July 9, 200421 yr IMO, Frank's "injury" is being overstated. That's the impression I got from KW on the radio today
July 9, 200421 yr The Sox are overstating it, or Frank is being a sissy? Being a sissy? He IS a sissy.
July 9, 200421 yr The Sox are overstating it, or Frank is being a sissy? The reporters are overstating it. IMO.
July 9, 200421 yr Joe Borchard is the short term answer for Frank. What's needed long term [the rest of this year, even if/ when Frank comes back] is an OBP guy. The Sox needed a top of the order guy to get on base even before Frank was injured. Now its critical. Then Uribe and Harris could drop down in the order and be more successful there. There aren't many options out there. 1-Frank Catalanatto [injured on DL for his hamstring; coming back in the next week or so] Could play LF, Lee could DH. Frank could play other positions as well [2b, 3B, RF, 1B]. If he was completely healthy, it would be a no brainer. But his injuries this year show he may not be of much help 2-Jason Kendall -Could C and DH when Sandy was playing. Get Pitt. to pay 30-40% of his salary and the sox have a C for 3 years. 3-Finley. Probably going to SD. 4. Carl Everett. I hate to even think it, but Carl would be OK. He could DH or even play LF. At this point, Lee is the better LF. [never thought I'd say that] But Everett's signed for 2 years. At least he'd come cheap in terms of prospects. The best bet would be Kendall, as he could still play everyday when/ if Frank gets back. Whoever the Sox get, they must have a high OBP.
July 9, 200421 yr Joe Borchard is the short term answer for Frank. What's needed long term [the rest of this year, even if/ when Frank comes back] is an OBP guy. The Sox needed a top of the order guy to get on base even before Frank was injured. Now its critical. Then Uribe and Harris could drop down in the order and be more successful there. There aren't many options out there. 1-Frank Catalanatto [injured on DL for his hamstring; coming back in the next week or so] Could play LF, Lee could DH. Frank could play other positions as well [2b, 3B, RF, 1B]. If he was completely healthy, it would be a no brainer. But his injuries this year show he may not be of much help 2-Jason Kendall -Could C and DH when Sandy was playing. Get Pitt. to pay 30-40% of his salary and the sox have a C for 3 years. 3-Finley. Probably going to SD. 4. Carl Everett. I hate to even think it, but Carl would be OK. He could DH or even play LF. At this point, Lee is the better LF. [never thought I'd say that] But Everett's signed for 2 years. At least he'd come cheap in terms of prospects. The best bet would be Kendall, as he could still play everyday when/ if Frank gets back. Whoever the Sox get, they must have a high OBP. I think Kendall helps this team out the most. We aren't getting much production out of the Catcher position, so this would really help us out., Plus, if Frank stays out of the line-up for an extended period, you can DH him on days that he isn't good to catch. I like the idea of Kendall. If you want to get more of a power guy (which you'd only need if Frank goes down for an extended period), the guy you look at might be Del Gado. However, with Maggs returning, we should have enough power. Ergo, Kendall is probably the best bat we could pick up right now.
July 9, 200421 yr I think Kendall helps this team out the most. We aren't getting much production out of the Catcher position, so this would really help us out., Plus, if Frank stays out of the line-up for an extended period, you can DH him on days that he isn't good to catch. I like the idea of Kendall. If you want to get more of a power guy (which you'd only need if Frank goes down for an extended period), the guy you look at might be Del Gado. However, with Maggs returning, we should have enough power. Ergo, Kendall is probably the best bat we could pick up right now. The key should be getting a guy who could help when Frank returns [6 weeks if he needs surgery]. The only true "open" position would be C. Everett would fill the vacancy at DH. And 6 weeks is a long time. But he'd be on the bench when Frank's back. [Not a bad guy coming off the bench though for the post season]
July 9, 200421 yr If Frank goes down, carl everett is probably the perfect guy to fill the void. He'd be able to dh, he's got a very good left handed bat and he's a very clutch hitter. Plus I think he's only owed 2 million dollars for the rest of the year.
July 9, 200421 yr I’m just curious, but what was the White Sox record when both Frank and Maggs were in the lineup? I missed Magglio when he was gone and now I’m going to miss Big Frank. Come September (probably even October) our guys have better take good care of themselves because we are starting to look like the Cubs.
July 9, 200421 yr Joe Borchard is the short term answer for Frank. What's needed long term [the rest of this year, even if/ when Frank comes back] is an OBP guy. The Sox needed a top of the order guy to get on base even before Frank was injured. Now its critical. Then Uribe and Harris could drop down in the order and be more successful there. There aren't many options out there. 1-Frank Catalanatto [injured on DL for his hamstring; coming back in the next week or so] Could play LF, Lee could DH. Frank could play other positions as well [2b, 3B, RF, 1B]. If he was completely healthy, it would be a no brainer. But his injuries this year show he may not be of much help 2-Jason Kendall -Could C and DH when Sandy was playing. Get Pitt. to pay 30-40% of his salary and the sox have a C for 3 years. 3-Finley. Probably going to SD. 4. Carl Everett. I hate to even think it, but Carl would be OK. He could DH or even play LF. At this point, Lee is the better LF. [never thought I'd say that] But Everett's signed for 2 years. At least he'd come cheap in terms of prospects. The best bet would be Kendall, as he could still play everyday when/ if Frank gets back. Whoever the Sox get, they must have a high OBP. In that respect, the best probable guy available would be Craig Biggio who could also hit leadoff for us. He does have a no-trade status but he'd be cheap($3 mil this yr, $1 mil buyout). We could then still afford a reliever and pick up Greg Zaun who is having a great yr also.
July 9, 200421 yr Kendall would definitely be an asset. He'd have to be charged up about actually being in the race. With that said, I still think Finley is THE bat we need. I'd settle for Beltran though.
July 9, 200421 yr In that respect, the best probable guy available would be Craig Biggio who could also hit leadoff for us. He does have a no-trade status but he'd be cheap($3 mil this yr, $1 mil buyout). We could then still afford a reliever and pick up Greg Zaun who is having a great yr also. I can't see Hou. getting rid of Biggio. Anyway, where would he play? Zaun would be a decent pickup playing a few days a week, near the bottom of the order. Yet the top of the order guy is still missing.
July 9, 200421 yr but if the injury is going to prevent Thomas from driving the ball like he's used to then it would be better to get it over with now and hope that when he comes back in late August we would still be in the race and his come back would serve as a huge shot in the arm, better than a deadline deal trade.
July 9, 200421 yr I can't see Hou. getting rid of Biggio. Anyway, where would he play? Zaun would be a decent pickup playing a few days a week, near the bottom of the order. Yet the top of the order guy is still missing. He could play DH which is what we've been talking about, he could also play LF with Carlos going to DH and he could even play some 2B. Houston was going to let him walk over the winter and only brought him back when he took a $5 mil pay cut, trust me if Houston feels they're out of it he'll be available. Biggio is a top of order guy(as good as is going to be available for a reasonable price) and he's having a good yr .317 avg .368 OBP 11 HR 59 runs
July 9, 200421 yr He could play DH which is what we've been talking about, he could also play LF with Carlos going to DH and he could even play some 2B. Houston was going to let him walk over the winter and only brought him back when he took a $5 mil pay cut, trust me if Houston feels they're out of it he'll be available. Biggio is a top of order guy(as good as is going to be available for a reasonable price) and he's having a good yr .317 avg .368 OBP 11 HR 59 runs Stranger things have happened. Biggio would fit the mold of a guy who could help after Frank got back. I guess Hou. has to decide what they're going to do. They'd have a lot of selling to do though before they got to him--Beltran, Clemens, etc. But I don't even know what his best position is. LF he just started playing. CF he's not that good. 2b?
July 9, 200421 yr Stranger things have happened. Biggio would fit the mold of a guy who could help after Frank got back. I guess Hou. has to decide what they're going to do. They'd have a lot of selling to do though before they got to him--Beltran, Clemens, etc. But I don't even know what his best position is. LF he just started playing. CF he's not that good. 2b? Yes any and all of those positions, if he's still hitting like he is now when Frank gets back, Ozzie will find a way to get him in the lineup. And yea, Houston has to make up their mind, and fairly quickly.
July 9, 200421 yr but if the injury is going to prevent Thomas from driving the ball like he's used to then it would be better to get it over with now and hope that when he comes back in late August we would still be in the race and his come back would serve as a huge shot in the arm, better than a deadline deal trade. If the Sox lose most of their games for the 6 weeks Frank is out, it won't matter if Frank comes back strong. The sox will need another bat if Frank is out for any extended time, esp. someone who can get on base.
July 9, 200421 yr Well, if this is true, Frank better get his surgery quick then. We can't be waiting around.
July 9, 200421 yr Fellas forget about Finley. He's gonna be a Padre come next week, however Jay Payton might be included in that deal and somebody we might be able to grab in a 3-way.
July 9, 200421 yr 1. Does JUGGERNAUT and others understand now why Frank Thomas should NOT have been making the kind of money (long-term deal) a 1000 OPS would normally warrant? Something about "36yo, heavy DH types with injury history not being the best long-term investment in the current market.....rolleyeyes.gif Frank should go to the HOF as a White Sox, but that 3-year/35 Mill thing that was thrown around by some right around the time Frank voiced his despleasure with the current set-up was pure crazy-talk. There is a reason why Edgar Martinez (a guy who had a 960 OPS while playing in Safeco until late August of 2003 before injuring his foot and regressing) is only making 4 Mill a year in 2004. Frank undoutedly deserves more, but not by THAT much. 2. Why are we talking about Jason "huge contract" Kendall when we have Esteban Loaiza as a Game 3 starter? Make 'Zona a good offer damnit. Then pray either Harris or Uribe figures out what made them so successful until 3-4 weeks ago. 3. Finley would be nice, indeed. With Frank out until at least September especially.
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