beck72

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 11:35 PM) It's funny, D-Backs fans don't seem to mind about this that greatly, mainly because they don't think Quentin will ever become the player he was slated to be. And I find that crazy considering the injury he had in 2007, his age, relative experience etc. and he'll be hitting in a very good hitters park. Carter and Cunningham could become quite good everyday players for the D-Backs eventually, but we've gotten 2 players in Richar and Quentin, who are young, cheap, and can contribute now, and most importantly, offer the team the payroll flexibility it so desperately needs considering some of the salaries some of the older more established players make. I think the D Backs OF is so loaded that fans may not realize how much talent they have out there. Richar had underachieved for them and was blocked. Quentin had underachieved to an extent as well. It seems that the Sox and D Backs both have a good knowledge of the type of players they want in their 3 yr, 5 yr plans.

The sox just got their Jason Bay in Quentin. Now could Fukudome be next? It could depend on how likely could he hit leadoff and play CF.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 09:51 PM) Well I was close except for the D-Backs wanting young pitching. That OPS for Quentin in AAA when he came back this season, should give people a little encouragement. TRading Quentin for an A ball 1b man was dirt cheap. And could be a huge addition.

QUOTE(BurlyMan56 @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 08:17 PM) Good call on this one guys. I really think with the potential of Quentin, Richar and Owens. Kenny could deal Fields as the centerpiece for a Bedard. Thanks. You build around guys like Quentin and Fields--middle of the order type guys. Bedard's a short timer- 1 yr and then big bucks. No to Bedard.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 11:10 PM) Do you think the fact that they train together so they get a better look at the other team's entire organization has anything to do with the numerous trades between the 2 teams? I wonder if the Sox will be doing a lot of dealing with the Dodgers in a few years. I'm sure that has a lot to do with it. That and probably KW and Byrnes must have a good working relationship in which they can trust each other not to screw the other.

Just saw the trade. Great deal for KW. I'm amazed the sox only gave up an A ball player, even if Carter has solid potential and power. Quentin has the hitting tools the sox need desperately. And, the Sox could still upgrade in CF, and fill other holes such as the bullpen. Well done.

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 04:30 AM) Lots of rumblings that Cubs might sign Fukudome in next few days. I remember reading [in the last few days] some Trib exec. saying/ complaining how they've added $400 mill to their payroll with the Wood signing and Zambrano's extension. Instead of adding $30 mill, I could see the Cubs trading for a cheaper guy like Raul Ibanez. IMO, the sox are in a better position to gamble/ spend cash on Fukudome than the Cubs.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Dec 2, 2007 -> 09:16 AM) The major thing Oneli needs to work on, cutting down the flyball ratio, otherwise he'll eventually give up a lot of HR's at the Cell. I still would like to see 1 more acquisition for the pen, probably a Japanese reliever. Then you could use MacDougal in a deal for Bay or Crisp etc. And I imagine the likes of Masset and Aardsma would be prime canditates to be traded to a team desperate for relievers such as the Devil Rays. I see the sox getting another bullpen arm via the trade route, probably involving the best chip the sox have, Crede.

QUOTE(WHITESOXRANDY @ Dec 1, 2007 -> 03:17 PM) I have seen several sources now suggesting that the Sox have relief pitchers available to trade particularly to Pittsburgh for Bay. Anyway, I'm thinking the biggest hole on this team is the bullpen so how is it that the Sox have bullpen help to spare ? To whom are these people referring to ? Sisco ? Masset ? Haeger ? Phillips, Aardsma or Broadway ? What relief pitchers can the Sox afford to move ? I'm still thinking they need a real good set-up man. Any thoughts on this ? The sox could use a few of those arms as part of a trade. Another name I'd watch for in a trade would be Oneli Perez, who's doing very well in winter ball. He's an extreme FB pitcher yet posted great numbers in AA as the closer there.

Here's a little info from ESPN on available CFer's. "Kosuke Fukudome For a while, the consensus was that Fukudome would stay in Japan. That's no longer the case. Agent Joe Urbon told ESPN.com that he met with Fukudome in Nagoya, Japan, on Wednesday night and went over the "multiple offers" the outfielder had received from MLB clubs. "Although staying in Japan certainly is an option, it is highly unlikely," Urbon said in an e-mail. The Giants, Rangers and Cubs are among the clubs interested in Fukudome. After parting company with Cliff Floyd and Jacque Jones, the Cubs are looking for a more athletic left-handed hitting outfielder. And Fukudome's .397 career on-base percentage is certainly appealing. "He's kind of a poor man's Carlos Beltran," said a National League personnel man. "He's not top of the line, but a pretty good player. He can run, he can drive the ball in the gaps a little bit, and he can go get it pretty well in the outfield." " ---With a career .397 OBP, I'd say he sounds like a nice guy to take a risk on. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove07/c...&id=3135031 If the sox got the LH hitting Fukudome, then they should also get a 4th OFer type who can play all 3 OF spots and hit LHP very well, someone like Ryan Spilborghs from the Rockies. That way, Owens could be rested/ part of a platoon. Though I don't know how well Spilborghs plays defense, but his offense vs. LHP [a 1.000 + OPS in 07 and a .900+ OPS for 05-07] might be worth a look. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/spli...p;type=batting3

From various media reports, Fukudome has the ability to play CF. If he has the speed to play CF, hitting him #1 should also be an option. Particularly with his very good OBP numbers. If he can hit leadoff, he'd be worth the risk [of signing to a bad contract]. If his camp was looking for a 3 yr, $30 mill deal, I'd say a 3 yr deal in the range of $24-27 mill should get him to sign. The Sox should be able to spend more cash on Fukudome because they wouldn't have to trade young prospects/ young players. I also read that Fukudome's arm was stronger than Ichiro's. Though w/ surgery that probably wouldn't be the case now. Worst case scenario, the sox play him in LF and Owens in CF.

What the sox showed in picking DLS, is that their scouting in Latin America is alive. This is the area [along with the draft] that has hurt the sox farm system. Right now the sox farm system doesn't look great. Yet that outlook can change quickly within two years--when some of the sox contracts will be up [thome, Dye, etc]. So to answer the question if the Twins will be ahead of the sox, it's way too early to predict for 2008 or in the next few years.

Bay's OBP [sans 2007] would be a welcome addition if the price in terms of talent wasn't too steep.

No way do the Twins take Crisp in a deal with Boston. It makes little sense if the Twins are rebuilding to take on Crisp for $10 + mill for only 2 years. The question is whether the sox have what Boston needs. The sox shouldn't overpay for Crisp. Maybe a deal along the lines of MacDougal and Toby Hall.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7506740 Ken says the sox have backed off Rowand and are looking at Fukudome or trading for Jason Bay.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Nov 25, 2007 -> 02:00 PM) He hasn't been too impressive as a starter. Its probably why he was converted into a reliever. I doubt he has any value right now, and would doubt any team would consider him a serious candidate to be in their 2008 rotation at this time. The White Sox wanted him based on his work as a closer in the Mexican League last winter. They may use him as a throw in with a bigger trade, or just wait to see how he looks in spring training. Maybe he shocks the world and suddenly will be able to throw strikes. Masset actually improved his walk rate last year in Charlotte and in 2006 in AAA. I wouldn't say nick's a prime trading piece. But for a team in need of major league arms, that operates on a low budget, he has some value, whether in the bullpen or as a 5th SP. For some reason, Masset strikes me as "Jon Rauch" like.

IMO, Contreras should be kept. He's a better bet to pitch 200 innings with an ERA around 4.00 the next 2 years than any of the sox young pitchers- Danks, Floyd, Gio or Egbert. For that reason alone, he should be kept. The sox trade Contreras now and it's a good bet the bullpen would be weakened [due to a young guy taking his place, and taxing the bullpen with games they only go 2, 3 innings]. Not to mention the sox would be trading Jose when his trade value is at an all time low.

With SP at such a premium, a low budget team would likely take a flyer on Masset to be their 5th SP. Masset may have too many question marks for the sox to keep, with little time for Masset to answer them, as he is out of options. He didn't do that well in the relief role [which would likely be his spot on the sox], and has done better in his career as a SP. It might be better to trade him too early than too late. As far as who might like him, I'd check teams he pitched against in AAA. He threw a few decent games vs Durham [TB], Toldeo, Buffalo and one vs. Ric [Richmond?]. http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/st...&pid=434665

QUOTE(Texsox @ Nov 24, 2007 -> 05:36 PM) Rowand would be an improvement in 2008 over Owens. I think we would still "need" Rowand, but probably would not get him. I think Rowand would be an upgrade over Owens. I'm just thinking about the $14 + mill. a year over 5 yrs and think the sox could make do without him.

QUOTE(Jenks Heat @ Nov 24, 2007 -> 02:41 PM) A part of me thinks that they really wanted Hunter at their price and knew it would not happen at the end of the day. I believe without a doubt that it is Crawford and the Linebrink and Cabrerea moves are part of it. The quote about acquiring "one player" should be Crawford. He's the one acquisition who could a] post a .800 + OPS; b] hit leadoff [hit for avg and steal bases; c] hit for XBH [avg'd 57 the last 4 yrs]; The acquisition of Crawford would allow the sox to play Owens in CF and keep his low SLG, and hit 9th in the order.

That doesn't seem to be Rowand. "If we get the right guy" seems to suggest someone who can lead off and play either Cf or RF [as well as put up decent power numbers], which would put Owens down to hitting 9th. More like Crawford, or to some degree Crisp.

QUOTE(hitlesswonder @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 07:35 PM) Broadway had significant control problems in AAA last season (4.5 BB per 9 innings pitched). It's true he was working on a new pitch, but you can't cont on him to throw strikes right now. As Broadway was working on his new pitch [4 seamer?], his walks were bound to be up. If he makes the bullpen, he will likely only use 2 or at most different 3 pitches. Whereas Lance needed to throw 3 or more pitches as a SP. The ones he can't throw strikes on or get batters out will be scrapped. I'm sure Broadway will be given a shot to be the 5th starter. Yet it's likely he's headed to the pen or the AAA rotation.

From the Sox home page: "With Hunter out of the picture, the White Sox move into high gear on plans for other free agents or possible trades. Aaron Rowand, the Chicago cult hero who played such a vital role on the 2005 World Series championship team, figures to hold the new center field focus for the South Siders, but the team also could be in on deals to acquire the Rays' Carl Crawford, Miguel Cabrera or Red Sox's Coco Crisp. Adding a potential leadoff hitter, upgrading the outfield overall and finding additional bullpen help remain major portions of Chicago's plan." http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/artic...sp&c_id=cws If the sox got either Crawford or Crisp, they wouldn't need Rowand, IMO. Owens would then hit at the bottom of the order, rather than the top.

I like the deal. The sox get a reliable bullpen arm [as reliable as bullpen arms come]. The sox couldn't count on having a young arm step up and get outs [Massett, Broadway, Russell, etc], though I'd expect some one from within the org. to be able to get outs in 2008. With Linebrink, he only costs money. The sox still have trade pieces they can use to further upgrade the pen/ lineup if needed. A team may want to take a flyer on MacDougal. I'm not sure if the sox want to baby Mac seeing as they can't count on him, ala the Podsednik of the bullpen [great when healthy, but nearly certain to spend time on the DL]. With Linebrink, they not have to. There is no doubt that the sox overpaid to get Linebrink. Yet with all teams looking to add to their bullpens, the sox got arguably the best arm out there. That may not say much for the talent that's out there. But it allows someone with experience to get outs in the 7th and 8th innings. I fully expect a young arm or two to step up and be a solid bullpen arm for the sox in 2008. Yet while it may take time to see who that arm is [a foresee frequent flier miles between Charlotte and Chi, as guys are tried out in the bigs and see who sticks], Lkinebrink will be in the pen. What this also signals is the trade of guys like Aardsma and Sisco. Though they may be kept for Spring and then dealt as they try and up their very low trade values with a decent showing.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 11:33 AM) They sure seem to want to get rid of him don't they? It's the first thing you said in your original post. Juan Pierre, What would it take to land him? 2004 JUAN PIERRE 2005 ...and there's a 2006 thread I can't find at the moment where CWSguy406 and I kept shooting down your "he gets on base a lot because he hits .290" theory by continually pointing out his OBP. I remember you ending it with, "I don't get it." I'm glad you can remember some obscure thread from 2 yrs ago. As far as "getting it" [which I'd love for you to find that quote as that doesn't sound like me--I'm more like "to each his own"], I understand the low OBP concerns. Yet hitting .290 consistently does count for something. I have a question for you--Does a .270 hitter with a .350 OBP have the same value as a .290 hitter with a .330 OBP?