Berkman also played college ball at Rice- he'll stay with the Astros.

I would rather have Roberts than Hairston. Also, Kent is gone, I believe he is a FA. Berkman would be awesome but he won't be leaving, especially when Beltran is going elsewhere. I agree with Biggio and Bagwell older, they won't let Berkman go, especially being from Texas.

I would rather have Roberts than Hairston. Also, Kent is gone, I believe he is a FA. Berkman would be awesome but he won't be leaving, especially when Beltran is going elsewhere. I agree with Biggio and Bagwell older, they won't let Berkman go, especially being from Texas.

I know Ozzie would take Roberts over Hairston. After seeing how Roberts ran wild vs the Sox, Ozzie had a huge man crush on him.

I would rather have Roberts than Hairston. Also, Kent is gone, I believe he is a FA. Berkman would be awesome but he won't be leaving, especially when Beltran is going elsewhere. I agree with Biggio and Bagwell older, they won't let Berkman go, especially being from Texas.

Kent has a mutual option for 05.

It would be a mistake to trade Lee or Konerko

Agreed. With the loss of Ordonez, the Sox will be vulnerable. Why trade the guys and have more holes in the lineup...makes no sense to me?

Agreed. With the loss of Ordonez, the Sox will be vulnerable. Why trade the guys and have more holes in the lineup...makes no sense to me?

Because by creating 1 (potential) hole by trading one of those guys, you can fill 2 or 3 other holes in the process.

 

That's why.

I don't recall where I came up with this, but I thought Kent was contemplating retirement.

I don't recall where I came up with this, but I thought Kent was contemplating retirement.

I'd heard or read that somewhere too.

 

I don't think he would though.

Because by creating 1 (potential) hole by trading one of those guys, you can fill 2 or 3 other holes in the process.

 

That's why.

Is trading pauly really creating a hole though?? We get a little weaker at first but with filling Ross in there I don't think it necessarily creates a hole, and like you said we plug other holes while trading PK.

I don't recall where I came up with this, but I thought Kent was contemplating retirement.

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/h...s_hou&fext=.jsp

 

Even though it's been a year and a half, the second baseman's arrival to the Giants' ballpark is still a hot story, especially since the Astros are one of the Giants' main rivals in the Wild Card race.

 

The ears of Bay Area reporters perked up a bit when Kent started talking about retirement, but the second baseman cautioned not to read too much into that statement. For those who cover Kent on an everyday basis, hearing him talk about retirement is nothing new. He started doing that during Spring Training.

 

But considering the Astros are not likely to pick up the $9 million option on Kent's contract next year, retirement will soon be one of Kent's options, as will signing with another team.

 

Kent is not looking to retire, but the prospect of life after baseball does not scare him in the least bit. He cited a multitude of outside interests that he will embrace when his playing career indeed ends.

 

"I've got four kids at home that I have more fun with," he said. "I have a trailer full of motorcycles that I enjoy riding. I have a ranch to care of, calves that are being dropped on the ground. I'm trying to get a motorcycle shop going. There's just a lot of other things that I want to do before I'm too old.

 

"I don't want to live in a locker room my whole life. There's other things I enjoy besides baseball."

 

Kent has heard the rumors that suggest the Astros will not invite him to return to Houston in 2005.

 

"You hear all the stories," he said. "You talk to your family, you talk to your kids, figure out what your options are and figure out if it's worth it or not. Don't make too big of a deal about the retirement thing. It's just one option of many."

He hasn't played that long, only 12 years

What's the love affair with Jerry " The Walking DL" Hairston?

Because, he's shown the ability to be a capable everyday leadoff man. He walks, can steal some bases, and (IIRC) plays a pretty solid second base.

 

He or Johnny Damon would be great pickups for this team...

Because, he's shown the ability to be a capable everyday leadoff man.  He walks, can steal some bases, and (IIRC) plays a pretty solid second base.

 

He or Johnny Damon would be great pickups for this team...

How many games has he played in the last 4 seasons?

Is trading pauly really creating a hole though??  We get a little weaker at first but with filling Ross in there I don't think it necessarily creates a hole, and like you said we plug other holes while trading PK.

That's why I put potential in parentheses. It probably wouldn't create one in all likelyhood.

Biggio has a team option next year, IIRC. and there is talk that the astros won't pick it up. BUT, Beltran said he WILL NOT sign with the Astros, unless they resign their free agents, ie Berkman. Granted, it's all talk, but, until bad things happen, I'll take him at his word.

 

PS. My girlfriend went to Rice with Berkman and he played 1st base. Just a thought...

Biggio has a team option next year, IIRC.  and there is talk that the astros won't pick it up.  BUT, Beltran said he WILL NOT sign with the Astros, unless they resign their free agents, ie Berkman.  Granted, it's all talk, but, until bad things happen, I'll take him at his word.

 

PS.  My girlfriend went to Rice with Berkman and he played 1st base.  Just a thought...

II'd love to see Berkman on the Southside. However he's lived in Texas pretty much his whole life, so I can't see him wanting to leave.

 

CWSOX45

I don't want to harp on this, but I am really curious. Can someone confirm that Berkman will be a fa? It sounds like he will be, but he's not on any of the (partially speculative) fa lists that I can find.

he will be a free agent but a lot of people think he will resign.... I on the other hand think the astro's were really going for it all this season and next season are going to completely rebuild and that they wont resign berkman

How many games has he played in the last 4 seasons? 

And how many games has JD Drew played in the last four years? I'd love to have him, too, and he's often injured as well. Guys get injured, so what? He's still pretty young, and doesn't carry a hefty-enough contract where injury would really screw this team over if he were to get injured in our pinstripes.

 

Sometimes you gotta take a chance (like the Braves did with injury-prone JD Drew... and it payed off...)

 

So there's your ...

That's why I put potential in parentheses.  It probably wouldn't create one in all likelyhood.

Ha, sorry I must have missed that somehow.

And how many games has JD Drew played in the last four years?  I'd love to have him, too, and he's often injured as well.  Guys get injured, so what?  He's still pretty young, and doesn't carry a hefty-enough contract where injury would really screw this team over if he were to get injured in our pinstripes.

 

Sometimes you gotta take a chance (like the Braves did with injury-prone JD Drew...  and it payed off...)

 

So there's your  ...

Nice point.

 

You do have to take risks on guys sometimes...sometimes it pays off, sometimes not. The Sox took a risk that Uribe wouldn't get ice cold in June or July...and he did. He finished the year very nicely though.

 

Another risk that could come to mind is trading for Jose Guillen...yeah, he could be bad for the clubhouse, but he definately busts his ass on the field, and can be an absolute monster at the plate.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing Hairston brought in. He's a pretty good ballplayer.

i didnt think Jose Guillen was that bad for the angels in the clubhouse really.... 2 incidents i can think of him getting mad at teamates because he got like hit twice in a game vs toronto and he wanted some redemption which i dont mind and the 2nd was when he got taken out for a pinch runner which i dont really see the point in since he has decent speed already... yeah he over reacted big time the 2nd time but i like the emotion he brings to the game its more of a positive emotion then a guy like milton bradley brings

I think with a smaller payroll you have to take injuries much more into account. For that reason, while I love the idea of JD Drew, I would also advice against it because i feel it is too big of a risk. Drew fills so many needs for the Sox (great hitter, good power, left handed, high OBP guy, fills RF, good base runner) but at the same time one healthy year in the past 4 or so is a risky proposition.

 

I remember reading an article saying he can finally run at full speed and how awesome he's feeling, but leg and knee injuries tend to take a toll on a player. They aren't quite as fluke and usually they have a prolonged effect and tend to flair up. Thats just my opinion and I'm not a doctor.

 

I'd be excited if he came here, but I also think its a large gamble. I get that same feeling when talking about this years free agent market.

 

You got Pedro: Gonna get a huge contract and probably long term. He's been very good this year, despite wearing down late in the year. However, his arm is really suspect at this point when you talk long term and its way too ridiculous of a financial risk unless your a pitcher away from the World Series.

 

Pavano: Been very good this year and last year. Has an injury past and you have to wonder whether he's truly that ace or if he isn't, cause he's going to get ace money or so it appears (10-12 mill a year, long term). Remember we dind't think Colon was worth that and while he struggled this year in Anaheim, he had a pretty good history of sucess, a better one than Carl Pavano, imo.

 

Clement: Ace stuff, no doubt about that. However, he tends to lose his arm angle on his slider and when that happens he'll hit a rough patch and struggle for upwards of a month to two. When on his dominant and he is a good fit for the Cell considering he is a ground ball pitcher. With all the sliders he throws, you have to consider him at least a risk health wise although he's been healthy most of his career. To me he may be the safest bet out there and would be a pitcher I'd like to see the Sox target if they went this route (I'm a proponent of trading for a Jerome Williams, Joel Piniero, etc).

 

Odalis Perez - Good stuff, good pitcher, but has had injury questions and is pitching at an incredibly pitcher friendly park. He's gonna get #2/#3 money and the question is whether he's worth it. He also has some attitude issues. When on he's really good, but his struggles in the playoffs will drop his price. Plus, while most of us could argue W/L you have to at least take notice in the fact that he didn't factor in many of the decisions for the Dodgers.

 

Matt Morris - This guy has been an ace and is coming off a down year. If the Cards win the series he won't be going anywhere, imo. His curve is nowhere near as good as it was throughout his career, but he's still doing good. He gets that curve back (its still solid, but he typicalyl has an awesome curve) and he's right back at that ace level. He isn't a Curt Schilling or Randy Johnson, but who is. Another solid guy to target, imo, especially considering he's had the pressure of being an ace.

 

Why do I suggest acquiring Williams or Pineiro. Well frankly too much of the Sox money is tied up with starting pitching and with their budget you can't invest too much in one category especially when you have a lot of guys out their with some questoin marks. What would I do, make that deal and then see what Contreras and Garland do. If things work out you may not have to do something, if they don't though, then you'll be able to owrk out and free up at least one rotation spot (Garland) and possibly another (Contreras) and add one of the big name pitchers that will be on the market the following year.

 

Also if the team does very well, you have that as an option. This may sound like a sissy way of going at it, bvut the fact is if your going to spend ace money, make sure your getting an ace and I don't know if any of the current crop is that, sans Pedro.

I think radke is a safer option then Pedro. Simply because Pedro will eb a bigger investment.

A couple places have said that Berkman's not a fa until after 2005. One article on mlb.com. I don't know what the rules are, so perhaps this is a mistake (but I did see it on a couple other sites).