I wouldn't do $13M for 5 years but that's just me.

 

If this is true, I see Plan B coming into clearer focus.

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And what would that be?

And what would that be?

Plan B if Konerko leaves is to figure out what Plan B is and tell people.

And what would that be?

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Well I'm not the GM I'm just a fan, so I don't know.

 

But I suspect it will involve finding a guy who can play a lot of 1B while serving as insurance at 3B. Maybe a combination of two guys. In addition, I see them bringing in a #2 hitter no matter what.

I wouldn't do $13M for 5 years but that's just me.

 

If this is true, I see Plan B coming into clearer focus.

 

I agree. Every day now, it seems like not bringing back PK might be the Sox best option. Don't get me wrong people, PK is a good player. However, he's not a 13 million dollar a year player, and I honestly think there are other players out there who can benefit our team just as much as he can, but for a lot less money.

Well I'm not the GM I'm just a fan, so I don't know.

 

But I suspect it will involve finding a guy who can play a lot of 1B while serving as insurance at 3B.  Maybe a combination of two guys.  In addition, I see them bringing in a #2 hitter no matter what.

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The sad thing is that none of those moves would improve our lineup more than keeping a .900+ OPS, 40 HR, 100 RBI to bat next to Thome.

I agree.  Every day now, it seems like not bringing back PK might be the Sox best option.  Don't get me wrong people, PK is a good player.  However, he's not a 13 million dollar a year player, and I honestly think there are other players out there who can benefit our team just as much as he can, but for a lot less money.

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Who? A healthy Frank or Nomar maybe?

I honestly think there are other players out there who can benefit our team just as much as he can, but for a lot less money.

 

 

and who are these players you speak of.

The sad thing is that none of those moves would improve our lineup more than keeping a .900+ OPS, 40 HR, 100 RBI to bat next to Thome.

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On the surface I tend to agree with you.

 

One thing I have learned, though ... production changes every year and the personnel people are paid to see who's ready to blossom, bounce back, etc.

 

I do not want to see Konerko leave but I'm prepared for the possibility. The good news for us fans is, so are KW and Hahn.

 

I think this Bill Mueller thing has legs, for one. The Nomar rumblings as well.

 

We'll see.

Edited November 29, 200520 yr by JimH

Well I'm not the GM I'm just a fan, so I don't know.

 

But I suspect it will involve finding a guy who can play a lot of 1B while serving as insurance at 3B.  Maybe a combination of two guys.  In addition, I see them bringing in a #2 hitter no matter what.

In other words, it'll involve finding a guy who basically either isn't available on the FA Market or who is a significant downgrade from PK offensively.

 

Or, in other words, it'll involve either us not winning the Central Division next year or it will involve us trading away our up and coming outfield talent to try to fill the gap.

The sad thing is that none of those moves would improve our lineup more than keeping a .900+ OPS, 40 HR, 100 RBI to bat next to Thome.

 

The way I see it is that the production of a healthy Thome would make up for losing Konerko state wise. In order to improve our lineup over last year, we'd have to find a more productive replacement for Carl Everett.

 

May I suggest Brian Giles?

and who are these players you speak of.

 

Like JimH said, we're not the GM. However, if we have to pay PK that much money, you're going to see us not spend as much in other areas. If the PK contract prevents us from extending the deals for Garland and AJP, then I think it's a bad trade. Look at how much money average pitchers like Loaiza are getting in the FA market. If we don't extend Garland now, we're almost definitely going to lose him and Contreras after this year. Since we just gave up 2 of our best starting prospects, we need to keep as many of these core starters as possible.

In other words, it'll involve finding a guy who basically either isn't available on the FA Market or who is a significant downgrade from PK offensively.

 

Or, in other words, it'll involve either us not winning the Central Division next year or it will involve us trading away our up and coming outfield talent to try to fill the gap.

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No, I wouldn't see that at all.

 

I do not see this as an either-or situation.

No, I wouldn't see that at all.

 

I do not see this as an either-or situation.

 

JimH and I clearly don't agree on much during the season. However, I agree with almost everything he's stated during this offseason. If we lose PK, I'm not going to start conceeding the division to the other teams. If anything, I'd be excited to see what additions KW would make to this team.

JimH and I clearly don't agree on much during the season.  However, I agree with almost everything he's stated during this offseason.  If we lose PK, I'm not going to start conceeding the division to the other teams.  If anything, I'd be excited to see what additions KW would make to this team.

If this were last year, I would agree with you.

 

But look at the FA Market this year. There's a reason BJ Ryan is getting so much. There's a reason Giles is asking for a 5 year deal. This FA Market is horrific. Last year, we were able to find bargains in people like Dye, AJ, and Iguchi. Can you see anyone who's left out there who is a potential bargain other than a guy like Nomar or Thomas who has been hurt for years?

The way I see it is that the production of a healthy Thome would make up for losing Konerko state wise.  In order to improve our lineup over last year, we'd have to find a more productive replacement for Carl Everett.

 

May I suggest Brian Giles? 

Only if you want to massively overpay for him.

If this were last year, I would agree with you.

 

But look at the FA Market this year.  There's a reason BJ Ryan is getting so much.  There's a reason Giles is asking for a 5 year deal.  This FA Market is horrific.  Last year, we were able to find bargains in people like Dye, AJ, and Iguchi.  Can you see anyone who's left out there who is a potential bargain other than a guy like Nomar or Thomas who has been hurt for years?

 

I think any significant addition to this team will come via trade.

I think any significant addition to this team will come via trade.

Which then brings along the question...what are we willing to give up?

 

If we sign that Myers dude...ok, Marte is a trade piece...but look how little Florida got for Mota. You're not going to replace PK with just Marte.

 

Borchard? No one wants him.

We just traded 2 of our best starting pitching prospects

 

That basically leaves us I think with Tracy, and our outfield talent as potential trade bait. Sweeney might not fetch enough right now because he hasn't shown much power...Anderson is probably going to be our starting CF next year...which basically means in my eyes we'd probably be talking about dealing Owens.

Only if you want to massively overpay for him.

 

I was being sarcastic (hence the green), but no, I don't want Giles. I don't think I'd want him if we had to slightly overpay him

I was being sarcastic (hence the green), but no, I don't want Giles.  I don't think I'd want him if we had to slightly overpay him

The only person out there who we can get by "Slightly" overpaying for him right now is probably Konerko.

Like JimH said, we're not the GM.  However, if we have to pay PK that much money, you're going to see us not spend as much in other areas.  If the PK contract prevents us from extending the deals for Garland and AJP, then I think it's a bad trade.  Look at how much money average pitchers like Loaiza are getting in the FA market.  If we don't extend Garland now, we're almost definitely going to lose him and Contreras after this year.  Since we just gave up 2 of our best starting prospects, we need to keep as many of these core starters as possible.

 

Yea, those are good points. I just don't think an extra 3 million or so per season for Konerko would break the budget if we're playoff contenders every year.

 

But you're right, we do need to get Garland signed before he becomes a FA. If we don't we're going be facing the same type of situation in a couple of years.

Yea, those are good points.  I just don't think an extra 3 million or so per season for Konerko would break the budget if we're playoff contenders every year.

 

But you're right, we do need to get Garland signed before he becomes a FA.  If we don't  we're going be facing the same type of situation in a couple of years.

The only way that signing both Konerko and Garland (and AJ) is impossible is if we don't get a salary increase commensurate with the big attendence increase last year.

Overbay still an option?

Overbay still an option?

What would we have to give up to get him?

What would we have to give up to get him?

 

Damned if I know.

What would we have to give up to get him?

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Overbay is available and the Brewers want young, cheap starting pitching. We just gave that up for Thome. Overbay is overrated anyways. Good OBP but do you really want only a 20 homerun guy at 1B/DH?