Springfield Soxfan

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 7, 2010 -> 11:47 AM) Strasbourg money isn't that scary; his contract wound up being fairly reasonable for that level of draft pick. The $50 million he was talking about was scary. I thought someone said that the Sox are focusing on pitching this draft at SoxFest, but I hope that we just take the best available players period. I also think that showing our hand by going after pitching is a smoke screen.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Feb 4, 2010 -> 11:08 PM) Very good post MD. Hell we just heard of a top prospect pass up the opportunity to go to the big leagues and go into priesthood. (Yes I know it's not the same as a real big leaguer, but the end of the goal is) It isn't uncommon for athletes to walk away from the game early. If Mark wants to do that, then you have to respect that decision. I hope he is Coop's successor.

This is just crazy. I try and get to Spring Training every year and there is no way I should have to pay to keep the Cubs in Mesa. That is just crazy, look at all the teams in Mesa right now and the Cubs think that they run the Cactus League. Hang tough JR!! http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,3569767.story

QUOTE (chisoxfan09 @ Feb 6, 2010 -> 09:27 AM) If AGon is rakin in July as all indications point to, and the Sox as expected are in the thick of the race I would hope KW would have that trick up his sleeve to at least try to dangle a package of players in front of Hoyer. Who knows if the most mentioned prospects are raking in A/AA/AAA, then we have more leverage. But another thing I hope happens if (Huge IF) by some miracle we can pull this off would be for KW to convince JR the need of signing AGon to at least a 4-5 year extension. That is gonna be at least 20-22 million per year range. One has hopes. I would be so happy to get him, but we are just teasing ourselves with these threads. I'm sure KW could make a trade work, but nothing is imminent.

QUOTE (scenario @ Feb 1, 2010 -> 07:02 PM) I sure hope not. Reading this clip from the AP story on the trade today only reaffirms my opinion about Taveras... The Reds thought they’d filled their long-standing hole at the top of the batting order when they signed Taveras to a two-year deal, but he struggled with injuries last season, batted .240 and had an on-base percentage of only .275 with 25 stolen bases. A free swinger, Taveras drew only 18 walks in 435 plate appearances. Wow, I didn't realize that he only had 18 walks, horrible and not what we need!!

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Feb 1, 2010 -> 03:08 PM) It's also a bit ridiculous to think that a guy really would retire over the difference of a few million $'s. It's petty. The man isn't going to retire unless he loses the ability or desire to play. I wonder if Tavares is coming now that that A's have cut him.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jan 31, 2010 -> 09:01 PM) I don't think anyone really knows because of the concerns about his back. I read something about the Indians possibly being interested, but only if he came at a very, very inexpensive price tag. My guess is somewhere in the $4-5 million range? Last week, I would have said that is high, but when Xavier Nady who is still hurt and not sure when he will be back, commands $3 million plus, how knows.

QUOTE (DaveBrown85 @ Jan 31, 2010 -> 06:02 PM) ---news flash--- Johnny Damon is not going to come Chicago even if we do email him I agree, it's wonderful to speculate and I would love to have him, but we are really wasting our time thinking this is a possibility.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jan 31, 2010 -> 10:49 AM) JPIAA Buehrle and then Peavy in the playoff opener.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Jan 30, 2010 -> 10:31 AM) I think Renyel Pinto or Taylor Tanksersley could be had from the Marlins for a lot less than Scott Downs. Honestly, if i had run of this team i'd sign Damon, Leslie Anderson, and then float Kotsay to the Marlins as a one-year replacement for Ross Gload. Good thought on Pinto, either way glad to hear we are looking for LH relief

QUOTE (The Ginger Kid @ Jan 29, 2010 -> 04:11 PM) Words can't describe. I knew with so much certainty that if they worked it out and held off a strike, that was our year. I could just feel it. And then...poof. We should have made the playoffs in 2003 as well but then that September collapse came, we had Colon etc..............that hurt too.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 30, 2010 -> 08:23 AM) According to Joel Sherman, Damon would be willing to play for $7 million with part of that being deferred, so I would imagine since he hasn't signed, the $7 million he turned down, if he did get an offer, is not available anymore. Supposedly the Yankees were willing to give him 2 years $14 million if they didn't sign Nick Johnson, but they did. Then supposedly before they signed Winn, the offered him one year $6 million with half of it being deferred, he said no. The A's were interested, but they just spent $10 million on Sheets. I doubt they would go $7 million for Damon. I think $4-5 million with another $1-2 million in incentives could get it done right now, maybe even cheaper if you wait a while but run the risk of losing him. Johnny Damon is this year's Bobby Abreu, and the Sox do have a spot for him. I think the chances of getting Damon are remote, but at least Levine's sources are not saying NO. I'm very happy about the bullpen talk, I hate Randy Williams and we need an upgrade, reminder last season at Yankee stadium.

QUOTE (Melissa1334 @ Jan 27, 2010 -> 06:10 PM) thats my point, if you have a chance to get a really good player you should. like if we could get gonzalez even for hudson, flowers and danks2 and maybe someone else, i wouldnt mind too much because although they all seem like very , very legit prospects, you just never know what can happen. ive seen too many busts Look, Law is off target, sure Beckham graduated from prospect status, but you can't say that we have had the worst drafts the last two years, I would put us in the top quarter on that if you include Beckham. We've debated this many times, but really, what prospects have burned us, I was worried that Jeremy Reed, Majewski, Fogg and others would have burned us and they didn't. We'll get better and draft more athletes.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jan 26, 2010 -> 08:06 AM) Lillibridge makes the most sense according to Ozzie's model. I agree completely, he might not do anything but pinch run but that is what OZ wants.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jan 27, 2010 -> 12:44 AM) These well written glass half empty threads scare me. I'm trying to remain optimistic. I'm pretty convinced our offense will be average at best. However our starting pitching is wonderful. My question to you all is ... objectively speaking, how will our defense be??? That is pivotal to go with our starting pitching and decent relief corps (decent if our starters can go 7 full innings much of the time. Agreed, there is a lot to be optimistic about on this team even if we are having a debate about the DH. I think Tehean's left handed bat is a huge plus this year and the d is much better.

Do you think there is any chance we could ever get Johnny Damon on a one year deal, notwithstanding his agent? That would be awesome, I realize it's a pipe dream so criticize me accordingly.

QUOTE (PeavyTime @ Jan 26, 2010 -> 05:59 PM) YESSSSSSSSSS! The Twins just got worse! This makes no sense for the Twins, Thome, I love you, but I'm glad you are not on this team.

I am happy about this, it was just not the right situation. However, another move is coming, not sure who, but KW is not done dealing or signing.

QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ Jan 24, 2010 -> 08:34 PM) I was at Soxfest today and Ozzie mentioned the whole- "As a manager sometimes you have to think with your mind and not your heart in order to lead a team". From what it sounds like and with the make of the team- Thome will not be back. If anything Damon would be a MUCH better fit than Thome and his value has dropped significantly the past few weeks. Apparantely the Yankees will only bring back Damon for a 1 year 2 million deal.. . Something we all need to keep in mind. . Damon would be great, but I just don't see that in any way as a possibility.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jan 24, 2010 -> 10:45 AM) And Omar Vizquel... Teahen + Vizquel + Kotsay pretty much pays for Johnson. I'd rather have Johnson than those three. I think Kenny has something up his sleeve, he usually doesn't BS like this. I could not agree more, this is all part of his plan.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 24, 2010 -> 11:39 AM) NO decesion yet on Thome, Guillens flight has been pushed back a day. KW and the Sox are facing a major PR dilemma for letting this fester so long.

QUOTE (Pants Rowland @ Jan 24, 2010 -> 09:25 AM) Maybe I am a fool (very possible), but the Sox rhetoric is so over the top silly that I smell a trap. KW/OG are both gushing over how awesome Thome is but won't sign him to a peanuts deal. They are also acting like a DH by committee (particularly this specific committee) is the way of the future but fail to acknowledge there is one more roster spot to fill and no real prospects to fill it on the current 40 man. They have one of the best rotations in baseball but want to carry another arm in the bullpen (doesn't make sense even if linebrink is a stiff). Meanwhile, the Twins are hinting they will sign Thome. When someone asks about Johnny Damon, KW bristles like they said Frank Thomas. I am not saying they will sign Damon, but this has all the earmarks of the Twins trying to bait the Sox into signing Thome and the Sox trying to kick that can down the street another week while they try to work something out with a more versatile, healthier player (Damon, Hudson, trade for higher impact player, etc.). If Damon ends up getting his double figure salary, good luck to him. If it ends up closer to the middle single digits, then you might have something to work with. Meanwhile, keep stroking Thome publicly, giving him hope that he can spend 2010 near his family rather than up in the Twin cities. That might be enough to buy you an extra week of negotiating with other players and still have the ability to come back to JT with a respectable offer for all sides. I could not have said it any better, great post. Again, KW is not saying that there will not be anymore signings, just not Thome. Early in November he said that there will be tremendous bargains two weeks before spring training and it sure looks like that could be the case with so many players that could be had.

QUOTE (CryptviLL @ Jan 23, 2010 -> 03:55 PM) Agreed - Nice play, great one. But ehhh... His throw to third place early in the game against the Red Sox in the ALDS was pretty awesome as well.

QUOTE (ScottyDo @ Jan 23, 2010 -> 12:38 PM) Joe Borchard = Matt Thornton in my mind, so bring on those pictures! The same Joe Borchard that was compared to Mark Mcgwire.........I had high hopes for few years.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 23, 2010 -> 09:56 AM) Very few HR are hit right down the line. The big measurements are the gaps. Again, love Thome, but don't want him and I don't want Ozzie to be guilted into taking him. There are so many more options, he stinks against LH relievers.