RockRaines

QUOTE(fathom @ May 31, 2005 -> 12:48 PM) Randa will be cheaper next season than Crede...guaranteed. Also, I have a strong feeling we will not resign Konerko next year, freeing up some money. it doesnt look good for re-signing Kong, without his salary there would be some nice wiggle room, and a huge hole in the batting order.

QUOTE(Frankensteiner @ May 31, 2005 -> 12:47 PM) What's the difference? What he have there right now is as bad as it gets. Any stop-gap player is an upgrade. Who are the Free agent 3B this offseason???

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ May 31, 2005 -> 12:45 PM) You sign Randa for another 1-year deal. And you clear payroll from where???

QUOTE(JimH @ May 31, 2005 -> 12:44 PM) Let me be a little clearer ... The White Sox would NOT trade Crede straight up for Joe Randa, as much as you guys would like to see it happen. If there's a deal to be made with Cincy, the Reds are the ones who'd have to add something other than Randa to the trade. Knowing the reds, and their needs, we would have to float a pitcher in there.

QUOTE(Frankensteiner @ May 31, 2005 -> 12:42 PM) A subsequent question needs to be asked as well: Is Joe Randa even bad defensively? From what I can tell, he's a very nice fielder. For the record, I would welcome him with open arms. In a lineup dominated with pull hitters, a smart player like Randa would be terrific. He's 35 and on a one-year deal, so I doubt it would take very much to get him. Lets say this goes through. What in the hell do we do next year in the hot corner?? Fields is NOT ready.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ May 31, 2005 -> 12:38 PM) Well after him getting the batting cage, working all offeason to work on his swing, having "well documented" issues with being stubborn and resistant to change. And the fact that the whitesox used the number 1 pick for a 3rd baseman. I dont think that Joe Crede is on the magical 3 year board in KW office. Im pretty sure he has printed out the programs with Josh Fields in at 3B after next year. If only he was raking right now......

QUOTE(Jabroni @ May 31, 2005 -> 12:33 PM) I am just shocked that some people wouldn't trade Crede for Randa. There is no way that the supposed downgrade in defense from Crede to Randa outweighs the huge upgrade in offense from Crede to Randa. I agree that it might be an overall upgrade to Randa from Crede. But I would take alot of players in the MLB over some of ours. Uribe looks like s*** lately, and Dye has been dead all season. But i dont think that KW would make this trade, I think if he is going to trade a starter and a staple in the clubhouse for years, then its going to be a bigger trade than that. I also dont think that the Reds would do that either, but its my opinion, I would cheer for whoever is in the sox uniform.

QUOTE(Wong & Owens @ May 31, 2005 -> 12:28 PM) No you won't. The Reds would take a younger, cheaper player any time over an older player that makes 4 times as much money They could believe a change of scenery is needed, or maybe their coach sees something in him they can fix, or simply a low-risk salary dump. Randa's defense is not much worse than Crede's. It's OK if Crede wasn't an offensive star, because he is an 8th-9th place hitter. But, it's that his at-bats are usually wasted if he isn't hitting because he rarely walks, can't hit with 2 strikes, doesn't run well, doesn't move runners, strikes out a lot, etc. All speculation though. When it comes down to it, if you are the Reds GM, and your team is floundering, and your fan base is turning against your moves the past two years, do you make a trade straight up, and how does that help your club. You are taking Crede, who has Bora$$ as his agent, and has not performed well in the majors. Or you could hold on to Randa until the end of the year when a contender will give up alot for a good 3B and a bat going in the stretch run. It doesnt make sense to me. We are going to have to agree to disagree. Because I think, if KW makes a move, its going to be a big one that DRASTICALLY helps the club.

You could promote Greg Norton

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ May 31, 2005 -> 12:18 PM) I like this guy^ He makes a good point, I just dont think its worth all that much to bring Randa in, when we are going to have to give up something other than just Crede. And if we see that Crede isnt worth a damn, do you think that other teams wont see that as well? Im not saying that Crede is the long term answer, but one of the main reason the team, and our pitching staff (Garland) is doing so well is the defense, so im not that worried about the offense from the bottom of the order at this point. I would like to see what adding Frank does to the middle of the order, and wait and see what big player KW has in mind before the break. (cause you know there is something) I really wish the Chavez rumor was true.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ May 31, 2005 -> 12:14 PM) He's not far from his career numbers at all. He's 35. Like someone else said, he has a better range factor and fielding percentage than Crede. The Reds are in a selling mode right now. Randa is not a big name, he's not going to require any good prospects. If the deal can't be made straight-up, it would probably only cost us one fairly decent prospect. Randa makes 2.15 million this year and Crede makes 400,000. The Reds will probably want to drop that money, and that's hardly a big contract for us to take on. Its going to cost a prospect, no team would just take that trade straight up.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 31, 2005 -> 12:10 PM) Do you watch the same games that I do? Crede's a good number 8 hitter with power? Crede is one of the easiest outs in the majors. He refuses to walk, and does not make consistent contact at all. Also, it seems like 3rd basemen are improving their defense a lot this year. Great hitters like Mora, Blalock, and even Aramis this year have played stellar defense. Crede is without a doubt our weak link. Aramis is a horrible defensive 3B, his fielding is bad on a slow infield and his throws are only saved by a gold glove first baseman. As for Mora and Blalock, I would take either one over Crede any day of the week of course.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ May 31, 2005 -> 12:08 PM) His fielding is great. His .148 BA in May is bad. In fact that would be about right if he was a pitcher in the NL. He is an auto out right now. So with your comment about chemistry. We should not make any changes as it may affect chemistry? No improvements just keep with this team as it is. Do you see this team having enough batting to contend as is? Im just saying, that as far as improving the team, there are other areas that we could readily improve if you want more hitting. Im just saying that our #8 and #9 hitters arent the problem if you are looking for more offense. Every team in the league has less offense at the bottom of the order. Adding Joe Randa doesnt rank at the top of my list. As for adding players, and ideas. If we get to the All-star break or later, and we think that this is the year that we are going to make a run for the whole damn thing, then we should trade the farm, and I mean give up anything for an all-star, but at this point, with the best record in the MLB, adding Joe Randa doesnt seem like much to me.

QUOTE(I-HATE-CREDE @ May 31, 2005 -> 11:52 AM) Crede wouldn't fit nicely in a high school lineup. The guy flat out can't hit. He has had four years to try to, and he can't. He won't be the first prospect to not pan out, but lets not compound the error by sticking with him. f*** his chemistry in the field, whatever that means. You could turn any minor league shortstop into a good fielding third baseman, and they'd hit just as well as clueless Joe. Another insightful post from an exciting new member.... :headshake Crede's fielding is underappreciated, he makes tough plays look easy and makes alot of plays that other 3B dont even look at. Look no further than the other side of town to see how terrible a fielder a 3B can be. As far as chemistry, see our record this year, and our double play count as compared to other teams. We turn more of them, and one of the reasons is that the infielders work well with each other. How much difference would getting Joe Randa make? WE would give up alot for him,and be bascially replacing our #8 hitter. As far as where Joe fits into our lineup, being that he is an EXTREMELY reliable fielder, and a good #8 hitter with power, I dont think its neccessary to replace him. Unless you are talking about Chavez, Crede will be our 3B the rest of the year.

QUOTE(I-HATE-CREDE @ May 31, 2005 -> 11:47 AM) Why don't you choke on your curly fries. wow, I see you are going for the long run on this board. By the way, Crede is the man.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ May 31, 2005 -> 11:46 AM) WHOA! STOP THE BOARD! Steff showing Willie some Edit: I know her comment is about topics, but I thought it would be funny to say this... hehe. Steff LOVES Willie

QUOTE(ZeroHour @ May 31, 2005 -> 11:44 AM) More baserunners is going to mean more runs, its only a matter of time before some of those liners start falling. uh oh. anybody else put the ketchup in the fry cup and enjoy with hands plus fork? You betcha, I even used some of the secret sauce as well.

QUOTE(I-HATE-CREDE @ May 31, 2005 -> 11:43 AM) As it is, he is simply a huge asswhole off the bench. not unlike yourself....... I never feel comfortable when Ozzie brings in Willie in situations, but I must admit, I may be warming up to the fact that he makes opposing teams a little nervous with his speed.

I'd rather have Crede. I appreciate his fielding, and his chemistry in the field with Juan. I think his hitting comes at good times, and he fits nicely into our lineup. Unless it is Eric Chavez, count me out.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ May 31, 2005 -> 11:30 AM) I will agree that Willie seems to be making more quality work of his times in games this year. When he tried stealing second on the foul ball, and when he finally did steal it, he was very decided in his move to second. Last year he seemed tentative and unsure of himself. If we can have that kind of speed and a basestealing threat coming off of the bench, that is awesome for the late innings. I thought a major difference as well was that he didnt appear to stutter step before he reached the base. One of SPODS biggest strengths is that he knows how many steps it is to second and his timing is impeccable, maybe willie has been trying the same technique.

QUOTE(KevHead0881 @ May 31, 2005 -> 11:27 AM) Good call. Looking back, he would have scored regardless being that Crede walked right after him, but that was an impressive sequence of events for Willie. Seriously, I definatley second guessed having Willie in there, but we have been looking for that approach at the plate and in the basepaths for awhile now. Good to see Willie have some success at what we think he should be good at.

QUOTE(knightni @ May 31, 2005 -> 11:25 AM) Worst. Topic. Yet. why you gotta hate on the curly fries? I figured we needed a thread that didnt start out with what the f*** was ozzie thinking.

The board kinda sucks today, with only threads on second guessing and other uninteresting ideas for me to read. I figured I would post some good insight from yesterday. 1. Willie Harris-uncharacteristically draws a walk and then steals second, who is this new player, and where have you been? 2. Patience at the plate. Several walks yesterday including big frank's turning into a run, nice to see some plate discipline. 3. Sell out, great fans yesterday, especially with Frank's ovation and Ozzie's tribute. 4. Curly fries, I cant say enough about how awesome these are, I crave it with a polish daily.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ May 31, 2005 -> 10:21 AM) Too bad this thread isn't an option. I agree, there were some bad decisions yesterday, especially the bunt, but this board has gone overboard on the second guessing. Bottom line, the players need to perform when put in those situations. Ozzie doesnt control Marte's aim, or Gooch's glove. The players need to not give away that game.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ May 27, 2005 -> 02:38 PM) Thomsonmi Why must you retread this. There were already 7 threads made about Brian Anderson this week alone. I think that was my fault.........Baj should get his attention too