SoxWatcher

Unless Reinsdorf is willing to open up his wallet and really spend big, I don't think the Sox can afford the 5-year $65 million contract that it will probably take to land Beltran. People keep talking about the supposed $14 million that the Sox will be "saving" by losing Ordonez in the offseason. What they fail to realize is that most of that "savings" will be eaten up by the raises that many Sox players will get by virtue of their contracts or arbitration. Let's look at the 2005 salaries of some of the more expensive Sox players: Konerko - $8.75 million Thomas - $8 million (if he exercises his player option) Marte - $1.25 million Everett - $4 million (if he exercises his player option) Garcia - $8 million Buehrle - $ 5.75 million Lee - $8 million Takatsu - $2.5 million (if the Sox exercise their option on him) Contreras - $6 million TOTAL - $52.25 million That is for only NINE players. Add Beltran to that and you've got about $65 million and you still have FIFTEEN other players to find money for. How much do you think Reinsdorf is willing to spend? Sure, the Sox could trade Konerko or Lee, but they'll have to pay the players they get in return, and that won't provide much of a net savings, unless they trade them away for mere prospects. Bottom line: I don't think Jerry can afford Carlos.

You are probably right. A lot of things that should happen this offseason won't happen, given the quality of this team's front office.

How much good would it do the Sox to pay Frank $8 million next year and for him to get on 250 at bats? $8 million is a lot for this team, and I don't think the Sox can afford to take a gamble that Frank will be able to play a full season. His high OBP and SLG don't help the team much if he plays less than half a season.

This board is full of talk of trading either Lee or Konerko to help fill other holes on the team. But, there is little talk of the possibility of trading Thomas. Consider the following: 1. Thomas turns 37 next May 2. Thomas is listed at 275 pounds, but is more likely closer to 300 pounds. 3. In two of the last four years, Thomas has had injuries which knocked him out of the lineup for more than half the season. 4. If Thomas exercises his option (which seems likely), he'll make $8 million in 2005. Now, I fully believe that while he is healthy, Thomas will put up great offensive numbers to the tune of an OBP over .400 and a SLG over .500. But, can a team with limited resources afford to make an $8 million gamble on a big, aging player with a significant recent injury history? What are the odds that Thomas gets 500 at bats next year? I wouldn't bet a penny on it. So, he's risky. But, teams with big payrolls might be willing to roll the dice on Thomas and make a trade for him. I know that Thomas is a 10/5 player and would have to ok a trade, but I think it is worth a try. Maybe the Sox couldn't get sufficient value for him in a trade, and maybe he'd veto a trade, but if he exercises his option, I think the Sox should definitely shop him and see what kind of offers they get.