103 mph screwball

QUOTE (kwolf68 @ Dec 5, 2008 -> 08:05 AM) If this trade goes down I hate it worse than being constipated. Cantu isn't anything special and Florida is trying to sell high after his decent year last year...the biggest thing is...WE DONT NEED HIM. He does not and can't play center...how much of an upgrade at 3rd is he over Fields and/or Betemit? He's a disaster in the field, came up as a 2nd baseman, a position we now have THREE players now competing for the job. He has some power, but the only spot I see for him is LF (not available) or DH (not available). Just another all or nothing hitter who takes the UTurn far too often coming from the box and can't play a LICK of defense. I thought we were getting away from these type of players. To give up two young guys (hell, I wouldn't even give up ONE of those guys) with potential is absurd beyond the word itself. We just dumped some dead weight for young potential, why in the hell would we turn around and do just the opposite. Cantu does NOT help this team in any way, shape or form unless he has a 98 mile per hour fastball we don't know about. Just say no to drugs. Disagree Kwolf. Cantu is a more consistent hitter vs. Rhp and Lhp, he's had more than one successful year,he will strike out less, and he is less than a year older than Fields. His defense may not be very good, but I don't think he will be much worse than Fields. I think this would be a good move. Cantu is a safer bet especially if Fields has not been happy with the Sox. Going into his prime in Chicago, I think .280 30 100 are very attainable numbers from Cantu. Rolling the dice on Fields might pay off, or he may strike out 175 times on a team trying to get away from the all or nothing offense. I like fields but, I'll trust KW if this move happens.

QUOTE (beck72 @ Dec 5, 2008 -> 05:30 AM) If the sox are interested in Cantu, it's more likely for 1b than 3b. The sox may be looking to deal Konerko then. Maybe, but the Sox could play him at 3rd in 2009 and move him to 1st in 2010 when Konerko moves to DH. Viciedo could be the new outfielder to replace Dye so he could be traded for pitching instead of another outfielder. Beckham could play 3rd in 2010. Sox have many options for 2nd and Alexei at SS. Or Furcal gets signed. Right now Cantu is a safer bet than Fields. I think Cantu will strike out less, hit for higher average, have comparable power and D, and he has never talked about quitting baseball to my knowledge. Cantu would also be more consistent since he can hit both right and left hading pitching decently (career .269 avg vs L .277 vs Rhp). 29 Hr 95 rbi and .277 in Florida could improve to 32, 105, and .285 in Chicago. I like Fields, but I'd feel more confident in the Sox chances with Cantu. Cantu is less than a year older than Fields. This could be a good deal for Fla and Fields as well. Fields may benefit from a change of scenery and maybe Florida could fix a few flaws and he will be good for them. I'm not confident that Walker is going to be able to get Fields to strike out less than once per game.

I hope this trade happens. Cantu will be 27 and he hit .277/.327/.481 with 29 HR and 95 Rbi playing for Florida last year. I wish Fields well, but Cantu is a safer bet.

Furcal. I know nothing KW says should make me think that. That makes me think Furcal even more. That is why OC arbitration stuff is not good news for KW's plans. Sox will get speed.

QUOTE (maggliopipe @ Dec 3, 2008 -> 08:25 PM) His injury last year is kinda worrisome so there is a small cause for concern but hell it's Jake Peavy, bring him on. And of course he'd waive his NTC if for no other reason than to play with BFF and fellow redneck Scott Linebrink. Linebrink would be in a position to tell him how fun it is to play for the Sox. The plot thickens.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 3, 2008 -> 07:21 PM) Jerry Reinsdorf? Jerry is not getting any younger and I'm sure another World Series would make him as happy as it would make us if not more so. Reinsdorf will also make budgetary exceptions for exceptional talent. It's been discussed frequently on this board how the Sox lack a true ace. Peavy would qualify and make all of the other pitcher better. Peavy MB Danks Floyd JC/a young pitcher from the system/a short term vet such as Randy Johnson or Pedro Martinez This staff would be loaded for bear and aiming beyond a central title. Fun to think about on this fine December evening. We really should have a pool to guess who is on the final roster / starting lineup to see who can predict KW the closest.

I don't know if Peavy is possible. However, I guarantee KW has asked. KW thinks BIG, he's creative, and he's persistent. There does seem to be an abundance of infielders that is starting to make me think KW will not only be trading away big named players, it is becoming more likely that he will be trading for a big name talent. KW is not preparing for the kids can pay 2009. Payroll may end up lower next year, and that may be the smart thing to do. It won't be THAT low.

I think I'd pay $100 to see KW's plan. I think I just thought of a new revenue stream. We'd have to sign an NDA of course. Thank goodness I am off of work for the winter meetings. I've been hesitant to comment until it is final, but I love the trade just for the salary that WILL be spent on a free agent or to take on salary in a trade and Flowers. If any of the other 3 players work out, this could be a great deal for the Sox. I think the Braves will benefit from Vazquez in the NL. Nice. I've been predicting Furcal and I'm sticking with it. I'm starting to wonder if another big player acquisition will be via trade with a package of some of the newly acquired prospects. How about Roberts and Furcal? Beckham Beckham Beckham! He can play 3rd. Please excuse my pipe dream Roberts 2b Furcal SS TCQ RF Thome DH Konerko 1b Alexei LF (he's the best baseball player on the team. ask Hawk) AJ C Benemit/Fields or Viciedo 3b Anderson CF

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Dec 2, 2008 -> 12:39 PM) Maybe it's more like 'We're not going to pay a premium to have someone end up like Fukudome when we can get more bang for our bucks elsewhere' instead of 'we are poor'. I agree. It is probably KW's way of sending the message that the Japanese players are asking too much money.

Rhinos... Sounds like some station to station power hitters.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Nov 30, 2008 -> 07:51 PM) Betemit. Betterhit

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Nov 30, 2008 -> 05:02 PM) Something please happen soon. This site is incredibly boring. Arbitration news coming soon. Winter meetings are the week after next. In the end the lineup will be... Tavares Furcal TCQ Thome Konerko Alexei AJ Fields/Benemit platoon Anderson Yea, I'd settle for some new rumors that might actually have a source.

QUOTE (scenario @ Nov 30, 2008 -> 12:28 PM) Do we need another utility player? We have to take him. He is a legacy. He may be a speedier upgrade over Getz and has more outfield experience. Then again, I have a soft spot in my heart after watching his Dad pinch hit for the Sox.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Nov 26, 2008 -> 09:46 PM) I have said it numerous times that the Braves make a ton of sense, especially if they miss out on the Peavy sweepstakes. Kelly Johnson could be a very likely target as well. Kelly Johnson strikes out a bit too much, but he might fill the number 2 hitter void.

MANNY!!???

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 05:17 PM) Part of me thinks Williams has a standing deal in place with the Rockies to acquire Street, but obviously wants to make sure Jenks is actually dealt before making the move. Very interesting. Jenks will have to be replaced somehow. I worry about ex-Oakland closers. Billy Koch, Zito, and Mulder make me very weary of ex-A's. Very realistic possibility Tony.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 03:51 PM) Orlando Hudson is another FA possibility, but it might take a bit of time because there is no way the Sox are going to give him the 5/50 he's asking for. I don't think KW will make moves to trade Dye or Jenks unless he has his free agent targets number. If he moves guys that big, he will have at least one free agent quickly. Furcal.

QUOTE (Texsox @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 02:30 PM) I have to laugh at how quickly we accept Dye, World Series MVP, signed a contract for less on the free agent market, etc. leaving and we wave goodbye so quickly. Love that loyalty. I could imagine the howls of protest if he said he wanted a trade. Dye will be thought of highly here for decades.

Furcal SS Alexei 2b Manny LF TCQ RF Thome DH Konerko 1b AJ C Fields/Benemit platoon 3B Anderson CF Manny talk started only with speculation about what KW would do with the money saved from the Swisher and the rumored, JV, Jenks, and Dye trades.

QUOTE (fathom @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 01:16 PM) That team wouldn't win 70 games, and then the attendance decline would destroy our payroll for the following season. Sometimes, I wish people would take a step back and look at the roster they're actually predicting and think if there's any chance of that happening. It will look a bit better after the money is spent on a couple of free agents. Bobby Abreu and Furcal would make a difference. Burnett and Furcal? Manny? KW will not sit on the money. If these trades happen, he has a plan.

If Dye, JV, and Jenks get traded, that would free up a ton of free agent money for KW to play with. It would also be kinda twins like in a good way. KW thinks big. Who would be the new closer? starter? This is fun.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 11:16 AM) Because it would cost something like 4 years and $50 million to get Furcal here. If we can pay Cabrera 9, we can pay a much better Furcal 12.5. I wonder how much KW was offering Cabrera to try to extend him last year.

QUOTE (fathom @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 10:54 AM) If you trade for Dye, you should get parts back that you know the Orioles want for Brian Roberts. He's so obviously the best fit for this organization. Why pay a king's ransom for Roberts if the Sox can just sign Furcal and keep Alexei at 2nd where we know he can play well. Roberts would look nice in a Sox uniform though.

I'm thinking prospects that another team will want in exchange for a leadoff hitter. Maybe a quality pen guy and spects. I wonder if this will be a case of the Sox paying part of a contract for a change? KW will use some of the money for my guy Furcal.

I'm not a big fan of Lowell, but I just thought I'd mention the Ozzie connection from Florida. I think Fields/Benemit/Viceado should somehow cover 3rd.