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QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jan 18, 2009 -> 12:26 PM) Sox pitchers, namely Mark Buehrle, never perform well in these types of simulations or predictions because they use several sabermetric statistics in making their standings and Buehrle, like most Sox pitchers, never holds up well in these. Nope. Buehrle only holds up well in the actual playing of baseball.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Jan 16, 2009 -> 08:02 PM) 11. Gordon Beckham - very unlikely, but there's always a chance he could come up midseason I don't see this as unlikely. Not at all. I won't even be shocked if he makes the team out of ST. Surprised a little bit, but not shocked. I EXPECT him to rake early and often at Birm./Char and be up before the All Star break.

QUOTE (beck72 @ Jan 17, 2009 -> 06:06 AM) That, and the sox have talked about how long Jose takes to get warmed up, that the bullpen wasn't a great option for him in the past. But if he needs to go the bullpen to prolong his career, due to health concerns, he may have to. I can see Contreras staying with the Sox in a lesser capacity in '10, probably as a 6th starter-long reliever, depending on how he does in '09. It will be of utmost performance that the organization treats him with respect and dignity, regardless of how he performs. Our pipeline to JTorres/Cuba is alive and well, and the next defector or two we get will probably be pitchers who grew up idolizing Jose.

QUOTE (TheBigHurt @ Jan 14, 2009 -> 11:08 PM) Far as I'm concerned, we were lucky and the stars aligned in 2005. Last year barely counts because we won a s*** division. The fact remains that the focus on this team has been shaky and the payroll as well as the players have not been maintained properly. How can you deny that when our roster is less impressive than many others and our youngest players aren't raking in the cash yet? The fact we have this high of a payroll is mind-boggling, and we all know how the organization is with things. I frankly can't understand this negativity I see from so many posters. KW is one of the best GM's around. We may not be better in '09, though I think we'll be pleasantly surprised again, but the organization is leaner, younger and better moving forward. The Sox will be fine.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 12, 2009 -> 07:49 AM) "Waive" him in? Is that what the Sox would have to do with him if he played CF? If we trade Dye or PK, I'd love to see Abreu come to the Sox, but as a corner OF. ...and to be the DH in 2010 when Shelby or JorDanks is ready.

I saw this headline http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1332964...-cell16.article and I thought: Yeah, that WOULD be cool to have a watering hole or two built into the new entry ramp. Have a few pops while waiting for the post-game traffic to clear up.

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Jan 2, 2009 -> 09:33 PM) Pitching would remain the problem that it currently is. Either way we need to acquire SP and count on youngsters steppin up Sorry Princess, but the pitching situation would be much worse w/o Gavin. No way we make this trade unless other pitching comes from the O's or elsewhere in another deal.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jan 1, 2009 -> 09:43 PM) I don't like AJ batting second. I agree the rotation needs one more proven starter. AJ batting second is a disaster that will likely cost JD, Thome, and Paulie about 10 RBI's each. I think the lineup is OK otherwise. Owens is the big ? for me, and AJ should never bat higher than 7th. I propose: Owens Getz Q JD Thome Konerko Ramirez AJ Fields I know it's back to back lefties leading off, but Getz splits are even against RHP and LHP. If Lillibrige wins 2B, better options may exist. The rotation needs a replacement for Marquez, but I'm oddly confident in Richard. Looking at the path both players have taken in respective MiLB careers, Clayton has shown remarkable, rapid improvement over two years. Despite a terrible start at the big league level, he began to show a lot of moxie, and "figure it out" pretty quickly. Being alongside MB and Danks won't hurt. I hope Poreda's good enough, soon enough, because I'm not sure Marquez is MLB material. Who cares about an overabundance of LH starters? Not me. For the Sox to compete, they need to get better than Marquez here... unless KW is Nostradamus.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 23, 2008 -> 09:45 AM) Erstad's OBP the year prior to signing with the Sox was .279. Kotsay was .340 in ATL, .286 with BOS in very limited at bats there. And I was making a comparison, not saying Kotsay was some huge OBP guy. I know you want to focus in on any specific thing that doesn't fit, but, look again at my main point here: Kotsay with Anderson as a backup plan > Anderson/Owens in CF for the Sox, as long as Kotsay can be had for fairly cheap. Its low risk for a possible high reward, and if he can't stay healthy or is truly done, then you are back where you were anyway. One thing that does concern me though about Kotsay, aside from health, is the dropoff in SLG after 2006. Sorry NSS, but you called him an OBP machine. We're rather vigilant here. Anyway, I really hope Kenny is "thinking bigger". Kotsay would just be more crap that Ozzie might have a brief love fling with, thus keeping a younger player from emerging. I have no confidence in Owens, and little in BA, but I'd rather see them get the chance vs. MK.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 23, 2008 -> 09:01 AM) OBP machine? He's got a .337 career OBP and hasn't been able to match that the past 4 seasons. That's what I was thinking. We need guys at 350-360+ OPB near the top of the order. Kotsay? No thanks. I'd rather gamble on Willy T.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 18, 2008 -> 11:02 AM) Rest assured that KW is still trying to add players but not salary. Players like Abreu etc have found out their price tags are not going to be met and will come down in cost and years. I still expect some action to happen before xmas. Let's hope so. I like your optimism, Rock. It seems that there's a lot of pessimism about '09, but I can't help but feel confident. Our core is in place, and may perform better in early 09, specifically Paulie, Alexei, Thome, replacement of Swisher than they did in early '08. At least one semi-legit SP will likely be added, and maybe a high-ceiling prospect. I'm also cautiously optimistic that we'll get mid-season reinforcements with Beckham, Poreda, maybe Viciedo, maybe Link, maybe Jose, that could make us a different/better team in the 2nd half. I'm guessing Poreda makes the team in ST and goes to Pen.

QUOTE (heirdog @ Dec 17, 2008 -> 07:26 AM) I think the hold up in the Dye-Bailey deal is that we are looking to have a contract worked out with Abreu first so that we don't have a gaping hole after trading Dye. The "financial" matters in that deal is that we are looking for Bobby to come down to about $9-10 million per for a max 2 yr deal, maybe an option on a third year. I also think we'll sign Brad Penny on the cheap...just a gut feeling, no source. At that point in time, we may look to acquire Brian Roberts for a package of our young talent (Fields, BA, Poreda). 2009: 2B: Roberts LF: Abreu RF: CQ DH: Thome 1B: Konerko SS: Ramirez 3B: Betemit/Viciedo C: AJP CF: Owens/Tavares Bench: Back-up Catcher, Wise, Lillibridge, Getz LHP: Buehrle RHP: Floyd LHP: Danks RHP: Penny L/RHP: Richard, Marquez, Broadway CL: Jenks RHSU: Linebrink LHSU: Thornton RH: Dotel RH: Russell LH: Richard or FA RH: Marquez/Broadway I like your thinking, and that would be a great team, but I don't see Roberts getting traded.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 16, 2008 -> 05:39 PM) Well, the "Big Board" is supposed to be 2-3 years down the line. I'll skip ahead then to 2011. Most of this could be in place at end of 2010: Beckham 3B Getz 2B (or Lilli, Nix etc. depending on who steps up) Q RF Brandon Allen/Flowers 1B other could be DH Viciedo LF Jordan Danks CF Alexei SS Unknown DH Armstrong/Flowers C All starters under 30, Alexei 29, Q 28 Rotation: Danks Floyd Buehrle Poreda ? Only MB over 30 Could be potent, and affordable.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 16, 2008 -> 01:56 PM) Further, I see one of Owens and Taveras - preferably Taveras, simply because he's a far better defender and nothing more - leading off for the Sox. So, now that the picture is painted a bit clearer, I see 2 more moves being made for sure with a Dye deal triggering another move to bring in Abreu. Taveras/Owens - CF Abreu/Ramirez - RF/SS Quentin - LF Thome - DH Konerko/Dye - 1B/RF AJP/Konerko - C/1B Ramirez/AJP - SS/C Fields+Betemit - 3B Getz - 2B Buehrle Floyd Danks vet SP Marquez/Richard/Poreda/prospect brought in for Dye if done the bullpen remains the same with Richard or Poreda - likely Richard - taking Boone Logan's spot, though Jimenez can't be ruled out either (which is scary) the bench consists of Stewart/Miller, Lillibridge, Betemit, and Anderson. Though I really don't ever see Anderson getting another shot to claim a starting spot on this team barring injuries, I think Ozzie likes him as a tool late in games. I guess you don't see any contribution from Jose? I have a feeling he just might contribute at the end of the season. The veteran starting pitcher acquisition as a #4 is a likely move indeed. The budget for this move might negate an Abreu signing, depending.

What's Kenny's Big Board looking like right about now, with the new prospects in the pipeline? My belief is that Kenny's hunkering down for the recession, with predictable and controllable payroll season to season, that relies on a healthy return from our prospects. I'm assuming a Dye trade, an Abreu signing, a mid-seson Fields trade, and a few other happenings, and I'll propose the following scenario: The lineup at the end of the season '09/playoff roster: Beckham 2B Abreu LF Q RF Thome DH Konerko 1B Axelei SS AJ C Viciedo 3B Taveras CF Rotation: Danks Floyd Buehrle Bailey/Contreras Pen: Jenks Thornton Linebrink Poreda Dotel Richard Bailey or Contreras Most likely to replace one of the above: Link Bench: ? Backup catcher Getz Lillibridge OR Betemit Wise Anderson OR Owens This might kick ass. Payroll looks acceptable in '10 with Thome and Contreras coming off the books. Konerko and AJP coming off before '11. Those year's projections to follow.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Dec 15, 2008 -> 05:38 PM) It's contingent on a Dye Trade. The thought process is Bailey + Prospect + Abreu> Dye. Make it happen Kenny! We need a RHP with serious upside to fill out the rotation for '09 and beyond. I love the idea of Abreu as our #2. Now, a little dreaming. The scenario as we end July and enter August of the '09 season: Let's assume Viciedo excels in B'Ham, thriving in the warm Alabama sun despite the park's dimensions, and mostly avoiding the moonpies. Beckham does what I expect him to do, which is kick ass and force a May or June callup. Poreda looks real good at Charlotte, enough to be called up in July. Bailey being groomed to enter the rotation after excelling as the long man in the pen. lA lineup and rotation could emerge that could kick ass for the stretch run. Also, Fields does well enough in early months to warrant serious trade value before the trade deadline, and KW lands more pitching/prospects, and making room for Viciedo, whose fielding in the minors is surprisingly crisp. The major league club has performed well to this point, with Getz and Taveras setting the table competently. The veteran pitchers at the top of the rotation have been great, overcoming inconsistency from Marquez and Richard. Getz shows enough moxie, that there will be talk of grooming him for a super-utility role for '10, giving him appearaces at 3B and SS. Lillibridge and Betemit have been adequate IF backups. Now, in come the reinforcements. The lineup at the end of the season '09: Beckham 2B Abreu LF Q RF Thome DH Konerko 1B Axelei SS AJ C Viciedo 3B Taveras CF Rotation: Danks Floyd Buehrle Bailey Poreda Pen: Jenks Thornton Linebrink Dotel Link Richard Marquez Poreda moved to the pen for the playoffs. And it's just the beginning... Don't wake me up. I'm bored like the rest you, so I'm going to start a future seasons projection thread, or otherwise propose a return a Kenny's Big Board thread.

QUOTE (soxfan3530 @ Dec 16, 2008 -> 10:57 AM) i think bobby abreau will end up being the sox #2 hitter. I hope you're right.

QUOTE (tommy @ Dec 14, 2008 -> 09:05 PM) Lets say Getz wins 2B out of spring training. Ozzie said he is batting 9th. That is why Jerry Owens will start over BA, because Jerry Owens is a leadoff hitter, BA is not. Of course one trade could change all of this but as we stand and what I can say from this article this is 2009 lineup: Owens CF AJP C Quentin LF Dye RF Thome DH Konerko 1B Ramirez SS Fields 3B Getz 2B AJP better not be batting 2nd again. His OBP is horrendous, which is what you need in front of Q. Now if Abreu is acquired after a Dye trade, along with Taveras, your lineup looks like this: Willy T CF Abreu LF Q RF Thome DH Konerko 1B Ramirez SS AJP Fields Getz OR if Getz performs like an ideal #2 and changes Ozzie's mind: Willy T Getz Q Abreu Konerko Thome Alexei AJP Fields

QUOTE (Cubano @ Dec 13, 2008 -> 04:11 PM) Stan, He is a good CF. The question is how can the ChiSox improve the most? Well we need a leadoff man. Who is available o rather who can we get? If we can get a SS that can leadoff, Alexei goes to CF or 2B. Team first all the time. Alexei won't make a big deal about it. Cuban players, born and raised in Cuba are humble due to our life there. They are gratefull that they are here. I am not talking about Canseco, etc. If the ChiSox tell him, Alexei we need you in CF, he will go there without hesitation or complaints. How many right handers are we going to send out there? Fields/Viciedo Alexei 2B I think the two guys there are righties Korneko Dye Quentin Anderson We need to have balance. I'm with you Cubano. If Getz takes 2B that's one more lefty. But this points out why I want to sign Abreu regrdless of a SS acquisition, and trade Dye or Paulie for a high-upside RHP who's either MLB ready or very close. Glad to here your opinion on Alexei's willingness to move. He had said that being an MLB shortstop was his ultimate dream, but it sounds like he'd get over it. It will be interesting to see what position Viciedo winds up playing. I'd kind of like to see them play next to one another, be it in the infield or outfield.

QUOTE (Cubano @ Dec 11, 2008 -> 08:05 PM) This would benefit the ChiSox a lot. Alexei CF Furcal SS Anybody at 2B I agree, if we knew for certain that he was a good CF. Cubano, can you enlighten us on his strengths/weaknesses in the outfield. Is he really fast enough to counter the slowness of Q and JD? That would be my main concern.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 13, 2008 -> 10:07 AM) If nothing else, this is just one of many stats that really validate Mark Buehrle as an even better pitcher than many Sox fans give him credit for being. Big cosign. He'll be forever under-appreciated until he wins #250 or so. 300 isn't even out of the question. Decent chance he winds up in Cooperstown. I recently did a stats search of all the top pitchers in baseball. Only CC and Carlos Zambrano are projected to have more career W's than Buehrle, and they're both power pitchers who likely won't have as long a career. I didn't count pitchers who haven't had a significant body of work (i.e.

QUOTE (Leonard Zelig @ Dec 12, 2008 -> 06:01 PM) I am astonished that you're shocked by this. Agreed. Since when has the Score been the ultimate authority? Jesse Rogers has nothing on any of us fools. KW is just as likely to intentionally mislead a media lesser-light like Rogers, as he is to provide inside info.

QUOTE (Lemon_44 @ Dec 12, 2008 -> 06:41 PM) With Ibanez signing in Philly, that's one less guy on the Angels list of potential bats. If Tex signs with someone else, they will be very limited and will certainly look to the Sox. I've thought all along that Abreu would be on the Sox next year and hopefully it's to replace Konerko with Dye moving to 1b. Move Konerko for Weaver and Figgins,sign Abreu, and move Dye to 1B. Yes, we can dream. I'd like to keep JD over Paulie, but we shouldn't expect he'll have the same value AND we don't know if he can play 1B do we? I DO want Abreu however, and these moves need to happen quickly or he'll be gone.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 12, 2008 -> 08:06 AM) It does mean that more and more the Sox focus will turn from Abreu and perhaps to more of a "value" player like Juan Rivera. I hope you're wrong. I really like what Abreu can do for our lineup, plus we'll need another lefty bat with Thome gone after this season. Hopefully, Brandon Allen will add to our left-handedness in '10-'11, but I'm not going to count on it completely. The other young-uns filling the lineup in coming years, excepting Getz possibly, are all righties - Viciedo, Beckham. I like a balanced lineup that burns up the opposition's bullpen one batter at a time. You wind up getting better situations against lesser relievers. With Ibanez now signed with Philly, it will make other teams (Cubs for instance) move more quickly on Abreu. Kenny needs to act soon with a Dye or Konerko trade if it's gonna happen. Go ahead and sign already, Tex! Or maybe the Angels know already that they won't be keeping Tex, and it could happen anyway.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Dec 6, 2008 -> 11:51 AM) Jenks 62 innings can be replaced. The thing that made him most valuable was he was one of the best bargains in the game, that's going to change. I'll be disappointed if he isn't moved. Thing is, other teams know the value of Jenks was in large part tied directly to his salary and if you're expecting a big haul in return for him I have no doubt you'll be disappointed. We'll if that's the case regarding a disappointing return on a trade, there's no way he should be moved. There's no doubt in my mind that he has a lot of value to the Sox at $5M in '09. I think he'll have a great year. It comes down to how much the Sox think they have a replacement in the system. Thornton scares the hell out of me as a closer. Poreda coming to ST as a starter (I'm not buying it completely - still trade bait?) Link? Anybody else. I'll bet Bobby throws closer to 80 innings this year and saves 40-45 games. Enough chances are being taken already at 3B, 2B, possibly CF. I hope he stays.