103 mph screwball

Hairston. I have no idea how much Hairston would cost. Does anybody have any idea? I'd really like to get him if he is reasonably priced. He could potentially lead off. He seems to have a good obp. I'd love him batting second. He's had injuries so I wouldn't go overboard. Polanco would be nice, but he will be pretty expensive. Pyrzinski would be good at least offensively and provide that LH bat.

If Hairston is nontendered and the Sox don't make an attempt to pick him up I'd be pissed. He'd be a nice number 2 hitter. Rowand could do it, but I'd rather have him hitting farther down driving in runs. Besides, Don't the Sox have to get Hariston? Isn't he a legacy like Flounder from Animal House?

I'll take that. I still have a small hope for Clement, but Lima would be way better than throwing a pitcher to the lions every 5th day like last year. I don't know it the Sox could get all 4 of those guys. If the Sox do sign Kline, they could trade one of their other bullpen arms.

Would AJ be considered a grinder? Is he a jerk, or does he seem like a jerk because he wants to kick your ass when he plays against you? Would he be a good guy to have on your side in a bench clearing brawl? Any thoughts? I don't know.

I agree.

I don't think you should. Clement was our best shot because he wanted to stay in Chicago. Odalis will now become just as over priced as Clement but he would have no motivation to come to the Sox other than money. Sox lose bidding wars. I have had my hopes up for RJ or Clement. I won't make that mistake with Odalis. Time to get a veteran pitcher off of the scrap heap and sign Polonco and AJ Pryz. Any fifth starter would be better than last year. Right? I wouldn't put it past KW to come up with plan D or is it E now. He may have a trade up his sleeve that none of us have even thought about. Scary huh.

Yes. It's not fair to him. It's not his fault. But the Sox need a new attitude. I'm still a little pissed about how that whole thing went down. I blame Ozzie and MJ ect. But, I'd be willing to bet some of his teammates see Burke as a symbol of a failed season. I'd rather have Davis and AJ. Maybe I'm wrong and Burke will be the rally cry. Like remember the Alamo.

The Score might not have the whole story. Maybe KW just saw the news about RJ to the Yankmees and is on the phone with Clement agent sweeting the deal right now. Why not, I'm sure Perez will become way over valued too when Clement is signed. Maybe the Sox should just get AJ Prz, Polonco, and make a trade for just a servicable veteran pitcher. A bad 5th starter is better than no 5th starter like last year. I've got to admit, I actually had my hopes up for better news tonight.

Burke is a constant reminder of the Hunter plate collision. The Sox need an attitude adjustment. Keep Davis and sign AJ.

Don't forget the effects of having all the other pitchers move down a notch in the rotation and face lesser talent. That should mean more wins for MB, FG, and JC. Don't forget the confidence this will give the whole team. This could also help draw better free agents in the future. Say Clement is thinking about 7 million and he really wants to stay in Chicago. I think RJ is a big statement saying we are a REAL contender. I say get both and really create a huge BUZZ. Then let Brooks promote the hell out of it. (I don't think that has to be pink RJ will pay for himself and may have deferred money.) This is the kind of move that gets marginal fans curious about the commotion over RJ to the ballpark and turns them into lifelong fans. That's the effect the Carlton Fisk signing had on me. Somewhere there are 10 year olds that will beg their parents to take them to the game to see the Big Unit and will become Sox fans for life. Now that the starting outfielder is rumored to be out of the trade, I am all for this trade.

While bringing twice as many fans to the ballpark and making the Sox national news. He will pay for himself.

True. So does Clement. I'd rather have Burnett 4 mil? + Delgado 14 mil? for my 18 million than Clement and Konerko for 18 million. Thats just one scenerio. Well, if it happens, at least the Sox aren't sitting on the cash.

Could trade for a another starter such as Hudson, RJ, or Burnett then spend some cash on guys to replace the players traded. Just an example. Trade Pauly to Florida and sign Delgado. Hmm. Maybe the Sox are trying to show Randy Johnson that they are going for a World Series for real. RJ MB FG MC JC If the Sox spend 30 mil on Clement, I'll be in shock

So much for hometown discount if this is true. I could see 8 million but $10 is going overboard.

I really think SPod will have an impact beyond his own stats this year. He will distract the opposing pitchers into making mistakes. Rowand, or whoever bats behind him, will see more fastballs. I love speed. Ron Leflore was a favorite player of mine at one time. I was only 12.

I have all the games set to Tivo with a 1 hour cushion at the end in case of extra innings. I'll have to keep the radio off on the way home so I won't know the score. I'd call in sick if I could get away with it. It should be a national holiday. I actually am optimistic. It can't be as disappointing as last year.

I heard part of the joke and it's aftermath on the way home. Some guy called in complaining that he had just got online and bought $1100 worth of tickets. North said the traffic at the ticket office picked up. Wasn't funny to him. Not funny to me.

I'm for giving our guys a shot but if the Sox start off slowly, I'd want either Roberts or Hairston. Either of those two could lead off. I'd prefer Hairston. I still remember his Dad pinch hitting for the Sox.

I was looking at Ken Griffey Jr. Stats on ESPN and I noticed in the news section that the Seattle news paper mentioned the idea of Griffey coming back to Seattle in October. Griffey called the Seattle paper to talk about it. I think he wants out of Cincey. Isn't parts of his salary deferred so that he gets paid until like 2025. If that is true, the Sox would actually save money next year. It would leave the Sox on the hook for money in 2020 but by then JR would be pretty old and probably would have sold the team. I know this is wild (hence the rumors that aren't true thread), but Cincy wants rid of him, Griffey wants out, and if the Sox take a chance, they could have a DH/OF that could provide serious left handed power and star marketing power. Maybe, the Sox can renegotiate the deal with Griffey due to larger market advertising like A-rod tried to do with Boston. Who knows, he could rejuvinate his career here and maybe be less frequently injured if he played DH half of the time.

Has anyone seen the movie Groundhog day?

Sox trade Paul Konerko to the Dodgers for whatever prospects they can get. Sox save his salary money. Sox then trade prospects (possibly the Konerko trade prospects) to Anaheim for Washburn. The Dodgers end up with a hitter they need. The Angels cut salary to help pay for Vlad and pick up prospects. The Sox get a starting pitcher who would be their #3 or #4 in the rotation without adding to the payroll. Sox then could sign Randall Simon or Travis Lee to share first base with Big Frank. I'd rather have Washburn than Perez. I'd rather have Washburn than Ponson!

Now that Vlad has signed with the Angels, that might create a trade opportunity with the Orioles. Baltimore might be interested in Magglio. Over a month ago, I read about a Magglio for Jay Gibbons rumor. That's not enough. However, Magglio for Gibbons and 2b Brian Roberts would make me interested. Gibbons would provide a good young left handed hitter to replace Magglio. Roberts with his speed could lead off and play second base. I think the Sox would save over 10 million in salary which they could invest in pitching. If Willie Harris turns out to be a stud, he could split time with Roberts at second and play some centerfield. I think Ponson is no longer an option for the Sox. There is no way they would outbid Baltimore. Maddux would be a great PR move for the Sox and would put butts in seats but he probably won't come to the AL. For starting pitching, the Sox may be better off using the money to make a trade and pay part of our player's salary. For example, Konerko to the Dodgers for Perez and prospect with the Sox paying part of the difference in salary. Or, they could plan on adding a pitcher via a trade midseason There are a number of good relief pitchers available. I think for the right price Urbina would be a really nice addition. Urbina, Marte, Koch, Pollite, Wunch, Wright could be an outstanding pen. I like the Red Sox trade rumor better for next year. Gibbons and Roberts may be better in the long run if the Sox because all of the Red Sox players will be free agents. It wouldn't hurt to give Baltimore a call and see how interested they might be. There may be an opportunity for a bidding war. Magglio, Valentin, and prospect for Nixon, Nomar, and Williamson or Magglio for Gibbons, Roberts, keep Valentin, sign Urbina, sign Kenny Rogers and make the self imposed budget.

I'd get Anderson if he is cheap. Why not? It will push Willie to compete for playing time and bring out the best in him. I was looking at Anderson's splits, he hits lefty's as well as right handers even though he bats left handed. I think Anderson could be an adequate number two hitter. The Sox can use some insurance in case Willie isn't what the Sox had hoped. I could even see a platoon situation if Willie can't hit lefties. I'd platoon Valentin and Uribe too. Willie also can see playing time in the outfield. Anderson Splits

Anderson and Baez I would go get. I'm not so sure about Redman and Looper. Their away splits and the fact that they are NL pitchers worries me. I'm afraid the Sox will end up overpaying them. I'd take them, but I'd much rather have Johnson. Looper splits Redman splits

Looper's away splits have me worried. In fact, all of the Florida pitchers stats may be products of their ballpark. In general, I'd like to stay away from National league guys. There are exceptions like Maddux, Livan Hernandez, or Jiminez for Colorado.