Chisoxfn

I see it this way. MB wanted an extra year. If you put in the extra year it counts around 4 mill a year avg over 4 seasons. I think he believes he can do way better then that in arbitration and he probably could. I'll throw out the 5th year option cause that is up to the Sox. Its definately at a fair price, but there is no promise it happens. Right now it looks like a 4 yr 16 mill or so deal. Well, the only guarantee is that its a 3 yr deal worth 8 mill. No one knows what happens with Buerhle. For all he knows he gets hurt or the Sox jack around his innings to save money. You never know. I'm not saying it happens but it could. What makes this deal go down is if the Sox make the 5th year option mutual and drop the option on the 4th year. The deal is very fair to Mark cause he has 16 mill guaranteed and its fair to the Sox cause they save in the long haul. Then the 5th year deal can be done by each team, but there would be some clauses for protection. Something like if Mark accepts the 5th year its less money and if the Sox do it then its 10 mill. You dont' want mark able to accept 10 mill if he's hurt or not as good. The Sox could have a buyout in this though. This is just my theory. Its a difficult deal, but one that gives Mark more money GUARANTEED and one that gives the Sox good savings over the long haul. I think the Sox prefer the 5th year as just an option year for them though and they'll probably do it that way.

Jimenez is/will and should be our starting second baseman. Offensively he has proven himself both at the major league level and definately at the minor league level. THis guy has a whole lot of ability, speed, power, and most importantly patience. He doesn't strike out much at all and has the potential to post a 400 OBP%, which would rank him as one of the top leadoff guys in the majors right there with Ichiro. I'm not saying he will do it this year, but if this guy hits .280 for the Sox, then his obp will be near 400, imo.

Awesome. Sounds like most everyon did good. Crede has been heating up and Rios played well while the pitching was great except for that bum Porzio. Thanks a whole lot Clujer

Diaz sure has been pitching sharply. Porzio blows....he'll never beat out someone like Munoz or even Sanders. I think he'll be cut as the Sox add Brian Daubach to the 40 man roster.

Interesting. I wasn't able to see Frank when I was there this weekend, but hopefully he's ripping the ball. I can't wait till the Sox get one of their games televised. Can anyone tell me when the Sox are broadcasting a spring training game?

Damn, I wish Sanders did better. I thought he looked pretty solid, but I don't see him beating out Wunsch. I don't think anyone will, but Munoz is damn good.

Sounds good so far. Your updates are kicking ass clujer!!!

So you listen to the art bell show or the formely known as Art Bell show? Also, if you are having trouble, just past the link of the picture or sig and I'll help you out.

Hell Ya; Alex, you want to set everything up?

Sounds like a good idea to me. I'd think it would be more important giving fringe players at bats then someone else. Maybe just let the teams decide. If they would rather work a pitcher they can do that or vice versa. It ain't a big deal either way though. With split squad games and such, its pretty easy to get varying players a good number of ab's.

Thanks for the update. Mark, Jon and Bartolo have all been looking great thus far in spring.

Ok; so I'm assuming this was before my time or something?

Alomar will walk less times than he will homer, does anyone know how patient Miguel is? Miguel is pretty good at drawing walks.

harris is still hitting the ball in the air and from watching him play CF against the cubs id rather have HSC out there in cf ...the dude is weak in cf...and his arm...weak weak weak...if rowand cant go and they send borchard down we got to come up with another option other than harris... Baggs, lets just say I agree with your assesment other then him hitting it in the air. From what I saw he was hitting it to first or 2nd every at bat, but it wasn't getting through. I lean towards Miles if Rios can play center.

Matthew. I agree with the idea of having Rauch our number 5, but if the Sox open the season using the #1-4 with the 5 pitching sporadically then I believe a veteran is better suited to handle the longer periods of rest, etc. Plus, Rauch can get regular action in the minors getting his stamina, etc up so he is ready once we go to the 5 full time. Plus, with Wright a ???(Injury) we don't know what will happen.

He just thinks if he waits he can get one more year guaranteed. I have a hunch he'll have signed a long term deal by opening day.

Who is he? Is he in our system?

you are courting trouble from the Miles fan club - be careful! I'm part of the Aaron Miles fan club, but there is no way Miles should start over Jimenez. Its Jimenez's job at the start of the season and it will be his unless he absolutely bombs. I do rate Miles as the backup plan if Jimenez fails cause he is a better option leading off then Willie Harris.

No, he pitched on Friday; I know that for sure and I think he pitched another time or two before that.

Alomar will be the opening day catcher, but after that everything I've read and heard says Olivo will be the one getting the bulk of the action. THey will start him slowly though. He looked lost at the plate the game I saw him play. Now that the other catchers are getting sent down, I'd like for Olivo to get a whole lot more at bats.

yep, the weather was perfect out there. Had a blast and got quite a few things to say in regards to the players. Hopefully I finish it tonight, if not, I will finish it tomorrow.

Yep, like Hudler said, its mainly a money thing.

All I know is this is a good problem to have. If Wright's injury is more serious then we aught to sign another pitcher.

I think that the Sox offered a fair deal. Buerhle has decided to go another way, FOR NOW. This doesn't mean he wants to go to the Cardinals and you can't say that the Sox were absolute cheap asses cause this was a fair offer. The two sides will probalby talk again. The Sox gave him a good amount of money when they signed him to this one year deal and they showed him some respect.

I bet we'll see things change up a bit and this deal may turn into a reality a month from now or even a couple weeks from now.