I really wish that this year hadn't turned into such a joke, but yet again - with this core of players, we are left hanging our heads looking forward to another offseason.

 

But actually, I'm really excited about this offseason. For the first time since 2000, or even before that, we're going to see a complete overhaul of this team; a transition to the all-or-nothing team that we've had, to a team filled with more 'baseball players'.

 

Also, for the first time, Kenny is going to have some spending money to work with, so - next years team really will be the Ozzie and Kenny Williams team, in their mold. I've stated that if the Sox don't make the playoffs next season, that should be the last year Kenny Williams is the general manager of this team. I realize that he 'tries', but frankly, trying isn't good enough anymore. No excuses next year. I also think that if we reload this offseason, and fail again next year - not only should Kenny be canned, but Ozzie should probably be canned as well - and we should just start from scratch. Maybe some of you don't want that, but in the long run, that's how a team should be built, IMO.

 

But getting back to the point, there's just so many possibilities this offseason. A lot of interesting players on the trading block - going back to the Soriano rumors, to some of the players in Tampa Bay that might have a chance of being traded, as well as a lot of others. Plus, IMHO - one of Lee or Konerko will definitely be gone this offseason, and both are coming off of great years. We should get a damn good package of players/prospects for either of them.

 

Anyone else share my sentiments?

Anyone else share my sentiments?

I'm extremely excited about this offseason. I love the fact that we have several new players that have emerged which enables us to build a new core. Rowand, Uribe, Gload, Burke, and Valdez might all have starting spots next year. Five new position starters different from the previous year! All with basement-level salaries too, so we may be able to land a big name via trade or free agency this winter. I'm really optomistic.

Hell yea Im excited. I cant wait til moves start happening. One of my favorite times of the year.

I'm extremely excited about this offseason.  I love the fact that we have several new players that have emerged which enables us to build a new core.  Rowand, Uribe, Gload, Burke, and Valdez might all have starting spots next year.  Five new position starters different from the previous year!  All with basement-level salaries too, so we may be able to land a big name via trade or free agency this winter.  I'm really optomistic.

No offense 3E8, but if those guys are starting next year for the Sox, the Sox would be one of the 5 worst teams in baseball next year.

I am always excited at the beginning of off-season. The possibilities are endless. Plus Soxfest is always a blast, and should be again this year.

I'm really hoping we land at least one, really good, brand name player, someone we can build around. I don't care if it's a pitcher or a hitter, doesn't matter. I think the one I'd be most excited about is Beltran.

No offense 3E8, but if those guys are starting next year for the Sox, the Sox would be one of the 5 worst teams in baseball next year.

Even if we signed Pavano?

No offense 3E8, but if those guys are starting next year for the Sox, the Sox would be one of the 5 worst teams in baseball next year.

And you are basing this on what? Have you seen these guys play this year? Cut it out with the bulls*** playa haterness.

No offense 3E8, but if those guys are starting next year for the Sox, the Sox would be one of the 5 worst teams in baseball next year.

I agree about the latter two players valdez will struggle next year in the utility role i feel. Burke is playing way over his head not.

And you are basing this on what? Have you seen these guys play this year? Cut it out with the bulls*** playa haterness.

Thanks for the support.

 

Rowand = good.

Uribe = good.

Gload = good.

 

Burke and Valdez, okay, maybe not enough time to evaluate. Both have been decent. Keep in mind we still have Frank and Lee/Konerko, maybe both. How can you honestly say we would be one of the five worst teams? Especially without knowing anything about offseason moves addressing our pitching?

And you are basing this on what? Have you seen these guys play this year? Cut it out with the bulls*** playa haterness.

So you really think a team that starts Gload, Burke, and Valdez would be able to compete for a division title? It''s not a shot at those players, it's called being a realist. You could have the best pitching staff in the world, but if your hitting sucks, you aren't going to win consistently. Just look at the Dodgers last year.

Also, if Gload does start, then Konerko would not be on the team. No way Gload will start in the outfield next year. I've been incredibly impressed with Ross this year, but I think he'd be much better off starting 2-3 times a week, and not everyday.

Once again, go look at Gload, Rowand, and Uribes stats this year. Valdez and Burke are no slouches either.

Once again, go look at Gload, Rowand, and Uribes stats this year. Valdez and Burke are no slouches either.

Rowand and Uribe better be starting for the Sox for at least the next 3 years. However, please tell me that you're not telling me to go look at Valdez's stats over the last week or so to try and prove he should start at the MLB level? If we go by end of the year stats, Craig Wilson would have been an MVP for the Sox about 5 years ago. Valdez could be a utility guy in MLB, and nothing more. Even Ozzie has said that.

So you really think a team that starts Gload, Burke, and Valdez would be able to compete for a division title?

How about a team that starts Henry Blanco, Luis Rivas, Matt LeCroy, Christian Guzman....

How about a team that starts Henry Blanco, Luis Rivas, Matt LeCroy, Christian Guzman....

That team knows how to play fundamental baseball. Do the sox?

How about a team that starts Henry Blanco, Luis Rivas, Matt LeCroy, Christian Guzman....

Haha, because they are the same...

 

Guzman has been an AS, Blanco is starting because Mauer is hurt (he is a backup), Rivas has a ton of talent, and LeCroy can hit the hell out of the ball. LeCroy starts too?

How about a team that starts Henry Blanco, Luis Rivas, Matt LeCroy, Christian Guzman....

Well, considering that the Twins don't start Lecroy unless it's against lhp, and they didnt go into the season with Blanco catching, I can't buy into that argument. Guzman is much better than Valdez is, and the Twins don't even start Rivas on a constant basis.

Also, I love the effort that J. Burke has brought to the Sox, but I'm a little worried that his expectations are going to be a little high. Burke has been swinging Lew Ford's magic wand for a long time this season, where it seems everything he hits goes through a hole in the infield, etc. Now, I know this is cause he has a nice opposite field swing, but considering he doesn't hit for a lot of power or walk much, Burke could easily fall back to a .250 hitter or so. I have no problem w/Burke as a back-up catcher, but I don't think he's ready to be a 4-5 game a wk starter at the MLB level.

Well, considering that the Twins don't start Lecroy unless it's against lhp, and they didnt go into the season with Blanco catching, I can't buy into that argument.  Guzman is much better than Valdez is, and the Twins don't even start Rivas on a constant basis.

Okay, maybe that was a bad argument. But if we sign a free agent or maybe even two, you can't say the Sox will be bad next year.

Okay, maybe that was a bad argument.  But if we sign a free agent or maybe even two, you can't say the Sox will be bad next year.

I'd just cut your losses on this discussion...

The only one of the 5 that has proven he is capable of being an every player in the majors is Rowand .... and, on second, I'll give you Uribe though that's argueable. Gload is somewhat less than a 50/50 chance in my opinion. Burke is a solid backup and that's his ceiling. Valdez? Don't even go there yet.

Valdez?  Don't even go there yet.

The reason i feel valdez will even have a problem being a back up in the majors is because his lack of walks. I mean 11 in all of the minor league season will not cut it.

He'd probably have a higher OBP than Jose.

He'd probably have a higher OBP than Jose.

Well that is not to hard. But for him to have any sort of decent obp he would have to hit in the .320's and that is not gonna happen.