Lillian

Look at Diaz' splits last year, at AAA: http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?playe...ing/2014/MINORS That was very good production vs. RHP, for a SS. If he is a good defender, he should definitely be in the mix, if Alexei is traded.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 23, 2014 -> 05:20 PM) Where did you see that at? Sorry, "Southsider2k5". Please read my post at the bottom of the same page (32).

I think that most of us agree that Semien, Sanchez and Johnson are all better suited at 2ND. In Semien's case 3RD may be where is most needed, as Gillaspie's platoon partner. That means that if Ramirez is traded, the competition for SS would likely be between Tyler Saladino, L. Garcia and Juan Diaz, not necessarily in that order. Of course there may be another acquisition.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Nov 23, 2014 -> 05:03 PM) This is all speculation, but Diaz is 30 I think, had a brief stint in the majors a few years back..he's a AAA player. And we know that L Garcia can field the position so I don't see Diaz with any real chance. If Semien can handle the position defensively, fantastic. I thought Sanchez was a SS more than a 2B. Maybe I'm wrong there. Diaz will turn 26 next month. He has 15 at bats in the Big Leagues, in 2012. Sanchez is widely regarded as being much better suited for 2ND. His arm and his range, would not play nearly as well at SS.

This is the best info on his defense that I can find: http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/gett...-loving-gloves/ It's from last month and states: " has a plus arm he used to lead Pacific Coast League shortstops in assists (325), putouts (156) and double plays (70)".

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Nov 23, 2014 -> 04:35 PM) Zero chance. Last behind (in no particular order): Semien, Sanchez, Saladino, Garcia and other (stop gap filler from free agency). Or Diaz just replaces any other backup minor league infielders we may have lost to minor league free agency Do you know for a fact that Diaz is not a good defensive SS? I wish someone would find a scouting report on his defense. Does anyone subscribe to a paying service that has the scouting report?

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Nov 23, 2014 -> 04:30 PM) Diaz is a AAA shortstop. He was signed for Charlotte. As any sort of prospect to make the Major League team, he's behind 5 ML ready or near-ready Sox Middle infielders (Johnson, Semien, Saldino, Sanchez, L Garcia). L Garcia can field the position and that may have to do for a year. You may be entirely correct. Isn't the key to who would play SS, the defensive skill of the respective candidates? We know that among all of the young middle infield prospects, only L. Garcia is a really good fielding SS. Sanchez is much better suited for 2ND. Semien is more likely to platoon with Gillaspie, and is not a plus defensive SS. Saladino is ok, but may not be ready right out of the gate, due to his surgery. Johnson is only suited for 2ND, if he can even play well enough there. Again, I don't know how good Diaz is defensively. My preference would be to play the best defensive SS, unless another is significantly better offensively. After all, I was even suggesting the idea of using Rondon, entirely on the merits of his stellar defense.

The more important point is that the Sox are not likely acquiring more middle infielders, unless they intend to trade Alexei. That is an area where the organization already has a lot of young candidates.

It appears that the front office has addressed this need, and that Juan Diaz has now been added to the mix. Where would you think that he ranks as the most likely candidate to play SS, this season, if Alexei is traded?

This move of acquiring Juan Diaz only increases the likelihood that there is something brewing with a Ramirez trade. The Sox have plenty of middle infielders, so this doesn't seem like an organizational roster fill in kind of move. The only thing that I can find about his defensive ability is that he has a strong arm, which is not surprising for a 6'4" SS. He could be the answer to the question; "Who fills the stop gap SS role until Tim Anderson is ready?" To reiterate; If he can play defense, and Kemp would be coming to the Sox in a trade centered around Alexei, I'd be thrilled. He wouldn't have to hit much with that lineup. Remember, this speculated move would not require the loss of a Draft pick. Moreover, if Diaz were to be the SS, his salary is inconsequential.

Woa!!! Calm down fellas. I'm not breaking any news here. That was the original rumor that we all had discussed. What seems likely are the following factors: 1) The Dodgers are "aggressively pursuing Alexei". That has been widely reported. 2) They want to move at least one veteran outfielder, and Kemp's name has been mentioned prominently. 3) They also want to reduce payroll. There doesn't seem to be much disputing those points, but it's not news.

The rumored deal centers around Alexei for Kemp. If that is the case, the difference between Kemp and Alexei is $11Million this coming season, and $11.5 million, the following year. In the third year, with Alexei's contract expiring, the difference is, of course, the full Kemp salary. However, Kemp is young enough to justify the $21.5 million per year for the final 3 years of the contract, during his age 32, 33 and 34 seasons. If L. A. were to take Danks' salary commitment for the duration of his contract, which is 2 years at $14.25 Million per year, they would actually be paying out more during the next 2 years with Alexei and Danks, then they would with Kemp. If they needed, or even wanted Danks, that might be acceptable to them. However, the Dodgers do not need or want him, and part of their motive in moving Kemp is to reduce payroll. Therefore, a trade of Alexei and Danks for Kemp, is not realistic, much less the notion that the Dodgers would also have to kick in some money. If the Sox could count on one of their inexpensive, young middle infielders to fill the void at SS, until Anderson or Rondon arrive, I would embrace having Kemp, to combine with Abreu, to form 2/3 of the heart of the Sox lineup, for the next 5 years. If the Sox could get the Dodgers to add a promising young player, that would make the proposed deal very compelling. I had originally suggested Scott Schebler.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Nov 23, 2014 -> 02:07 PM) Yeah, I'm only interested in Kemp if the Dodgers take Danks and throw in a small chunk of change. What would be your exact trade proposal for Kemp?

I read where the Sox acquired Joe Savery: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/11/mino...s-triunfel.html Why haven't I seen anything about it, on this board?

QUOTE (Dam8610 @ Nov 22, 2014 -> 07:52 PM) Could Alexei + Danks net Kemp + a better than lottery ticket prospect, or Kemp + two or three lottery tickets? That just seems like a match that makes sense to me. The Sox lower their payroll obligation, acquire a middle of the order OF bat (who would essentially be paid 4/30), and rid themselves of Danks, allowing Bassit and Noesi starting opportunities. Meanwhile, the Dodgers get an upgrade at SS and the back end of the rotation starter they're looking for, not to mention clearing their OF logjam. Is it just me, or does that make a lot of sense for both sides and seem like a reasonable deal? We have discussed this at great length, in the thread entitled; "Dodgers Aggressively Pursuing Alexei". You might find the thread interesting. The problem with the trade you are proposing is that the Dodgers do not need Danks, and are trying to reduce payroll. I think L. A. may indeed be willing to trade Kemp for Alexei, as they would acquire their stop gap SS, clear some payroll, and break up their outfield logjam.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Nov 22, 2014 -> 11:03 AM) Danks and Viciedo could likely be gone too. Eaton CF Ramirez SS Abreu 1B/DH LaRoche DH/1B Kemp LF Gillaspie 3B Garcia RF Flowers C Semien/Sanchez/Johnson 2B Rotation: Sale Quintana RH SP Noesi Filler until Rodon comes up (maybe a high upside arm in a Viciedo deal?) I'm sorry, but I must have missed something. How did we get Kemp, and still have Alexei?

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Nov 22, 2014 -> 07:39 AM) Please stop with this suggestion. Rondon would be so bad offensively that it would negate any value his defense would provide. On top of that, you'd be stunting his development significantly. Just an all-around horrible idea when you consider short-term and long-term goals. Alright, I'll "stop". I realize that it is not a suggestion that fits with conventional wisdom on this board. Although I don't quite understand how regular playing time in the big Leagues "stunts" a player's development. And, I do believe that Rondon is arguably the best defensive SS in the entire Minor Leagues. That said, whom do you recommend for SS, if Alexei is traded?

QUOTE (LDF @ Nov 22, 2014 -> 07:00 AM) if the sox do that trade, they may be hoping for that 1 yr stop gap, until Anderson is ready or worst case, that great defensive ss in the minors. I had written earlier, that Rondon could conceivably be pushed up to the Majors, because of his defensive prowess. Defense translates at higher levels. If a SS has great hands, instincts and the arm, there is no reason he can't employ those attributes equally at the Big League level. If anything, the better groomed infields might actually improve his performance. The other point I made was that with a lineup featuring Eaton, Abreu, LaRoche, Kemp, Garcia, and Gillaspie, I think the Sox could handle a weak hitting SS. Moreover, I've been intrigued by the fact that Rondon only recently started switch hitting. I believe that it was "Northsider72" who pointed that out. Rondon has actually been pretty good batting right handed. It might interesting to see what would happen if he just went back to hitting exclusively from the right side.

I just read a few more scouting reports on Arruebarrena, and I'd like to retract my suggestion that he be included in the trade. Although his defense is rated as a "Top 5 Major League type SS", his approach at the plate will obviously need more time in the Minors. He sure isn't worth the $5 Million per year, that he costs.

Alexei for Kemp and Arruebarrena. They acquire the last piece of the heart of their lineup, which becomes very potent. They get their outfielder They also acquire Alexei's replacement at SS, a slick fielder with offensive upside. They get a little younger. Kemp is 3 years younger, at a position where age is not as critical. I assume he plays a corner outfield. They maintain the Cuban connection, to help replace Alexei and the soon to be traded Viciedo.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Nov 21, 2014 -> 09:41 PM) C.Rondon in 2015? Just wow. It didn't work to carry Brian Anderson in 2006 when we had one of the best offenses in the league...andRondon wouldn't come close to Anderson's numbers offensively. Leury Garcia would make fewer errors than Rondon and nobody wants to see him on the roster even. I knew that some of you would find that idea outrageous, but if Rondon is as good a SS, as the scouts say he is, I don't think it would really matter how little he hit. I do find it surprising that you think L. Garcia would play better SS. OK, then let him be the offensive void at the bottom of the order. My point is simply that I don't think a potent lineup, such as what I'm proposing, would need offense from the 9TH spot. Here's my projected lineup: 1. Eaton CF 2. Gillaspie/Semien 3B 3. Abreu 1B 4. LaRoche/platoon ? 5. Kemp OF 6. Garcia OF 7. Flowers C 8. M. Johnson/Sanchez/Semien 9. ??? SS (Best Defender available) Trade Viciedo, perhaps for a bullpen arm. Sign a RH starting pitcher.

The Dodgers still want Alexei, and also want to move an outfielder, preferably one with a big salary. Now that the Sox have a middle of the order, left handed bat, Ethier is not the ideal return for Alexei. If the Sox could instead obtain Kemp, the offense could become very potent. SS could be filled by the best defensive option available, with little concern for offensive production. I personally wouldn't even mind Rondon. He is the best defensive SS in the organization, and arguably the best in the Minor Leagues. Defense translates very well to higher levels of competition. Bat him 9TH, and don't worry about what he contributes with his bat. Anderson is still at least a year or two away. He needs to polish his defense, and is therefore not yet a viable option. Vizquel broke in very young, and with no offensive skills, but he played brilliant defense, right at the outset, and eventually became a solid contributor, at the plate. A lineup that included Eaton, Abreu, LaRoche, Kemp, Gillaspie and Avi could afford a hole, at the bottom of the order.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Nov 21, 2014 -> 07:05 PM) If they have another 20-25 million left to spend. Melky 4 years/50 million Trade for Bruce. They don't have room for two more outfielders, and don't need two more guys who bat left handed (Cabrera being a switch hitter)

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Nov 21, 2014 -> 06:49 PM) This is nice. Does this mean the Q + prospects for Jay Bruce is off? You would certainly have to assume so. The need for a left handed middle of the order bat has been filled. Any outfielder whom the front office targets now, could bat either right or left handed. He will also likely be a more athletic, faster and better defensive player, not a plodding slugger like Bruce.

At this point, the Sox have two guys who will need to be platooned. Both Gillaspie and LaRoche should not face LHP. Most of us assumed that Semien would share 3B, and I would guess that Viciedo would be first in line to take the RH tandem for LaRoche. However, there may be more possibilities to emerge. So the wish list is now down to an outfielder, who now does not have to be left handed, a right handed starting pitcher, and a closer.