rcpweiner

Royce Clayton?

Whew.

I'll take a shot with some of my dream trades. (I'm throwing any no-trades or contact stipulations out the window here.) 1. Kong, Cabrera, Richar to the Angels for Kendrick, Jared Weaver, Kotchman 2. Thome to Yankees for Melky Cabrera, Ian Kennedy 3. Buehrle/Dye to Dodgers for Kemp/Billingsley 4. Javy to Brewers for Bill Hall 5. Crede to Rays for Edwin Jackson 6. Uribe to the A's for Dan Johnson Lineup: Cabrera, CF Kendrick, 2B Kemp, RF Johnson, DH Fields, 3B Kotchman, 1B A.J., C Quentin, LF Bill Hall, SS Weaver Danks Billingsley Gio/DLS/Ian Kennedy Floyd/Jackson Maybe not great this year (and some of my trades might be obviously be questionable), but fun exercise nevertheless.

I'm way more worried that Contreras is our number 3 than I am worried about Danks and Floyd as 4/5.

Anybody know how much time Figgins has left on his contract? If he does somehow become available, he's really the person to get, over anyone I can think of. Great leadoff hitter and a perfect guy to fill in for Richar (if he starts blowing), LF (if Quentin doesn't provide anything) or even CF at the beginning of the year. If he becomes available, Figgins is at the top of my list, over Rowand or Fukudome easily.

witesoxfan: You win.

Note: I meant one of Thome or Konerko, if that changes your Comic Book Guy stance.

Talk me out of why this trade wouldn't work: Konerko/Thome and Orlando Cabrera to the Angels for Howie Kendrick and Reggie Willits.

The only philosophical change that's necessary are in regards to our minor league system. The team needs to start drafting high upside-high price type prospects and not continue to play it safe. If you look at a team like the Yankees or even the Tigers (before this trade), they were built in relatively short time spans because of taking chances. This not only pays dividends by producing some home-grown talent (something the White Sox have done horribly over the past ... decade?), but also have the correct pieces when it comes to making blockbuster trades. As to the majors, the only gaping holes in the team right now are CF and that 5th SP (the bullpen might need some work, but that's not horribly out of shape right now). If they handle those two positions, it'll be a competitive team next year, just not in the same league as the Tigers are right now on paper. But really, right now, only the Red Sox are on that level. (Note: Please don't ask me to back up any of the above with "statistics" or "names" or "knowledge" of any kind.)

Yeah, how those teams are set up right now, I'd put CLE ahead of the Yanks.

This is quite the roller coaster ride of a thread.

Damnit. My stomach had just settled down, now it's all ulcer-ey again.

From Rotoworld: Would anyone be shocked if a Uribe-for-Rauch trade is in the works?

Interesting news from Rotoworld: $10-12 million for 4 years seems like a nice deal to me.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 01:16 PM) Iwamura isn't cutting it for you? My understanding is he's going to be manning 2B with Upton out in CF.

Is there a way we can move Crede, Quentin and one of those AAA pitchers to the Rays for Crawford? They'd be smart to get a veteran, short-term 3rd baseman to keep the position warm for Longoria.

QUOTE(AWhiteSoxinNJ @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 12:20 PM) Over at the WSI board, a poster of there who broke the Quentin deal with a source in the DBacks front office say another deal is being talked about in the early stages... Jesus. If that's the case, why don't the White Sox and D'Backs just get married and have babies together already! (Or, even better, they could just combine their teams to form one SUPER-SQUAD!)

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 10:37 AM) we all know we're going to wind up with a speedy guy at the top of the order, and now the only place we can find that guy is in CF, and there aren't any other speedy small guys available who could play CF other than JO. It's too bad you're right about the Sox trying to stick to that formula. Putting Cabrera at the top of the order should be on their list of things to do, unless they get a nice leadoff Crawford-type guy or something. Sticking Owens up there just because he's quick shouldn't be on their radar until he earns that kind of at-bats.

From BP, 2005: So, at least there WERE some high hopes for this fella. Does he get penciled into LF right away?

QUOTE(max power @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 09:55 AM) Uribe has no value at second base. Its an easy position to play and the guy simply sucks at the plate. Don't get me wrong. I'd much rather him be with another team next year. But if there's no takers, I'd rather start the year with him at 2nd and see if he can "return to form" rather than use him as a glorified bench player and giving the time to the extremely mediocre Richar. You have to think Uribe has a higher ceiling, so might as well give him a shot.

Four quick, easy fixes: a. Sign Bradley for a quick one-year fix at LF. b. Sign a long, 3-5 year deal with Rowand or Fukudome for CF. c. Get rid of Crede for ... anyone. Cash? d. Go sign a consistently decent, middle-of-the-pack free agent SP. 1. Cabrera, SS 2. Rowand / Fukudome, CF 3. Thome, DH 4. Konerko, 1B 5. Dye, RF 6. Bradley, LF 7. Fields, 3B 8. A.J., C 9. Uribe, 2B Bench: Owens, Richar, Sweeney, Hall (might as well keep him) Rotation: Buerlhe Javy Colon/Garcia/Livan Hernandez/Lohse/Carlos Silva ... those types* Contreras Danks/Floyd/Gio (Keep in mind, a 2nd or, hell, even 3rd pitcher from Danks/Floyd/Gio could supplant Contreras or the signed middle-of-the-pack starter with a good start or an injury.) Bullpen: Jenks, Linebrink, Mac & company *take your pick, I think they're all free agents

UPDATE: (wipes sweat off brow)

According to reports, Bradley's got an torn ACL but is looking to be ready by Opening Day. I think he'd be a nice cheap option in LF if all else fails. Anyone who's followed him for the past few years knows what a headache his injury history can be, but he's a great talent when healthy, and someone with something to prove this upcoming year. As to his "personality" issues, I think a lot of that's been overblown. He's more of a T.O. / A.J.-type type, someone who plays hard everyday but has a mouth that gets him into trouble. He's not a Michael Vick / Randy Moss on the Raiders-type, who have off-the-field issues or take plays off. Plus, especially after last year's end-of-the-year scuffle with the ump, he may be trying to prove something in THAT aspect too. (Also, for one reason or another, Bradley never seems to get into trouble for about a year after he signs somewhere; a one-year deal would make the most sense.) Just an idea I'm throwing out there. Definitely not on the top of the list of things to do, but something to consider if Kenny's unable to land any of the Big Boys. Thoughts?

Just saw this over at Rotoworld, and haven't seen it posted here yet: God, I hope that's not the case. If it is, yikes. The Twins would suddenly have one of the best collections of young talent around. Package together another pitcher or two (maybe Baker or Boof) for a young bat, and they'll be looking at another long run of division titles in a year or two.

I imagine that would put a kink in any Crawford trade.