mac9001

That's why GM's and owner hate arbitration it hurts superstar type players (in most cases), but it definity increases the salary of average and above-average players, especially established veterans. Plus, players almost always get a raise as long as their production, Sully made 2.8 mil in 2003 (i checked), he would get a slight raise off that, guaranteed.

Remember, in arbitration the player almost always wins (i think) and they almost always get a raise (given he's successful) and Sully in arbitration was a shoe-in for 3 mil, at least.

Now he'll get 2 mill or less, but if the Sox's offered arbitration he would have made 3 mil easy. He made something like 2.7 mil in 2003, he would have gotten a 10% raise easily in arbitration .

Well Sully could have gotten $3M in arbitration, guess KW thinks it's money better spent elsewhere.

Because he could have made over 3 Million in 2004.

The Sox's tried to offer Maggs an extension, but they were too far apart. I say give that money to Vlad (if possible) and trade Maggs for cheap pitching, maybe prospects. What the hell does it matter, nothing of this sort would ever happen.

Yeah, lets just go ahead and call him plan B. If Colon rejects arbitration, or if he makes it clear that he won't sign, i say go straight for Ponson. I hope Colon signs somewhere by next week, cause every passing day we wait on him it hurts out chances with other FAs.

If the Sox's bring back Schoeneweis, Wunch, and Marte, i'll feel pretty good about our bullpen from the left side, but other than Koch and Wright we have nothing i feel good about from the right side. If Sullivan is brought back than were half way there, but a Osuna, Ligtenberg, or Nelson would make me feel much better than another lefty.

Well, lets start build lists of possible players to fill the Sox's needs: Antonio Osuna, i'd love to see him back Jeff Nelson Pedro Astacio, minor league deal or cheap Miguel Batista Also, if Maggs is dealt why not go after Vlad with the same kinda money they offered Maggs.

Gordon will be offered arbitration, since he's signed with the Yankees, it's automatically refused. Giving the Sox's the Yankees 1st or 2nd round pick and a sandwich pick.

Pedro Astacio, if healthy, could end up being a steal for someone.

Yeah, just think how pissed off Twins fans would be, hell i'd trade PK and Koch just to sign Guardado, just to piss those fans off.

Many times players and team will make a deal in which the player wouldn't accept arbitration when offered in order to give the team more time for negotiations. All KW would have to do is trick Everett into thinking he seriously has interest in him and than make a low-ball offer (or that Sox trademark deferred money) Everett would than have no choice but to look somewhere else providing us with 2 more draft picks. It's kinda shady, but a good acting job can make it look good.

Plus, the two picks which originally belong to the Sox.

Well, if no free agents were signed their would be a lot of spare money (maybe) and the Sox's have been pretty good at signing their top draft picks (given their agent isn't Boars). Plus for every 1st round pick or sandwich pick you don't sign you get an extra sandwich pick the following season.

Hey, at least if we lose Colon and Sully if still get 7 draft picks(9 if we offer Everett arbitration) in the first 2 rounds. Hope this turns out to be a strong draft.

Ummm...no. He turned down a $15M/2 Year deal form the Fish. Last thing i read said he's looking for a raise over the $10 million he made this last season.

Raffy isn't coming to Chicago for 2-3 mi. He'll probably receive double that with the Yankees, Angels or Braves.

I'd be nice if we knew what the Sox's real budget is? Either way, if KW adds lots of pitching i'll call is a successful offseason.

I think KW will save every penny (and deal Koch) and try to use the money on one more starting pitcher (Colon, Ponson) and a reliever to replace Koch (Kerry Ligtenberg, Sullivan?). Pitching Pitching Pitching! That's the way to go.

The Sox's will probably try to deal Koch and after he's delt the budget should be fine.

...to the Braves for prospects. This was told to me by a friend of mine who is a big Twins fan. He said Tim Kurkjian is reporting such a deal on ESPN radio. Hope Tim is right, cause the Twins would be delivering the central right into out hands.

And apparently we can't spell damn either.

I don't know, what about people with split personalities and lets not forget the drunk and stoned; they seem to do a lot of talking to themselves.

Sorry to tell ya this, but Konerko isn't worth s***. We would have to give up a prospect just for someone to take him off our hands.