A player would be an idiot to say they would *not* want to play somewhere. I usually ignore all this talk.

It *might* be possible to play AJ and Flowers in the same lineup and use Paulie as the emergency 3rd catcher. But he hasn't caught for so long that it probably wouldn't be a good idea.

If you wanted to try to get Flowers 400+ Ab's and use him as a DH for a decent fraction of the time (which isn't the worst idea I've ever heard for his development) then that's one way to do it. You'd basically need to bring in a left handed hitter who can also play corner OF and DH to make it work though, and not just Kotsay. As such, your 4 man bench + DH becomes Kotsay, Nix, Flowers, Backup C, and that unnamed OF. Podsednik or Abreu would potentially fill that role.

 

It's one way to get Flowers a lot of MLB at bats without having him displace AJ behidn the plate too much.

Emergency C and a utility spot could possibly be 'kilt' by two birds with one stone: CJ Retherford

 

THAT BIRD WAS KILT

 

 

CJ's development would be hurt as a utility guy, but then again he's turning (I think) 25 during next summer?

Edited October 1, 200916 yr by Princess Dye

I like Kotsay and want him back. I also want Pods back--that man HUSTLES.

 

I could easily let go of PK and with Dye, either ship him out or make him the DH.

If you wanted to try to get Flowers 400+ Ab's and use him as a DH for a decent fraction of the time (which isn't the worst idea I've ever heard for his development) then that's one way to do it. You'd basically need to bring in a left handed hitter who can also play corner OF and DH to make it work though, and not just Kotsay. As such, your 4 man bench + DH becomes Kotsay, Nix, Flowers, Backup C, and that unnamed OF. Podsednik or Abreu would potentially fill that role.

 

It's one way to get Flowers a lot of MLB at bats without having him displace AJ behidn the plate too much.

Yeah, I think you can work Flowers in at DH, or even occasionally 1B, and then backup C, to get him at bats, without the need for a 3rd catcher. I mean, the worst case scenario is, maybe once in a season, if AJ gets hurt in the same game where Flowers is at DH, then you lose the DH and bat your pitcher for one lousy game. And as the game goes on, those are PH's anyway. Really not something to worry about that much.

 

And my God, did someone suggest Konerko at C? Yes he played there many eons ago in the minors, but the guy has hip and knee issues and isn't young and hasn't played there in forever - I'd rather have the pitcher hit, than risk Paulie that way.

 

 

And my God, did someone suggest Konerko at C? Yes he played there many eons ago in the minors, but the guy has hip and knee issues and isn't young and hasn't played there in forever - I'd rather have the pitcher hit, than risk Paulie that way.

 

As an *emergency* 3rd catcher. In the same way that Walter Payton was the Bears' 3rd string QB and backup kicker.

 

I also said that it probably wasn't a good idea, so we're in agreement there.

 

Yeah, I think you can work Flowers in at DH, or even occasionally 1B, and then backup C, to get him at bats, without the need for a 3rd catcher. I mean, the worst case scenario is, maybe once in a season, if AJ gets hurt in the same game where Flowers is at DH, then you lose the DH and bat your pitcher for one lousy game. And as the game goes on, those are PH's anyway. Really not something to worry about that much.

So, if you lose your DH, can you pinch hit for the pitcher's spot like the NL?

So, if you lose your DH, can you pinch hit for the pitcher's spot like the NL?

I assume so. If you move the DH to the field, the DH slot becomes the pitcher, so why wouldn't the slot then work like any other pitcher slot?

 

Regardless, the risk is so low as to be irrelevant.

 

If the DH is an actual position player unlike Thome and Thomas were, then three catchers can be had if one can be a servicable DH.

 

The rotation next year should allow for as little as 11 pitchers as all 5 guys should be able to go 6 or 7 nightly...assuming the offense can score a little more than this year.

I like Kotsay and want him back. I also want Pods back--that man HUSTLES.

 

I could easily let go of PK and with Dye, either ship him out or make him the DH.

That's because his entire game is predicated on running as fast as he can on every play that may be close at first, if he didn't he'd be out of the league. Just because he's that kind of player doesn't mean he's trying any harder than anyone else. It also raises the question; how much of a hit does a "hustle" player's value take when he's an awful baserunner like Podsednik?

I like Kotsay and want him back. I also want Pods back--that man HUSTLES.

 

I could easily let go of PK and with Dye, either ship him out or make him the DH.

 

Unless it's a close play at 1B (more or less a bunt or a slap the ball) I've never seen Pods hustle to 1B in fact I've seen him dog it many (if not all) times. There's only a handful of players on this that hustle every time and plays the game right. Two of them are rookies.

Kotsay returning makes a lot of sense. He can play 1b when PK needs time off, PH, and play some RF. Kotsay at least can play a better RF than Dye.

 

I don't think Pods will be back. The sox could use him at DH. But Flowers needs to hitting/ playing everyday and DH is open. Flowers should get most of the AB's at DH and be back up C to AJ.

 

The Sox do need an everyday player who can hit from the left side and play an above average RF. Or who can play a better CF than Rios so that Rios can move over to RF. Pods in an OF spot hurts the defense. Wise has the glove. But his bat hovers around .200 for a reason-he can't hit major league pitching for a team that thinks its a playoff team.

 

 

What amazes me is most of you think that Pods will be back next year? My guess is he gets a 2 yr offer which I am not sure we match given his injury history and he's not getting any younger...thoughts?

Unless it's a close play at 1B (more or less a bunt or a slap the ball) I've never seen Pods hustle to 1B in fact I've seen him dog it many (if not all) times. There's only a handful of players on this that hustle every time and plays the game right. Two of them are rookies.

 

Beckham and Getz?

I'd be somewhat surprised if he's not back. Kotsay is the man that will finally get DeWayne Wise out of this organization, although much later than he should have been.

I'd be somewhat surprised if he's not back. Kotsay is the man that will finally get DeWayne Wise out of this organization, although much later than he should have been.

Dewayne wise for hitting coach?

They don't have one thing to do with each other.

 

Hogwash! They both have extremely attractive wives.. I'm not sure we can handle them both being around a whole season at the same time.

What amazes me is most of you think that Pods will be back next year? My guess is he gets a 2 yr offer which I am not sure we match given his injury history and he's not getting any younger...thoughts?

 

I think its less than 50% he is back. I know that he wants a 3 year deal but I don't see him getting that. I would be ok with us giving him a one year deal but anymore I think is silly.

if we dump Dye, I can see Pods in LF, Rios in CF, Kotsay in RF with Q at DH and PK at 1B

 

OR

 

Keep Dye, dump PK and Pods in LF, Rios in CF, Dye in RF, Q at DH, Kotsay at 1B

 

I think hes back no matter what

 

I 100% agree with this. I dont think we need to acquire someone to be a fulltime lift and pull power DH. I think those days are over. With an OF of Pods, Rios, Quentin, and Kotsay the DH position will be rotated through that group. Dye is a gonner and he played his way out.

Dewayne wise for hitting coach?

Herm will be out of the organization before Wise is. His contribution to the clubhouse must be unbelievable.

Herm will be out of the organization before Wise is. His contribution to the clubhouse must be unbelievable.

 

Well he does have alot of friends.. D.J. Carrasco said he's his best friend on the team and some of the guys said he is really a good teammate to be around.

What amazes me is most of you think that Pods will be back next year? My guess is he gets a 2 yr offer which I am not sure we match given his injury history and he's not getting any younger...thoughts? i dont think pods will be back his defense is terrible and i dont believe he will hit the way he has next year . kotsay would be great to have back . pods as a dh is silly yeah its ok for a few games but anything more is a waste plus he is a lousy baserunner . bring back kotsay let pods go nix would be a better dh then pods