103 mph screwball

As long as Pods is not a bad club house guy or something is going on behind the scenes, I want him back. Yes he sucked in Left in 06 and his hitting and base stealing percentage was not up to par (maybe Ozzie could have put the stop sign up for a while). However, the Sox have won a World Series with him before and he sees a lot of pitches. He had just gotten married which according to the psycology 101 books and personal experience is a life changing stressful event even if everything goes well. He also had injuries. He will be afforable especially compared to Pierre/Matthews. I've seen Roberts and Figgins mentioned often. Does anyone think Coco Crisp might still be an option via trade? I do not know much about that Boston team to know if they would part with him at a reasonable price. I remember reading discussion about him before and he seems to have dropped of the radar. Can Crisp play respectable D in Center? I really think that since Anderson has lost favor, he should be replaced before Pods. If Crisp can be acquired for Center, Pods or Sweeney could battle it out in left. I just don't want Sweeney and Anderson counted on to start in 2007. I like both of them, but I crave another World Series before more of the 2005 key players age or move on via free agency. If Pods returns to form, Pods Crisp Dye Thome Konerko Iguchi AJ Crede Uribe If Pods is done or hurt, Crisp Iguchi Dye Thome Konerko Crede AJ Sweeney/Mackowiak/Gload/Anderson/Owens/Fields/Ozuna/Insert best left fielder here Uribe Fix center. Best man win in left. If Crisp, Patterson, or Figgins can lead off and fix center, the Sox have a lot more options. I'd even consider Patterson and his strikeouts. I think strikeouts for a leadoff hitter is more acceptable than other places in the line up because 20-25% (the 1st AB) the bases are always empty. I want the guy to at least see a lot of pitches and be able to handle the bat. If Patterson's pitches-per-plate appearance sucks, nevermind (having trouble finding that stat). Please tell me how the Sox should fix center before getting rid of Pods. If you say it's not broken with Anderson, I respectfully disagree and more importantly Ozzie has shown that he disagrees too. I expect Anderson to get better, I just don't have the patience to wait for that in 2007. I want to win now.

QUOTE(Hatchetman @ Nov 22, 2006 -> 04:17 PM) what's the appeal of figgins? I like the fact that he can play center. He's a better bunter than Pods and he's younger. Even if he's the exact same player as Pods but can play center, it allows the Sox to upgrade left. Anderson seems to have lost favor. The Sox have more options to improve left. I know Gload has had some arm trouble and I've seen some misplays in right. Does anyone think he could play left if given a legitimate chance to win the job in the spring? The guy can flat out hit. QUOTE(Hatchetman @ Nov 22, 2006 -> 04:17 PM) what's the appeal of figgins? I like the fact that he can play center. He's a better bunter than Pods and he's younger. Even if he's the exact same player as Pods but can play center, it allows the Sox to upgrade left. Anderson seems to have lost favor. The Sox have more options to improve left. I know Gload has had some arm trouble and I've seen some misplays in right. Does anyone think he could play left if given a legitimate chance to win the job in the spring? The guy can flat out hit.

The more I think about it, upgrading center with a guy like Patterson might be a good way to go. Anderson seems out of favor. If the Sox were to get a centerfielder to lead off like Patterson, Pierre, Figgins, or even Crawford (not sure if he can play center), they could keep Podsednik and put him in the mix with Anderson, Sweeney, Owens, Mackowiak, Gload, and Fields for left and let the best player or platoon duo earn the job. A speedy shortstop such as Rollins would work also. If Podsednik returns to form he would at the very least have value to trade. Especially if guys like Pierre and Matthews are really getting 10 mil per year contracts. If he doesn't really return, he can at least be moved with his reasonable contract. Let's keep Scotty but plan on him batting 9th instead of leadoff. It would give Ozzie his team speed.

I'd rather go cheap with Fields, Anderson, Sweeny than trade our established pitchers who took what most people believe to be less than market value to play for the Sox. Dumping them for prospects is not a good way to show the teams loyalty. If JG had been traded last year after turning down KW's best extension offer, I could live with that because you don't want him to leave and get nothing in return. If this happens, stud prospects better be ready to take Freddie and MB's spot in 08 because they will be less likely to resign. KW has been good at getting established talent with prospects. He has been good at finding diamonds in the rough that other teams have given up on. I hope he is just as good at picking out which hyped up prospects deserve the hype and which will be the next bust. Freddie took less to play for Ozzie. Garland and JC extended at a discount not to be traded last year. JV played golf with Ozzie and did not exercise a no trade clause to come to the Sox. BMac was promised a spot in the rotation. MB is the only lefty, a fan favorite, and a good clubhouse guy. Trade MB or Freddie if they don't extend. If they both do, trade BMac and improve the 07 roster. I want the Sox to win again in 07. Make the best effort to win now, and I'll enjoy watching the kids play in 09.

Freddie had to learn to pitch with an 86 mph fastball. If he regains his velocity, he could be dominant. That's a big if, but it should be seriously considered before a trade. I'd hate to hear about Freddie the multiple Cy Young award winner for the Angels or Rangers.

If the Sox decide to keep Freddie and have a deal lined up for one of the other pitchers, they should offer Freddie an extension similar to Garland and JC last off season. Freddie might agree if he really wants to stay. Give him an 07 no trade clause and lock him up through 2009. If he's not worth an extension, trade him and keep the others. I'd like to keep Freddie and trade Javier if I was choosing between the two based on my observations and gut feeling. I definately wouldn't want to trade Garland without locking up Freddie and getting a king's ransom in return. KW, Ozzie, and Coop know much more about the health and circumstances of the 06 season. I hope they make the right decison.

I will be disappointed unless Michael Young is part of the trade. Garland is the Sox most valuable pitcher right now when you consider contract length, injury risk, and history of sucesss. Trade Garland and Anderson and you better get an all star back. I don't care if Danks is supposed to be the next Steve Charlton. Supposed to be doesn't cut it for a young 2 time 18 game winning pitcher with a ring. KW is a very good GM. I hope he remembers how difficult it was to assemble that pitching staff and exercises due patience. I know. It's just a rumor.

Hawk has my vote. They sure want a lot of information about me just to place my vote.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 11:54 AM) Think of how our pen would work out. We would have 4 guys that can throw 97 or higher at the back end of our pen. Lidge for the 6th McDougal for the 7th Thornton for the 8th Jenks for the 9th. Get to the 6th with a lead and its over. I think Lidge could handle the 6th inning. Sox would need a long man if Bmac was to be moved into the rotation. If Freddie was to pull a groin covering first base in the second inning, a bullpen full of closers might not cut it. Offering Lidge at the last minute might be a good move for Huston. There may be a last minute bidding war where the GM's don't really have time to consider things carefully.

Pods in center has not been a popular idea here but he has played center before. Anderson would make a hell of a defensive replacement the rest of this year. Mack, Gload, Ozuna???? Sox need a real 4th outfielder. Any Brewers fans out there that can comment on Pods in center? If the Sox get Soriano, I feel they will keep him. I can't see how they could pull off a deal to improve the pitching. Getting a stud like Soriano or Abreu could spark the team or ruin chemistry. In Kenny I trust. He has earned it.

Mench has a huge HEAD. He also hits a homerun at every Sox vs Ranger game I've been to. I don't see him playing outfield for the Sox.

Maybe the Sox wanted to show a possible trading partner that his arm is not damaged. Maybe Freddie got a good nights sleep. Whatever happens, I hope he works things out.

It's time to kick it in a higher gear! Bring out the RALLY CREDE!!

Well, putting some rumors together for fun. How about... Garcia for Heilman and prospects AND Mackowiak, Tracey, and prospects for Cameron and Linebrink Heilman becomes our emergency 6th starter and part of the pen. Anderson becomes a defensive replacement outfielder for this season. Cameron plays centerfield Linebrink is the right handed setup BMac to starter Jenks, Linebrink, Thorton, Cotts, Riske, Heilman Count, MB, Garland, Javy, BMac Mackowiak's old job is no longer needed with Cameron, Anderson, and Cintron. I can see the Sox dealing Mackowiak because after they traded for him to be the infield utility, KW got a deal on Cintron that he couldn't pass up. That moved Mack to our 4th outfileder. Sox would like someone better defensively in that spot in my opinion. Padres get an upgrade at 3b, salary relief, and good prospects. Mets get a big name starter for the next 2 years. Sox get solid bullpen, Solid outfield D, BMac replaces Freddie, and lose prospects but that blow is lessened by the Mets prospects. Most importantly, I haven't posted in a while and I wanted to put up a RALLY CREDE before the Sox play the tigers.

One of the great things about the Sox winning the World Series for me it the fact that nothing any scrub fan or media idiot says bad about the Sox or good about the scrubs bothers me. Not at all. I just bask in the glow of 2005 and look forward to see what the guys can do in 2006. I am baseball satisfied.

Dye singles to left and brings home Paulie from 2nd

Paulie hits one off of the center field fence to bring home Thome.

Nice diving stop by Iguchi saves a run and gets the out

Count K's lead off man

Got a 22/27 Mercy!

I would hope that KW would not trade Dye unless he wanted to be traded. Dye honored a handshake agreement with KW and ended up taking less money from the Sox. That should be rewarded. If you trade guys who take less money to play for your team, that may make it less likely that someone else would sign. It would be different if Dye was sucking and not earning his money.

Mark Buehrle was on AM 670 this morning. He said the he will not be pitching in the world baseball classic. He told the manager 2 weeks ago. He is still on the roster in case he changes his mind. He's pretty sure he will not change his mind. He wants to rest his arm after pitching so much and winning the WORLD SERIES. Sorry if this has already been reported.

If you are stuck listening to Murph, listen how he will steer the conversation to the scrubs whenever someone is discussing anything positive about the Sox. If it is negative, he lets it go. A caller pointed that out and sure enough it was true. It has gotten better since the Score became the new home for Sox games. It used to be obvious. I think Farmer even called him out on it on the air. Maybe someone can remember what Farmer said. I forgot about Murph. I'd rather listen to North than Murph and North annoys the hell out of me. Actually, I've started to listen to podcasts more and get all of my sports news and rumors right here. If by chance anyone on the score has anything remotely interesting about the Sox, someone will report it here. By the way, thanks everyone for making this site entertaining and informative.

We'd better be careful, somebody in the media may use that as their next story and make a fool of themselves. AM 1000's Levine now reports that the Sox deal is centered around top prospect Munoz but the Cubs are still the frontrunners and the Sox are broke.

Munoz and Uribe for Tejada and a prospect