January 20, 200521 yr http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpag...ort=MLB&id=3901 Latest News Jan. 20, 2005 - 3:17 am et With no team offering a starting job at shortstop, free agent Barry Larkin may opt for retirement. "Unless somebody convinces him in strong fashion, I think the likelihood is that he will not play," agent Eric Goldschmidt said yesterday. Several teams would be interested in Larkin as a utilityman, the Nationals especially. However, it currently appears that he'll choose to quit unless he can find a team willing to give him 100 starts at shortstop. Maybe Rickey can make a recruiting call for Newark. Source: FOXSports.com Would Larkin be worth starting at SS with Uribe at 2B? He would probably sign for league minimum just to be the White Sox starting SS.
January 20, 200521 yr He's not a good enough fielder to be an everyday SS from now on, and that isn't going to move him up in Ozzie's eyes.
January 20, 200521 yr Maybe. It'll be the same as Omar Vizquel on the last two years of that deal he got. If it's a 1 year deal at the league minimum then I say go for it. Tell him the job is his to lose in spring training.
January 20, 200521 yr There's an article at The Sporting News website which is where Rotoworld got this. Interesting article, talks about Larkin's situation in depth. White Sox are mentioned in the text, not specifically with Larkin but as a team looking for middle infield help. I don't have the link handy, but Larkin's agent says 10 teams have inquired but Larkin hasn't been 100% on any situation, even though he's talked to GM's, potential teammates, etc. My take is, the White Sox probably have explored the situation and have it on the back burner in case something else doesn't work out. Larkin doesn't appear to be in any big hurry to announce his retirement. Personally I would prefer other scenarios but a guy like Barry Larkin can add something to the mix, even at age 40. I doubt this happens for the White Sox but it's worth keeping an eye on, and I'm sure KW is keeping tabs.
January 20, 200521 yr Barry Larkin as an ultra-utility -- SS, 2B, DH, maybe even 3B -- would be an incredible signing, especially for the league minimum. Who wouldn't want a.289/.352/.419 in such a role (for 300K)? However, if Larkin's pride [if he in fact would retire rather than play the bit of a role player] and/or the fact that this 40 year old has played only one full season in the past five years insists on being an everyday player, then he is obviously not a fit for the '05 Sox.
January 20, 200521 yr Barry Larkin as an ultra-utility -- SS, 2B, DH, maybe even 3B -- would be an incredible signing, especially for the league minimum. Who wouldn't want a.289/.352/.419 in such a role (for 300K)? However, if Larkin's pride [if he in fact would retire rather than play the bit of a role player] and/or the fact that this 40 year old has played only one full season in the past five years insists on being an everyday player, then he is obviously not a fit for the '05 Sox. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> If this happens - again, which I doubt - the scenario would more likely be Larkin at SS for 90-100 starts with Uribe taking on a similar role to last year, i.e. some SS, 2B, 3B. Two reasons I do not see it happening, one, KW is so aggressive he would've already put the full court press on Larkin and gotten him to agree or definitively say "no". Second reason, that big contract Uribe just got.
January 20, 200521 yr QUOTE(JimH @ Jan 20, 2005 -> 08:13 AM) If this happens - again, which I doubt - the scenario would more likely be Larkin at SS for 90-100 starts with Uribe taking on a similar role to last year, i.e. some SS, 2B, 3B. Two reasons I do not see it happening, one, KW is so aggressive he would've already put the full court press on Larkin and gotten him to agree or definitively say "no". Second reason, that big contract Uribe just got. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Uribe's contract will have no affect on Larkin because KW and Ozzie see Uribe as a 2B just as much as a SS. Willie would be the one on the bench.
January 20, 200521 yr If you sign Larkin though, where does he hit in the lineup? Does he takes Willie's spot in the #9 hole?
January 20, 200521 yr At this point I wouldn't mind KW bringing in Larkin... I think they still need a backup IF
January 20, 200521 yr QUOTE(SoxFan562004 @ Jan 21, 2005 -> 01:48 AM) At this point I wouldn't mind KW bringing in Larkin... I think they still need a backup IF But Larkin isn't going to be a backup IF though, if he was willing to, he would have signed with Washington already.
January 20, 200521 yr But Larkin isn't going to be a backup IF though, if he was willing to, he would have signed with Washington already. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Correct. The impression I got from the article is he doesn't want to hang on just to hang on. He doesn't need to. Only if the situation fits.
January 20, 200521 yr I had hoped to get him in previous threads as the super utility guy and platoon secondbasman. I agree he doesn't want to retire. I wouldn't be surprised to see him wait through most of spring training or longer to see if a team loses a shortstop. If it was May and we lost Uribe for the year you would probably give someone like him a call.
January 20, 200521 yr I might catch slack for this, but I would rather see Willie in the line up everyday vs Barry Larkin.
January 20, 200521 yr QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jan 20, 2005 -> 02:35 PM) If you sign Larkin though, where does he hit in the lineup? Does he takes Willie's spot in the #9 hole? No way. He'd be batting second, and would shift Aaron to a run-producing spot in the lineup.
January 20, 200521 yr Author No way. He'd be batting second, and would shift Aaron to a run-producing spot in the lineup. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Agreed. If we signed Larkin and started him full-time, our lineup would probably be: LF Podsednik SS Larkin RF Dye 1B Konerko DH Everett CF Rowand C Pierzynski 3B Crede 2B Uribe Uribe would supply some decent speed in the #9 spot.
January 20, 200521 yr The guy wants to start. His #'s vs LH are not much better than Harris'. There are 6 LH starters in the ALC this year the Sox will face regularly. Another 6 in the other AL divisions. An everyday player needs to hit both. I'd be more inclined to sign Enrique Wilson as a UIF.
January 20, 200521 yr Author The guy wants to start. His #'s vs LH are not much better than Harris'. There are 6 LH starters in the ALC this year the Sox will face regularly. Another 6 in the other AL divisions. An everyday player needs to hit both. I'd be more inclined to sign Enrique Wilson as a UIF. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You're right about Larkin not being able to hit left-handed pitching either but Enrique Wilson? Uggghhh... Enrique Wilson's career stats .246 Career AVG .288 Career OBP Wilson was horrible last year and his career numbers are horrible as well. He can't hit lefties OR righties. The idea is to UPGRADE 2nd base, not downgrade it. By the way, the Orioles just signed Enrique Wilson a couple days ago anyways... http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpag...guenum=&id=5932 Latest News Jan. 18, 2005 - 6:02 pm et Orioles signed infielder Enrique Wilson to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. Manager Lee Mazzilli might be behind this one. With Jerry Hairston Jr., Chris Gomez, David Newhan and Chris Stynes around, the Orioles have no need for Wilson. He shouldn't make the team. All the decent options are running out (not that Wilson was a decent option anyways ). That's why I said it's Iguchi or bust, barring a trade for a 2B or SS of course.
January 20, 200521 yr Damn. Enrique was scrapping the bottom of the barrel too. I was just looking for him to provide a little better stick over Harris v LH. Nothing more than that. Well I guess Graff is all that's left as a solid UIF. But is he healthy? Right now if I'm KW I have to look to the Phils & Polanco. He seems like the odd man out there.
January 20, 200521 yr QUOTE(Jabroni @ Jan 20, 2005 -> 01:19 PM) http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpag...ort=MLB&id=3901 Would Larkin be worth starting at SS with Uribe at 2B? He would probably sign for league minimum just to be the White Sox starting SS. NO THANKS
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