GreatScott82

IMO this is the year the Angels get Konerko. The more i think about, the more i think Dye stays... As he would take over for Thome at DH in 2010. Im sure the Angels are going to want some pitching back also if they deal Weaver. So i could see a Konerko and Marquez for Weaver and Morales type deal. As far as the Figgins in CF question goes, that would be just another Swisher experiment type of deal. Figgins plays a solid LF and a decent 3b. The only way i would want Figgins here is if Dye gets dealt and Quentin is moved to RF.

QUOTE (Lemon_44 @ Dec 21, 2008 -> 10:58 PM) My guess would be it would work somethin like this: Reds get Dye and a prospect from the Angels Sox get Bailey and Figgins Angels get Votto The Sox then sign Abreu of-Abreu, Figgins, Quentin if-Fields, Ramirez, Getz/Lillibridge/Konerko c-AJ DH-Thome bench-Wise/Owens, BA, Lillibridge/Getz,Betemit, catcher That may be a more base-runner,small ball friendly lineup but i think it leaves alot of question marks defensively. I could see the Angels and White Sox doing such a deal, but why would the Reds let go of Votto? Do they have a 1b in there system ready to come up?

QUOTE (YASNY @ Dec 21, 2008 -> 06:41 PM) When I'm looking for Sox news, I look here first. If news is breaking anywhere, it ends up on here shortly. Couldn't agree more. I realized this back in 2004 when i became a member. Its still my #1 Sox source of breaking news and information. Not to mention in depth converstation and speculation that helps provide our indivuduality as Sox fans.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 20, 2008 -> 08:26 PM) Bailey would have to come here as well for me. Bailey+Figgins would be nice. Than that would be a hell of a deal for us... if it was just Figgins than no way! Im guessing Figgins goes to LF and Quentin goes to RF if such a deal would happen?

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Dec 19, 2008 -> 09:26 AM) Nor is Garland, but yes, Danks'll be our #1 starter in two to three years. nah. he will develop into our Ace in 2009. As triple h would say 'he is that damn goodd'

Obviously Garland would fit back into our rotation perfectly with the emergence of Danks and Floyd. It would give Ozzie the flexibility to have a L,R,L,R,L rotation the entire season. If Stone is right and the market drops in January i would love to have Garland for $8 million/season with incentives. . But im guessing he gets nothing less than 10 mill/season...

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 17, 2008 -> 03:28 PM) I like it too because he helps save the bullpen, but it just wont happen. I dont see KW bringing him back whatsoever although I hope Buehrle is in his ear about it. Ozzie said 2 weeks ago on white sox weekly: "I would love to have Garland back on my team". The only way i see KW bringing Garland back is if one of Dye or Konerko is dealt to free up some cap space to aqcuire him. Buerhle and Garland are best buds so i wouldn't doubt he is bugging KW to get him. Since right now we are at the 'break even' point- the signing of Garland would just pretty much replace Dye's salary. Im not so sure KW really wants to do that? As he would like to disperse that Dye money for 2 or 3 pieces.

KW has said about 100 times thats Getz and Fields will be starting the season at 3b and 2b unless a guy like Viciedo and Beckham/Nix beat them in ST. Our infield is set. THe OF is KWs next area of focus. As of right now, there is no 'sure' CF AND with all the Dye trade rumors swirling around, I can see Quentin shifting to RF. That leaves LF and CF open. Does KW give Brian Anderson one last shot? Does he let Owens and Wise battle for a spot to become our leadoff hitter? Im not so sure about any of those. I could see KW go after a cheap bargain in Willy Tavarez. He could play LF. Meanwhile, Anderson, Wise and Owens can battle it in ST for CF. If the Sox do trade Dye (which i think they absolutley should), that should give them pleanty of space to sign Tavarez, Blanco AND a Daniel Cabrera type pitcher. Starting Lineup: Getz 2B Ramirez SS Quentin RF Thome DH Konerko 1B Pierzynski C Fields 3B Anderson CF Tavarez LF Rotation: Buerhle, Floyd, Danks, Cabrera, Poreda (wins close ST battle) Bullpen: Jenks, Thorton, Linebrink, Dotel, Richard, Wasserman Bench: Blanco C, Wise OF, Owens OF, Betemit 3b-1b, Lillybridge SS, 2b, Coming up through out the season: Viciedo, Beckham, Flowers, Marquez, Homer Bailey ?? I know i have created a lot of these this offseason, but i truly believe that this is what its going to look like the closest. Listening to what KW had to say about why he is doing what he is doing last saturday really put it all in perspective.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Dec 13, 2008 -> 01:14 PM) Kenny said he was a little over budget as we stand right now, then brought up "creativity" again, referring to the Lee for Vizcaino and Pods deal and mentioning that it allowed them to also sign AJ and El Duque. Just off the top of my head, Dye makes $11.5M next year. If the Sox could trade him for Bailey and a prospect ($500K), then sign Daniel Cabrera for $4M, Juan Rivera for $4M, Willy Taveras for $2M, and a back of the pen reliever like Luis Ayala for $1M, would you do that trade? It would essentially be Dye for Bailey, Cabrera, Rivera, Taveras, Ayala, and a prospect in a salary wash. The roster is at 37 now, so adding that many players would put us at 41, however Jose Contreras would be transferred to the DL, and if necessary Owens and/or Broadway could be cut (although I'd prefer both of them cut because they make my skin crawl). Yeah when KW mentioned that 2004 December deal of Carlos Lee for Pods/Vizcaino freeing up money for El-duque and Pierzynski, that totally made think of how certain I am that he will trade Dye for something younger and cheaper and then go ahead and sign a Tavarez for LF, sign a Daniel Cabrera sign Blanco to be our back up catcher etc... I also love the idea of having Bailey, Cabrera, Poreda, Richard, Marquez battle for 2 spots at the back end of our rotation. I love the idea of having Fields/Viciedo battle for 3b. I love the idea of an Anderson/Wise battle for CF (although i would love more of an impact CF but i doubt that happens). I also love the idea of a 2b battle between Getz, Beckham and Nix. Last year nobody expected Quentin and Ramirez to be up this early. This year we may say the same thing with Beckham and Viciedo... i cant wait for spring training!

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 13, 2008 -> 06:31 AM) The problem with that is, who's the leadoff hitter then? Alexei Ramirez? Getz/Lillibridge? It has to be one of those two options/positions on the field... I really think some of the guys KW got in that Braves deal will be used in another deal. Probably on a guy like Brian Roberts (who is the perfect 1 year stop gap before Beckham is ready) KW has pleanty of weapons to use to aqcuire Roberts now. Im sure MacPhail knows now is the time to maximize Roberts value before its too late.

I'd sign Willy T to a 1 year deal... with a club option for a 2nd year. Its a minor risk worth taking. If he shows up injured to ST than you still have Wise and BA. I wouldnt even want him as our leadoff hitter but simply our 9 hole hitter. The dude stole 68 bases last year... its worth a look at.

Cabrera has NASTY stuff... i know he has a track record of being wild and he has underachieved. But man i would give him a chance to make our rotation any day of the week! It could be another Jose Contreras type thing- a guy with nasty stuff in the need of a new home. Its definitley worth a solid look at.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 10:14 PM) 1.) The Francouer/Grienke rumor was shot down, it never really made any sense to begin with. 2.) Tim Hudson had Tommy John surgery in August, he won't be playing baseball this year. Thanx man. This is why we keep you around!

KW wants to trade JD for a starting pitcher. If the Braves are serious about trading for Grienke AND signing Burnett. That would give them Hudson, Burnett, Vazquez, Grienke and Jurgens. That leads me to believe that Hanson or Reyes could be had... Hanson is solid, but his pitching mechanics scare me. If you look at that video link you posted he uses an aweful lot of arm. Its something Coop can likely work with him on i suppose but it still worries me.

Chris De Luca still thinks the Sox will call MacPhail about Brian Roberts during the winter meetings. Obviously he is the perfect one year stop gap until Beckham is ready for his call up in 2010. Now that our farm has been well re-stocked, we may have the amunition to pull off such a deal. Brian Roberts Jermain Dye will likely be moved this offseason. And I would most definitley trade him for a young SP. Teams like the Reds, Giants, Rays, and Phillies will call KW about his services during the winter meetings. Possible Returns: Reds- Homer Bailey: Former 1st round pick and top pitching prospect. Sox can get him back on track aka like they did with Floyd. Giants- Jonathan Sanchez: young pitcher with some MLB experience. Can be a bottom of the rotation servicable starter. Rays- Edwin Jackson or Sonnestiene: One or the other will be dealt this offseason as they need to make room for Price. Both of these starters played a role in the magical Rays season. Jackson has a high cieling and has nasty stuff. Phillies- Not sure what they have to offer... The whole Jenks thing is intruiging. If they move him then it may be a loooong 2009 and a partial rebuilding phase. I would do it if you can get a promising top prospect who can potentially be our CF of the future. I wonder if the Mets would ever cave in and accept a Dye, Jenks for Fernando Martinez. I have been reading up about this young fella and boy is he exciting... If you were the Mets, an oppurtunity to add a 30+ HR-100 RBI guy AND a 35+ save guy has to be intruiging... The Winter Meetings will be interesting....

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Dec 4, 2008 -> 07:07 PM) Worst team defense the Sox have ever had? Has to be the worst in baseball, easy. yep... all offense....and still not enough speed. but during KWs conference call, he didn't mention anything about getting more speed. just that he is going to 'focus on the OF'. McClouth is on the rise in his young career... who knows what the hell he is going to do next. I really hope he is wrong that we 'broke even' as far as payroll. Because if thats the case, i expect Dye to be traded for sure.... Steve Stone said it best earlier today "its better to trade a guy a year early, than a year late" If we get another 2007 version of JD than KW will likely get nothing for him if he sits on his hands this offseason.

*Sox trade Dye for Edwin Jackson *Sox sign Adam Dunn *I agree on the McClouth deal. Poreda, Anderson, and Broadway gets dealt. McClouth CF Ramirez SS Quentin RF Thome DH Dunn LF Konerko 1B Pierzynski C Fields 3b Getz 2b Rotation: Buerhle, Floyd, Danks, Jackson, Richard/Marquez Shibby!!

QUOTE (rowand's rowdies @ Dec 4, 2008 -> 05:05 PM) Let's see if we can call Kenny's move. I don't mind going into the season with 1 starter slot open, but 2 is too much. Luke Hudson was released from the Royals - He was a top prospect once? Can Coop fix whatever is wrong with him, I don't know the situation? Daniel Cabrera - If non-tendered, Kenny will be very excited Chad Gaudin - Solid #4 or #5 in my eyes...might be non-tendered by Cubs. Any other Kenny type pitchers out there? Gaudin is garbage... he had a nice couple months before Beane traded him away... but he seems to trade his players away just in time before they start to slip. (Swisher, Gaudin, Koch etc...) Daniel Cabrera would be a KW type of move for sure. Buy low and give him a chance to succeed. We all know "Coop can fix em".

Buerhle Floyd Danks Richard Poreda Holy Lefty Batman!

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Dec 2, 2008 -> 09:17 PM) I just think if the Sox are thinking OF they would go Abreu over Dunn. Not that I even think they are going OF, but its my personal feeling. I understand the Sox are going to be looking for a replacement for Dye most likely. But what happend to wanting to aqcuire more speed?? I would love if KW shocks us and brings us Furcal. Just put Alexie back at 2b. I like Tavaraz for CF still as well. That leaves you to find more power for LF or perhaps RF. I know KW loves Abreu... It shall be interesting to see what KW does...

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Nov 29, 2008 -> 10:12 PM) Cricket players Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel, whom the Pirates signed as pitchers after they appeared on reality TV in India, were recommended by scout Ray Poitevint, whose stay with the Sox delivered few strong prospects. … Left-hander Tyler Lumsden, the key to the 2006 deal that sent Mike MacDougal from Kansas City to the White Sox, was traded by the Royals to Houston last week, clearing roster space. Unfortunately for the Sox, right-hander Dan Cortes, a lesser piece of the deal, has evolved into one of the Royals' top prospects. … Chone Figgins might be the most overrated big-leaguer. He and the Angels' other third basemen combined for three homers and 34 RBIs, the fewest homers from a group of third basemen since the 1992 Twins and fewest RBIs since the 1988 Orioles. Figgins' best tool is his speed, but Bill James rates him as only a plus-7 baserunner, the same as Aramis Ramirez and J.D. Drew. progers/chicagotribune I don't think our payroll would possibly come close to getting in the 50's, even with Contreras and Thome gone. According to the payroll sheet on Soxtalk it would. If you cut Thome's 13 million, Vazquez 11 million, Dye's 11.5 million, and Contreras 10 million your payroll would indeed drop to the 50's-60's. This is of course saying KW doesn't sign any free agents to the club this offseason of course... KW has the flexibility this offseason to get involved with the Sabathia sweepstakes if he choses. But a FA signing of Sheets with incentive clauses seems more of the way he would go. He took a chance on El-Duque after his previous injuries in 2005 in worked out pretty well. ESPECIALLY if you have guys like Poreda, Marquez and Bailey waiting in the wings- you can definitley afford to take a chance on a guy like Sheets this offseason.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Nov 29, 2008 -> 09:44 PM) Who would be your LFer then? Wise? Viciedo? Quentin? Fields? (assuming we move Carlos over to RF is most logical, if Dye were to be traded) Would you then go out and have the confidence to deal Vazquez and go with four youngsters in the rotation? Would you sign a veteran for the 5th spot just in case, or pray that Bailey and Richard/Poreda came through? As of right now, Poreda will join the bullpen. But he has pitched a lot of innings in 2008 down in the minors and in the AFL... i think the 5th spot will be a battle between Richard, Marquez and Poreda. If Poreda loses, he will join the pen. Marquez and Bailey will likely head the rotation down in triple-a. If Javy is traded (like most of us think he will be) im guessing KW signs a FA pitcher. If you think about it... i know i sound crazy but if Javy and JD are traded for young talent, the payroll will be cut down to 75 million. And next year, it would be down to 53-57 million after Thome and Contreras' contracts expire. So the Sox would have PLEANTY of enough money THIS offseason to sign free agent STUD CC Sabathia. I know its something the Sox organization just doesn't do, but if the Sox would so such a thing, it would be for a guy like this. If my ridiculous thought of Sabathia doesn't come true (and there is a 90% chance that it wont). Than i could see KW go after a guy like Sheets for like a 2 years with a contract built around incentives (like he has to pitch a certain amount of innings to make X amount of dollars etc...) So our rotation will likely look like this: Buerhle FA pitcher signing Floyd Danks Poreda, Richard, Marquez and Bailey to battle it out in Spring Training....

Sounds to me that Homer Bailey would be like another Gavin Floyd type project. I mean if this guys was at one time the #1 pitching prospect in baseball, im guessing he can get his flaws fixed... I wouldn't mind this deal at all. Especially if KW uses the money left over on other pieces to the 2009 puzzle. Im hoping KW does indeed wait awhile... im sure KW is going to get a lot of calls after Sabathia and Texiera are off the market....

QUOTE (beck72 @ Nov 29, 2008 -> 08:40 AM) ATL would more likely give up a AA SP or someone like Jo Jo Reyes or James Parr. Jurjens probably isn't going anywhere. True. However, I can see a mega deal of Javy, Dye to Atlanta for Jurrjens and Prado or something like that.

QUOTE (beck72 @ Nov 29, 2008 -> 08:10 AM) Interesting choice of words. But appropriate. I guess that's what the sox are looking for-starting pitchers who can flash ballsack or have the potential to flash ballsack. Javy's not that kind of guy. Javy usually bounces back strong after dissapointing seasons. I think he will excell on a team like Atlanta where the media isn't as intense and the expectations aren't as high. Bring back Jurjens and you have a deal! Just the idea of having Buerhle, Floyd, Danks, Jurjens and possibly even Poreda makes me smile.