103 mph screwball

It's not that he sucks, it's that there is say, 100 million dollars worth of players to be signed and clubs may only want to spend another 50 mil. Besides this supply and demand effect, players also have to find a team with money that needs someone at their position. If the Yankees don't want a player this off season, then that player might have to adjust his salary expectations or sit out and wait for a Yankee to get injured. On top of this poor free agent market, Garland has shoulder knot questions, is coming off a down year, and took himself off the playoff roster. I wish him nothing but the best, but if he gets anywhere what he is looking for, he'd better jump on it and be thankful.

If Garland gets 10 million in this market with the 12 lowest WHIP last year I will change my sig to Garland in a freakin' cub hat. No way. He might regret not taking the 4.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Jan 15, 2009 -> 10:24 PM) Did you even see game 162 of last year where Garcia pretty much matched Floyd pitch for pitch? He looked good to me. I'm glad he took himself out of that game. I wonder if Ozzie ever thanked him for giving us a shot at the bullpen. What seems so impressive to me is that he is able to compete without his velocity. If KW can get Garcia for a contract like Colon's he should do it. This is not some sort of 2005 charity deal. Garcia is another low risk high reward. Like Colon, if Freddie sucks, he can be released if the contract is cheap enough and few would fault KW for taking the gamble. Best case is that Colon and Freddie return to glory days and Buehrle ends up being a 14 million dollar bullpen guy in the 2009 World Series. Worst case, the Sox are back to Marquez and CR/AP and we will see the kids develop in the rotation instead of in the pen.

QUOTE (Texsox @ Jan 15, 2009 -> 10:10 PM) Wrap yourself around this A question mark player becomes a low risk high reward type signing when he signs for ONLY $1,000,000 Pocket change right? Think of it this way. Colon will make less than 1% of last year's payroll unless he meets his incentives. He will make 1.2 million less than Hall and 3.5 million less than Uribe did last year. Colon will make 1/10 of what Contreras will make to rehab. You could sign 14 Colon's for the price of one Zito. If Buehrle wins 14 games, he will earn a million dollars per win. By those standards, Colon only needs to win one game. Colon will make what Ben Davis made to go to the minors when the Sox signed AJ. Timo Perez earned 1 million in 2005. I see your point about the money being out of whack with the average person.

QUOTE (Hawkfan @ Jan 15, 2009 -> 02:47 PM) Why would Andruw Jones receive league minimum? That sounds rediculous to me no matter how bad he has sucked the last two years. Has his stock really dropped that much? The way I understand it, the Dodgers still pay him what they owed him in his contract. Since he will be released, he can sign with another team for league minimum and get paid by the Dodgers. Ouch. I'm not an expert on the collective bargining agreement so if anyone understands it differently please correct me. Also, Harold Reynolds was commenting on how several teams would take a look at him for league minimum.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Jan 15, 2009 -> 12:41 PM) The addition of Fat Freddy and Bartolo wouldn’t necessarily spell the end of CR/AP and Marquez. It would however bring the Adam Russell/D.J. Carrasco era to a close. I could see: Buehrle Floyd Danks Garcia Colon Richard Marquez Poreda Thorton Linebrink Dotel Jenks I like it except for Poreda. Why start his arbitration clock when he could use some more work in the minors and Carrasco would suffice. I'd put Poreda in the minors getting ready to take somebody's spot in case of injury.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 15, 2009 -> 12:08 PM) I know its unlikely, but, think about this for a minute. What if Colon and Freddy were both actually healthy for most or all the season? That makes the rotation pretty sick. Not likely I know, but, fun to think about. Darn right AND if they both suck and their arms detach, the staff is no worse than it was when Marquez CR/AP was the plan. Even if one is healthy for half of the season and the other is healthy for the other half, that helps the Sox get to the playoffs. In the playoffs, it would be nice to have either one healthy. I'm all for Garcia. I'd just rather go for Sheets or Pedro. I am excited because it shows me that KW is not necessarily done despite what he has said or will say.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 15, 2009 -> 11:42 AM) WOW. I am not surprised by the up front money, but the incentives are nothing. That is officially a steal. A rookie costs us $500,000, so even if we cut him early, we barely lose more than we would have given to anyone else. Agreed! This goes from a low risk move to a no brainer in my book. Nice move KW. Even if Colon has nothing left, it is worth the gamble at 1 mil.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Jan 15, 2009 -> 10:57 AM) I’m not so hot on simply giving him the job from the get go. I think it’s unfair to CR/AP, Marquez and the rest of the young guys. It also takes away an additional motivational factor the team could use to get Bartolo’s head in the game. I'm sure they would be happy just being in the majors. Let Marquez and Richard prove themself in the pen. Heck if they are good in the pen, doesn't that help the team too. KW needs to explain that they need to be ready if someone gets injured and that if they pitch well in the pen or spot starting, they will get the same opportunity that Floyd got next year. AP gets another year in the minors to improve his skills. Colon will know the kids want his job and he will want to play for a bigger contract next year.

MLB Hot Stove is reporting that Andrew Jones will be released by the Dodgers on Thursday. I have to think KW will take the chance with him at league minimum and hope Walker can fix him. If he is a malcontent or just plain sucks, then cut him loose. Hot Stove showed film of him looking slim and fit and broke down differences in his batting stance in LA vs. Atlanta. KW might have to have one of his interns track down Boras's number and have Hahn call him. Jones was poison at his previous salary. He is a low risk high reward at league minimum and the Sox do not have CF nailed down just yet.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jan 15, 2009 -> 08:42 AM) Sheets is a $10 mill pitcher who will make $15-17 in incentives on a 1-year deal. When he's pitching well and healthy, he's one of the best in the game. The Sox don't have the money to sign him, nor will they. You may be right and Sheets agrees with you. However, Hot Stove on MLB says that GM's are seeing him as 5-6 million plus incentives to reach 12 million guy in this market. The Sox have the money. I do not buy the poor stuff. KW is just waiting for the price of these free agents to continue to drop and then he will not be able to resist the opportunity to improve the Sox at a bargain price. The fact that when Sheets can be one of the best in the game is my point. Danks Sheets with Marquez on standby Floyd MB Colon/ with CR/AP on standby That is an impressive rotation that can overcome any growing pains a youthful lineup might have while guys like Lillibridge, Getz, Fields, Viciedo, Benemit, and Anderson prove who belongs. Add Sheets or Pedro and be bold.

A couple of more thoughts on how KW should spend JR's money if a Konerko/Dye for Figgins trade went down. How about investing some of the saved cash on Orlando Hudson. Hot Stove on MLB referred to him as a victim of the recession. LF Figgins 2b Hudson RF TCQ DH Thome 1b Konerko SS Ramirez C AJ 3b Fields/Benemit platoon CF Anderson/Lillibridge Adds speed and and or defense up the middle.

QUOTE (joesaiditstrue @ Jan 15, 2009 -> 08:04 AM) Cooper on M&H: "Colon will not have to compete for a spot in the rotation, if he proves he's healthy" not word for word, but that's what coop said. If Colon is healthy, he becomes the #3 starter and maybe #2. There is a lot of upside to this signing and I think he will have a chip on his shoulder to give a big FU to the red sawks. I'm excited about this moves POTENTIAL and even more excited that KW really didn't think that the Sox were ready to go to battle in 09 with that staff. Hot stove on MLB network was talking about Sheets and Garland. Garland is in for a rude awakening in salary. He had the 12th worst WHIP for those eligible last year and he should have taken the arbitration. Sheets has interest from the Rangers but has 3 red flags to GM's. His shoulder, elbow, and back injuries are making him a 5-6 million dollar pitcher and if he want's his 12 million he will have to earn it via incentives. Sheets wants the dough because he is 30 years old and pitched 198 innings last year. Sheets would be my move. Gamble the 6 million with another 6 million in incentives and a vesting option with a buyout. Worth the risk for ACE potential. Pedro would be plan B. He would need an incentive contract as well. If he is healthy, he adds swagger, sells tickets, and has ACE potential. Garcia would be plan C. Big game Freddie would not cost much and could pay off big. He knows how to pitch and if I'm wrong and he sucks, then it would be the end of the world to just release him. Danks Floyd MB Colon Garcia Danks Sheets Floyd MB Colon Danks Floyd Pedro MB Colon Come on KW. Who Dares Wins. If the injury risk guys sit on the DL, nobody could blame you for taking the shot and you still have Marquez and CR/AP. If they succeed, then the Sox have a much better shot at getting beyond the central to another ring.

QUOTE (joesaiditstrue @ Jan 15, 2009 -> 07:53 AM) does figgins still have his legs for CF though? isn't he getting to his mid 30's? He turns 31 this month and he stole 34 bases last year despite 2 trips to the 15 day DL and bereavement time off. I think he has the speed, but I want Anderson's glove out there. I'd rather see Figgins at 3b, 2b, or LF.

I wouldn't give Garland 3 years 27 mil in the current market. I'd rather the Sox went after Sheets or Pedro.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Jan 15, 2009 -> 07:00 AM) I'm not understanding the Abreu love. Nice player and all, but in somewhat of a decline as a hitter, can't play defense, and is owed more contractually than Dye. I'd rather stand pat with Dye. The Sox also have younger and better defensive corner OF options in Quentin and Swisher. If I'm going to deal Dye, it's not going to be for another corner OF. Abreu is a free agent. In the current sluggish free agent market, the Sox should get him cheaper than Dye. The biggest advantage would be the player the Sox acquire by trading Dye. Abreu + Players aquired for Dye > Dye. Abreu adds team speed and OBP as well. He and Ozzie are buddies so that is another reason that he would be likely to want to play for the Sox if there was an opportunity.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 15, 2009 -> 06:48 AM) The one problem with trading Konerko is that we don't have anyone to play that position, now that Swisher's gone to NY. It couldn't be Thome, realistically. That would leave either Dye, Fields, Viciedo, Allen and Tyler Flowers as the five best candidates. I would rather keep Dye and trade Konerko. Dye is a bit faster and a more consistent hitter. Dye could move to 1b opening up a spot in the outfield for Viciedo or an Abreu signing. Fields could move to 1b with Figgins playing 3rd. Benemit has played first. If Viciedo can play 3rd then I'm sure he could handle 1b.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Jan 15, 2009 -> 06:08 AM) I might be in a minority here, but I wouldn't mind this. We have an excess of corner OFs, no leadoff hitter, and a massive question mark at 3B. Moving Quentin to RF and Swisher to LF would also be a defensive plus. I also wouldn't mind seeing Kenny give Uribe a two-year deal if the price is right (say, $8 million) to act as sort of an infield super-sub. Defensively, he'd be a great insurance policy. Swish got traded to the Yanks as you may remember. I agree that moving Dye/Konerko for Figgins and spending the money saved would help the Sox especially if Abreu or another pitcher like Sheets, Garland, Pedro, or Garcia are brought in. There would be a lot of options with Figgins. I happen to not have confidence in Fields and could see him playing 3rd. Figgins 3b Getz 2b Quentin LF Thome DH Konerko 1b Ramirez SS AJ C Viciedo RF Anderson CF MB Danks Floyd Colon Sheets/Garland/Garcia/Pedro Backup plan starters CR/AP Marquez

QUOTE (knightni @ Jan 15, 2009 -> 02:57 AM) Figgins just signed a 1 year deal with LAA, avoiding arbitration. Now the Angels and KW know just how much cash needs to come with Figgins in the Dye/Konerko trade.

One more reason I think KW will gobble up another low priced, high ceiling vet is the most recent Dye rumors. Supposedly KW still wants young quality starting pitching for Dye but the pitcher no longer needs to be major league ready.

QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ Jan 14, 2009 -> 08:03 PM) I just dont see the Sox getting another veteran starting pitcher now that Colon is back with us. I expect KW to let Marquez, Poreda and Richard battle it out in ST for that final starting spot. I think Marquez will win it. Poreda will start down in triple A. And Richard is going to solidify our bullpen. You may be right and that may have been the plan. But you can never have too much pitching and the Sox might be able to pick up someone like Garland, Pedro, or Garcia for what might be a depressed market price. If KW can get a low risk, high reward, formally successful starting pitcher, he may take that opportunity. Marquez can prove himself in the pen like McCarthy/Floyd and step up if one of the vets gets injured.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jan 14, 2009 -> 07:21 PM) Looks like our pitching staff is complete. Starters (5) Buerhle Danks Floyd Colon Marquez Bullpen(7) Jenks Linebrink Dotel (kids from the yankmees) Thornton Richard Poreda I still think another veteran may come. Marquez will earn confidence in the pen like Floyd and be ready to step in for whoever gets injured first Buerhle Danks Floyd Colon Garcia/Pedro/Garland Jenks Linebrink Dotel Thornton Marquez Richard Nunez Poreda develops in the minors Or this sets up the upcoming Floyd for Roberts trade

QUOTE (Cubano @ Jan 14, 2009 -> 04:01 PM) Injuries can happen in any game. WBC, Spring Training, etc. True but spring training is just a warm up and pitchers just get their innings in at first. In the WBC, the pitchers are going to be throwing to win without the typical spring warm up.

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Jan 14, 2009 -> 12:02 PM) Something, maybe not this, is happening soon for Sox. I dont see them going young at ALL those positions. Agreed. Unless the Sox really are poor like Kenny's family from South Park (and I don't believe that smokescreen), I can not see the Sox not making at least 2 more moves. 1. New leadoff hitter via trade. 2.Veteran starting pitcher reclamation project.

I am a lot more interested in watching Cuba in the World Baseball Classic. Last time I was most interested in Japan after Iguchi and Shingo. Too bad Ramirez and Viciedo are not welcome to play for Cuba because of politics. I don't like the injury risk to players, but I am looking forward to some baseball.