beck72

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Aug 10, 2013 -> 04:27 PM) Choo doesn't make the Sox a playoff team therefore they should not sign him to the big money deal he will command. Not by himself. Or a guy like McCann. But it's a step in the right direction. Hahn believes the sox can be a playoff team next year, with the right moves to improve the offense. This would be one of them.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Aug 10, 2013 -> 03:27 PM) Choo can't hit lefties, his .179 average vs lefties scares me, esp in the same lineup with Dunn. At least Rios hit both right and left handed pitching. If they let PK go the Sox will have lost 2 of the 3 guys who hit lefties well. To replace one of them with Choo who has no HRs vs LHP this year and has had a sub .200 BA the last 2 years vs them the last 2 years is a mistake. Any guy the sox go after will have warts. But if he can have an OPS of 1.036 vs. RHP, and hit .329 for 2/3 of his total AB's, I'd take his subpar hitting vs. LHP-though it's been the last two years Choo has struggled vs. LHP. Dunn has one more year. Any free agent will likely be signed for 2, 3 years, whether its McCann, Choo or someone else. Bottom line, Choo is the type of patient hitter the sox need more of.

QUOTE (knightni @ Aug 10, 2013 -> 04:29 AM) So, you're saying you want a smaller Korean Alex Rios for a higher price? Choo would be a big upgrade over Rios on offense. Looking at both of their wOPA, Choo has been above avg. to great 3 of the last 4 years, Rios only above avg. 1 time. looking at wRC+, Choo again has Rios beat, being far above avg. 3 out of 4 years, and Rios above avg. 1 year. (Even factoring in that Choo was injured in 2011, and Rios' brain fart that same year.) The sox need offensive upgrades at many different positions. Choo would qualify, especially if you are talking about similar money as Rios.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 10, 2013 -> 01:29 AM) Overpaying on Choo is crazy.....we need players who will be in their primes in 2015/16/17. Just think the years and average salary will price him out of consideration. Middle of the order bats, like Choo's-are hard to come by. In the short term, a 31 year old makes sense. Esp. for his avg. and OBP skills. The Sox are in the position to pay for an extra year or added cash. And he'd be a stop gap, part of the solution, not the answer. If the price was right. But many teams are cutting back, or want to but haven't yet. Like the sox are doing.

I have no problem with the Rios deal. Hahn took his time, something that Kenny never did, and weighed what options he had. Not many teams were beating down his door to get Rios. Same goes for the Peavy deal. Garcia would seem to be the key. A bat to build around going forward. Is he going to be? Who knows? But from what was available, a guy who could play right away in the bigs, he was one of the few it would seem. The larger point is I see the plan. Whether I agree with it...that's another question. But Hahn feels like the sox can contend in 2014, with the pitching we have and coming up. And he isn't that far off, I have to admit. His mantra about the Sox having the pitching is damn true. Getting a few key position players to go with the pitching is the plan. There are various ways: Short Term: 1] trades with the pitching we have--I think Santiago would be able to net a key young guy or two. 2] trades with the extra money saved. Guys who signed big contracts that are now unaffordable for their teams. The cost in terms of prospects wouldn't be much, as teams would want salary relief. Think the first Alex Rios waiver deal with Toronto. Not sure who is out there. 3] Free agents. Choo would be a guy who would be worth overpaying for the Sox, with his OBP a huge upgrade. Granderson maybe. 4] Cuban free agents. long term: 5] invest in scouting, minor league instruction/ coaching. 6] international signings.

Saw yesterday IIRC, in the Tampa Times that Jesse is going to start throwing this week.

http://baseballinstinct.com/2013/03/16/tex...prospects-list/ From this list, it said Leury also played CF in winter ball. Him playing CF for the Sox may make sense. Esp. in AAA, with Semien playing SS. See what kind of defense he can play in CF.

It makes too much sense to not deal him. The rangers should give a fair deal with Cruz out, and Ros could help them. And the Sox need to add by subtraction. Garcia can slide right into RF, the sox get salary relief (even though some cash may be involved), and more young talent is added. Win-win for both sides.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jul 30, 2013 -> 12:59 PM) I don't like hearing these Cliff Lee rumors, because Boston is the best fit for him. I wouldn't worry. Not with that huge contract Lee still has left. Posturing by the Red Sox on Peavy, pure and simple, trying to make it seem like they have leverage with the Phils. I still think Boston is the best fit in terms of prospects. They have both position players and arms that could be ready soon.

I could definitely see the D Backs trade for Peavy, even without clearing salary, as they could use his veteran presence for their young arms like Miley and Corbin. Maybe the rumbles of putting Kennedy and Kubel on the block will get some takers. Shouldn't Gammons feel a little used by now, with all teams leaking info to him to serve their own nefarious purposes? https://twitter.com/pgammo/status/361974974556278785

Just.Make.It.All.Stop.

QUOTE (Frank_Thomas35 @ Jul 29, 2013 -> 01:46 PM) I'm liking the early trade winds, love hearing Hahn is asking for top prospects from each team, if we are able to get Xander (BOS), Bundy (BAL), Russel (OAK) that's a start of an amazing return all 3 of those guys are going to be legit stars. Personally like I said last night it will be Boston or St. Louis it just makes too much sense for these teams. I would like it to be STL Or Bos. Personally if we can get Martinez (size ?'s or not this guy has electric stuff, I see him as a Pedro Martinez type) and/or Adams or Wong + 2-3 prospects in the 15-30 range. I believe Hahn comes out on top and we will be talking about his first deadline in a few years when these guys are all hitting the field. I dont think the sox are getting any of those guys. Those guys seemed to what the Sox would start asking for, not what they'll get.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Jul 29, 2013 -> 01:37 PM) For some reason, I don't believe money is that big of a hold up, and if it is, I think it'd be the area we're more likely to be flexible than the talent we want back. Exactly. For many of these top prospects, teams shelled out large signing bonuses. It stands to reason that teams would like to recoup some of that money. And the sox should look at including some money as an investment, similar to what teams did when they signed those players.

QUOTE (tylermichels13 @ Jul 29, 2013 -> 01:05 PM) @JeffPassan: Red Sox very much in Jake Peavy sweepstakes. Wouldn't exactly say they're favorites but between motivation and prospects in strong position. Hence the reason for the Peter Gammons tweet. It's all coming along nicely-no worries.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jul 29, 2013 -> 03:35 AM) Peter Gammons just tweeted "A's not in on Peavy price is Gray, Russell and take on 20 million, ditto with Boston and Atlanta. Time running down." Uh oh. Unless Gammons has been in a coma for a few weeks, that sounds like the beginning asking price for Peavy-not just the a's but all teams who want him. ask for the top prospects, little cash. The price is bound to come down. But this screams Gammons getting info from another team saying the sox are still asking for an outrageous amount-even without knowing if its true-and are going to be stuck with Peavy unless they lower their demands drastically. Trying to make the sox sweat.

For all our Xbox trade scenarios, for the GMs, scouts, and other personnel involved, these deals cost huge amounts of money, and could potentially make or break futures and careers. There has to be some amount of deception, poker playing, misinformation on all sides. We'll all know soon enough what Peavys true value was. Some team, (I definitely could see the A's with a potential Colon suspension looming), will pay fair value for Jake after all is said and done. Some money might be involved going back to the trading team, but that sounds like the starting point for the Sox, no cash. But the best SP out there should get a return similar to Garza. The sox do need to trade Peavy, as this offense is pathetic, and few bats in the minors look like they're going to help for awhile. But other teams are desperate for a SP who can make a difference in the playoffs. Peavy is a difference maker. Their need trumps ours right now. And the return should be very solid in terms of players coming back to the sox.

QUOTE (elwood5892 @ Jul 28, 2013 -> 06:23 PM) Hi guys. Long time lurker. Thought this was interesting. @DanHayesCSN: #WhiteSox source has Oakland #Athletics in front of Jake Peavy sweepstakes. Peavy brought extra bags on trip in case, per @JJStankevitz. welcome aboard! this totally sounds like a ploy to get other teams to up their offers. Hahn seems to be working this deadline like we all want him to, and the sox need him to. Hopefully, Ricks not screwing other GMs over and burning bridges.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jul 28, 2013 -> 04:46 AM) Kirkjan was just on Baseball Tonight and he said he thinks Peavy goes and Rios stays because he's not a big enough difference maker to championship ball clubs. Rios isn't a "difference maker"-few, if any, bats available this deadline are. I agree Rios alone won't win a team a championship. But he can be a better option for some teams than what they currently have.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Jul 26, 2013 -> 02:35 PM) I'm starting to think my ideal deadline would look something like this: -Peavy and cash to the Red Sox for Cecchini -Rios and cash to the Pirates for Dickerson and Kingham -Reed and Lindstrom to LA for Joc Pederson With that plan, you are keeping your defense up the middle in Alexei, Gordon, and De Aza and then in 2014, you are giving Cecchini a chance at winning the 3B job, Pederson either LF or RF, Dickerson the 1B job, and Kingham could break the rotation in 2015. I too would like both Pederson and Cecchini. That would be a nice deal for Rios. The sox should be able to get two more decent prospects for Peavy as well as Cecchini. Maybe an OFer, and a SP.

I think the Sox will look a whole lot different come Aug. 1. Lindstrom, Peavy, Rios, Alexei, De Aza, Crain, and a wildcard or two (Reed, and maybe a name not mentioned). After all is said and done, the sox should have added prospects at 3b, SS, C, a power hitting OF near major league ready, a toolsy OFer, and Startingpitching.

QUOTE (PolishPrince34 @ Jul 26, 2013 -> 11:20 AM) We need to trade Peavy ASAP. Worried our coaching staff can have another Cain on their hands. Coming off an injury and they let him pitch 118 throws on his second start. Anyone else think Robin Ventura makes some questionable calls on handling Sale, Peavy, Santiago, and Crain this year. Sale is second in the league with throwing over 120 pitches in a game. Santiago is 4th in the league/and he's been going back and forth between starting/bullpen, and the abuse they did in the month of June with Crain knowing he was going to get traded. Come on Robin wake up here. the only reason Peavy came out for the 8th (that made any sense) was to get a standing O from the crowd. Rest assured, Jake threw his last pitches as a member of the white sox.

No matter where Cecchini plays, his offensive skill set is something the sox desperately need on the current club And have nothing near major league ready from the minors. And the guy stole 51 bases in 118 games last year. It's like criticizing Ms. America because she sang poorly in the talent portion of the competition. His type of bat and ability to get on base is what teams can build around for years.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Jul 25, 2013 -> 09:54 PM) Now this is strange: Peter Gammons ‏@pgammo 1h Keep hearing White Sox need pitching for Peavy, as 5 of their 6 best prospects are position players. They may be, but they are nowhere near ML ready. Misinformation Hahn strikes again! This sounds like the Sox trying to get the best offers from all the teams, not just ones with position player prospects. No way do the sox not get a top 30-60 position player back in a Peavy deal. The 2nd prospect, maybe a SP. But not the key guy.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jul 22, 2013 -> 02:42 PM) They don't like to use Benoit on back to back days because of any number of shoulder surgeries he's had. Benoit isn't available today for that reason. With Crain still hurt, I could see teams now valuing a young, healthy Reed.

I'm sure a deal can be done with him on the DL, with a few PTBNL's depending on his innings/ appearances. Not ideal by any means. But a team in need of an arm can at least take a calculated chance that Jesse will return. I could see Reed now being very popular...