beck72

Fields will be traded. His ceiling is too high at 3b with his power, avg, and OBP for KW not to put together a good deal. Stock up with pitching for him. Sweeney should stick around for either LF or RF. Sweeney is about 1 yr away from helping. Good injury insurance in case Dye gets hurt, or Pods goes down. IMO, Iguchi could take over leadoff in a pinch. Not ideal, but decent enough.

Until Dustin is back pitching effectively vs big league hitters, then I'll get excited. But I have a feeling he won't be ready by the trade deadline, if at all.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jun 23, 2006 -> 03:32 PM) The Sox are going to find out what Politte has left now, so if he doesn't have anything left they'll have time to make another acquisition or turn things over to someone else. I am thinking when he does come up, we won't see him used near as much as the Sox try to keep his arm a bit more fresh and hope that allows him to feel better when he's on the mound. Very true. If Politte can help this yr, fine. If not, the sox have time to make some outside moves.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Jun 23, 2006 -> 06:20 AM) He started? Why not just let Haegs go 7 and then bring Cliff in? So Politte can warm up and throw exactly when he's ready, rather than waiting for the "right" time and situation. Getting Politte back to where he needs to be is more important to the sox than making sure Haeger gets his innings in.

QUOTE(WCSox @ Jun 20, 2006 -> 11:33 PM) I agree that Anderson will eventually hit and that he has a lot of upside... more than Rowand did. And his defense in CF is already excellent. But he doesn't have Crawford's upside. I'm not nearly has high on Crawford as some other people in this thread but, outside of Anderson's ability to play Gold Glove-caliber CF, Crawford is a much better player overall... and will still be a much better player five years from now. Trading away B-Mac would put this organization's future in jeopardy, given the relative age of our pitching staff. No commodity in baseball is more precious than quality, young, inexpensive starting pitching. But trading away Anderson and some prospects for Crawford would not, IMO. Twenty-four-year-old Carl Crawford would essentially replace Anderson as "the future." Given that either Garcia or Garland will be on their way out this winter and that Thome (and possibly Count) are likely to follow in a couple of years, the money will be available to sign Crawford to a long-term deal. That said, it's not going to happen anyway. The D-Rays are trying to convince everyone that Crawford is the second coming of Pete Rose. And given some of the responses in this thread, they've been at least somewhat successful. My thinking is that Anderson and Crawford would compliment each other [and the team] very well, both possessing great defensive skills and having various offensive strengths from both the left and right sides of the plate. Instead of an either /or, having both would be a great foundation for the future [and present]. Crawford would give the sox the POds type ignitor. Anderson would give the sox the type of production Rowand did. While I'm not comparing Crawford to Rose, Crawford would give the sox the leadoff man they'll need for the future. No rookie will come in and put up the kind of numbers a playoff team needs. Look at the Coco Crisp trade. It'll take giving up high quality players for that type of guy. [And looking at a potential Crawford trade, Crisp's price is about realistically what Crawford should return for the D-Rays, though a little more]. With Pods in the "doghouse" for his defense [and not hitting], it may be time to look for a viable replacement that could help this yr for the stretch run. And Crawford is already signed to a long term deal. He'd be locked up until 2010, IIRC. QUOTE(Dam8610 @ Jun 21, 2006 -> 03:14 AM) For those dreaming of Crawford, I think those chances just went down significantly today: Gathright to Royals for Howell Gathright was looked at as a 4th OFer at best by TB. Both Delmon Young and Elijah Dukes were ahead of him. And both look to be ready for the bigs very soon. Not to mention that BJ Upton is mentioned as a future OFer as well. Young's spot is in RF. Dukes was playing LF and took over in RF when Young was suspended. The D-Rays have a lot of holes to fill [sP, 3b, 1b, C, bullpen]. Far more than trading one of their prospects will get them. They should take the MArlins example and sell their assets at once and stock up on quality prospects. Besides a few of the big names, the top of their minor league system looks pretty bad.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jun 21, 2006 -> 12:34 PM) Smoltz was on ESPN seemingly endorsing a trade to Detroit. He has veto power on all deals. Someone at ESPN was speculating that Scherholtz and Cox would likely sit down with Smoltz, and if he wanted out would probably grant his request due to all he's done for the Braves, and the fact that the Braves look to be entering a rebuilding faze and Smoltz is getting up there in years. There has been speculation of a Smoltz/Zumaya trade which looks like a decent deal for the Braves, especially since they aren't going to win anything this season but it also would solidify the Detroit rotation. The Sox don't want to fall too far behind Detroit. They will spend lots of money reinforcing their team. I could see Detroit making a run at Smoltz. Esp with their staff so young. What better way then getting a solid and affordable vet like Smoltz.

QUOTE(WCSox @ Jun 20, 2006 -> 10:10 PM) Yes, but we're trying to win now, not three years from now when Anderson learns how to hit major-league pitching. Any major-league GM would gladly give away Anderson (even if it means Mackowiak in CF for half a season) for Crawford. If, [and it's a great big if], the sox traded for Crawford this yr, it's likely he'd play CF [and Anderson would go to AAA and get his stick back on track]. If Anderson continues hitting, he'd stick, and Pods could be dealt with Ozzie and Co. not impressed with his defense and sub .250 avg [that Ozzie publicly called him out for taking his poor AB's into the field]. LF is Crawford's best position. And he'd be a ready made Pods replacement Yet Crawford would likely play LF and Anderson CF for the start of 2007. Anderson will hit in the major leagues. He's shown his value as a defensive player in CF. With the Sox high priced starters, they have to get a few young position players who can contribute on the cheap. KW has said he wants to win now. But not at the expense of his future. Trading away Anderson would be trading away the future.

QUOTE(WCSox @ Jun 20, 2006 -> 08:59 PM) Anderson is a "keeper", even if the Sox would receive Crawford in return? What was that you were saying about me losing my job as a GM? :rolly Anderson is the long term answer in CF. Crawford would be the long term answer in LF.

QUOTE(WCSox @ Jun 20, 2006 -> 05:09 PM) I were KW and I really, really wanted Crawford, I'd eventually offer Garland, Fields, Broadway, and either Pods or Anderson. If that was unacceptable, I'd break off negotiations. If you were KW, you wouldn't have a job for long with trades like that. The D-Rays wouldn't want Garland or Pods. And Anderson is a keeper. Fields and Broadway would be a good starting point though with TB wanting a few more players.

QUOTE(Dam8610 @ Jun 19, 2006 -> 10:35 PM) So less than 15 starts into his big league career, you've already determined that Ryan Madson doesn't have what it takes to be a ML starter? That is amazing. I must commend you for your awesome eye for talent. Seriously though, the guy has a vast amount of potential, and has yet to show that he can't reach it. Garland, on the other hand, has shown pretty much throughout his career that he is an amazingly mediocre pitcher. So, you're the Phillies. You have a choice between a 26 year old who you know is going to be about average for you and eat 200 innings next year, or a 25 year old who may struggle for the next year or maybe even two, but could become a dominant starter. Which one are you taking? A few things: *A lot of teams would love to have the "amazingly mediocre" Garland. Philly included. *Avg in the AL [which you must think Garland is] will be above avg in the NL. IMO, Garland is above avg in the AL. *Madson has proven he's a top set up man. He's done that for a few yrs now. No doubt about it. But going from that to a 200 inning per yr SP is tough to do. Maybe teams w/o playoff hopes can try to change set up men to starters, and allow the guys to take some lumps, lose some games, and sport 6+ ERA's. But a team like Philly may not have the same patience. And their fans are certainly not the forgiving and patient type. QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jun 20, 2006 -> 12:48 AM) Ryan Madson is still a starting pitching prospect even though he's been eased into a relief role. You act like his career outlook is only in the pen when the guy will probably be a starter very soon. The trial period for him being a SP for the Phills is ongoing right now. If he flops, they probably won't give him a 2nd chance in the rotation.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Jun 19, 2006 -> 07:46 PM) In what universe? In the baseball universe where solid and dependable SP is at a premium. Having a guy who can throw over 200 innings, who has never had an arm injury is worth more than a set up man. It may be only a prospect. It's not like I proposed Madson and Abreu for Garland. But IMO Garland would be worth more than Madson alone. Esp going to the weak NL where his ERA will drop into the mid 3's But I'm of the mind that getting a stellar young set up man in exchange for a SP [either Garland or Freddy in the offseason] would be worth looking into

QUOTE(Dam8610 @ Jun 19, 2006 -> 03:54 PM) You went from wanting to trade Garland for him, to now wanting to trade a couple of above average pitching specs and a great 3B spec for him? That seems like a wide range of things you'd want to give up there, one end of the spectrum undervaluing Madson, the other end overvaluing him. I disagree that Garland is worth more than Madson, especially to the Phillies, because Madson has great potential, and his worth as a reliever has already been shown. Garland has little to no potential, and is only valuable as the amazingly mediocre SP, which IMO wouldn't be worth Madson's potential to the Phillies. I started off asking what would it take to acquire Madson for this year. I made the offhand comment that Garland for Madson could be made in the offseason, with the thought that Jon would be worth more than Ryan alone. With Madson not a SP, and Jon a guy who could mow down the mediocre NL hitters, you are undervaluing Jon big time. Other teams would like a crack at Jon, esp. Philly. If you disagree, so be it. IMO, Jon is worth more than a set up man.

QUOTE(Hangar18 @ Jun 19, 2006 -> 02:03 PM) Watched the game friday nite, and his first AB, he lined a drive to CF, Griffey bobbled the ball (but still had control of the situation) when Anderson, who was rounding First, saw the bobble and Turned the Jets on and motored to 2nd. The play was close, and I was astounded at that burst of speed from Anderson, and the fact he USED HIS INSTINCTS as part of his game ................. I was really impressed, and for the first time, I can see now why the SOX are very high on him. I really liked what I saw of him this weekend and hope hes finally turning the corner ...... I think most people have seen glimpses of what Anderson can do. The only question is whether he'd need more seasoning hitting wise in AAA after his poor start. He's the long term answer in CF, with his defense, speed and power [and ability to hit near .300 sometime down the road]. Hopefully he hits and remains the short term answer in CF as well because his defense would be hard to replace via trade

QUOTE(JDsDirtySox @ Jun 19, 2006 -> 01:40 PM) I guess I will be one to stand up for Pods, and not want to throw him in the trash. Sure the Defense is lacking, but I still want him in the lineup everyday. It's not us. It's Ozzie trashing Pods. He wants him in the lineup everyday as well. But if the sox have to have a defensive replacement for a .240-.250 hitter who is taking his poor AB's into the field, then ....

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jun 19, 2006 -> 12:05 PM) From the Sun-Times: What's disturbing to some in the organization is the idea that Podsednik takes his at-bats to the outfield with him. It was that type of attitude that got former left fielder Carlos Lee shipped out. Guillen didn't dismiss that idea. Without a Carl Crawford type ignitor on the team first, Pods wouldn't get shipped out. But with the sox being mentioned as interested in Crawford, I could see Pods gone. Esp. with him already being replaced in LF late in games by Mack. This is something that could come sooner than we think

Ozzie comments on Podsednik's defense could mean a lot. http://www.suntimes.com/output/sox/cst-spt-soxnt19.html If Anderson hits .250 + the rest of the year, he's a keeper with his defense. If Brian tanks again, I could see the sox making a run at Crawford for CF this year. They don't seem impressed with an OF of Pods in LF and Mack in CF, and they shouldn't be. Getting a guy like Crawford could mean Pods would be replaced for 2007, with Anderson in CF.

While I did mention that Garland could be dealt in the off-season, getting Madson this year wouldn't affect the rotation at all. Madson would be strictly for the bullpen, where he's had proven success. His struggles in the rotation may have shown Philly that he's strictly a bullpen guy--though very valuable at that. The sox need a young Scott Shields type bullpen guy, who could add/ replace what BMac does so he could be moved into the rotation at some point. A deal along the lines of Josh Fields, and two pitchers of Haeger, Tracey and Phillips might be enough for this year to acquire Madson for the final bullpen guy this year. FWIW, Garland is worth more than Madson. I believe I posted Garland for Madson +. The Phils could use a consistent SP like Jon. Though if Jon gets back on track like '05, pitching with confidence and great movement with his pitches, he won't be going anywhere.

QUOTE(zygoat @ Jun 18, 2006 -> 04:58 PM) no i like garland where he is. We shouldnt be screwing around with our already strong rotation. Garland sucks this year, but if he has anything close to what he had last year, we will regret it dearly. I say we stick to what we have and sign relievers over the offseason. But at the moment, i think our bullpen is improving greatly (they shut down the reds except for jenks who just wanted to make things interesting). I say we keep our rotation where it is. Garland would be kept where he is in the rotation [though I think he'll be moved in the offseason]. This trade would be for this year and Madson would return to the bullpen where he's had a lot of success.

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Jun 18, 2006 -> 02:58 PM) I dont know how many times its been mentioned him being moved to LF..... I know but mostly by people on boards like this. But I still the Sox want above average defensive OFers. Fields will not come close to being an above avg OFer. With Dye likely to stick around, along with Brian A, Pods probably, and Sweeney in the wings, Fields should stick to 3b where he still needs work. I think the Fields to LF talk is more geared toward upping his trade value, and having other teams thinking Fields can be a part of the long term sox plan.

QUOTE(EvilJester99 @ Jun 16, 2006 -> 01:28 PM) Donnelly would be a solid choice... Any guy who has his agent call the GM and request a trade because they don't like how he's being used in the bullpen, wouldn't last long on the White Sox. Donnelly has been throwing in set up for years and now he doesn't like how he's being used?! See ya. The sox wouldn't waste any prospects on this guy

With Madson really struggling in the Phils rotation, he should be sent back to the bullpen. Yet now the Phils have the best bullpen ERA in the NL [along with the worst ERA for their SP]. Their offense is decent [6th in runs, 5th in SLG, 10th in OBP yet 15th in avg.] I could definitely see a Garland for Madson + deal happen in the offseason, when the no-trade clause is gone. But could a deal be swung for Madson by the trade deadline? Somehow, I don't think AAA SP's like Haeger and Heath Phillips would be enough to fill the Phills need for SP help. Yet Josh Fields for 3b to take the place of David Bell would have to be enticing. Thoughts?

With Crede under Sox control until '08 [and should be locked up to a longer deal], Fields won't come near Chicago for a while. He'll likely be traded though. Seeing how the only realistic spots for Fields is 3b or 1b, another team looking for a 3b man [a lot of teams] should be looking to deal for him.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jun 17, 2006 -> 12:49 PM) Absolutely, especially when you consider what Florida gave up for Ron Villione at the deadline last season. Suddenly, our bullpen has a lot more depth than a lot of other teams. Esp. with Lopez not having a spot in Chicago. Getting Riske now was a smart move, in case more injuries occur. Ozzie and KW don't want to be in the position of relying on rookies in the bullpen come Sept. The more solid major leaguer bullpen arms the sox have, the better. Esp. if a SP goes down, and they have to move Bmac into the rotation QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jun 17, 2006 -> 12:53 PM) I think it was a panic move from Theo Epstein. They had no lefties, none in their system who were ready, and Riske was just the odd guy out. It's more of a trading for a need, but giving up the better player. Plus Fenway probably didn't suit Riske very well I'd say. Riske not being well known in the REd sox system, and being on the DL for a month, didn't help either. A definite overpayment here for the Red Sox, getting that LOGGY guy. Interesting that Riske threw well in the Cell last year. The Sox being familiar with him certainly moved this deal along

QUOTE(Heath @ Jun 16, 2006 -> 02:49 AM) Brandon McCarthy might find himself in a situation where he'd get tossed right into a #3/4 starter where every 5th day, he'd get the ball. But with Garcia's ERA increasing, and isn't Garland an FA-to-be anyway, I think the Sox would have to be overwhelmed to get rid of Mac. I think a Wagner has tremendous upside, but the 10 cent head will keep him from being a millionaire. He could pull a Cliff Politte-type pitcher, and he has closer stuff, but no mentality. You're right on with BMac. The sox should put him in the 2007 rotation and one of Garland or Garcia will be probably traded. Not sure what the Reds would have to fill the sox needs. But if the sox deal a SP, they'll likely want good young pitching in return [a SP and a stud young, hard throwing reliever type].

Riske was very solid with the Indians, and threw very well for them vs the sox. Him not being familiar with the Red Sox and their team not having patience with him, probably precipitated the trade. If the red sox have better RH bulpen guys than Riske, more power to them. Riske for Lopez [a journeyman at best] is a steal. Both Thornton and Cotts are major league bullpen guys. Lopez is a fringe major leaguer. Looking at Riske's minor league numbers, he dominated there. Even if he's not dominate and fails to regain his 2005 form, the sox could still upgrade by the deadline. But Riske's less likely to blow up a game than a rookie like Tracey or Montero QUOTE(YASNY @ Jun 17, 2006 -> 11:53 AM) You have to commend KW for not waiting till the end of July to pull the trigger on this, as well. Having Riske for the next 5 weeks could prove to be very beneficial. Exactly. Even if Riske doesn't turn out to be "The Answer" to the bullpen's ills, he should help the sox in some capacity until more help could arrive. It's a very low risk, high reward type of deal. Thanks Red sox.