November 10, 200421 yr From Phil Rogers column: But the Mazatlan Deer recently released Borchard, seemingly making it even less likely he can win one of the openings in the Sox's outfield next spring I actually feel bad for Borchard (well almost, he is a multi-millionaire so that has to help somewhat). I was hoping he could at least produce like Russ Branyan at the ML level, but things don't look good. According to major-league sources, the Sox have emerged as a front-runner to sign nine-time Gold Glover Omar Vizquel, who filed for free agency after 11 seasons in Cleveland and five in Seattle. Vizquel, a native of Venezuela, apparently is eager to play for countryman Ozzie Guillen. So, for people that like the idea of signing Vizquel I guess that's good news. No mention of how much money, which I think is key to whether or not it's a reasonable signing. Having traded Miguel Olivo to Seattle last June, the White Sox also are expected to look to free agency to fill the void at catcher. According to sources, two Midwesterners, Damian Miller and Dan Wilson, are on their radar screen. I'm glad that the Sox want to upgrade at C. Miller might be OK, but really both he and Wilson are pretty old. It may be irrational, but I hate to see the Sox trying to prop up the team by signing aging veterans. It's not good sign IMO, it reminds me of the Orioles a few years ago. I'm worried the team might be in for a big fall soon. In what I think is really lazy reporting, Rogers suggests that the Sox have 19 million from losing Ordonez and Valentin to fill holes. If that were true, the payroll would be something like 82 million next year. I don't think that's accurate. If it is, the Sox should be going after better players than Vizquel, Miller, and Wilson.
November 10, 200421 yr From Phil Rogers column: I actually feel bad for Borchard (well almost, he is a multi-millionaire so that has to help somewhat). I was hoping he could at least produce like Russ Branyan at the ML level, but things don't look good. I'm glad that the Sox want to upgrade at C. Miller might be OK, but really both he and Wilson are pretty old. It may be irrational, but I hate to see the Sox trying to prop up the team by signing a=ging veterans. It's not good sign IMO, it reminds me of the Orioles a few years ago. I'm worried the team might be in for a big fall soon. If russel branyan is all that he could become why would you even want him? Miller want s and will most likely get around 5 million over two years, which is two much for us, imo.
November 10, 200421 yr Doesn't mean crap that Borchard was released in Winter. Keith Hernandez was released by Ponce down here in 1976 hitting .089, And we know what happend with Keith in the Big Leagues
November 10, 200421 yr Author If russel branyan is all that he could become why would you even want him? Miller want s and will most likely get around 5 million over two years, which is two much for us, imo. I wouldn't want a Branyan-esque player (ideally). But Branyan is a good comparison for Borchard IMO. Lots of strikeouts, low average, but great bursts of power. Branyan's career major league OPS is actually close to .800. I'm not suggesting that Branyan is a good player at all , but he's performed well enough occasionally to interest other teams in trading for him (even if only for cash last time) and hasn't been useless. If Borchard could put up numbers like Branyan did last year (.230 BA, .320 OBP, .849 OPS) he could at least be an acceptable 4th or 5th outfielder I think, or at least trade bait. Anyway, I thought hoping for a Branyan-like performance from Borchard would be reasonable, but even that is starting to seem optimistic. I agree about Miller, that's too much money.
November 10, 200421 yr Doesn't mean crap that Borchard was released in Winter. Keith Hernandez was released by Ponce down here in 1976 hitting .089, And we know what happend with Keith in the Big Leagues It does mean something. Williams has given Borchard numerous opportunities to prove his worth to this organization. If he would have shown improvement in Mexico, the door was WIDE open for him to occupy RF next season. Unfortunately, it still may be, but only due to William's ego and the unlikely event we'll sign a suitable Magglio-replacement.
November 10, 200421 yr Doesn't mean crap that Borchard was released in Winter. Keith Hernandez was released by Ponce down here in 1976 hitting .089, And we know what happend with Keith in the Big Leagues He got busted for cocaine use?
November 10, 200421 yr I agree with what someone mentioned earlier, why is KW so intent on signing all of these old players? Will Dan Wilson and Carl Everett really lead this team to a World Series? Not likely. I know that Damien Miller wants a 3 yr contract. I really hope KW doesn't consider giving Miller a 3 yr deal.
November 10, 200421 yr I agree with what someone mentioned earlier, why is KW so intent on signing all of these old players? Will Dan Wilson and Carl Everett really lead this team to a World Series? Not likely. I know that Damien Miller wants a 3 yr contract. I really hope KW doesn't consider giving Miller a 3 yr deal. He wants a 3 year deal but chances are he will only get a 2 year deal with a team option for the third.
November 10, 200421 yr I was pleased with this article. Omar coming here, the Mexican League finally realizing Borchard isn't major league talent.
November 10, 200421 yr Burke impresses me more than both Damian Miller and Dan Wilson. I hope they'd just be bench players.
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