fathom

What is your nightmare scenario for next year's team? I know this is premature and you never know how things work out, but I was just thinking of what offseason movements would be made that could make me cringe at the thought of our team: - Trade Konerko for a closer like Julio Lugo and Jerry Hairston - Sign a FA pitcher like Hideo Nomo or C. Lidle - Trade Jon Garland for someone like Jose Cruz Jr. Therefore, the team would look like this: 1b- Gload 2b- Harris/Hairston ss- Valdez 3b- Uribe C- Burke/Alomar LF- Lee CF- Rowand RF- Cruz DH- Thomas and Everett sp: Buehrle, Garcia, Contreras, Lidle, Grilli rp: julio, shingo, marte, cotts, adkins, politte I'm just concerned that KW is going to be too willing to hand over starting jobs to the likes of Willie Harris, Jamie Burke, and Wilson Valdez. These guys arent terrible players, but they're not division winning caliber. Now remember, this is not my idea for a team. Rather, this is the type of team that I fear KW might assemble, even though I doubt it. Please share some of your fears in regards to the 2005 roster.

I would be shocked if Benitez doesnt sign with the Cubs. They're going to be in the market for a closer, and Dusty loves to sign those minorities so that they perform better in the heat!

I know, and I don't have a problem if Frank comes back. It seems like he and Ozzie got along good. If we keep Konerko, I'm not exactly excited that we're going to have about 12 million dollars worth of DH players. In regards to the game with Everett in LF, he showed absolutely no range or ability to judge balls in LF. He turned routine singles into gappers, etc.

Everett was playing in LF that game, and his D was absolutely terrible. Everett makes Sosa look like a good fielder.

Considering that Everett seems to have no flexibility at all, I doubt they'd even try him at 1b. If PK gets traded, 1b will be Gload's job.

Yes, Olivo sucks against righties, but rakes lefties. Considering the high amount of lefty starters in the AL central, Olivo would not be a liability if he was still on the Sox. I always thought a great idea would have been to get a lefty hitting catcher who could play against tough righty pitchers. The Sox have a very interesting choice to make at catcher now. Is Ben Davis really the answer for full-time starter? I hope Sox mgmt wasnt fooled by one hot stretch to think he's a solid MLB level hitter.

My biggest concern with Everett is his defense. The one game he played in the field for the Sox this year, he was awful. Also, when the Sox played the Expos this year, Everett basically won us the first game by his limited range in the field. If you build your team on pitching, you need to make sure that you have a defense that will prevent singles from turning into doubles, etc.

In tomorrow's Chicago Tribune, there's gonna be an article on how Carl Everett states he'll be back next year not only cause he likes it here, but also cause he knows no one else would pay him the 4 million he's gonna make. With Frank coming back, Everett's gonna have to play in the outfield. With this in mind, Ozzie and KW's plan at getting speed and defense on the team is already defeated. Everett's D in the outfield is just pathetic, and he's not exactly a speed burner on the bases. I'm beginning to think the best move for the Sox would be to not have Frank come back next year, even though it would be a huge blow to our offense. However, the Sox could then use that 8 million to fill in holes in the rotation, bullpen, and even outfield. As it stands right now, it just doesnt seem like Sox will have a lot of flexibility to make moves. Way to go KW!

Screw that. There's a reason why you never trade for a guy who's been "banged" up that year. It's one thing if there's a particular injury. However, Everett was ailing from a variety of injuries. It would be like trading for Nomar. Wait, the Cubs did....and they've had to put up with a variety of injuries also.

I wish the Sox could just forget about Everett. That 4 million is going to be such an albatross to the team. Again, what in the blue hell was KW thinking acquiring him knowing that Everett had the expensive player option? You could sign players like Everett on the market for about 1.5 mil a year. He's a below average player (for his position) on the downside of his career.

WGN News reported that a Bears source said the injury was a lot more than a sprain. I would be shocked if it's not a torn ACL.

After reading an article on chisports, I'm even more concerned about some of the moves KW might make this offseason. In the article, Ozzie is quoted saying that he wants guys in the 1/2 position and 6/7/8/9 that can bunt and move guys over. Ozzie, this isn't the national league, and you play in the best homer hitting park in baseball this year! If KW and Ozzie stay true to this philosophy, then guys like Wilie Harris should not be on the team. He's horrible inefficient at bunting/getting guys over. I still say that the whole grinders/speed/defense philosophy is just another way to say they want cheap players.

No offense, but I don't think this organization has had a plan they've stayed with for more than a week over the last few years. They are consistently trading away promising young players for high-priced players. The problem with this is that if the trades don't work out, you're stuck with big money guys (Everett), while missing out on developing some cheap stars from your system.

I thought this year was going to be his last chance! That's anothe reason why those two big injuries hurt even more. It didn't give the organization a fair chance to evaluate everyone involved. I also hope that KW realizes that you can be aggressive while trying to enhance the future of the organization, and just not in the current state. I wouldn't even be too upset if KW got monster prospects for Lee or Konerko. I know this would infuriate a lot of fans, but it's a decision that has to be made some times for the better of the franchise. Look at the Indians for a great model.

YES! Why can't KW try to deal with KW? Also, I'm a little worried hearing all this talk about how Sandy and Jose might be back next year. I know it's the politcally correct thing to say, but those guys better not be back.

Well, considering that the Angels valued Shields so much that they wouldnt give him up in any trades this year, I think some GM's might disagree with you. He has everything you need to be a top set-up man or could even start if you wanted him. If you're comfortable with Politte being the main set-up man, then I guess there's no reason arguing Shields case.

With an offseason coming up in which the Sox will likely see a massive overhaul of their roster, do you trust Kenny Williams in his decisions? Of course, only time will tell with any moves he makes. However, whenever I hear that the Sox are thinking of trading some of their big chips like Paul Konerko or Carlos Lee, I get worried that KW will not get enough value in return. One particular thing that scares me is that the Sox might settle for a lot less than market value for these guys in order to get a player to play Ozzieball. Now, Juan Pierre is a unique player that I wouldnt mind coming to the Sox in a deal, but there's no way that the Marlins will take on the 8 million dollar contract of PK or Lee. I don't want to see KW give up one of these guys for a grinder like Figgins or Eckstein. Now, if there are other players involved in the deal, that would be fine. How about trading Konerko to Angels for a package that includes Figgins and S. Shields? Another thing about KW is that even if he does trade one of our biggest contract guys, I'm worried he won't turn around and spend that money on the roster.

Not only has Grilli been ineffective at the MLB level (his performance only seems good compared to our other 5th starters this year), but I don't trust a veteran pitcher who had a 4.83 ERA in the minor leagues! There's no way in the world that a team with Jason Grilli in their starting rotation will be a playoff caliber team. Every start that Grilli has, he's one pitch away it seems from getting knocked out of the game early. He's no different than Danny Wright.

With Ordonez likely gone, would everyone rather have Borchard or Everett in RF? Keep in mind that Everett will be making about 4 million. For my money, I would take Borchard over Everett in a heartbeat. I don't think the Sox pitching staff could handle having Everett in RF on a regular basis. Give me Borchard and see if you can get out of Everett's deal and use that 4 million for other holes.

And this is the exact reason why myself and others were b****ing that Borchard was being benched a few weeks ago. If the Sox decide to keep him next year, fine. However, the last week or so has done nothing but increase hit trade value.

Sad thing is that the Mets gave the Cubs their 2 runs also. Now, hopefully Astros, Giants, and Padres go on to win today. Cubs will likely still make it, but it would be nice to make their fans go crazy before hand.

NBA Tv did this with NBA Live and a few games this year, and it was the dumbest thing I've ever seen. Also, in regards to who's playing, I'm sure it will just be computer vs computer.

How about the fact that if we didnt make the Garcia deal, we would still have Reed and Olivo on our roster, and a lot more money to spend on an "ace". We would have been able to fill more of our holes without the deal, but there's no going back on it now.

Also, I love the effort that J. Burke has brought to the Sox, but I'm a little worried that his expectations are going to be a little high. Burke has been swinging Lew Ford's magic wand for a long time this season, where it seems everything he hits goes through a hole in the infield, etc. Now, I know this is cause he has a nice opposite field swing, but considering he doesn't hit for a lot of power or walk much, Burke could easily fall back to a .250 hitter or so. I have no problem w/Burke as a back-up catcher, but I don't think he's ready to be a 4-5 game a wk starter at the MLB level.

Well, considering that the Twins don't start Lecroy unless it's against lhp, and they didnt go into the season with Blanco catching, I can't buy into that argument. Guzman is much better than Valdez is, and the Twins don't even start Rivas on a constant basis.