Chisoxfn

I'll pass on Ricky. Secondly, the Angels didn't offer him arbitration so he's a free agent, and they can't negotiate with him till May. I don't know why they did it, must be because they are looking for outfield help another way.

He's a free agent, coming from the Angels. I posted all about him a couple threads back, I just don't remember which one.

To me Shinjo is a utility guy too. I like Palmerio a lot.

Alomar has been mentioned as has Kreuter and Lampkin and other veterans.

No one knows that for sure. I don't even think JM knows. Most likely, at least to start things of I'd assume they'd do things like they did near the end of last year with Frank back in the lineup, but if Frank has a good spring training, I'd look for him back in the 3 hole.

Traded or demoted. Most likely demoted as he's a good 3rd string in case of any injuries.

It seems like they offered him arbitration, but they've yet to sign them, but nothing is out their to verify thats official, so as of now, I'm assuming all the details haven't been finalized.

Yes, Williams seems interested in adding a vet catcher and another outfielder, but catcher is the most likely.

Well....I'd do Carlos Beltran for Jeff Liefer, lol. :metal

Crede could be what makes this the best offense in major leauge history. If Frank rebounds like I think he will and the other big bats continue to develop, we could just out slug everyone to the playoffs. In our division, we don't have to be good, we just have to beat the worse teams in baseball(Minus the Twins) and we'll end up with quite a few wins.

Thats what they are supposedly working on. So far I don't think its official. The price is the questionmark. It will be at least 3 million and I assume more like $3.25 mill.

Could thing I wasn't gm, cause I'd still be tempted to bring Clayton back.

I think that the Sox like Rauch, but they also seem very timid about bringing him up. Maybe he's not fully ready and they want to give him a bit more time recovering. Still, odds are the Sox won't need a 5th starter right out of the gates or at least thats how it typically works when the season starts.

By: Mario Scalise http://www.soxnet.net/snreport/382-12.17.html

Well, if Liefer is giong to catch on, it will have to be as a role player so he better learn to adjust. I think the Brewers are about the only team in the majors that would start him.

Hummell is the one who would be best suited from another year in the minors so if it were one or the other Harris would be back up. He can be used as a pinch runner, and can also play in center.

The only possibility could be Joe Borchard if he has a huge spring. Otherwise Hummel may get a gig temporarily and if their are any injuries someone like Sanders or Stewart could catch on.

Biddle will be in the pen to start the season, and I'll give him a shot. Otherwise the Sox would likely move him to the minors as an insurance plan or simply deal him. Still, he has had a full year back from injury so he could become pretty productive for the Sox. He has a great fastball and curve.

Here are his stats. He can play all 3 outfield positions and hits from the left side of the plate. He is 33 and will turn 34 in January. 2002: 110 g, .300 avg, 0 hr, 31 rbi, 33 bb's, 20 k's, and a .368 obp. He also stole 7 bases. Transfer that out into a full season (I'm going to say 550 AB's it would look pretty good. He'd have over 180 hits and over 60 bb's. That seems pretty damn good to me. His career numbers are .281 avg, .361 obp. This guy could be a real steal, imo. The guy plays his butt off and was a big time leader of the Angels. I think they were fools for not signing him. My dad and I have talked about him for about 4 yrs now, wondering why no other team had picked him up and let him start.

Not much has been said about him. To be honest I don't know if he'll be ready at the start of the season. Still, the Sox have Willie Harris and Tim Hummell who can both play multiple positions and can fill those roaming needs. Tony G is real good though, and I hope he comes back healthy and is with the Sox for a lot longer, cause he's a great role player.

The same goes for Buerhle. He lost his cut fastball, which was once his best pitch. Well, one of his fastballs, I think it was the cutter though.

Thats the spirit michelle, I love seeing a little enthusiasm (Their hasn't been much on the board today)

But Liefer can't play in center. Rowand is the only centerfielder. Aaron will eventually be a very good 4th outfielder. Oh ya, along with Shinjo, the Sox are supposedly interested in Orlando Palmerio Let me say, I've watched Palmerio since he's been on the Angels (I go to like 20 Angel games a season) and this guy would be an awesome #2 hitter. If we were to sign him, I guarantee he would become our starting centerfielder. He's like a less talented version of Darrin Erstad. The guy will hit .280, can bunt, decent speed, solid defense. He could hit better too. Last season he hit right around .300 and played in a lot of games.

Two years ago, I Thought the Sox would groom him as the future closer. He's got a hard fastball, a good change, and a nice curve. The guy has enough pitches. I like him as a swingman though, mainly because he can go a couple innings and be a real workhorse out of the pen. Plus, I love Koch.

All I know is he has good velocity, a nice slider, and a good curve. The problem is he quit throwing the curve ball after the first month of the season and he had that wrap in his delivery that led to him having inconsistent release points. Inconsistent release points lead to you hanging excess pitchers(mainly the slider) and in the end you pay (The high era, and opponents avgerage). Late last season Ritchie worked on these things. Supposedly the wrap in his motion was due to compensating an injury and that may also be why he quit throwing a curve. Its a lot easier to hit off a guy when he is only throwing 2 pitches, one of which he is constantly sliding. Cooper spent a lot of time with him and Ritchie looked to have a smoother delivery when he finally came-back the last month. He should work on bringing back his curve(its pretty good) and keeping a consistent release point. If he does that, I'd look for 15 wins and a 4.50 era (Maybe even less). This guy has a 94 mph fastball and good pitches.