What Would A.J. Bring back Via Trade?

[beck72]

Don't get me wrong, I like AJ. He's stepped up this year and has been a rock behind the plate. Yet the sox do have Tyler Flowers seemingly ready for the bigs. The sox would definitely be trading high on AJ. Yet isn't this something the Twins and Braves have done so well, that have stocked their systems with great young talent? The sox have multiple needs that cannot be filled without getting very lucky in free agency [on a reclamation project that could be signed for a low cost deal] or via trade [like Quentin] or the waiver wire [ala Jayson Nix].

 

The sox should use one or more of their trading chips [guys with value, like Alexei or AJ] in order to fill the holes in the bullpen and lineup. Trades may also help increase the talent level of the sox minor league system, with adding pitching or a few position players that could help in 2010. Besides Flowers, there doesn't seem to be someone who could crack the 2010 lineup. That kind of depth is sad.

 

The big questions would be: Who would trade for a big time catcher like AJ? And what kind of talent could AJ bring back to the sox?

 

 

 

 

[simba43]

Don't get me wrong, I like AJ. He's stepped up this year and has been a rock behind the plate. Yet the sox do have Tyler Flowers seemingly ready for the bigs. The sox would definitely be trading high on AJ. Yet isn't this something the Twins and Braves have done so well, that have stocked their systems with great young talent? The sox have multiple needs that cannot be filled without getting very lucky in free agency [on a reclamation project that could be signed for a low cost deal] or via trade [like Quentin] or the waiver wire [ala Jayson Nix].

 

The sox should use one or more of their trading chips [guys with value, like Alexei or AJ] in order to fill the holes in the bullpen and lineup. Trades may also help increase the talent level of the sox minor league system, with adding pitching or a few position players that could help in 2010. Besides Flowers, there doesn't seem to be someone who could crack the 2010 lineup. That kind of depth is sad.

 

The big questions would be: Who would trade for a big time catcher like AJ? And what kind of talent could AJ bring back to the sox?

not sure trading aj is a good idea but maybe . i believe he could bring us some value in a trade not sure what teams need a catcher other then toronto but i dont think they would want aj they probably want a younger guy as they wont be in contention for awhile . package him with jenks

 

[Dick Allen]

Don't get me wrong, I like AJ. He's stepped up this year and has been a rock behind the plate. Yet the sox do have Tyler Flowers seemingly ready for the bigs. The sox would definitely be trading high on AJ. Yet isn't this something the Twins and Braves have done so well, that have stocked their systems with great young talent? The sox have multiple needs that cannot be filled without getting very lucky in free agency [on a reclamation project that could be signed for a low cost deal] or via trade [like Quentin] or the waiver wire [ala Jayson Nix].

 

The sox should use one or more of their trading chips [guys with value, like Alexei or AJ] in order to fill the holes in the bullpen and lineup. Trades may also help increase the talent level of the sox minor league system, with adding pitching or a few position players that could help in 2010. Besides Flowers, there doesn't seem to be someone who could crack the 2010 lineup. That kind of depth is sad.

 

The big questions would be: Who would trade for a big time catcher like AJ? And what kind of talent could AJ bring back to the sox?

Trade AJ and put Flowers behind the plate and you will also get a very nice draft pick in 2011. If Flowers were a lock to be a good major league player in 2010 maybe you think about trading AJ. Maybe. Trading AJ would be suicide. I thought for a while Ramirez may be a guy they traded, but with his contract, I don't think trading him makes much sense either.

Edited October 3, 2009 by Dick Allen

[beck72]

Trade AJ and put Flowers behind the plate and you will also get a very nice draft pick in 2011. If Flowers were a lock to be a good major league player in 2010 maybe you think about trading AJ. Maybe. Trading AJ would be suicide. I thought for a while Ramirez may be a guy they traded, but with his contract, I don't think trading him makes much sense either.

If Flowers were able to put up Beckham type numbers in 2010 at C [.270/.350/.460], would that qualify as a good major league player? I guess hitting was never the question with Flowers. His ability to handle a staff and catch/throw out runners were/are the big questions.

 

 

[beck72]

Another wildcard in the "keep AJ around for another year", is his being looked to as a leader for the young players in 2010. We know how Ozzie liked-- at least what probably happened--AJ's football watching during the game. With Dye and Thome gone, their leadership will be gone as well. PK has always been the quiet, lead, by example type. Ozzie has talked about Kotsay being a leader this year, and wants him back for 2010.

 

AJ's on the field contributions are unquestioned, and plays all out. I just don't know how much his off the field/ clubhouse contributions will help or hurt the younger players

[beck72]

not sure trading aj is a good idea but maybe . i believe he could bring us some value in a trade not sure what teams need a catcher other then toronto but i dont think they would want aj they probably want a younger guy as they wont be in contention for awhile . package him with jenks

I know one team that could use an upgrade at C is Tampa Bay. While his contract may be "big" for them, he's a local guy and could help them in 2010.

[Dick Allen]

If Flowers were able to put up Beckham type numbers in 2010 at C [.270/.350/.460], would that qualify as a good major league player? I guess hitting was never the question with Flowers. His ability to handle a staff and catch/throw out runners were/are the big questions.

The other thing to remember when thinking about parting with AJ is how many games he does catch. Its not that common, and with a guy like Flowers or whoever, you're also probably going to get 15-20 more starts with the back-up, especially if Flowers gets used as a DH occassionally. If you could guarantee Flowers could catch 120 games and but up Beckham-like numbers, you could live with his defense very easily. As good as he was in AA this year I'm not convinced he can put those numbers up next season in the AL. I'm not going to judge him on his sporatic ABs this month, but he does seem to be someone who still needs a little polishing.

 

Everyone close to the team has said the losing bothered AJ more than any other player. They also said that while he isn't the most liked player in the clubhouse, he probably is the most respected. AJ means more to the White Sox than his numbers.

Edited October 3, 2009 by Dick Allen

[beck72]

The other thing to remember when thinking about parting with AJ is how many games he does catch. Its not that common, and with a guy like Flowers or whoever, you're also probably going to get 15-20 more starts with the back-up, especially if Flowers gets used as a DH occassionally. If you could guarantee Flowers could catch 120 games and but up Beckham-like numbers, you could live with his defense very easily. As good as he was in AA this year I'm not convinced he can put those numbers up next season in the AL. I'm not going to judge him on his sporatic ABs this month, but he does seem to be someone who still needs a little polishing.

 

Everyone close to the team has said the losing bothered AJ more than any other player. They also said that while he isn't the most liked player in the clubhouse, he probably is the most respected. AJ means more to the White Sox than his numbers.

 

That might be even more reason to trade AJ, with so many young players looking to him [like it or not] as a leader. With Dye and Thome around, Aj not being the "most liked" wasn't a big deal. The young players could look at Thome and Dye as examples of how to play the game and conduct themselves on and off the field. What the "football incident" seemed to show, was Ozzie telling the vets to set a better example for the younger players.

 

 

[MattZakrowski]

I only trade him for other MLB pieces.

[southsideirish71]

I would rather have Flowers act as AJ's backup for the year. Let him learn from AJ, let him adjust to being a catcher at the major league level as well. AJ is going to be a type A free agent after next year. Flowers + AJ gives us a pretty good hitting tandem for catching and allows Flowers to develop at the major league level.

 

 

[beck72]

I would rather have Flowers act as AJ's backup for the year. Let him learn from AJ, let him adjust to being a catcher at the major league level as well. AJ is going to be a type A free agent after next year. Flowers + AJ gives us a pretty good hitting tandem for catching and allows Flowers to develop at the major league level.

That would definitely come into play in any trade scenarios, with the sox needing to get enough talent to offset the loss of AJ's talent and the draft picks. With his $6.25 mill contract. he's a lock to offer arb. to.

[WCSox]

Everyone close to the team has said the losing bothered AJ more than any other player. They also said that while he isn't the most liked player in the clubhouse, he probably is the most respected. AJ means more to the White Sox than his numbers.

 

Given the choice, I'd rather deal Flowers and sign AJ to an extension. You'd probably get more in return for Flowers anyway.

 

[southsideirish71]

Given the choice, I'd rather deal Flowers and sign AJ to an extension. You'd probably get more in return for Flowers anyway.

 

I wouldn't. AJ is not going to play forever. And remember the mess of crap that caught before we had AJ. If we truly believe Flowers is the real deal you keep ahold of him with both hands and you develop him.

 

[beck72]

I wouldn't. AJ is not going to play forever. And remember the mess of crap that caught before we had AJ. If we truly believe Flowers is the real deal you keep ahold of him with both hands and you develop him.

Exactly. The question becomes is he ready to catch fulltime in 2010? I don't know.

[klaus kinski]

I want AJ here the rest of his career-then on the coaching staff

[The Critic]

With the catcher position being as important as it is, I'd rather worry about finding playing time for two capable guys than hoping and praying that Flowers works out after dealing AJ. I'd hang onto AJ until he's done, easing Flowers in at C and getting him some at-bats at the DH position.

[WCSox]

I wouldn't. AJ is not going to play forever. And remember the mess of crap that caught before we had AJ. If we truly believe Flowers is the real deal you keep ahold of him with both hands and you develop him.

 

AJ is only 32 and is also a left-handed .280-.300 hitter. Those guys don't exactly grow on trees, and Flowers is nothing but a prospect at this point.

 

That said, I wouldn't deal Flowers either. Either AJ walks next winter and Kenny takes the draft picks, or the Sox try to sign him to a two-year deal and have him play a lot of 1B. It wouldn't be a bad idea to slowly bring Flowers along at C, depending on what AJ will command salary-wise and whether or not he'll be OK with a diminished role at C.

Edited October 3, 2009 by WCSox

[Disco72]

If the Sox can have a versitile bench with guys that can play multiple positions like Kotsay and Nix, I tend to think more and more about using Flowers and AJ in the same lineup with a rotation at DH. Of course, this assumes the Sox think Flowers is ready to face MLB pitching on an almost everyday basis. I'm definitely warming up to this idea.

[Quin]

Given the choice, I'd rather deal Flowers and sign AJ to an extension. You'd probably get more in return for Flowers anyway.

 

I'd do the same, because AJ is an iron man and like you said, you could get more for Flowers probably.

[Balta1701]

If someone's going to dramatically overpay I'm not going to say no, but there's a couple guys on this team that I wouldn't move unless I felt like I was raping the other team. Buehrle and AJ are at the top of that list. They just make everyone else on this team better.

[nitetrain8601]

Can't trade AJ. He's one of the leaders. The reason why he needs to stay most is that he isn't afraid to say what needs to be said. With Dye, Thome, and PK, I have doubts they really even say much in the clubhouse. They're all quiet, lead by example, type leaders. None of them were fiery guys though. None of them striked me as, I don't want to only beat you, I want to embarass you type players. Teams need those type of leaders as well. While AJ may agitate alot of people, he is very much needed in this clubhouse. I'd hate to have another clubhouse where no one seems to care, except for Ozzie.

[SoxAce]

I'd LOVE the idea of trading A.J. especially considering this is the highest his value will get from this career year, not to mention he probably will ever duplicate, but we don't have a Joe Mauer waiting in the wings. (as much as I love Flowers, he's no Joe Mauer) Unless KW finds something in the offseason or they really love Flowers enough to start full time, I just can't see us trading A.J.

[WCSox]

I'd do the same, because AJ is an iron man and like you said, you could get more for Flowers probably.

 

If, say, the Royals offered Soria for Flowers and Jenks (not that they would), I'd pull the trigger. Outside of something crazy like that, I wouldn't be too interested in dealing Flowers.

 

[South Side Fireworks Man]

I want AJ here the rest of his career-then on the coaching staff

Yes. After his playing career I'd like to see AJ stick with the White Sox organization either as a coach or in the broadcast booth where I think he'd be great.

[Kenny Hates Prospects]

Trade AJ and put Flowers behind the plate and you will also get a very nice draft pick in 2011. If Flowers were a lock to be a good major league player in 2010 maybe you think about trading AJ. Maybe. Trading AJ would be suicide. I thought for a while Ramirez may be a guy they traded, but with his contract, I don't think trading him makes much sense either.

Agree with all of this.