Soxbadger

I meant for the client. Also that was supposed to say, figure should be higher for Houston, as cost of living there is less than Chicago and NY. SB

Personally, I would not want Boras, as my agent. Unless you are his top star on the market that off-season, expect that your needs and your contract will be put on hold. Look at the Maggilio situation, Maggs and Beltran both had Boras, and Both were probably going to get offers from the same teams. Perhaps the Mets would of given Maggs 100 mil, and Beltran would of gotten his 100 mil from the Astros. Instead Boras choses to make the big splash with Beltran, and now Maggs' is left with no contract and hoping that some one will take a chance on him. But will Boras let Maggs sign a 1 year, injury deal, or will he give him "advice" like he has done to his draft picks that he should sit this season out if an offer does not meet Boras's expectations. Just seems like a conflict of interest. Ss2k5, Cost of living is also extreme in NY. At one point I saw a webpage that said it was about 3x, as in you needed to make 3x the amount in NY to live a comparable life in Chicago. That figure should be multiplied higher for NY. But that type of stuff doesnt concern agent's, who Im sure get their percentage taken out before taxes. Atleast thats what I would do, otherwise you would get taxed 2 times, 1 for players salary, and 1 for your salary. SB

Byrnes is unnecessary as a 1b. Especially as Gload was very productive last year, and is a better defensive 1b. Makes no sense to trade for Byrnes to start at 1b, when if Konerko was moved, Gload would play there at a cheaper price and with out giving up any prospects. If this is true, then perhaps KW has found some one who wants Rowand, and he thinks Byrnes is an adequate replacement. Or some one to take Everett. SB

And it was not sarcastic that Borchard for Rollins would be a big win for the Sox. I mean if the Phillies wanted to do that deal, who here would deny them? I think most Sox fans pretty much want to get any value they can for Borchard at this point. SB

I think Rollins straight up for Borchard would be a big win for the Sox, let alone us getting anything more. SB

lol Yeah Byrd makes no sense, but any SS or 2b, at this point makes perfect sense for the Sox, especially a guy like Rollins who steals a lot and is a switch hitter. Our line up for the first time will actually be balanced against RH and LH pitching, I mean we potentially could have as many LH in the line up as RH. My line up would be (prior to Frank's return) 1. Pod 2. Rollins 3. Rowand (I think he would get a ton of fastballs in front of Konerko in this line up) 4. Konerko 5. Dye 6. Everett (or Gload, I prefer Gload just not that sure the Sox will bench a million dollar player). 7. AJ 8. Uribe 9. Crede Damn that is a really deep line up. By the time Frank gets back, we will see what we have, and who should play where. Maybe Rowand needs to be moved down or up, but whatever the case, Rollins would be an outstanding pick up. SB

We have no need for him? I would rather have Rollins starting at short and Uribe at 2b, than Uribe starting at short and Harris starting at 2b. Also, it will give us much more flexibility than the addition of Durham, or another 2b, because we would only have 1 SS. This way, we would have 2 SS, 2 2b, and 2 3b, that we can use as we please. Not sure why everyone is so hell bent on a 2b, when Uribe can play 2b, and then he would have a natural back up, Harris. SB

If the price is right, I think Rollins would complete our offseason. Ive always liked him and wanted him on the Sox. SB

Not sure if this is just fluff from the Beltran camp, but according to ESPN, had the Astros included a full no trade cluase, he would have signed with them. That makes me believe the Mets did include a full no trade clause. SB

Before I traded for Durham I would check the prices of Lugo, Matsui, or Reyes because I would prefer they have the flexibility to play SS and 2b. I know the whole Sox organization is down on Harris, but there is just part of me that is uncomfortable with Uribe at SS with absolutely no back up plan. Harris for better or for worse, you will atleast be getting a known quantity. Uribe has much higher peaks, but there is also that chance of a huge slump. Just my opinion. SB

Williams has never ran a sub 4.5, hence why he is not a top 5 lock. Ive seen him in mock drafts going as low as the 20s, and as high as the Bears pick. No matter what Im sure hes been trying to get his speed up, because that 1 tenth of a second is worth millions of dollars, as there is no question about his hands, size, etc. Thats why its impossible to really predict his position until he runs, as well as Edwards. With Shea fired, I think a lot will depend on the new OC. If we get a guy like Martz, Id expect offense with our high pick. If we get an unexperienced guy, I have to expect defense. SB

Kiper's board does not include underclassmen. Also, Williams has not run a 40 time yet for this draft. If it is sub 4.5, his value is top 5. If it over 4.5, his value will be around 10. SB

Since Jimmy Johnson, I would say most GM's have had draft charts. They may be slightly different, and the values can be changed depending on who they think will be at a certain pick. IE: If they think the best player in the draft will be at 4, they may pay 2-3 value if the higher picks are unattainable and 4 is the only position that you can take that player. A lot of things have to shake out, most importantly Rodgers rating. If hes top 5, the Bears are pretty set as for who we can take. If hes not, Rolle, Johnson, or an OT may be gone before 4 comes around. SB

I just do not expect another team to significantly over pay, especially when I am trying to predict what a team is going to do. Can I hope the Bears sucker some team into a ridiculously painful trade? Sure. But I will play with the numbers I have and try and use real scenarios. Notice how the Bears Jets trade is numerically similar to the chart, where as your suggestion is over 200+ in the Bears favor. Also who are the Cowboys going to be so hard on for at 4? Leinart will be gone, Rodgers makes me think of Kyle Bowler. SB

Okay wasnt sure if it was SOS or if it was coin toss. Also, the chart gives list of values: Last years trade was: 1 for, 4 a 3rd round pick, and a 1st and 5th next year. That is: 3000 pts for, 2255 this year, and a 1st and 5th next year, so anywhere between 3000 and 600. And no way can we get both 1st rounders, and a 3rd, 2 1sts are already heavily in our favor, let alone a 3rd on top. SB

http://www.nfldraftworld.com/tvc.htm According to that chart, the Cowboy trade would be fair at about our 1 and 4, for their first 2. I looked at another chart and it seems similar as well. Also, how do we for sure get 4? Our record is tied with other teams? SB

Who do you trade with and how far down? Im just saying at 4, unless you think Ferguson is the second coming, you take Rolle. SB

Johnson could very well be drafted 3. If he runs sub 4.5, its not outside the Brown's to draft him at 3. Brown I think will be gone that late as well. If we got 10 and 21 for arguments sake, we could probably hope for Edwards or Williams at 10 for WR or Barron, Ferguson, and Brown. At 21 youd be looking at Clayton for WR, Mcneil at tackle, Munoz, who knows, hard to guess at all this early. I mean ideally with a 10 21 trade youd want Williams or Edwards and whichever tackle slips to 21. But that just might not happen. And I really think its suicide to take a WR at 4, if niether Edwards or Williams runs even a 4.5 40. SB

Do you trust Angelo to pick an offensive player? Do you trust Lovie Smith to develop an offensive player? Who would you prefer your new young draft pick playing under, Ron Rivera or Terry Shea? Lets say we draft Williams or Edwards. Our offensive line needs drastic improvement for him to make an impact. High pick WR's are no guarantee. Last year he was projected below Fitzgerald, Roy Williams, and probably slightly above Reggie Williams. REC YDS AVG LNG TD Reggie 27 268 9.9 26 1 Roy 54 817 15.1 46 8 Now either Williams or Edwards would probably put up numbers in this area. But it will most likely be lower, because neither are as talented as Roy, but both should not do as bad as Reggie. As for the Bears CBs, I think Tillman could be a legitimate 1-2, but he is still very raw and Im not sure if in a playoff game I would be 100% comfortable with him on Moss, etc for a whole game. Azumah is still learning, and I think that a 3rd cb is a perfect position for him. He would cover slot recievers where he could match them with his quickness, and generally be against less talented recievers. Also I think 3 good to great cbs are a necessity for any defensive football team. Vasher then becomes the 4th cb, or even potentially fs if ever the Bears wanted to move Brown to SS. This also will give them a very deep unit if injuries should arise, so that they are not forced to watch RW flail his arms around hoping that he will hit the ball as it falls over his head. To think that the Bears will make a good pick with an offensive player is to deny history. We might as well get our moneys worth, and try and sign veteran free agents for offense who can run a system. Great defense with mediocre offense wins games. SB

The Bears will pick a WR in the 2nd round, guys like Carphonso Thorpe, Chris Henry, will be around. As for CB, after Rolle, there is a huge drop off, in the 2nd round you are looking at Webster from LSU. If the Bears trade, it will be for 2 first round picks, and should be substantially similar to the 1st round trade to the Jets that got us the Haynes and Grossman pick. Trading down is my usual preference, unless there is an impact player that will become a staple of your franchise and who you will expect to try and keep. Unlike Baseball, every team is pretty much at the salary cap, so drafting the best players allows you to keep the best players and create a core. The Bears offensive core is terrible, outside of Grossman and Jones, there is really nothing to build around. Gage, Wade, and Berrian are all good 3-4 WR's, but it will take probably another year before any of them can be a 2. The offensive line needs probably a complete overhaul with a youth infusion, because unless they are more aggressive than they ever have been in the offseason, the Bears next year will not be considered a playoff team if they are relying on their offense. Therefore, I think the Bears should try and make 1 outstanding unit, and 1 developing unit. The Bears defense needs another CB. Rolle fits that bill. If we trade down, Id expect us to get, WR and OL. If we stay, I really think we cant pass up Rolle. The others are just to big of risks to give the big contract too. With Rolle you know what you are getting, an immediate starter, with star potential. SB

Thats another problem with trying to figure out what is going to happen in the draft. If the Bears sign a WR, then they wont draft Williams or Edwards. If they get a guy like Walter Jones, they wont need OL. Thats why I think they may get Rolle, because CB is a much harder position to address via FA. And at 4, outside of Johnson, he will be the best athlete, with tremendous upside. If he posts a sub 4.4, at 6-1 its going to be hard to pass. SB

First, Kiper does not rate anyone that has not declared for the draft. Second, You cant make a good judgement until the combine. With the Bears needs, I would say the most likely picks fall between; Rolle, Edwards, D'Brickshaw, Williams, Barron, and Brown. I saw some one mention Derrick Johnson the LB out of Texas. Depending on his 40 time etc, he could perhaps make a play for the Bears drafting him, but I think if he goes wild at the combine he gets picked by the Browns. My personal choice would be Rolle, followed by D'Brickshaw, Barron, and Brown, depending on how each of them performs at the combine, injury concerns etc. D'Brickshaw is the hardest because some people say he might be the next Ogden, but if you draft him at 4, then hell get a big contract guaranteed. And according to another website, Rodgers and Leinart are both in, so at 4, 2 of the first 3 are going to be Benson and Leinart, thus we should get a pick of our players. SB

El Duque was a smarter decision for the White Sox. You say Milwood, Clement, or Wright. We can discount Wright, outside of last year and 1998 what has he done to earn $7mil a year. He also failed the first physical, not a good sign for a pitcher who for the first time since 1999 he pitched more than 60 pitches. In fact he tripled his innings pitched from 2003 to 2004. $7million dollars, and we would have been bidding against the Yankees. They can throw $10mil at Wright, and if he fails, not even flinch. We invest $20+ mil into Wright and we may feel the impact for years. Clement, we offered a reasonable contract, other teams were willing to pay unreasonably for him. Since his move from Florida to the Cubs, he has been a consistent 2-4 in a line up. Although post All-Star he was not very good, posting a 5.0 era, 2-5 record, and giving up on average a HR per start. That type of implosion will only be exasperated by the Cell. For what ever reason, it seems that balls just get hit hard there, and you undoubtedly will see an increase in HR per game. Also, as an NL pitcher he has thirved on the bottom of the order. From the sixth spot down, he keept their averages under .200 and OPS under .600. Prior to the sixth spot the lowest average is .250 and the lowest ops. is .731 With deeper AL line ups, he could potentially run into major problems. Thus it came down to money and potential risk, the Red Sox won in the end, because they can withstand Clement being a 5.0 era pitcher. Milwood, I personally liked, especially back when he was with Atlanta. But $7mil one year, dealing with Boras, was there really any chance the White Sox had at getting him? I thought a reasonable value for Milwood was, 3 years 18 million, 4mil first year, 6mil second year, 8 mil team option third year. 1 year $7mil is to much, that would be investing 10% of our payroll into Milwood, with not even a 2 year committment. Split ERA W L Sv SvO G GS IP H R ER HR BB SO BAA Post-All Star 3.86 3 1 0 0 7 7 32.2 32 15 14 0 13 34 .252 Post-All Star 3.28 7 2 0 0 14 14 79.2 68 29 29 8 33 79 .228 Which would you want to invest in? At the same price its hard to even argue for one of them, let alone for perhaps $3mil more. Mulder and Hudson were probably not going to the White Sox, unless we were giving up a ton of prospects. Think Sweeney, Anderson, Cotts, McCarthy/Munoz. Mulder maybe, because he is signed for more than 1 year, but the trade suggests maybe there is more to his injury. I would have paid pretty much any cost for Mulder, but I just have a feeling that Beane was not dealing with the AL. Hudson, we would have had to give up alot, and then signed him to a $10mil + a year contract, or atleast hope he agrees to one and doesnt go to free agency. Unlike Atlanta, we really dont set our sights on a guy and then just give him what he wants. El Duque is not as flashy, he might be a risk, and who knows how well he will perform. But the $3mil that we get to use on other players (AJ, Iguchi, who knows if we even use it) will probably mean that El Duque + player will be > than any one of the options we could have had at a similar price. At lower prices, the other pitchers may have been better options. But if other teams decide to pay unreasonable amounts, we should not walk off the cliff with them. SB

Its not Ozzies tight ship that I think would make AJ a good presence, its the laid back attitude and the fact Ozzie always is saying, people start fresh with him. Kittle, While the Sox rotation may not be infallible, name a team that has a rotation that is perfect 1-5. The Sox have at worst, a good rotation, and at best the best rotation in the AL. I mean even the Red Sox and Yankees will be counting on pitchers who are unreliable at best. I mean arguments could be made that Wells, Wright, and even Clement are not even close to proven commodities. Who knows what Pavano will do in the AL, Red Sox are with out Pedro, leaving an aging Schilling coming off a leg injury...The Yankees prospective best pitcher will be over 40, and has had a major injury in the past 2 years. We may not be the best, but most teams would want our 1-5. SB

I think the Sox will sign Iguchi regardless of whether we spend on other free agents, if it is at the right price. Many claim that Reisndorf is about the bottom line, well the bottom line is having 2 Japanese "stars" on the team, will give them much more leverage in the Asian market. $2mil a year to try and buy into a market is a good investment, regardless of how well Iguchi does. AJ and Iguchi would give the Sox one of the deepest teams on offense, defense, and pitching that I can remember. SB