beck72

Sounds like the agent driving up the price for his client. Roberts will stay on the west coast, probably in the NL.

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Oct 29, 2006 -> 12:05 AM) Because, he was one of the guys who came out and flat out said the team had a hungover from last year and he probably didn't work as hard as he normally would've or should've. At least he implied it pretty strongly. He needs to get on a workout regime. My take on MB's comments [and PK's for that matter, as he said similar things] were that he and other Sox players did the same things they had done in previous offseasons. Maybe they rested more to ease the strain of the long 05 season. Yet now they need to get in better shape as they get older. Esp. in the offseason to prepare for the reg. season. The only guy who was mentioned as "out of shape" was Uribe. But just being in shape wasn't enough, coming off the long '05 season. That's my take on what MB and PK meant.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Oct 28, 2006 -> 08:36 PM) I expect Juan Pierre or Dave Roberts to be signed rather soon. I expect Roberts to stay on the west coast. With his hamstrings and ties to the west, I don't see him wanting to play in the cold of the midwest.

I like Broadway. Haven't seen him pitch. But he doesn't seem to have the upside of a BMac or even Haeger. Haeger could go against the Yankees and put up 0's. Yet I like Haeger for the bullpen as he could go 100 innings, relieving a lot of pressure from the others Yet SP is always valuable. Just look at how Suppan and Weaver did in the playoffs this yr. Guys who eat innings will have a long career in the bigs. Broadway seems like that type. The sox have a done a great job projecting how their own minor leaguers will do. I trust what they wind up doing w/ Lance.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Oct 28, 2006 -> 07:51 AM) Just as a note...Jared Weaver was at the Cards game tonight decked out in full Cardinals gear to support his brother...in case anyone has a problem with MB supporting the Cards tonight. I wouldn't trade MB. I think he'll bounce back and have a good 2007 and beyond. The question is whether he'll re-sign with the sox after 07. I have to think they'd be exchanging $'s now. But if MB's side isn't talking, and wants to wait for the CArds to come-a-calling, the sox would have to be looking to see what they could get for him. I'm sure the sox offer would make him the highest paid pitcher on the staff. MB may like playing for the Sox. But his true love seems to be the Cards. WIth him only 1 yr away from signing with the Cards, why wouldn't Mark kind of wait things out as the Cards would seem to be an ideal fit for him from the Cards side. The sox may be forced into the position of trading him.

The most realistic way for the sox to improve their SP is: 1] trading Freddy for the best SP prospect they can 2] inserting Bmac into the rotation--expecting to him to post an ERA under 4.50 for the yr 3] Expecting Buerhle to rebound to his career norms 4] Jon and Jose having ERA's under 4.00 Few guys are out there who are better than anyone the sox have. The cost of getting a SP better than any of the 5 guys the sox will have in 07--eevn with Freddy gone--would be too high, either in a trade or free agency. But adding SP in the minors who are close to being ready--with a trade of Freddy and probably Josh Fields--would IMO be the wisest plan.

I don't know if this has been mentioned, but if the Cubs lose Aramis [which is very possible given the Angels and Dodgers need at 3B and the rest of his contract being non-guaranteed, he'd be stupid to not test the market] they could be a trading partner for Fields. Two guys that would have to be interesting to the sox would be LHP Donald Veal [who the sox drafted in 2003 but he went to community college and was drafted in 05--a high K, low hit and BAA SP] and Sean Gallagher, a 20 yr old RHP SP who ended up in AA with a 2.70 ERA with a good k/ BB. Seeing how the Cubs could use help at both LF and 3b, Fields would have to be attractive to them. Not that I'd want to do that to Fields, but if it could help the sox pitching......

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Oct 21, 2006 -> 08:59 PM) Too bad there are serious reasons to have doubts about how he'll hold up. He doesn't exactly have a great frame. I'm perfectly happy with Broadway and McCulloch. A guy like Humber after Tommy john would be decent though. I'd take him in a Freddy deal.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Oct 13, 2006 -> 12:27 PM) Anyone tired of hearing this Tigers team compared to the 05 Sox every damn day? I don't pay much attention to it. But it has a ring of truth. Detroit is winning in the postseason with its pitching. Same with the sox in '05.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Oct 21, 2006 -> 02:09 PM) Emmanuel Garcia could be that guy possibly, but he hasn't hit well above rookie ball (albeit he's just turned 20). He was #6 on John Sickels Mets Top 20 prospects list before this season. Or another decent position player prospect, like OF Carlos Gomez, a 20 yr old in AA who hit like .280/.350/.438 with 40 SB's who skipped high A. http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/G/C...s-Gomez-2.shtml

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Oct 21, 2006 -> 12:27 PM) Here are Carillo's AA numbers from 9 GS this season FWIW; 1-3, 3.02 ERA, 43 K's, 15 BB's, 5HR. He'd easily have the best stuff of any White Sox prospect if he came into our system. Also the Freddy Garcia to the Mets rumors are starting to heat up a little again. Writers for various newspapers are tossing around the Heilman and Milledge for Willis, Peavy etc. talk again. My question is, Humber and Milledge is probably too much to expect, would you do Milledge + fringe prospect for Garcia, if you couldn't get a better offer for Freddy elsewhere? I'd center on Humber in a Garcia trade. Maybe a SS prospect as well with Reyes a fixture there Carillo had some elbow issues this yr. Not sure how bad it is or what the prognosis is. With a trade of Fields, the sox should expect a sure thing rather than an injury risk.

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Oct 21, 2006 -> 05:21 AM) ^^ Id like to see Crede stick around ( Im hoping his back is back up to par ). Even at 10 mil a season between his defense, power and clutch hitting he's still totally worth it. I very much agree. Joe put everything together in 2006 after his great 05 post season. For the Sox to let him go in a trade makes no sense, from a baseball, personal or a financial point of view. QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Oct 21, 2006 -> 05:32 AM) My thoughts on Fields are pretty well known, I'd like to see him dealt right now while his value is so high. I look at a team like the Padres as a perfect trading partner. You could get a Cesar Carillo and Scott Cassidy type of deal quite easily I would have thought, and maybe even more. There are a lot of teams out there like the Padres, Phillies (Scott Mathieson, Michael Bourne), the Giants, Mariners (if they dealt Beltre to the Pads), that if the Sox made Fields available, they'd get a pretty nice offer for him. Over the long - term I really have doubts over Fields plate discipline and his defense. I don't really want a guy who could have around 130-150K's in the lineup unless he's really going to produce very well in his other numbers like a guy like Jim Thome does with his OBP and BA etc. I agree. A top hitting prospect who plays a premium position should net at least a top pitching prospect in return. While the sox have decent arms in Broadway and Kyle M, they don't have the elite type stuff from a starter the sox should get in a trade of Fields.

Fields is probably trade bait. The sox won't and shouldn't put him back in AAA. And he probably can't go anywhere but down as far as value. The sox should get as much pitching in return as possible for Fields now.

A few things: the more I think about it, I don't want Haeger to start in the pen in 2007. He deserves a shot and he seems nearly ready. Yet he's not going anywhere and being in AAA he's only a phone call away. The sox could use Haeger in set up there. No on the job training in the pros. More importantly, he's insurance in case of injury/ ineffectiveness. The sox could then give Hermanson a shot with the spot reserved for Haeger. Sign Dustin to an incentive laden deal. If he flames out, gets hurt, then insert Haeger. I wasn't for signing Hermanson, plugging Haeger in and then getting one new guy via trade or free agency. This way, the sox can add two new guys and dustin to a low base $700 k, with Haeger in reserve in AAA. With a cheap Hermanson, the sox can add salary with the other two arms. A healthy Hermanson is much better than most of the names being thrown out there. [This is all dependent on a decent prognosis for Dustin]. And with him not being a fireballer, he still presents a different look to the opposing hitters. QUOTE(redandwhite @ Oct 9, 2006 -> 08:46 PM) I was at the game against the Angels where Haeger made his first start. I was rather impressed with his knuckleball, having seen Wakefield pitch on numerous occassions, however, Pierzynski's troubles catching him could become problematic next season. With Chris Stewart as backup, I think he'd be the one to catch Haeger.

QUOTE(beautox @ Oct 9, 2006 -> 10:45 AM) I too am seeing the FA being Justin Speier, and Haeger taking over McCarthys role, i wouldn't be supprised if Cotts is part of a bigger deal or if he his retained. How does everyone here feel about keeping Hermanson with a incentive laiden deal using his buy out for '07 of .5mil as the base? so then we only need Speier. What do you think it would take to get somone like Qualls or Lidge? Lidge has two years of Arb left and would make the back end of our BP even better. Hermanson's situation is kind of like Big Frank in 2006. The sox need a sure thing rather than an injury risk. I like Hermanson. But I'm not sure if his injuries are behind him. Qualls or Lidge--I'd rather go with Qualls--would have to be part of a deal for Freddy. I knew Speier threw a sinker. But I didn't know how much of a flyball pitcher he was. The sox need a guy who can keep it in the park, and induce DP's with runners on. I'm not so sure on Speier. Chad Bradford's healthy again. I could see him and Haeger being a nice bridge to the fireballers. Bradford only allowed 1 HR this yr and always has had a high GB/ FB ratio. Though the sox trade may make him a little sour on signing a FA deal with them. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=3854

Cowley looks at the bullpen. Sounds like Cotts will be shopped to gauge his value. He probably won't go anywhere. But if a team is willing to overpay, the sox would have to consider it with Thornton going so well. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/wh...T-sox09.article sounds like the sox will add three new guys [with Cotts staying on]--one via trade, one via free agency, and one via the farm system, IMO. 1] Free agency--a reliable RH like Justin Speier 2] Trade--another reliable RH like Chad Qualls 3] Farm--Charlie Haeger Thoughts on your 3 additions?

Any deal that would involve Crede [which NY would love and demand] is a no go. A rod's not coming to the sox. The angels or Dodgers both have the need for Arod. Let them part with the players it would take to get him.

The key is, he's making too much money not to start. Paying $7 mill for someone else and still having Uribe around makes no sense.

A rod will be dealt. The Angels will have the pieces to get him. The sox should go after Orlando Cabrera. Parting with Crede for Arod fills one hole and leaves a gaping one at 3B. Fields isn't ready for 162 games in the pros for a playoff contender.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Oct 6, 2006 -> 12:48 AM) You see the A's will be getting compensation for Zito this offseason in the form of draft picks (not nearly enough). However there is a new proposal up for consideration by the owners, the elimination of draft pick compensation if they Sox did hang onto Buehrle thinking they'd get some draft pick compensation for him in free agency (not nearly fair compensation) and they pass this resolution, the Sox will be s*** out of luck and they'll walk away with nothing to show for him. Zito is the only one of the big 3 to go to free agency, Beane dealt the other 2, you have to remember there are extenuating circumstances surrounding the A's decision to keep Zito, it's not fair to compare it to Buehrle's situation. If the Sox can't come to an agreement with Buehrle this offseason then he needs to be dealt, Buehrle is worth far too much on the trade market to be lost with no compensation, that's just bad business practice. If the Sox want to be at all successful in 2008 and beyond, they will follow this plan. The A's have to cut payroll [like in the past] for strictly business purposes. The sox don't have to. If the Sox want to contend for the WS in 2007, they can't trade 2 of their SP's. The sox should gauge MB's contract demands/ interest in an offer this offseason. Unless he's out of his mind and wants $15 mill a yr, the sox should be able to work out a 3 yr deal. My money's on Garcia being dealt and MB making a deal

Garcia. He's the only one not locked up besides MB who the sox will try to lock up this offseason. If the sox are far apart on a MB deal, they should go into 2007 with him anyway. If the sox are then out of it by the deadline then maybe deal him. KW will look at Zito and the A's success and hold onto MB

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Oct 1, 2006 -> 10:36 PM) If you're going to have both Covelli Crisp and Ryan Sweeney in the OF next year I'd much prefer Sweeney in CF and Crisp in LF strickly because of arm strength. I really don't want to see Crisp making throws from the right center field gap to 3B/cutoffman he's just not capable of doing such a thing. I like Crisp because he can play both spots. I know he's better in Lf than CF. But I don't know if he's better than Ryan in CF.

QUOTE(whitesox1976 @ Sep 30, 2006 -> 04:12 AM) I think it was a mistake trading El Duque. He has a World Series ring with the Sox, now he has the chance for one with the Mets He could have just as easily been on the DL for 1/2 the yr. Pitching in the NL where he could go 5 innings and face the weak #8 hitter and the pitcher also helped him. If he stuck around the AL he would have had a +5 ERA

QUOTE(Felix @ Oct 1, 2006 -> 10:00 PM) Can I have "Ryan Sweeney" for 500? (or hell, Ross Gload) I'll take Ryan Sweeney for $1000. Listening to Ozzie gush about Sweeney in the pre-game, reading all his comments in the papers, and watching Ryan this month, I'll take bets he's the starting LFer in 2007 barring injury. That would mean a vet in CF of course. QUOTE(fathom @ Oct 1, 2006 -> 10:13 PM) If he's starting in LF, I hope we upgrade offensively in CF, as well as add a back-up LF we can platoon Sweeney with. Coco Crisp in CF. I'm not sure who'd be the righty platoon guy, though. Preferably someone who can play more than just LF.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Oct 1, 2006 -> 08:40 AM) For me the leadoff postion would be the LF platoon of Mack/Gload/Right handed hitter (Byrnes) #2 would be Omar Vizquel, or if push came to shove, Uribe (did well there in 2004.) Omar may not have a high enough SLG%, but he can bunt, steal bases, move along runners, and he tends to walk more than he strikes out. That would be ugly having any of those 3 guys leading off. That's something a team like Pittsburgh would do, not a playoff team.