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Points well taken on giving up Buerhle or taking on Edmonds contract. Can anyone think of creative ways package Valentin for Rentaria? I'd assume they'd want pitching. Rentaria is a big part of what the Sox were missing last year. Someone with speed that gets on base at the top of the order. What an improvement over Jimenez/Robbie Alomar he would be. What an improvement over Jose. We'd have to give up something good besides Valentin to get him but it would be worth it for an all star shortstop. That's the kind of move that would get me excited for next year. I can't watch another year of slow guys striking out and grounding into double plays. Seriously I can't take that again. I'd rather see the kids can play 2 than three singles to load the bases, K, GIDP. This team needs a spark. Help there has to be a way. Konerko, Rauch, Wright, Garland, Cotts? Any other ideas to spark this team? Rentaria 2003 YEAR G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS E FPCT 2003 157 587 96 194 47 1 13 100 65 54 34 7 .330 .394 .480 .874 16 .975 Valentin 2003 YEAR G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS E FPCt 2003 144 503 79 119 26 2 28 74 54 114 8 3 .237 .313 .463 .776 20 .969 103 mph screwball

I don't think St. Louis has a first baseman (Tino Martinez left). Maybe they would take Konerko and Garland instead of Buehrle. Konerko and Valentin for Rentaria? Hmm. There has to be some way that the Cardinals and Sox can help each other. Both teams do not like the Cubs. 103 mph screwball

Sox would deal Valentin, Ordonez, Buehrle for Edmonds, Rentaria, Drew from St. Louis My 2004 salary estimates: Ordonez 14 mil, Valentin 5, Berle 3.5 after arbitration? = 22.5 mil Edmonds 9 mil, Rentaria 7, Drew 4 =20 mil Edmonds scouting report Rentaria scouting report Drew's scouting report Rentaria adds a leadoff hitter with a .394 OBP last year, 34 SB and only 54K's Edmonds gives us good defensive CF with left handed power and average. Drew takes Right field with a lot of potential or we can deal him away for a relief pitcher. Deal too big? How about Buehrle and Valentin for Rentaria and Drew and 2 mil in cash? Trade Magglio to Seattle for Garcia and prospects. Trade Konerko to LA for Perez. Rentaria SS Uribe 2B Thomas DH Edmonds CF Lee LF Daubach 1B Drew/Reed/Rowand RF Crede 3B Olivo C Colon Loiaza Perez Garland Rauch/Wright I do not know how long these guys are signed for and I'm not sure were to look. I also am worried about injuries. 103 mph Screwball

I don't think Carl pissed anyone off either. It would not surprise me to see him back but I don't expect him back either. I really like KW's apparent strategy to deal with the free agents. He has offered Colon, Alomar, Graffy? and Gordan reasonable deals and when they turn it down, he says thank you, we'd love to have you but we have to move on. If the player wants to be on the Sox, he will be less likely to turn down the next offer from the Sox. If he doesn't want to play for the Sox, bye. Chasing guys around throwing cash at them screaming please! please! is not a good bargaining position. Do not low-ball our players because that causes bad blood. Offer them fair deals and tell them if they can do better on the open market, good luck, thank you & we will really miss you. We will get some of these guys back at fair deals or we will spend the money on other guys at bargain prices, but hopefully we won't over pay too many. I think the whole league is trying to become more responsible with a budget. (not collusion, common sense). A few years ago this may have backfired badly but this year, reasonable fair deals may actually work. KW knows what he is doing. I hope 103 mph screwball

I'm glad KW isn't just giving guys away. I'd much rather complain about the lack of moves in November than give guys like Carlos Lee away. I would be happy to trade Paul Konerko for Odalis Perez straight up. Even if Paul returns to all star form, I'd take the chance. Perez is a good pitcher that needs a new team and a fresh start. It will be easier to replace Konerko's offensive production (especially last year's) than to get more starting pitching. I don't look at it as Konerko for Perez anyway. It's more like Konerko for Perez and two other 2 million dollar relief pitchers we might be able to afford. I think it would be great for the Sox and good for the Dodgers. 103 mph screwball

If Paully gets traded, I think we should keep Daubach and Gload. Daubach could play first base (Whenever Frank doesn't feel like it) or DH. He had some good numbers with Boston when he played consistantly. I don't think Daubach will cost too much because last year was so bad for him. Gload sounds like he could make the team as a 5th outfielder, backup firstbaseman, defensive replacemet? firstbaseman, pinch runner, left handed pinch hitter. If we end up trading Paully and Magglio, I want to keep a few guys like Daubach around with some power just in case Big Frank or Carlos gets injured. Daubach's Career Hitting I have no problem with Spezio if he is not too expensive. What about Travis Lee? 103 mph screwball

Voted no. I do not want him gone. However, if the Sox can have a better team and get quality talent in return for him, then KW should trade him. I'd miss him, but I think we all will be big Reed fans soon. Soriano, Gaciapara, or a top line pitcher, would make it less distasteful to see him traded. How does BeastlySoriano sound? 103 mph screwball

Based on the splits I've seen posted here in other threads, I think they should platoon. Uribe hits lefties and Valentine hits Righties. Uribe's splits Valentin's splits 103 mph screwball

Chisoxfn, I love that trade idea. That's what I'm talking about. I want value and improvement in the team if Magglio must go. I can't see why the Dodgers, Yanks, or Sox would not at least seriously consider that deal. I wish there was a hotline to call Kenny Williams and suggest this. Seriously, I'd love to get this idea in the newspapers or Gammon's report or something. This trade would be good for baseball in general. The Yankees would be taking on filthy rich contracts rather than making new inflated contracts with Sheffield and Colon and it may help keep free agent salaries reasonble this year by preventing bidding wars. This is the kind of deal that Kenny Williams is aggressive enough to pull off. I hope he thinks of it or reads your post. That lineup and starting staff would have me pumped and there still may be money or a Konerko trade away from making the pullpen solid. 103 mph screwball

I'd rather have Spivey than Roberto Alomar (at this point in his career). Spivey hitting stats Is Spivey good enough to bat second? Does anyone know if can bunt? Does he "grind"? Do you think that Milwaukee will take Konerko and his contract for Spivey? 103 mph Screwball

Trade Koch and a mid-level prospect to the Mets for Weathers and a long shot prospect and offer to pay half of the difference in their salaries. Then go after Eddie Guardado. Why not? Kane0730 just posted " • The Twins are expected to re-sign closer Eddie Guardado for about $7.5 million for two years. But the Twins' Plan B, if they are unable to sign Guardado, is to try to sign free-agent right-handed closer Roberto Hernandez of Atlanta." We should offer him 8.5 over two years. I think he would be worth that plus it would be yet another subtraction from the Twins bullpen. At the very least it might force the Twins to pay him more. I'm sure the Sox can somehow clear 4.25 mil for Steady Eddie. Eddie Guardado - closer Weathers - setup Marte - setup Wunch/Munoz Wright Ginter Just an idea. 103 mph Screwball

I want to keep Magglio. However, If the Sox are going to have to trade him, I'd much rather get Soriano from the Yankees than Gibbons from Baltimore or Garcia from the Mariners. I realize the yankess are working on a deal with Sheffield but the deal is not final. I've also read rumors that Sheff is trying to add years to his contract and putting a snag in negotiations (rumor from WSI). Regardless, it is not a done deal yet. What if the Sox were to (deep breath) trade Magglio and either Wunch, Wright, or to be determined pitcher for Soriano, Weaver, and a top secret gentleman's agreement to back off Colon. Magglio would cost the Yankees a couple of million more than Sheff, but the Yankees probably would love to get rid of Weaver and his contract. The money they save from Magglio instead of Sheffield + Weaver could go towards Pettite and or adding Millwood. Sox get a very over priced 5th starter who would be risky but pay off big if he were to straighten himself out away from the New York limelight. (or Weaver could be 3-way traded or packaged for Garcia?) I love the idea of having Soriano playing second base and batting 5th behind Lee and Thomas. Soriano would also add speed without giving up power, fills a position of need, has enough "star power" to soften the attendance blow of losing Magglio, and I think is signed beyond 2004 at an affordable salary. Reed, Rowand, or inexpensive veteran would take RF. If the Yankees were to concentrate on Millwood, Pettie, and or Vasquez trade instead of Colon it would help our chances of getting him back. Sox end up with Soriano, Weaver, ?about 6-7 million in salary savings, ?Colon yankess end up with Magglo, a pitcher from the Sox, and a net salary savings to use for free agent pitchers such as Millwood/Pettite/Ponson. That's my wishful thinking for today. Thank you to everyone responsible for this site and it's posts. I may not post very often but I visit Soxtalk daily and enjoy everyone's knowledge, passion, and ideas. 103 mph Screwball

There are a lot of things about Lowell's contract that impress me. It probably calms the Florida fan's fears of the team being completely dismantled like it was in 1997. I do not think they over paid for the all-star third baseman. Most of all the clause about the new stadium is great. Now, if they don't get the new stadium, the politicians will be responsible for the Marlins playing in the inadequate old stadium AND for Mike Lowell leaving town. This deal will help them keep fans and increase the chance of a new stadium. Nice. 103 mph Screwball

I don't understand waivers but if the Sox only need to pay him league minimum for the next 2 years, I'd get him. Even if he is worthless this year and Wright or Cotts is the number 5 starter we might have a real bargain of a pitcher next year. If he stinks, the Sox would be out league minimum. I think it is worth the gamble. Could there be other quality players available off of waivers? Does anyone know what the priority order is and where the Sox fit in. In other words, how many teams would have to pass on a player before the Sox get a chance. How do trades fit in? I heard the Padres might still get Giles through a trade because they are first on the waiver list. I google searched for answers but I came up empty. If anybody knows a good web site to explain this stuff I'd appreciate it. Go White Sox!

I'm not sure of the details of Aaron Boone's contract. I also like Joe Crede and think he will improve. However, I would love to have Aaron Boone in a Sox uniform for the next 5-7 years and I would trade Joe Crede if I thought it would make it possible. Crede has potential. Boone has realized his potential and is producing now. One of the problems with the Sox in my opinion is lack of speed. Boone has speed, power, and the versitility to play other positions. If Kenny Williams can pull it off and get Sullivan I will be very impressed. Disclaimer: I liked the Koch trade at the time