winninguglyin83

I think it's pretty obvious the strategy across baseball is keep the number of players offered arbitration to a minimum and the number of free agents as high as possible. flood the market with the middle range guys and you've got a chance to drive salaries down a notch or keep them flat. We're not the only team doing this. The key is to be able to recruit decent replacements. Or else depend upon Danny Wright, Matt Ginter and Jon Adkins.

Robbie's numbers have been in decline for three years. Hard to see him turning it around. It's possible, but, playing the odds, unlikely. And I certainly would never give him a two-year deal. the biggest rap against him in New York was that he didn't play hard after the Mets fell out of contention. If the Sox tank early in the year, I'd had to imagine what people would say about Robbie and KW for signing him if things went south. So I guess that's a back-handed vote for giving Willie Harris a chance to show if he can play.

excellent point. the difference? the Sox had Harris ready to play 2b, but nobody at SS until they acquired Uribe. In the end, I'm still waiting to see who KW gets to be the team's two other starting pitchers. that's what will determine the success of the 2004 team.

What do the mets have to offer? precious little? Reyes? No way they'll give him up. Don't want any of their old, broken-down overpaid guys. A pitcher? Who? And their farm system is awfully thin.

how does this affect the Sox chances of keeping Bartolo? If the Yankees and Red Sox are outta the mix and the Phillies have already added Milton ($9 million), who is going to pay him? Angels? Cubs? Braves? Orioles? Tokyo Giants?

Too loyal. That's our number one problem.

Paulie is who he is -- capable of two-week hot streaks and month-long funks. He can knock in 100 runs and ground into 20-plus double plays. He can hit two-out game-tying home runs off Guardado or hang his head at home plate after launching another popup to short right field. He's capable of helping the Dodgers, but that's a much worse hitters' park than the Cell and I doubt his numbers will improve. Perez would give us another lefty -- but I'd still like to see us get another player if we deal PK. And then who plays first for us? Gload? Daubach? Carlos Lee? Certainly not Frank. One plus for the move -- it would clear some payroll and enable us to keep Magglio, I hope.

Does this mean they're going to play 25 percent harder on the weekends? Even when they're playing against the Tigers and Tampa? Promise?

I believe there was a report somewhere on ESPN.com today that said Maddux would be interested in returning to play for the Cubs. Maddux at their Number four starter? gulp

As I said earlier, I gotta believe Ozzie endorsed this one after watching the kid play in the National League

Here is some of the poop on Gload: He's from Brooklyn, played college ball at South Florida (Jason Dellaero University) and was a 13th round draft pick in 1997. He's been in the farm systems of the Marlins, Cubs and Rockies. Got cups of coffees with the Cubs and Rockies. Last season was his best. His .315 with 40 doubles and 18 homers with Charlotte (a hitters park). Drove in 70 runs in 508 at bats. Ks = 60. Walks only 29. His on base percentage was .349, his OPS .873, a career best. Grounded into 12 double plays. Throws left and bats left. Look for him at American League parks near you.

That's what I thought. Why did the earlier post say the Twins lose their best starter, Santana? I believe it was supposed to read Joe Mays, who did have elbow surgery, but is hardly their best starter. Twins still have Radke, Santana, Lohse and Kenny Rogers. Milton is gone. Mays is hurt. Reed is a free agent who won't be back. They're weakened, but they're not out of it.

Nomar is a year away from free agency and then would fly, fly, fly. Damon is represented by Boras. Forget that. And how could Texas sell any tickets marketing Manny the Pig. Boston has Millar. Why would they need Paulie? I'm not buying this one.

When did the Twins lose Santana? I missed that. Is he injured and out for the year. The only way the Twins remain formidable is if they sign Stewart. Going from AJ to Mauer will be a dip in the short term. Hawkins will be a big loss (although they do have Balfour, Silva and don't forget Nathan, the guy they got from SF). I'm pretty certain Mays will be out for most of the year because of arm trouble. And the word is they're probably going to dump Jacque Jones, too. Hot rumor today is that KC is adding Mondesi and Santiago. If the Sox can do some intelligent tweaking, they can win the division.

he's following up a solid year at Charlotte with an even better winter in the Mexican League. -------------- Mexican Pacific League ---------------- TM PLAYERS AB R H BI AVG CWS R.Gload LF 5 1 3 4 .322 - 43 RBI in 44 G Gload will be the guy who will play a little first, a little outfield and a little pinch hitter. In other words, a GRINDER (and the price is right).

Here is the take from Baseball America on the Uribe for Miles Swap: White Sox, Rockies swap infielders By Jim Callis December 2, 2003 The Rockies once considered Juan Uribe their long-term shortstop, but on Tuesday they decided they'd rather go in a different direction. Colorado traded him to the White Sox for veteran minor leaguer Aaron Miles. Uribe, 24, has Gold Glove skills at shortstop but has yet to prove he can hit major league pitching. He batted .253/.297/.427 with 10 homers and 33 RBIs in 87 games this season, missing the first two months with a stress fracture in his right foot. He does have some pop—though that was enhanced by Coors Field—but he has poor plate discipline and a less-than-smooth swing. Uribe, who made $300,000 in 2003 and won't be eligible for arbitration until after 2004, is a career .258/.298/.408 hitter (.227/.271/.345 away from Coors) with 24 homers and 135 RBIs in 314 games. Chicago may use him as a regular second baseman or utilityman in 2004, and views him as the possible successor to Jose Valentin at shortstop. Miles, 26, signed with the Astros as a 19th-round pick in 1995 out of a California high school and joined the White Sox via the 2000 Triple-A Rule 5 draft. He's the opposite of Uribe: a proven hitter with questionable defensive skills. He was the Double-A Southern League MVP and batting champion (.322) in 2002, and followed up by batting .304/.351/.445 with 11 homers and 50 RBIs in 133 games at Triple-A Charlotte. He also got his first big league callup in September, going 4-for-12 with three doubles in eight games. Though managers rated him the best defensive second baseman in the International League this year, he doesn't have much range at second base. Copyright 2003 Baseball America. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Site Map | FAQ/Troubleshooting

And just wait until we sign Rock Raines to hit leadoff and One Dog to play CF. Torii Hunter and Johan Santana are quakin.

Frustration continues to smolder from the last three seasons of unfulfilled potential to win a winnable division. And we're all scared s***less the Cubs are building a legitimate power.

From chicagosports.com Happy cause the twins are imploding. Sad because the Cubs are going to be a stone-cold bear. The Cubs picked up a key bridge to closer Joe Borowski, agreeing Tuesday to $11 million, three-year contract with hard-throwing right-hander LaTroy Hawkins. Minnesota general manager Terry Ryan, who had been trying to re-sign the reliever, said he was informed Tuesday night of the decision by Hawkins' agent, Larry Reynolds. The Cubs and Reynolds declined comment. ``We were certainly hoping to bring him back,'' Ryan said. ``Obviously, he got security. It sounds like he got dollars. I could never fault a player for taking a deal that sets him up. I feel horrible about losing him. But I'm satisfied he's going to a place he wants to be. Unfortunately, it's not here.'' Hawkins, who turns 31 later this month, was 9-3 with a 1.86 ERA in 77 1-3 innings and made $3 million in the option year of what originally was a two-year contract. Hawkins was especially impressive in the opener of the playoffs against the New York Yankees, striking out four over two innings and getting the victory. Chicago, which lost to Florida in the NL championship series, had a solid left-handed setup man in Mike Remlinger last season, but used both Antonio Alfonseca and Kyle Farnsworth from the right side. Alfonseca filed for free agency after the World Series. Ryan was constricted by the Twins' limited financial resources. ``I had some other things I had to do before I could move on him,'' Ryan said. ``I always thought we were in it, but whether I could get it done and clear some space was unclear.'' The agreement was first reported on the Web site of the Star-Tribune in Minneapolis.

AGain, here is what ESPN.com's minor league guru said about Uribe two years ago when he was considered a top prospect: Steve B. writes: What's your opinion of shortstop Juan Uribe of the Colorado Rockies? His progress this season was very impressive as he posted a good average and power numbers, and he draws rave reviews for his fielding. But I'm concerned about his plate discipline (eight BB and 55 SO in 273 AB). Is he a future All-Star or do you think he'll struggle once NL pitchers figure him out? Uribe hit .336 with a .586 slugging percentage at Coors Field, but just .269 with a .469 slugging percentage on the road. His OBP splits were .356/.298. Obviously, the thin air helps him tremendously, but while his OBP is weak on the road, he still showed some pop there. He's a better hitter than Neifi Perez, at least, and given his age (just 21), he has a lot of development time ahead of him. His defense is excellent, so he'll stay in the lineup for a long time even if he doesn't improve offensively. As you point out, strike zone judgment is his biggest weakness. If Uribe doesn't improve his plate discipline, I wouldn't expect him to improve much. But even mild progress will help him, and given his age, that is quite possible. It wouldn't surprise me to see Uribe make some All-Star teams, though whether he develops into a genuine star, or just a Coors Field-boosted player, depends on the strike zone judgment. last season he had something like 17 walks in 316 at bats, so his strike zone command has remained horrible.

Here is what John Sickels, the minor league guru at ESPN, said about Uribe two years ago when he was considered a top prospect. Remember, this is two years old: Steve B. writes: What's your opinion of shortstop Juan Uribe of the Colorado Rockies? His progress this season was very impressive as he posted a good average and power numbers, and he draws rave reviews for his fielding. But I'm concerned about his plate discipline (eight BB and 55 SO in 273 AB). Is he a future All-Star or do you think he'll struggle once NL pitchers figure him out? Uribe hit .336 with a .586 slugging percentage at Coors Field, but just .269 with a .469 slugging percentage on the road. His OBP splits were .356/.298. Obviously, the thin air helps him tremendously, but while his OBP is weak on the road, he still showed some pop there. He's a better hitter than Neifi Perez, at least, and given his age (just 21), he has a lot of development time ahead of him. His defense is excellent, so he'll stay in the lineup for a long time even if he doesn't improve offensively. As you point out, strike zone judgment is his biggest weakness. If Uribe doesn't improve his plate discipline, I wouldn't expect him to improve much. But even mild progress will help him, and given his age, that is quite possible. It wouldn't surprise me to see Uribe make some All-Star teams, though whether he develops into a genuine star, or just a Coors Field-boosted player, depends on the strike zone judgment. For the record, last season he had something like 17 walks in 316 at bats, so his strike zone judgment remains awful.

Uribe is definitely worth Miles. Miles was a career minor leaguer and very ordinary fielder. We got him as a rule 5 guy. I believe he's played 7 or 8 minor league seasons and never reached the bigs until last fall.. Uribe might be a bust because he's got terrible plate discipline. But you gotta figure Ozzie recommended this move because he saw the guy play in the NL the last two seasons and figures he has potential. It's not going to win the division, but it's a plus move. And hell, it gives the Sox some speed. We still need another starter and somebody else in the bullpen.

Uribe is definitely worth Miles. Miles was a career minor leaguer and very ordinary fielder. We got him as a rule 5 guy. I believe he's played 7 or 8 minor league seasons and never reached the bigs until last fall.. Uribe might be a bust because he's got terrible plate discipline. But you gotta figure Ozzie recommended this move because he saw the guy play in the NL the last two seasons and figures he has potential. It's not going to win the division, but it's a plus move.

I guess this means we're out of the Tejada sweepstakes?

my sense of Konerko is he tries TOO HARD and puts Too Much pressure on himself. If he could ever relax a bit, I think it would be beneficial. But I'm certain he'lll return to the productivity of 2000-02. Heck, the guy was one of the best pllayers in the American League during the first half of 2002.