DBAHO

Even if Beckham ends up at 2B, it's still not that bad of a scenario. He projects to be a mix b/w Khalil Greene and Michael Young offensively (Greene would be a .260 20HR hitter away from PETCO FWIW), and that's pretty good production from either a 2B or a SS. I guess with O-Cab unlikely to stay, and Uribe not a long - term option, the Sox needed somebody they could count on from 2010 onwards to be a part of that middle infield.

Wow. Beckham or Smoak. Tough decision here for KW, some real good talent has dropped into his lap at #8.

QUOTE (dasox24 @ Jun 5, 2008 -> 02:37 PM) Damn, why did I get my hopes up for Posey? Should have known that wasn't gonna happen. It only leaves me more disappointed now. Smoak's got more offensive potential IMHO than Posey, even though Posey will get to the majors quick and plays at a premium position. Win-win if we got either guy.

Now the Marlins are expected to go Skipworth at #6 (although Smoak's a wildcard there IMHO), and the Reds Beckham at #7. So right now, I'd say Smoak is our guy. I think everyone will be very pleased with that outcome if it's indeed the case.

Smoak or Posey, which way are they gonna go. I'd say the former.

QUOTE (Boogua @ Jun 5, 2008 -> 02:27 PM) On ESPN 1000 they just had Bruce Levine report that the Sox will take Posey if available. Seriously?

Well good that Hosmer and Alvarez both went in the top 3. O's will take Matusz. And then will the Giants take Smoak or Posey? And will the Marlins go with Skipworth at 6? I'd say yes, but you never know.

This is cool that this is the 1st draft that I don't have to get up at 4AM in the morning to see who we pick also.

Right now, the big key pick for us is at pick 5. If the Giants take Posey (they've been rumored to be interested in him before the $12M bonus demand), then Smoak should fall to #8. If they take Smoak, I think Wallace will be our guy, because Beckham's going to the Reds at #7 it appears, and we don't want Crow at #8. Smoak or Wallace, with the latter more likely IMHO.

All because he didn't know how to call a game right?

So is the ideal scenario for everyone basically this; Hosmer and Alvarez go in the top 4. Marlins don't pick Skipworth. Giants take Posey if he falls to #5, with the Rays picking Tim Beckham. Reds take Gordon Beckham at #7. Leaving us with a choice b/w hopefully Skipworth, Smoak and Crow?

Gillick's also planning to step down at the end of the year IIRC, and his assistant Ruben Amaro Jr. is the favorite to take over.

1. Skipworth. HS catchers with his talent don't come around very often. Comparable to Mauer a little. Will take time, but we've got A.J signed for another few seasons, so there's no rush. 2. Smoak. Gonna need a replacement for Thome / Konerko, and this guy could move through the system quickly. 3. Crow. Would give us a potential ace prospect if all went to plan. 3 pitches he can dominate with, even if he relies on his slider a lot. Posey I thought may have had a chance of slipping yesterday, but everything I've read today about him indicate he's almost a lock for the top 5. Skipworth to #6 is what I expect. As for who we'll pick, Beckham or Wallace is what I am expecting at this stage.

The Yankees will be desperate for Freddy with the way their rotation has looked thus far (especially if Joba does struggle as a SP as he did last night walking lots of hitters).

I guess this could be similar to the Bartolo Colon situation maybe. If he spends a month down in AAA, and then has to be called up otherwise he can request his release. I wouldn't be majorly opposed to that.

Well at least we know now that Walker is one of JR's boys, and it's probably ensured his job status. Because if he wasn't, I doubt he would still be here. But let's hope last night was the start of something for this offense.

QUOTE (SoxFan562004 @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 02:10 PM) http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/bsplit.cgi?n1=greenkh01 he has about 40 points difference in his OPS+ between home and away, he is an above average hitting SS away and a below average hitting SS at home. Damn. I remember we had a few discussions with San Diego about somebody (may have been Buehrle) last season, and Greene was mentioned. He could easily hit 20-25HR's a season at the Cell and give you about a .260 AVG, and play excellent defense. But the Pads wanted to hang onto him (although I wonder now with how they're doing, if a O-Cab for Greene swap (with other pieces being thrown in) could maybe be feasible.

QUOTE (Cali @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 12:14 PM) How could Beckham be comparable to Greene/Young offensively? One player blows and the other one is quite good, so which one is it? haha Get Greene out of PETCO and he'd actually be pretty good offensively. He's always had pretty good away splits over his career IIRC.

QUOTE (29andPoplar @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 11:42 AM) Jason, I just don't think they'll go with a high school guy. Call it a hunch. Now if Smoak is on the board they've got to think really hard about passing him up. Heir apparent for Konerko when his deal expires after 2010. Then again, the same could be said for Brett Wallace. Aren't the Giants all over Smoak though? I can only see the Giants passing up on Smoak for either Posey or Skipworth. Pretty sure they will take Smoak though.

I see Saunders ending up at Memphis taking over for Iavaroni somepoint early next season. He's not a bad coach, but he's had really good talent and just never really gotten his team over the hump. I'd like to see how he'd do with a young team like the Grizzlies actually.

So would Wasserman get sent down, Loaiza becomes the long - man, and Masset moves into Wasserman's role in the pen perhaps? With the DFA of Wise, we had 2 spots free on the 40 man roster anyways. Who knows, maybe Coop can get his cutter going again.

The Dodgers didn't handle him very well at all this season (with Kuo taking over his spot IIRC). I'm not against the idea, so long as he's ok being the backup option at AAA. We may need someone to throw some innings if Contreras, Danks or Floyd gets tired or injured, and would people rather depend on a Loaiza or a Lance Broadway to fill in at that point? It's basically the B-Mac role of 2005 I guess.

The Beckham pick is based on need, and really there isn't a whole lot of difference b/w the likes of Beckham, Smoak and Skipworth. So that's the main logical argument I can think of, but I would be annoyed if we didn't take either Skipworth or Smoak if they were still on the board. Maybe the Sox think Beckham can rise quickly through their system and be ready to contribute in 2010 at some point?

Saber Scouting's Top 15 Mock Draft in depth;

QUOTE (SleepyWhiteSox @ Jun 3, 2008 -> 07:04 PM) So are you saying Hughes for Wade straight up?? If so, then what you're saying makes sense. If you're saying Hughes AND THE NUMBER ONE OVERALL PICK IN THE NBA DRAFT for Wade, then no, it doesn't make sense. Listen, if you could guarantee that it is the pre-injury superstar Wade the Bulls are getting, than by all means, you take the sure-bet over the gamble that is the number one draft pick. But you CANNOT know for sure what Wade you're getting, so why take TWO gambles, on Wade's health AND Rose blowing up into a younger, better superstar for another team?? Why potentially set the heat up for dominance for the next 10 years or so in your own conference when you can possibly do it for your own team?? It just doesn't make sense... No definitely not Hughes for Wade straight up (unless you're Kevin McHale trading with Boston here). Wade gives you 25 points a game, and is a top 5 player in the league. palehosefan will probably know more, but Wade to me wasn't as injured as people were making out, and just because of Miami's record, there was no real point of playing him towards the end of the season. And he's only 25-26, not even hit his prime argubly yet. What if Rose becomes the next Baron Davis? Good but not great by any means. Could very well happen.