beck72

QUOTE(BearSox @ Aug 6, 2007 -> 10:07 PM) Chin-Lung Hu for short stop in 08. It seems highly unlikely the sox will go with 2 rookies up the middle. If Richar is a keeper at 2b [which he should be, he seems perfect for breaking into the sox hitting 9th with his solid defense], SS has to go to a vet. Even if it's for one year. Yet one young guy I'd like the sox to target is SS Jonathan Herrera from the Rockies [ http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/H/J...n-Herrera.shtml ]. He's supposed to be their best defensive SS prospect [and #7 this yr according to BA] and hit over .300 in high A last yr and is hitting OK [.260/.330] in AA. With Troy T at SS for the Rockies, he could be expendable for some pitching. While it wouldn't be for 2008, the sox could at least get a young guy with some talent.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Aug 7, 2007 -> 01:21 PM) I'm OK with Owens being Plan B for left field, behind Fields. I am not so excited about him being the starting CF on Opening Day. I very much agree. I don't have a problem with Owens being the 4th OFer, who can play Lf and CF. And hit leadoff in case of injury. Yet the sox [as a team that wants to contend for the playoffs and world series] shouldn't be coming into 2008 with Owens as a starter [unless he hits .290-.300 the rest of the way, with a .360 OBP].

Rather than a step by step plan of what the sox offseason plans are [because acquiring players through free agency or trades is always tricky and subject to changes], Kenny's talk with Mark seems to be a strong indicator the sox will push to contend in 2008. We can all speculate who will be added. And these additions will probably fit within range of the sox 2007 payroll-meaning some players salaries will also need to be dropped.

Hellava an effort by Gavin He was able to throw his breaking stuff over, and dominate a good hitting team

QUOTE(29andPoplar @ Aug 4, 2007 -> 04:45 PM) Hey good post beck. I tend to agree, the Sox need to target a potential leadoff guy and make it happen. Williams and Hahn can't seem to sync up with Tampa mgmt. though. Not sure why, Tampa has been making trades. Personally I would like to see better players than Owens. Jerry is a decent player but I don't see winning a championship with him as a key piece. Philly has several CF prospects, maybe they can pry one from there. Also I agree on the SS situation, I hope they aren't backed into a corner and forced to bring back Uribe. They need more speed, on base skills, and most of all consistency. Tampa certainly needs pitching--starters in particular. They've been making additions to the bullpen. TB should take a flier on a guy like Sisco or Masset [though the sox seem to think Nick will turn it around.

QUOTE(kyyle23 @ Aug 5, 2007 -> 01:50 PM) No, but if his back doesnt come around like expected, he has a setback, etc. then the Sox are stuck with an unmoveable player who they are paying for two years in a row. Its risky to bring him back and hope that all is well, despite what his doctor is saying. By all accounts the chances of Crede coming back and playing at full strength are better than getting something of value for him via trade. And the chances of using that $4, 5 mill on a player better than Joe are not very good either.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Aug 4, 2007 -> 02:30 PM) That's easier said than done. How many leadoff CF or SS are there in the major leagues, and are they realistically available? Fields is going to have to cut down on his strikeouts. If he doesn't, he's Ron Kittle II. Are you saying that Fields doesn't have a spot on the sox in 2008? I agree, it's too early to be writing Fields' name down on the All Star ballot. Yet the sox should make room for both Crede and Josh next yr at least. And if Fields becomes Kittle II in 2008, the sox may have to lock up Crede to a deal As far as a leadoff hitter goes, they can only come from a few spots. Internally, Owens is the most major league ready. Yet at best you'd probably be looking at hitting him there vs RHP only. Richar is a few years away probably from hitting near the top of the order. Acquiring a leadoff hitter will be hard to do. Someone who plays SS is unlikely, as there are few quality guys available for the right price. More options would come from the OF. But the sox should "overpay" for the right guy--someone young, with speed, and can hit for avg, and get on base. It may mean dealing Garland. For instance, one guy the sox should look at is Baldelli. Not that the Sox should be counting on him to stay healthy. They should acquire him as a plan B or C. He could platoon with Owens in CF. Baldelli would likely only cost money, as the DRays can expect few teams to offer decent talent for him. Who the sox should get for plan A? Good question.

Fields has shown he can play in the majors--both in the field and hitting wise. The question for 2008 is where will he play with Crede at 3B [it would be inexcusable for the sox to non-tender Joe, or trade him now for less than they would get for the draft picks if he leaves as a free agent, as he is very valuable and should be able to put up numbers near his 2006 season and still play gold glove caliber defense]. With the sox likely to work out a deal with Dye, Fields should be given a shot in LF. With Owens likely being a 4th OFer [and Fields and Richar already in the lineup] an experienced CFer who can hit in the leadoff spot should be acquired for 2008. Or at minimum, a stellar defensive CFer should be acquired if the sox can get a SS who can hit in the leadoff spot. My preference would be for the sox to get a SS and a CFer who can both hit leadoff in case one goes down.

QUOTE(CanOfCorn @ Jul 31, 2007 -> 02:48 PM) I believe only Tavares was on the major league roster at that time. Maybe Bucholz. But Pence and Hirsh were here in Round Rock. Seeing how it was the offseason, I was saying that all of those guys would be playing in the majors at some point the following season. All three prospects were seen as helping out the big club right away or able to start the yr in AAA. My point is if the sox want to contend and get peices who could help in 2008, the time to trade for some proven players or high minor guys is in the offseason. Teams like the Dodgers are depending on the Matt Kemps to help them win this year. The sox might be able to nab Kemp in a deal for Garland then but not now, as they don't have a replacement for him.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jul 31, 2007 -> 12:25 PM) Rowand's hitting .330. He will get a lot more than that. Rowand will sign for less than what Gary Matthews Jr did. Last years' contracts were way out of whack and the prices will come down.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Jul 31, 2007 -> 08:20 AM) Rotoworld also cites a Sports Illustrated article suggesting Garland won't be traded because Williams demands young players, and teams are unwilling to surrender such a price. I'm sure 'young players' refers to those currently in the majors, and not prospects. Regardless, I'm still expecting Garland to be dealt. If not, well, I'll openly cheer for this team to lose enough games ot earn the #1 draft selection. I don't know how else this team acquires legitimate talent to compete within the American League central if not for trades or a high draft pick. If the white sox trade Garland in the offseason [which I agree, may be the only way to get enough talent to compete in the AL Central], it would be for a package better than the one they vetoed with the Astros [Hirsh, Taveras, Bucholz, with the sox wanting Pence]. All those guys were ready to step in and play in the bigs. No team in playoff contention now will trade 3, 4 guys from their major league roster.

QUOTE(Al Lopez's Ghost @ Jul 31, 2007 -> 11:23 AM) Both the Boston Globe and Boston Herald say that the Dye deal is becoming more likely. Although neither paper specifies the offer, they both say Pena is a likely part of the deal, and one paper said that Boston is thinking about trading Delcarmen, formerly not available. I'd like the local kid Michael Bowden. He's struggled a bit in AA, though the Red sox seem to be rushing him as he's only 20 yrs old. He finished last yr at low A and made only a few starts in high A this yr.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jul 31, 2007 -> 10:46 AM) Sign me up. I'm sorry but I just don't trust this organization enough for compensation picks to be the only thing we get for Jermaine. If you receive Wily Mo and Delcarmen at least you're filling two holes with one deal for next season. I still think given some consistant time that Wily Mo is going to be a pretty damn good hitter. If Kenny feels this is the best he can do, then he needs to pull the trigger and I'll be satisfied with this deal. Pena certainly hasn't been helped by the trade to the Red Sox, given infrequent playing time and little room for error. I could see playing Pena fulltime in RF, building up some numbers and value, and trading him in the offseason. He might even surprise everyone and be a lot more than people expect

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jul 31, 2007 -> 04:04 AM) Knowing the holes in the Sox outfield, I would have no problem bringing back Dye but that would also mean the Sox move other parts still. Hell the Sox have 3 holes in the OF if Dye leaves so I consider that a major issue (and maybe have 1 solution in the minors...Sweeney which leaves the club still needing at least 2 guys). I could see the sox offering Dye a two yr deal with a 3rd yr option--something along the lines of $7, 8 mill per yr. Either that money will go to Dye or Rowand.

QUOTE(greg775 @ Jul 29, 2007 -> 05:16 AM) Richar has nothing to do with this. This is about the Iguchi trade. It was a horrible trade and KW should be ashamed. What is so wrong about asking for a player who is at least a big leaguer for Iguchi?? If the Mets wanted him as well, it's really really a shame KW gave him away. Disgraceful. Seeing what the Twins got for Castillo, a .300 hitter, and could have had a 1st round suuplemental draft pick, does this Iguchi deal look OK now? 2nd basemen are a dime a dozen, and not worth that much on the trade market if Castillo could be acquired for two guys who don't project to much of anything.

QUOTE(michelangelosmonkey @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 09:47 PM) He's 23 and on pace for 30 homers, 30 doubles, 25 of 28 stolen bases...and a history of getting better as he figures out the league he's in? With plus defense? OK not Pujolos. But in three years he sure could be a top ten player in baseball. Not even close. Young may never hit above .250 in the bigs

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 03:09 AM) Thats really not a bad comparison. I don't think were ever going to see Richar hit anywhere close to .340, but I also don't think we will ever see Cano hit that again. Richar will have an OBP heavily weighted by his average, and from the 7 AB's he has taken, he has shown very little plate discipline. Right now, Cano is hitting .298/.338/.452. That's more in line with what I'd hope Richar could provide than Cano's 2006. But Richar seems to have the kind of live bat can make something happen. While it's very, very early, if I'd rate the "prospects" in terms of short and long term value to the sox, I 'd rate Fields #1, Richar #2 , and Owens 3rd.

Richar looked like Robinson Cano at bat-his stance, swing and a little swagger. He looked confident, and seemed to have a solid approach.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7065740 "The Astros have yet to receive the interest they anticipated in relievers Brad Lidge, Chad Qualls and Dan Wheeler, but that figures to change soon. Wheeler, a free agent after next season, would cost the least in talent. The Rockies, in particular, are targeting him as a possible addition. The Phillies, White Sox and Mariners were among the teams that scouted the Astros on Thursday night. Lidge, who also is a free agent after next season, will be moved only if the Astros receive a knockout offer. Qualls, under the team's control through 2010, also would command a steep price." I'm not sure who else on the Astros would be scouting. Yet with all 3 relievers locked up beyond 2007, it makes sense to improve the bullpen via the trade route. the free agent class looks horrible.

QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Jul 28, 2007 -> 03:43 AM) Don't want no Willy Mo, no no, no no. The white sox wouldn't get Pena, that's why a 3rd team would be involved.

QUOTE(striker62704 @ Jul 27, 2007 -> 04:07 AM) Throw him in the bullpen for the rest of the year and see if he can make a comeback next spring. I wouldn't deal him now while his stock is down. He's a guaranteed loss right now if he starts, plus we all want to see some youngsters pitch. that's a good point. While he'd be hugely overpaid for the bullpen, it would also allow the sox to get some youngsters innings. I still see the sox shutting Jose down for 3, 4 starts, and having him throw on the side working on getting his act together. Jose has had more velocity the last few outings, so he doesn't seem hurt. It's very important though that Jose gets back on track before the year is out. then the sox could trade him in the offseason for someon halfway decent without eating most of his salary. Or he regains his stuff to allow the sox to move Garland.

However bad Floyd has pitched in the majors [and he's been horrible], having him pitch in the bullpen seems to be Gavin's "last" chance to stick in the majors or the sox will lose him/ trade him as he is running out of minor league options.

IMO, it's not bait and switch. Other GM's aren't stupid enough to bite on Jose by starting the conversation about Jon. I think Garland could be available for the right price. It doesn't hurt having teams give Kenny offers.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Jul 26, 2007 -> 10:54 PM) Looks like Gavin is going to stay in the bullpen, for now. I like that they are keeping Gavin up. I beleive Floyd has proven he can't do much more at Charlotte, but clearly isn't ready to provide quality innings at the major league level. I don't buy into Coops magic work, but it can't hurt having Floyd learn from him on a daily basis. I like the fact the sox are looking at guys who are performing in the minors--be it starters or relievers-- and trying to see if they can get major league hitters out in the bullpen. First Haeger. Then Ehren. Now Floyd. The sox should try Broadway at some point as well. Floyd needs to have some success in the bigs. The bullpen is the best spot as the sox can put him in the right situations.

QUOTE(WCSox @ Jul 26, 2007 -> 03:52 PM) Joe is also going to cost about $5 million next year and his trade value is lowered by the fact that he's a FA in '09 and is represented by Borass (and the back problems don't help, either). As much as I like Joe, I'd rather cut ties with him now and spend that $5 million on the 'pen. So you don't think Joe will be productive and worth that $5 mill? I disagree. By all accounts, Joe should be ready to go. And who plays LF, with Fields at 3B, that you can sign for $5 mill? The sox can probably pay a bullpen guy and Crede for the money the sox would have to pay a free agent who can play LF and put up Crede's numbers. I agree some money should be spent on the bullpen. But are you going to stock up with big money guys ala the Orioles? The sox will probably trade for one reliever and sign another. And find a few guys from the system who can be solid.