caulfield12

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 02:14 PM) Here's all it would take to win NOW. You tell me what our payroll would be. Add Markaikas. Add a starting pitcher (somebody like Santana; i said "like" Santana doesn't have to be him. Add two veteran bullpen guys and pray they improve. And if possible get a platoon partner for Gillaspie. Do these things and we WIN and don't waste Abreu and Sale any more. Do any of you actually disagree with what I said is true? Would it put Jerry in the poorhouse to make these moves? Are all of these moves possible? I think my post speaks for itself and is accurate. You've just spent another $40 million, roughly. $35 on the bottom, possibly $50 million in the upper range. At any rate, internally we already have Semien to pair with Conor, so no need to spend there. The problem is that team's still going to come up short at 2B, catcher (Flowers' deficiencies are well known, in terms of K's and inconsistent offensive numbers)....and the biggest issue is that there's no sure-fire solution for DH. Keeping Viciedo and moving him to DH? And would Dayan even put up a 750-800 OPS against only LH pitching? Maybe, maybe not. We don't know how he would adjust to sporadic playing time, and then who would your DH be against RHP? Adam Dunn? Paul Konerko (joking)? At any rate, you're average or below league average then at C, 2B (Sanchez/Semien/Johnson) and DH....and not really being sure what we're going to get out of Avisail Garcia as a full-time player, if Conor can repeat, if Alexei can sustain his offensive success...if Abreu can continue to hit with so much power without Dunn behind him, etc. I don't even think giving Markakis 2-3 years would lead to even league average offensive production as he inevitably declines. In your scenario, they're one bat short, and probably still one starting pitcher short. Sale Quintana Mystery veteran 3 guy Danks Noesi If Rodon's ready to be the man in 2014 at some point, MAYBE...but we certainly can't count on that transpiring. And Danks would have to pitch much better than he has. And Noesi would have to repeat what he's been able to accomplish in 2014 (see Phil Humber).

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 01:23 PM) Both ends of the spectrum between yours and Caulfields responses. I'm more in line with Caulfield . The Yanks wouldn't trade Betances for Alexei and Gary Sanchez isn't at all what he's cracked up to be . He's had discipline problems at AA and didnt hit all that well. If you want instant contender , VMart, Robertson,and BMac gives you a very strong 2015 . Try getting the Yanks to take Danks too while your at it .Even eat some salary if you think you can sign the FA's I mentioned . Heck I might trade Alexei and Danks both for Betances if I knew I could sign VMart, Robertson and BMac with Rodon and Bassitt on the horizon with the outside chance Erik Johson could bounce back. Pen fixed, rotation fixed , lineup much stronger. If you think Robertson and BMac add up to $24M /yr and lets say 2/3 yrs of VMart at $20M /yr that's $44M added to the annual payroll - Danks salary of $14 M is only $30 added to the annual payroll for a 3 yr period maybe for each player. By the time those contracts end Rodon or Bassitt or Montas or Danish or some combination of them move into the rotation so not only do you have instant contender but a window to work the young pitchers into the rotation while still competing. That's where this whole idea falls apart. The Yankees have legit concerns about even being able to afford Hanley Ramirez, they're looking at $170 million in commitments and that's not even keeping Robertson. Would you bring in another bad contract on the pitching side when you already have Sabathia, the inherent/ongoing risks with Tanaka, A-Rod, etc.? I know I wouldn't. Plus, they have Greene and Pineda, there's zero reason they HAVE to take on another bad contract. http://sports.yahoo.com/news/hanley-ramire...-173002313.html If they weren't asking for Betances, they might be able to dangle Ramirez and attach Danks to that deal (like Teahen/EJax with much bigger financial stakes)...but there's no way they make any type of move and get the likes of Hughes and Betances back without eating at least 50-75% of Danks' deal. And then you're having to replace Alexei Ramirez, which obviously won't be easy.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 01:20 PM) I've been down on Semien a bit offensively, but if the Sox can get a haul for Lexi then I think he'd be the everyday SS. I wouldn't hate to see what Semien could do with everyday ABs to try and prove my "fears" wrong about him at the dish. Leury would not be the starting SS. 100% favor Semien over Sanchez at SS, but then there's the issue of taking LH bats away from Conor at 3B. I guess they could give those AB's to Sanchez as the superutility guy, and start Semien at SS....but I don't think starting both Semien and Sanchez is the right answer for 2015 or 2016. Trading Alexei next June/July would make a bit more sense....you could move Semien to that position full-time, Micah Johnson would be the new starting 2B and Sanchez the back-up option at all three positions, compared to Leury this year. The problem is that Semien's got to put up a 675-700, maybe 725 OPS to have real value at short because he's likely to be below-average at that position defensively...especially in his first season or so playing SS exclusively. I think the jury's far from out whether he can hit major league stuff consistently enough to put up those numbers. MAYBE.

QUOTE (pettie4sox @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 01:02 PM) The royals should have lost 2 games to the Sox last week. That's like saying the CLE Indians SHOULD have won the 2005 Joe Crede walkoff game and made the playoffs instead of collapsing in the final week after fighting so hard for six weeks to catch up.

1) Marketing/sales 2) Marketing/sales 3) Community and public relations 4) Sponsorships 5) Oversee all aspects of the team/front office staff, such as the playing surface (grounds crew), concessions, souvenirs, guest/customer experience, broadcasting and media, etc. 6) Promotions nights 7) Public spokesperson for the team, and also dealing with the major league affiliate about any concern they might have about the facilities/maintenance/clubhouses/field/travel, etc. Basically, it's recognition for the success of the new stadium, and that success came largely DESPITE a terrible season from the team itself. So with minor league GM's, 50-75% of reputation is profitability/attendance. They have absolutely ZERO to do with the product on the field, except for independent leagues...but for the major league affiliates, they're at the mercy of good and bad drafting/Latin America/talent procurement.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 01:08 PM) I think Denorfia would be a great under-the-radar FA signing for our OF. Sure, as long as he has the right platoon partner. That means they're probably going to have to ditch Sierra...and I just don't see Denorfia/Sierra being a serious answer long-term for one corner OF position.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 12:57 PM) This is entirely possible anyway, but the motivation to do so continues to be "We got a really good haul for Alexei". If it's a JJ Hardy, Jed Lowrie, Stephen Drew or Asdrubal Cabrera veteran type as a placeholder, that's fine. No interest in wasting a full year proving that Sanchez or Leury Garcia aren't the long-term answer at that position.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 12:53 PM) Just throwing out some Yankees names who the Sox might like. If Robertson and McCarthy are free agents then sign them both.and VMart and the Sox are done . Closer and starting pitcher both not in the upper tier. Though McCarthy has pitched so well for the Yanks could he get a QO ? Betances was an all star this year wasn't he and Alexei is a 33 yr old SS after all . Signing Robertson and McCarthy and getting Betances would go a long way to fixing the pen and the rotation. Then just sign Vmart and fill the hole at SS however you please. Wonder what it would cost in years and money to sign all 3 of those free agents. They wouldn't trade Betances for Alexei Ramirez, so you can forget about that one. Robertson's going to be at $10-12 million and then McCarthy would be roughly the same, maybe a bit higher. Pass on both those guys, at those prices. The White Sox traded him back in 2006 for a reason...just as they did with Hudson (the only one they missed out on was Gio, and he's come down to earth in 2014 as well).

QUOTE (shysocks @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 12:46 PM) I'd be in favor of that. Splits show that his numbers aren't just a product of Coors and he has an option for 2016. I imagine the price to get him wouldn't be too high. But they're also not going to be desperate to cut payroll if they actually do trade Tulo and CarGo this offseason. They would kind of have to be bowled over. That said, there's also a lowered incentive to keep an aging veteran coming off a career rebirth/renaissance season if there's little or no thought to competing in 2015. This would also put Michael Cuddyer in play as a possible DH (if they won't give up Morneau) who could be paired with a left-handed OFer.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 12:46 PM) At some point you need innings eaters and he could fit that bill, especially with some of the injuries. Haren is a FA as well so he could slide in. They have had injury issues in back end of rotation and they clearly need to clean up the clubhouse a bit. Right now there are too many issues internally and a lot of it would appear to be tied to the logjam of outfielders and players not comfortable/happy in their current roles. I honestly don't know what else Dodgers could do? Danks seems more attractive then others but when giving up expensive players with big contracts you can't expect much in return. At least in this case, we get a solid play. Hell, if it is Ethier, you get a guy with a good OPS + every year but this year. Is he done, could be, but it could also be largely driven by his attitude issues. That said, you got to manage the personality. I don't know, maybe they'd rather have Crawford who is more of an injury risk. Either way, we need outfielders and left handed bats and both of these guys, while extremely overpaid, have a shot at still being productive players and filling needs. After the ups and downs with Rios, I think they're going to be likely to steer away from a big financial commitment to an aging/veteran player unless they feel 100% confident he's the best (and right) fit for that clubhouse. Of those two, I'd be more likely to get behind Crawford and praying for good health than praying that Ethier's best years (even as a platoon hitter) are behind him. The idea of Crawford/Eaton/Micah is exciting, and I think Carl would be more comfortable back in the AL, where he had his real success before signing that megadeal with Boston. It's a crapshoot...guys like Hanley Ramirez and Sandoval and Shields and Martinez, wondering how long they'll last physically. Then there are those anomalies like Juan Uribe (at his size/weight) who are surprising everyone by being productive for so long.

QUOTE (Jake @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 12:41 PM) Carlos Sanchez is your SS Yikes. Hello another season of 5-10 games under .500 baseball.

QUOTE (pettie4sox @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 10:07 AM) Sox have a good chance to play spoiler down the stretch. Tigers will crush the sox tonight so the Royals have to be on their A-game. That's what the Tigers thought last night with Bassitt on the hill, an inexperienced rookie with a 5+ ERA and still looking for his first win as a starter. There's a LOT more pressure on Felix Hernandez to stop the bleeding for the Mariners. I think winning the final game against the Tigers, almost coming back to tie CLE and then essentially knocking them out of the post-season discussion has helped the Royals to relax a little bit and breathe easier...they're only one game behind the Tigers, and the Royals also feel very confident about matching up with the White Sox. And isn't Sale going to pitch against DET and miss KC?

I don't think the whole "wait on Tim Anderson to be the answer at SS" train is going to get going until he proves he can field that position more effectively in 2015 than he did the last couple of seasons. Birmingham will be a big test for him. It's a make or break year for him sticking at his highest value position, IMO. To me, right now, I'm going to be more cautious and say he's still more likely to end up at 2B/LF just so I won't be disappointed in the future. If he does remain at SS, that allows for me to be pleasantly surprised at his development. I'd rather have a "plus" LF with good range and oozing with talent and an above average arm for that position (compared to short) than a below-average shortstop...unless Anderson's doubles and triples starting turning into 18-24 homers per season and you live with the errors in order for that kind of bat to be in the line-up at a premium position where 75% of the players league-wide are under a 700 OPS.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 11:36 AM) Not sure why it HAS to be an OFer, and with that said, the guy I have my eye on is Justin Morneau. Rockies wanna move Rosario to 1B which makes Justin available. Because our defense in the outfield has been terrible this entire season outside of Eaton.

QUOTE (Jake @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 10:27 AM) I need a haul to trade Alexei. He's one of the top 3-5 SS in the game and has been for years, is relatively cheap, under control, and we don't have a clear replacement. If there is no good return out there, then there is no risk in keeping him as I have very little fear that he won't live up to expectations for the duration of his contract. I'm very conflicted about what to do about catcher. If not Martin, who I think will ultimately be overpaid, then you're faced with guys who are probably not clearly better options than Flowers. While I can get behind investing in Martin, the main alternative I'd endorse pursuing is getting a younger guy in here. This might be a stipulation for trading Alexei. On the lower end, a guy like Wilin Rosario would be interesting to have in here - could be a Tank-Rosario swap? Rosario's kind of a headcase and the Rockies at one point were considering moving him out of the catcher's position because he was making so many frustrating mistakes...think of him as Dayan Viciedo, but at catcher. That said, I'd rather find talented but flawed (buy low) players like Rosario (or Grandal) than overspend on a soon-to-be-declining Russell Martin.

QUOTE (LDF @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 08:58 AM) with the mariners, the trade talk according to some site were real. I was reading a rumors, wish I remember which, had the trade being close. the problem was the prospects the mariners had to give up. of course the only ones who would know are the players in the trade talk. so all the other rumors are that rumors. About Saunders for Viciedo, as well as Ackley and/or Smoak at different points.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 09:23 AM) If you go with the premise that anyone is available there's so many more guys you could have named. If you wanted to find guys that you think are untradeable for various reasons ,there's Bryce Harper , Jason Heyward, Christian Yelich , Bret Gardner, Wil Myers, Joc Pedersen, Gregory Polanco, Sin Soo Choo. Than there's expensive and injured guys like Ryan Zimmerman and Carlos Gonzales. Coors Field products like Corey Dickerson and Charlie Blackmon. Jay Bruce coming off a bad year. Michael Saunder injured a lot but much improved in plate discipline and good at everything on the field . High baseball IQ. We need some of those types. Steve Pearce who's the very definition of late bloomer . Platoon guy like Kevin Kiermaier. Dustin Ackley , Brock Holt. Nava also is a high IQ type. S/H but def. a platoon type . Splits are bad when he hits RH. Pretty good on the bases, good arm , good fielder . Will be 32 in February. Cargo's the most interesting name (to me) on that list, and certainly more interesting than Josh Hamilton or Ethier/Crawford. But he'd have to be 100% healthy to make that kind of gamble. Saunders is a much better player for Seattle then he would be playing 81 home games at USCF...for a long time, I always confused him and Michael Brantley until Brantley became something approximating a stud this season for the Indians. Someone mentioned Bonifacio before....yet another rebound candidate, not sure I'd pair him with Eaton, though.

1) I think we're going to get priced out of the Russell Martin sweepstakes by a team like the Dodgers. 2) Trading Alexei Ramirez is fine if we're only hoping for .500 next season, and not playoff contention....then it's the logical move, obviously. Playing Leury Garcia 145 games at SS is a sure way to the same record we have currently this same time next year. 3) Viciedo is likely to be the back-up OF/DH next year, at least as things currently stand, with another player brought in from the outside or via free agency for LF/RF. I don't believe Rick Hahn's just quite ready to throw in the towel...kind of the same set of decisions he had with DeAza and Beckham this past offseason, and he punted them into 2014 essentially. 4) The bullpen needs a reliable lefty not named Andrew Miller and another potential closer who we're not paying coming off a 30-50 save season in 2014, like a Joakim Soria who's currently in a set-up role. 5) As far as Shields goes, see Alexei Ramirez....not competing in 2014, it's the wrong move as his best season will be wasted and then he'll be declining. Agree about Victor Martinez. Will be interesting to see what it would take to make Nelson Cruz part-time corner guy and mostly full-time DH, paired with a LH-hitting left fielder. Once again, Nellie Cruz is more of a "nice if you're competing in 2014 but probably not the right guy" if we're positioning for 2015. I also think it's pretty clear that Sanchez will make a pretty nifty utility infielder but he's not a starter...and that Micah Johnson's not ready to play in the big leagues until June or July, so that's yet one more reason they need to reign it in and hold off spending until next offseason.

It's back to the Royals' example...most of their hitters are in the 50's and 60's for RBI's, Gordon is their most talented player, and he's been in a huge slump and they're still going to make the playoffs because of overall depth and balance and a rotation led by Shields, Ventura and Duffy at the top....with Guthrie essentially their version of Hector Noesi and Vargas a much better Danks. Essentially, Gordon/Hosmer/Perez/Butler are their four best hitters, although you could make an argument for Lorenzo Cain. What they do well is play great defense and then they wipe out innings 7-9 with Wade Davis, Herrera, Finnegan and Holland (like our 2005 and early 2008 pens).

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 08:46 AM) The injury this year has been described as a broken hand. Hard to see that as a result of throwing a slider? Maybe he punched a wall after having an outing with no slider command, lol.

QUOTE (LDF @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 08:33 AM) and I wonder who will pay to get him. the return for the trade. with a weak draft of players with limited power, I wonder if there will be a team willing? The Mariners name always comes up, and he was connected to a possible trade before Ackley emerged as a semi-regular in LF, although he's also been a pretty big disappointment overall, along with Smoak and Montero. They're not getting enough from CF (when Saunders was out and Jones was playing), SS...Kendrys Morales and Hart/Morrison have been disappointments for most of the season as well. Zunino has some pop for a catcher, but a very low BA and OBP.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 08:23 AM) $9 million for Denard Span is a steal. He'd get $12-15 mill per year on the free agent market. Here are my concerns: 1) You have a speed-based player turning 31 before next season... 2) His defensive value is lessened by playing LF at USCF compared to CF in Washington 3) You really HAVE to get big-time power from the DH position (as well as Avisail and Conor/Semien) if you have Eaton/Span/Micah Johnson in the same line-up. 4) He's been pretty consistent, a 737/707/765 OPS line over the last three years, averaging around a 3.5 WAR. That said, he had two very subpar seasons with MINNY where he was just a 2ish WAR guy, and that's concerning since he would be back in the AL and also facing some really tough pitching staffs in DET, CLE and KC. I'm willing to pay $12-13 million for a 3.5 WAR guy, but not a 2 who's going to presumably be declining. That said, Span/Eaton/Micah would create some interesting run-producing combinations...and bring a lot better defense to the table than what we've gotten out of Viciedo/DeAza the past 2-3 seasons. That's GOT to be a priority for Hahn, to shore up that hole both offensively and defensively. To summarize, for my money, I'd rather give Aoki two seasons with a mutual option, but Span's the better player...worth the difference in the end?, yes at 3.5 and not at all around 2. However, he deserves some additional benefit of the doubt as a playoff-experienced veteran and leader. We need to bring in more of those type of character guys, since Eaton can't be the only leader of the team, especially when he's injured. It would/could also make for an interesting debate about paying Span/Rasmus/Markakis $12 million vs. Melky Cabrera $15 million over 3 years. I'm not going to call it a "steal" unless we also believe we "stole" Alex Rios for the amount of production vs. his salary numbers.

QUOTE (shysocks @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 08:11 AM) I disagree somewhat, to me this seems like the shakiest they've looked heading into October in a while. Scherzer is great. Price has been great all year but is looking hittable and has sailed past his career high in innings. Verlander is obviously not the same guy. If they plan on using Anibal out of the bullpen in the playoffs, that is a weapon, but otherwise the pen is the same mess it always has been. Maybe this is wishful thinking, because I'm sick of them too. Verlander has actually pitched pretty well the last 2-3 times out (and has been able to get his FB back in the mid 90's when he needs it, unlike earlier in the year)...I'd be more concerned about Porcello and Price if I was a Tigers' fan at the moment, along with Ausmus' reluctance to move Joba Chamberlain out of the 8th inning in favor of Joakim Soria/AL AL. Sanchez is going to be very rusty...but if he's healthy, you have to give him a role in the playoffs. 1) Scherzer 2) Verlander 3) Price 4) Porcello Based on how they've pitched the last 2-3 weeks. Over the whole season, you would probably make the argument Price has been the better pitcher. Today's a really key outing for him to get back in track, unusual to see his ERA climb into the 4's. Six weeks ago, it would have been Sanchez and Porcello with Verlander looking like banishment to the bullpen would be his fate...and deservedly so.

QUOTE (SCCWS @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 06:25 AM) Nava. Has had a solid 2nd half of season. he can also play 1st base as well. Would come cheap. But I don't think he can play center You definitely don't want Nava in CF. That would be the equivalent of Brian Daubach out there.

QUOTE (LDF @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 07:26 AM) yeah, according to his profile he is consider the premier base stealer. so will the Nat'l give him a QO? what will he salary request be? 10:$0.75M, 11:$1M, 12:$3M, 13:$4.75M, 14:$6.5M, 15:$9M club option ($0.5M buyout) That's a pretty steep price to pay for Span, salary-wise, not to mention talent surrendered in trade. I'd probably pass at that price, although he is very familiar with the AL Central (especially the stadiums), so that would be a huge plus in his favor.