winninguglyin83

We're not even getting any grinders in our camp -- unless you could that minor league shortstop whose name I can't remember because I never heard of him.

I know. Sadly, I know.

No to Jose Cruz Jr. Seattle, Toronto and now SF have all been in a rush to wave him bye-bye. That tells me there is more to the story. Rather see the Sox play their own young guys.

agreed. No way Oakland can justify spending money on a guy who whiffs like Camerson while letting Tejada walk. Much easier to find a CF than a SS with the offensive tools of Tejada. I'll be stunned if Cameron plays for Oakland. That's an agent floating a rumor to start a bidding war, in my opinion.

I agree cheap only, too. Can't believe the Pirates will keep him. He made 5 or 6 million last year. He'll be lucky to get half that.

The yankees are also going to sign LaTroy, Pudge Rodriguez, Colon, Castillo, Millwood and Matsui. The Red Sox will respond by signing Shannon Stewart, Sidney Ponson, Keith Foulke and Tony G. Nobody else will sign anybody.

Felipe Lopez last played with the Timberwolves. They granted him his free agency last summer. No word on where he is now. Felipe Lopez the baseball player had a terrible year with Cincy -- offensively and defensively. team started slow and so did he. They got down on him and stayed down on him. He's only 23. I'll throw out another name -- Pokey Reese. He was originally a SS with the Reds. Excellent defensively. Below average offensively. But I believe he is a free agent and I can't believe he'd be very expensive.

grinders: Dougie Mientkiewicz. Mark McLemore. Darrin Erstad. Eric Byrnes. Benji Molina Joe Randa Brett Mayne Tony G.

seems obvious the Sox are going to use Miles and Harris as the new, less expensive, utility guys. The problem: Who is going to play SS if Valentin gets injured? We've got NOTHING behind him. I guess we're going to have to wait until the big spenders set the market, but things are looking grim at 35th and Dan Ryan.

I thought the unofficial report was that he wanted at least $5 for two years -- and the Sox waved him off on that. $3.5 million per for two seasons for a guy with Gordon's age and injury record is ridiculous for the Sox to consider. No way. If he would have re-upped with us -- and then injured his elbow in spring training (like he did for the Cubs in 2001, I believe), everybody would have jumped on Kenny Williams' throat. Besides, I thought the thing that was most important to Flash was the chance to 'Close' again. What's he going to close in New York, Mariano Rivera's suitcase? Better he close his mouth and stop lying -- 'cause he's all about the money, just like Bartolo and the rest.

honk if you think Flash is worth $7 million over two years. I can't hear you.

another report that sez Gordon is bound for the Bronx, to be announced on Tuesday Report: Yankees close to deal with Gordon New York, NY (Sports Network) - Free agent reliever Tom Gordon is close to signing a two-year contract with the New York Yankees, according to a broadcast report. WFAN in New York is reporting the deal for Gordon is likely to be finalized soon and announced Tuesday, the same day the Yankees are expected to officially put free agent outfielder Gary Sheffield in pinstripes. The radio station reported Sunday that Sheffield has agreed on a three-year contract in the neighborhood of $36 million with the Yankees. Gordon, a 15-year veteran, saved a career-high 46 games for the Boston Red Sox in 1998, but missed the 2000 season because of elbow surgery. He came back to save 27 games for the Chicago Cubs in 2001. Last season with the Chicago White Sox, Gordon went 7-6 with 12 saves and a 3.16 ERA in 66 appearances. He struck out 91 batters in 74 innings. Gordon will most likely be used in a setup role by the Yankees. Gordon is 113-107 with a 4.07 ERA over his career with Kansas City (1988-95), Boston (1996-99), the Cubs (2001-02), Houston (2002) and the White Sox. 11/30 18:26:47 ET

I don't think the sox offered $7 million. Maybe 5. And If he goes to the Yankees, so much for that B.S. that Flash wanted assurances that he would be the closer. Unless he think he can bump Mariano to setup man

just saw this on espn.com Yankees have signed Sheffield to a three-year deal and are close to a ridiculous deal with Flash Gordon -- 2 years and $7 million. That must be no LaTroy for them, unless they're really going to go nuts and have Flash, Mariano and LaTroy, which I see as unlikely. It also mentions they want Lofton. But nothing about Bartolo, which might be good news for the Sox. Here is what espn.com said:P The Yankees are close to a two year, $7 million deal with reliever Tom Gordon that is expected to be announced soon, a source told Gammons. Yankees officials declined comment on the Gordon negotiations, but weekend discussions between the club and agent Rick Thurman were described to ESPN as "intense." Meanwhile, it was believed that Gordon would wait until free-agent reliever Keith Foulke decides between the Athletics and Red Sox to make a decision, since Gordon and Eddie Guardado are Boston's backup plan.

GOTTA get more for Maggs than that. Why do we always give up two or three top-shelf prospects for guys and get scrappers in return? Jeez. Jon Adkins for Durham. Garbage for Baldwin, More garbage for Howry. Yet the Sox trade away Rupe, Bittner, Webster and Ring. Need more than Gibbons and Ainsworth for Maggs. Cust is another slow DH wannabe. Forget it. As for the young SS, that's a crapshoot. Hell, Mike Caruso was supposed to be the best SS in the Giants' farm system and we know how that worked out. You'd better have awful good scouting if you're projecting 19 year olds.

an interesting note from Phil Rogers' column today. He borrowed it from stat wiz Bill James. In essence, the numbers didn't add up to a second-place finish for the White Sox: Doing the math: For the second year in a row, Pythagorean standings (a Bill James tool that uses runs scored and runs allowed to figure expected victories and losses) show the White Sox, not the Twins, should have won the AL Central. In 2002 and '03, the Sox outscored their opponents by 134 runs and were 10 games above .500; the Twins were 45 games above .500 while outscoring their opponents by 99 runs. No wonder Ron Gardenhire outlasted Jerry Manuel. Thanks again for a job well done, Jerry.

considering the state of the payroll, the sox best hope to win the Central in 2004 will be to have important contributions from Harris, Rowand and either Reed or Borchard, plus more consistency Crede and Olivo. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to have some pitching, too.

yes, they are but often the scouts overrate tools and underrate ability to maximize the use of those tools Borchard is a classic example. Great tools. But he hasn't been able to maximize that ability by mastering the strike zone and learning how to shorten his swing and put the ball in play. Lots of 'tools' guys never put it togeter. I'll take my chances with Reed.

Baseball America sometimes contradicts itself. Jeremy Reed was mentioned as the runnerup to Joe Mauer of the Twins as its minor-league player of the year. But he was voted only the fourth best overall outfield prospect in the minor leagues. I guess that means they don't believe he is as talented as he showed last season and that three other guys have higher ceilings. They say he doesn't have 'superior tools." (Of course, I remember they said Julio Ramirez was a five-tool player. Here is what they say about the Top Five: (Also, please note that nobody else in the Sox system made the Top 20. Borchard, No. 4 last season, was a best of the rest pick. And Chris Young was called somebody to watch.) 1. Alexis Rios, Blue Jays Age: 22 Level: Double-A 2002 Ranking: 14 Rios is a great example of raw tools translating into plus tools and performance, with the assistance of a patient player development plan. While his aggressive approach didn't fit the Blue Jays new profile under general manager J.P. Ricciardi, Rios exercised more patience at the plate this season and soared in the new regime's eyes. Rios drives the ball to all fields, and shows tremendous power to right field in particular, which is a good indication of more home run power down the road. He possesses outstanding hand-eye coordination, combined with good bat control, enabling him to maintain his aggressiveness without his plate discipline suffering. He projects along the lines of a younger and healthier Juan Gonzalez. Rios is the total package: athlete, hitter, baseball player with big tools, giving him a distinct advantage over Grady Sizemore. "As much as I love Sizemore and his makeup, Rios is on a different level," one NL scout said. "Oh my god. He's such an athlete, so graceful. You look at this rail thin 6-foot-6 body, but he's so smooth at how he moves and uses that body. His ability to put the bat on the ball is special. His arm and defense is better than Sizemore." 2. Grady Sizemore, Indians Age: 21 Level: Double-A 2002 Ranking: 15 See, there is plenty of hope for former highly recruited prep football stars, as Sizemore and Joe Mauer are proving. Sizemore emerged in 2003, flashing solid tools across the board, save his below-average arm strength. He's not flashy, but can do a little of everything to help a team win. "With him it depends on how he's pitched," the NL scout said. "His power came when they started jamming him a little more. He'd pull the ball over the fence when they do that. He did that but didn't get home run happy. He's always going to make adjustments and be a good player." 3. Delmon Young, Devil Rays Age: 18 Level: Arizona Fall League 2002 Ranking: NR Young is capable of manning the top spot on this list before he even makes his regular season debut. For now, he makes way for two tools-laden outfielders who have performed in the upper levels. Young's power potential exceeds almost anyone's in the minors already. He's been punishing pitches in the Arizona Fall League, displaying light-tower power to all fields. "He's going to hit like Alberto Belle, but (Young) is going to be even bigger," one scout said. He'll have little trouble adjusting to full-season ball next spring and should enjoy a speedy ascent towards Tampa Bay. He's an early favorite for 2004 Minor League Player of the Year. 4. Jeremy Reed, White Sox Age: 22 Level: Double-A 2002 Ranking: NR Without superior tools, Reed hit .409 in 242 Double-A at-bats. While he isn't gifted with as much natural ability as Rios, Sizemore and Young, Reed is a pure baseball player with a line-drive swing and gap power. And his tools are solid-average to above across the board. He's often been compared to Mark Kotsay, which is fair based on Kotsay's 2000-2002 production (.290 with average power and speed with 30 doubles). Reed is close to contributing at the major league level. 5. Jeff Francoeur, Braves Age: 19 Level: Low-A 2002 Ranking: NR Another prep football star experiencing early success in pro ball, Francoeur has the Braves reminiscing about a young Dale Murphy. Francoeur spent much of his first full season focusing on driving the ball to the opposite field and improving his reads in center field.

it's obvious we know what the Sox need. It's also obvious JR ain't willin to pay the going rate for it. KW will be shoppin from the bargain bin, trying to find the 2004 version of Esty.

according to the New York Times, the Yankees have made a multi-year offer to Gordon to be their set up man. And Boston, the Cubs and the Mets are pursuing Keith Foulke. The story sez the Red Sox are prepared to offer him a four-year deal. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/27/sports/b...all/27METS.html that's the link. Hate to see Foulke on the Cubs. And it appears that Damaso is going to have to be The Man in the pen this season.

everybody forgets about Bitner. I checked his numbers with the Angels in the minors after he left the Sox and they were dazzling. that trade has a chance to be a real exploding cigar for KW

I don't expect him to be awesome in 2004 that's unrealistic. but I think he can be helpful in 2004 and be a very solid player in 2005 and beyond. not a big power guy, but a very solid professional hitter. that's MY hope.

Isn't everybody forgetting about Paniagua? And Danny Wright? Cheer up!!

Maybe Baseball America went with Joe Mauer, but USA Today Baseball Weekly gave its Minor League Player of the Year award to Jeremy Reed, who could be our center fielder next season. Reed beat out San Diego second baseman Josh Barfield, not Mauer, for the award, by hitting a combined .373 with an insane .453 on-base percentage at Winston-Salem and Birmingham. Kudos to Jeremy.