Springfield Soxfan

QUOTE (WCSox @ Jan 18, 2011 -> 05:10 PM) Pretty much. My feeling is that Kenny's recent spending spree has a two-year window for success. If the Sox don't go deep in the playoffs this year and are struggling in July of next year (Danks' last year under team control), he and others will be dealt and the rebuilding process will begin. How many more years is Danks arbitration eligible? When will he hit free agency?

Still quiet on the arbitration front especially for Danks.................Gonzalez predicts it will be completed by SoxFest, I sure hope so.

QUOTE (ScottyDo @ Jan 15, 2011 -> 04:11 PM) No way. I don't see the upside to this deal whatsoever. EDIT: I don't know why we're trying to figure out ways to trade starters, they're the backbone of the team and we're not actually THAT deep there. Agreed, starting pitching is what wins the 162 game marathon and we are solid, but lacking some depth so I do not know how we could entertain thoughts of trading a starter. As I've stated before though, if the arb case with Danks continues to move forward without resolution, I think there is a chance he gets traded.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 10, 2011 -> 07:54 AM) Interesting his little bit on Rienzo - our FS Top 25 had him similarly high. System is pretty bad, but with all the injuries last year (Mitchell, Thompson, Phegley, Royse, Remenowsky), I think we'll see some improvement in 2011. Bad draft position makes things bad again though. I agree about the bad draft position, but very happy with the Adam Dunn signing and it was worth the picks.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 8, 2011 -> 05:27 PM) None have gone to arbitration since 2001, and the Sox don't like arbitration hearings. I just don't think that they interpret it as an "act of war" or slap in the face or whatever metaphor you want to use. I'm just as confident as you that they'll have everyone wrapped up, because they will make fair offers rather than go through the arb scenario. Ok, good point on the rhetoric, the Sox front office just tries to avoid an ugly situation and is not a fan of the confrontation of having to argue against a player.

I'm not sure the Sox are done, I'm sure KW is monitoring the packages of players received in the Greinke/Garza trades to see what Floyd and Danks would bring if the market is at a high value right now.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 8, 2011 -> 04:07 PM) An act of war? Really? Gotta think you're exaggerating there. They're not trading away D1 just because they can't agree to a contract without going to arbitration...if they can't agree to a contract beforehand, that's probably because they're pretty sure they'll win the arbitration case. With all due respect, everything that I have ever read says JR believes it is a total lack of respect to take a case to an arbitration hearing as he has always said the Sox have always offered above market contracts. However, I do not have stats as to which Sox players recently have made it to an arb hearing. It will be something to watch and if I'm wrong I will stand corrected.

However, there is a legitimate point here, KW/JR hate when players take cases all the way to arbitration. If that happens with Danks, he will be traded as that is viewed as an act of war to the front office.

This would not bring the wow factor, but it is much more realistic than Soriano.

I heard that Eric Chavez is working out for two AL clubs, not sure how it works for the Sox, but he has been a long favorite of KW.

I wonder if KW goes after Michael Young if the Rangers sign Beltre, I know it's crazy, but he has been one of his targets before.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jan 1, 2011 -> 08:38 PM) Boras is playing games with Kenny again. I heavily doubt that Soriano would take a cheaper deal just because of Ozzie. Besides, is there even a history between the two? Totally agreed, there is no way this can be true other than someone leaking rumors about teams who might need closers to drum up interest. I cannot see how this could be without some other shedding of salary.

Lay it all on the table Ozzie this year, KW has given you the team if healthy to complete, I like the scenario.

Are any of the Sox prospects doing well in any of the winter leagues?

QUOTE (greg775 @ Dec 30, 2010 -> 02:42 AM) This stuff is kind of boring to me. Bobby: Spoiled millionaire major leaguer (like MOST of them). Oney: Spoiled son of rich former major leaguer and manager (both Oz and Oney are spoiled). What they say: Jibberish bulls***. Who cares? I still like Bobby; I still like Ozzie. Oney is son of Ozzie and meaningless. He can say what he wants but it don't mean squat. Well said, nothing more than interesting theater.

Good point on not wanting another multi-year contract for a reliever, but I'm not sure Infante is the guy, maybe we there is a trade coming. Will be fun to watch.

There are still some solid options out there for bullpen help, I realize some of them might be out of KW's budget, but Soriano, Gregg, Romero etc.........I think another move is still coming.

QUOTE (beckham15 @ Dec 24, 2010 -> 07:07 PM) well this would be a nice christmas present there is absolutely no chance to acquire him Agreed, that speculation just relates to the fact that we are a team with a somewhat unsettled 3b position, Morel/Vizquel/Teahan.

Now that the Greinke trade has happened, I'm sure Dayton Moore will listen to offers for Soria, I hope KW at least checks in on him.

Jenks coming out of the pen with runners on base was never his strength, so I'm not sure how successful he will be for the BoSox.

Is Crain the closer and not Thornton going into 2011?

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Dec 16, 2010 -> 05:08 PM) I hope for the sake of Kerry Wood's intelligence the offer was pulled after we signed Crain. Because if he took less money from a team that is going to suck over more money from a contender, he's just plain stupid. Do you think that the Sox made offers to both Crain and Wood thinking they could get both or was it a none or the other situation?

Crain all the way. I love you Bobby Jenks!! However, what are the Red Sox up to? Jenks, Bard, Papelbon................. I wonder if Papelbon gets traded?

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Dec 16, 2010 -> 08:10 AM) to force the Cubs to sign Wood, so they back off Webb. Just my scenario. that is a pretty legitimate scenario, KW has asked on Webb each year and you know he is at least trying to get him.

This is just crazy! How the expectations for the off season have changed. Go KW, keep it up.