BamaDoc

Not advocating Brown, but as a platoon hitter vs LHP .317avg .448slg isn't horrible. Again DH help vs LHP for Thome if he is agreeable to that role.

Not sure what he would cost but if not a lot I would love to platoon him with Thome. One year from free agency I am sure he would want a regular gig with more playing time.

I had posted about this previously, but I agree that we have some spots that scream platoon. One is Thome vs LHP. It gives him rest and he hit .196 vs lefties.

I agree that the biggest fundamental change that needs to be undertaken is a MAJOR investment of capital/cash in the scouting and draft. We need to adopt a best player available in the draft and sign them. This year without our second round pick, we should invest in scouts and training facilities as well as looking at international talent. This may take a number of years to pay off but there is no substitute for a steady infusion of young cheaper talent. I would also consider moving Konerko to aquire younger talent. The Angels, Dodgers, possibly Mariners offer possibilities.

Here was why I liked using Fields(assuming Crede is on the team as primary 3b) Thome: vs LHP avg. .196 OB+SP .664 vs RHP avg. .315 1.123 Fields: vs LHP avg. .321 OB+SP 1.069 vs RHP avg .213 OB+SP .677 Their averages are nearly mirror images. As much as Thome mashed rhp that is what Fields did to lhp. Hopefully, Fields can improve on what were pretty dismal numbers vs rhp with experience hence why I would still work him in for Crede.

I think everyone would agree that the Sox stand a better chance to compete if Thome and Crede(assuming he remains) are healthy and productive. I think people would also agree Fields is a promising player. Now, with those presumptions, here is what I would do. Thome hit 120 points higher off of righties(sub 200 vs lefties). This screams plattoon and resting him vs lefties also helps keep him healthy by giving his back periodic rest. (Some of his swings vs lefties may have HURT his back....sorry couldn't resist that). Since most pitchers don't finish games and closers are often righthanded, you have the pinch hit or threat of pinch hitting in the other teams late inning game management. Josh Fields did well as a rookie and I don't think he needs more AAA time. I noticed he hit 110 points higher vs lefties than righties. Perfect way to get him some at bats while resting Thome. Solid PH threat vs lefties as well on off day. Still, a young player needs more at bats to develope and I would use him 1-2 days a week at third to allow Crede to rest his back as well. This may be a best of both worlds scenario. If Crede is not dealt at the trade deadline and Fields is performing okay you might even consider spelling Konerko with Fields every now and then. Comments?

I like the idea because he is young and should not require a lot in trade. Specificly, he hit about 100 points higher vs lefties while both Richar and Owens hit righties better by 30 plus points. Depth at a couple of positions as well as possible plattoon player or just give day off vs tougher lefties.

QUOTE(jasonxctf @ Oct 31, 2007 -> 05:56 PM) watch the sox make this trade and then sign an exclusive agreement with Kellogg's to have an outfield section where employees dress up like snap, crackle and pop. We can't do snap crackle and pop as we aren't brining Erstad back!

I wonder if the offseason police issues kept Uribe from reporting in the best shape mentally and physically. May be able to turn it around since he is playing for a contract.

I would love that as well, but not if it is a reactionary move. I think best long term drafting is taking the best player available and SIGNING them. I don't want inferior talent taken for signability reasons. Now if two players are rated equal then signability is a factor.

Its come to looking ahead. Is there a good web site or two that have projections for 2008. Also regarding draft order, do the picks alternate between leagues or do they go by record only? Currently, we have the second worst record, but Tampa is AL team. Would we pick 2nd or third?

I have no problem with Floyd starting for August, if unsuccessful let Haeger start for September.

Now that Iguchi is begining to hit do you trade him, resign him or let him walk. I don't know what level of compensation picks he might bring if any due to his status.

I wonder if some of Iguchi's struggles come from trying to do to much when hitting lower in the order versus situational hitting at #2. His career USA stats in #2 are .276ba, .346obp, 2:1 so:w when hitting 6-8, in a small sample size, are .232 ba with 1w to 7k. I just remember him sucking last year in spring training when they tried to move him down. For now, I would probably ride the hot hand (Uribe) and try to give Iguchi some time off. (stats from baseball musings)

If you substituted Hall into a game late, who would be our emergency third string catcher? Without someone, Ozzie may have his hands tied.

Slow times, but what do people think. Several people mention Haeger, which I love as I remember Wilbur Wood, but I wonder how much the light air will hinder the Knuckler in spring training. Last year springtraining whip was 2.6. He did good late season with Sox but his minor league second half ERA over 5. I think we may go four man rotation primarily early due to days off so ability to pitch some from pen will help. Who wins ?

Birmingham where James Andrews could monitor his progress.

For a platoon player who could play LF, DH occaisionally, pinch hit vs LHP, what about Kevin Mench? Very solid splits vs LHP. For a CF/LF upgrade could Eric Byrnes be available? Both players currently 1 year to free agent possibly dropping what you would have to give up.

I actually like bringing in the former high draft pick who looks like he is going to pan out. The high picks are normally "stuff" guys and someone else has already paid the signing bonus.

I expect Uribe to be in shape and ready.....its a contract year!

And not being a small market team gives us the advantage. If you have a true number one, you have the resources to lock them up and perhaps go to five years. I love our guys but I consider a true one to be a dominating pitcher, perennial CY Young candidate, and healthy.

Deep breath and relax. This is the winter meetings and a lot of what is said is posturing. It may help in negotiating an extension with a starter. Remember last spring when either Garland or Contreras was a goner? Secondly, the free agent market for mediocre pitching has gone nuts. The more stupid contracts given to 4-5 starters actually drives down the value you get for a player who is about to enter free agency as very few teams can now afford to rent a player while giving up cheap talent. What do you think Garcia would ask for on the open market if a free agent today. Worse pitchers are getting 10+ million for 4-5 years. So will you give Freddy a 12-14 million 4-5 year deal after what we saw last summer. (This is not a slam on Freddy but on the market). This team has never wanted to go beyond three years with a pitcher. We have lost some good ones due to that stance but almost all proved to be hurt/ineffective/overpriced by the end of their deals. With a staff ERA going up a run, who would you break this policy for? Contreras has age and health questions. Buerhle is the right age but if last year wasn't a fluke a five year deal could be a disaster. Vasquez you still control for two years. Garland makes the most sense, not as the best ace but from durability,age, and health standpoint. Last,(sorry for the length) I would have liked better or more prospects but Kenny apparently actively explored those options. This is his job and this was apparently the best our staff felt we could do.

Boy it is slow with out my Sox to follow. Many posters have mentioned the number of good lefthanders in our division. Since the hot stove page isn't up yet I am putting this her. I searched the MLB.com stats for top hitters vs LHP. A surprising name came up. He hit close to .350 vs lefties with nearly .400 OBP. 2005 year hit .100 higher vs lefties. Has played outfield last year and 2b,3b in previous years. He has no clubhouse problems, should be very cheap contract wise. I would envision platoon in left field and could spell at other positions. His team needs pitching..........I give you the not flashy but useful Mark DeRosa of Texas. I would love the glamour additions, but they cost a lot in dollars and talent. Some seemingly small additions could be difference makers over an entire season. Platooning with Mack(keeps Mack out of center), Pods(he can't suck that much again and talk about selling at low value), or other addition. I think most or all of our offensive additions will be guys who do the little things well(bunt, hit behind the runners,patient hitters). Any others thoughts?

How many of our players had below average years and how many had above or career years. Dye and Pablo may be the only career year players. If the players revert to their norm where would we be? A normal Buehrle year and we are right in it this year. I am begining to think that I am crazy but several of our players who had bad years that everyone talks of trading for good prospects may in reality have little value. Do you keep Pods and bring in competition or a platoon partner using the logic that he can't possibly suck this bad next year? Uribe and the team in general need to be reached/taught/worked on going with the pitch. If you think our players revert to normal, then you may only need a tweak to the lineup. I still am enamored with Ichiro in right( moving Dye to left). Ichiro is in the last year of contract and thus may not require as much. I am not in a total rebuild mode. We are still a talented team providing we don't have significant pitcher injuries of which we are unaware.

With the exception of Garland, none of our pitchers has had a great year thus it will be hard to get full value for any of them.