is said to be willing to part with a package that would include Fields and right-hander Gavin Floyd for a big-name starter." http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/wh...soxnt26.article I guess I'd have to see what SP the sox would get for a package of Floyd and Fields. I'm not sure what names are out there. Unless the guy is locked up for a few years, at a relatively decent salary, I don't see it. I know Floyd has struggled of late, and may for the 2nd half, as he hasn't thrown an entire year in the majors. But that would seem a bit extreme. If it's true KW is looking at moving Floyd, Kenny must think Floyd is another "Brandon McCarthy" who may be decent but not likely to have a dominating career.

QUOTE (ChiCard @ Jul 25, 2008 -> 03:08 AM) I might be off the beam here but don't forget Beckham. If we trade Fields maybe the plan is to have Beckham play 3rd base or leave AR at 2nd with Beckham staying at SS. I'd have to think Beckham becomes our #1 prospect as soon as he signs. Welcome aboard. Yeah, Beckham should be the sox #1 prospect. And moving him to 3b is a good plan. Yet he won't be ready til at least 2010.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Jul 25, 2008 -> 03:03 AM) I'd be very weary of giving Duch any sort of extension before the 2009 trade deadline but it's good to have that option appear open. And Jose is without trade protection for the remainder of his contract. He can be dealt at will. Unless the sox can get something done in the next day or two, it would be hard for them to deal Jose for anything useful. Even though getting salary relief may be just as important.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Jul 25, 2008 -> 03:48 AM) Coming into this season Duchscherer had a service number of 4.051 which means he'll be up over 5 this year and assuming he doesn't spend up much time in the minors next year he'll be a free agent after the 2009 season. So at minimum he'd be under White Sox control for 8 months. From that article I linked, it sounds like Duch wants some security with a deal. He should be easy to sign if they dealt for him. BTW, Does Jose have a no-trade for 2008? Or did that expire?

IMO, Duch should be the #1 target, if the price is right. If it's Poreda and Fields +, that would be fine w/ me. Duch is having an awesome year, has gone 8 straight starts of 7 innings, including 8 innings of 1 hit ball vs. the Red Sox, wants to sign a long term deal, and at minimum be around for 2 more years.

From this article, it sounds like Duch would be in for a big increase in salary from his $1.2 mill salary. That sounds like Beane about to trade a player before he gets expensive. The A's would likely get the most now for him. If they kept him for the rest of 2008 and he dropped off, teams would be leery of giving up a lot for him. A Fields and Poreda deal would have to be tempting to the A's. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...d=rss.athletics My question is, can they trade/ unload Jose C? My guess is yes.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 24, 2008 -> 12:49 AM) Here's what Buster Olney had to say: Huston Street, Athletics, RHP: Rival talent evaluators are concerned about his diminished speed, arm angle and ability to cope with left-handed hitters -- lefties are batting .257 against him, but with five homers in 70 at-bats. Oakland wants a decent return for him and, unless the Athletics get it, they'll be inclined to keep him until the winter in the hope of getting better return in the offseason. Sounds like its down a little more than you think. this is where I saw the dip in MPH. from Tim Dierkes: "Street is not at peak value right now, with eight hits and four runs allowed in his last three appearances. His average fastball velocity is down to 89.7 mph this year from 90.4 last year. Strikeouts are down, walks and home runs are up. He's dealt with a groin strain this season and ulnar nerve irritation last year. Street is under team control through 2010." http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/07/dodgers-scoutin.html

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 24, 2008 -> 12:02 AM) I read somewhere where Street's last outing raised a lot of red flags. He blew his 5th save, his velocity was down, and I guess his arm angle was lower than usual suggesting a possible injury. I read it somewhere as well. His velocity was down to something like 89.5 mph from 90.1 mph.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 21, 2008 -> 05:32 PM) Why do people keep asserting that the team will not be competitive in year x? First of all, we're still sitting on Trader Kenny as our GM, so our team will almost certainly look nothing like it currently does in 2 years.. Secondly, we'll have cleared a hell of a lot of salary space 2 years from now with Jose, Konerko, Thome, Dye, AJ, Dotel, Crede, Cabrera, and Javy all off the books. But we'll still be sitting on Danks, Floyd, Buehrle, Fields, Alexei, Richar, Quentin, Swisher, Anderson, and whoever else from the minors we can develop in to something useful. That's probably as good of a position to be in as any team other than Arizona and Tampa bay has, where they're competitive now but are doing so with a decent number of young guys already in. Third...people insisted until they were blue in the face that we wouldn't have a shot this year and it was a rebuilding year. Then suddenly Danks and Floyd pitched up to their potential and now we're hoping we can beat the Twins this year and we've pushed the year people are writing off 2 years down the road. Well said. The sox have some young talent to build around--both arms and position players. And as long as KW doesn't get too sentimental about some vets and hold onto them too long, the sox can turn over their roster and remain competitive year in and year out.

I think Crede is the only position player who could be moved this year, that doesn't hurt the sox chances of winning. Though the sox would have to get a better deal than what the "B" picks from free agency would bring. I still don't see Crede moving, because I don't see a nice return via trade for him from another team. Fields isn't much of a drop off from Joe. Moving PK would be a drop off from whomever the sox could put in the OF to replace Swisher. But this aging lineup of over 30 year olds scares me. PK, Dye, AJ, Crede, Thome, OC--Ozzie needs some help from the bench which is pretty sad.

Call me crazy, but I wouldn't be upset with a Joe Crede trade that helped the sox get younger, or helped their pitching, and allowed Fields to come up. Fields shouldn't be traded. The sox have too many guys in their 30's and need to get younger. If Crede could bring back a decent return, I wouldn't be upset. Especially the way Crede has been playing defense. And with what his asking price will probably be as a FA.

If the sox traded for a guy like Street, he'd help solidify the bullpen for the next 3 years [iIRC]. We've all seen how difficult it is to build a bullpen. With the sox saving money on having Floyd and Danks in the rotation, they can afford to pay their bullpen guys more. Even to the point of having Street as set up. It depends on who the A's asking for. Fields would be at his lowest value, due to being hurt. IMO, he should be kept and will probably be at 3B next year. Young arms are more likely, due to their inconsistency and unpredictability. The sox haven't had any arms they traded come back and haunt them.

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Jul 20, 2008 -> 02:24 PM) I know its a mistype and all, but its still funny to read Street would be a nice setup guy, and also a great fill-in if Jenks has any recurrances. However, Beane is loading up right now and I am pretty sure he is going to get what he wants in regards to prospects. Mistype whaddya mean?! Beane hasn't seemed to get as much as he should have in regards to his latest deals. Maybe he's being very selective. But the haul in terms of prospects hasn't seemed that great for what he's given up.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writ...ml?eref=writers If Street is on the block, it makes a lot of sense for the Sox to get him. Though the price would be high, the bullpen needs to be a strength for years down the road. Kenny got lucky with free agents Linebrink and Dotel. Many other teams have done the same thing and it hasn't worked. Getting a young, proven, reliable bullpen arm would help in 2008 and the next few years. Street would no doubt be one of the top set up men in the bigs. And could close if need be. No doubt Kenny got a little scared when Jenks went down and Dotel was the only option as closer. The only question is--what are the A's asking for? Besides Fields, or pitching, like Clayton Richard, I don't know who else there is.

If the sox pitch in the 2nd half near as well as they have in the 1st, they should be fine regardless of what the Twins or Tigers do. Only Dye and AJ are hitting above their career norms [though Quentin and Ramirez also have hit higher than projected and might cool off]. The key for me is how the middle of the order hits with Thome, PK, Crede and Swisher.

The sox seem pretty well set as far as regulars go-both position players and pitching. With guys like Owens, Fields and Richar in AAA, and Broadway, Clayton Richard decent options as well should someone go down, overpaying for someone doesn't make sense. Kenny set up the team with internal options in case of injury/ ineffectiveness. It's working out well so far. With Ramirez, Quentin, Brian Anderson, and Masset playing much better than pre-season expectations, that has helped put the sox in a good position not to overpay for possible marginal upgrades.

It's great the pen has been a big strength this year. It's a key to being in 1st place. And that they are pitching lights out. Yet things can change in a hurry. Let's just hope the sox pen continues throwing in the 2nd half near what they've been doing in the first.

About the only realistic spot in the lineup the Sox can upgrade is at 2b. Alexei may come back down to earth, and getting a vet there makes sense. Esp. if the sox think Alexei can play fulltime SS in 2009. The Brian Roberts price tag would likely be astronomical. Not sure what else is there besides a Durham. I think the drop off in defense with Durham wouldn't make up for the increase in offense.

Lofton doesn't thrill me much. Yet I can see why the sox would want a lefty bat who has speed opposite Anderson for late innings. Or when Swisher's at 1b. There should be better names than Lofton though available.

Having Loaiza around for mop up innings during blow outs frees up Masset for more meaningful late inning spots. I like it.