macsandz

QUOTE (sircaffey @ Nov 3, 2010 -> 07:40 PM) Why are some assuming Morel is going to be the starting 3B? The Teahen extension if nothing else, wouldn't have been made if the organization had that much confidence in Morel as a starter for 2011 or 12. Teahen and his $10 mil is going to be starting at 3B, imo. Unless something unforseen happens (trade, injury) all signs point to Morel as the opening day 3B. As well they should. He's gonna be a good one.

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Nov 3, 2010 -> 09:21 AM) How is he on defense? Not outstanding in the OF, but I suggest him as a 1B for the Sox.

He ranked 5th among MLB outfielders (min. 400 PAs) in on base percentage (.389) and tenth in OPS (.848). The guy is an OBP machine with power. This is the kind of player the Sox need more of: Quality at-bats with actual production. The Nationals' left-fielder has posted a .363 wOBA in each of the last five seasons, an accomplishment that none of Carl Crawford, Jason Bay, Andre Ethier, Corey Hart, Jayson Werth and Vladimir Guerrero can boast. In fact, with all the press Vlad has gotten for his resurgence this season, his 2010 .360 wOBA would represent Willingham's worst season since 2005, when he had 28 PA. After making $4.6million in 2010, he would be due for a raise to $6-7million in his last season of arbitration and would make more sense for the Sox at that level than CQ. He also projects as a Type A free agent after 2011, so there would be quality compensation if he walks.

QUOTE (Wanne @ Nov 2, 2010 -> 02:57 PM) I still see him in a Halo hat...with a DBag hat a close 2nd (they haven't done their typical PR move for a little while and are due to). Who knows...maybe SF will take a run at him too. Anybody that has teams that do spring in florida...you should probably cross them off your list. The Angels are not gonna need a 1B for a while. They have an absolute monster prospect in Mark Trumbo.

QUOTE (Real @ Nov 2, 2010 -> 01:43 PM) yes, its actually a business week, not a full week. So official deals can happen starting November 6th Guys i have my eyes on Grienke V.Mart BJ Upton Beltre AGon Rasmus Fielder (just bought the mlbtr iphone app) Eyes on for the Sox or guys you think will make impact moves to new teams? I would add: Kemp Butler ...for the Sox.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 2, 2010 -> 06:09 PM) Totally agree adding offense seems like the move for them, but 1b/DH just isn't the position. They'd be crazy to trade Morales in order to sign Konerko, and teams aren't going to want $9 million on Abreu as a DH next year (he really doesn't belong in the OF any more) with a $9 million vesting option if he gets about 440 PA's next year. I think they'll be in the game on Adrian Beltre. Plus, they need bullpen help. It's also been reported that they are also gonna chase after Crawford this off-season.

QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Nov 2, 2010 -> 04:37 PM) The D'Backs just declined LaRoche's option. I don't know if that means they will go after Konerko, but LaRoche might be a somewhat cheaper (and younger) option at 1st for the Sox... For some reason the Sox have passed on LaRoche several times in the past including when he was available last season both as a waiver claim and via trade at the deadline. They just aren't interested.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 2, 2010 -> 02:36 PM) Where will "Signed through 2013" Todd Helton play? He'll be on the DL with Jose Gullien and their Flintstone vitamins.

I don't see PK returning. He's gonna go west and likely to the NL. I'd say he'll sign for 2/$20M with COL.

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Oct 19, 2010 -> 10:56 AM) Hopefully he does pan out, but it's pretty hard to get excited about a guy who had a breakout year with a .315 OBP in single A, with not much power and who strikes out alot. Prospect? Yes. Potential? Sure, mostly because of his defense. Rate of prospect? Average. Not anymore. Leads the AFL with 4HRS. Baseball Prospectus "The more scouts see him, the more there is to like with plus defense and enough hitting ability to play every day."

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Oct 31, 2010 -> 02:47 PM) Travis Wood as well. I'd kill to have one of Mesoraco or Grandal as a catching prospect. The Reds farm system ain't bad. You almost got your wish as the Sox had targeted Grandal as their pick.

QUOTE (mmmmmbeeer @ Oct 30, 2010 -> 03:19 AM) Per Sportsline....and props to them for making fun of Cowley http://dave-andriesen.blogs.cbssports.com/...297882/25554357 Rasmus to the Sox has been out there on this board for weeks. I wrote it before and I stand by it. Any serious deal of Rasmus to the Sox starts with John Danks to St. Louis.

Baseball Prospectus taking notice: Eduardo Escobar, SS, White Sox (AFL: Saguaros): Shortstop prospects who really are shortstops are a rarity, and it's surprising the Escobar doesn't warrant more attention. The 21 year-old Venezuelan has above-average range and a plus-plus arm, and his bat started to show some signs of life in 2010, as Escobar showed a surprising ability to drive balls into the gap. In a system desperate for prospects, as a good defender with some offensive value, Escobar is the real deal.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 27, 2010 -> 03:17 AM) http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ti-h...vepreview102510 Dunn, of course....could be back in play if we actually had any money to spend. The Sox have plenty of money to spend. Especially if PK is off the books.

Escobar continues to impress: .342./.390/.526/.917 hit his second HR in 10 games yesterday.

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Oct 19, 2010 -> 11:14 AM) But right now he's a 21 year old who struggles getting on base, strikes out a ton, and doesn't have HR power, but has a great glove. Right now he's a kid who just homered and went 3-for-4 with a stolen base and two runs scored against among the best AA competition out there.

QUOTE (JoeCoolMan24 @ Oct 18, 2010 -> 06:40 PM) I really like that he is a switch hitter too. When was the last time the Sox had a decent switch hitter that wasn't 40+ years old? (Swisher sucked). Too bad he plays SS though. We are pretty well set/deep at 2B, SS, and 3B. The kid is making a name for himself and getting big exposure. Should be fun to watch in ST. You know Ozzie will love him.

If this kid continues to hit he's a top prospect. He's already got one of the best SS gloves in the minor leagues: .375/.412/.625/1.037 so far in ARZ. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...lb&c_id=mlb (Courtesy of South Side Sox) Eduardo Escobar, SS. 2010 MiLB line: Winston-Salem/Birmingham: .277/.316./.393. Escobar is a 21 year old switch-hitting shortstop out of Venezuela. His glove is fantastic - some argue close to the best at his position in the minors - and it's almost totally based on that skill that he ranks this high. His bat continues to be a work in progress, but progress was indeed made in 2010. His slight frame shows little projection in the way of power but what little is there he began to develop by increasing his doubles, resulting in a robust .116 ISO for the year. There are still concerns about his strikeouts - guys who don't hit for power should strive to at least make the defense work for outs - but he managed to keep them below the 20% he put up at Kannapolis in 2009 while playing at two higher levels. He's got a high floor - his glove will probably carry him to the majors, at least in a utility role - and a bit more progress with the bat and he could be a glove-first starter. ETA: Late 2012. He'll go back to Birmingham and, depending upon his offensive progress, may see Charlotte later in the season.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Oct 18, 2010 -> 08:59 AM) Oh come on back to you. Since when have the Sox signed a top line offensive free agent from another team? Alexei Ramirez and he's the best bargin in baseball.

QUOTE (Fantl916 @ Oct 18, 2010 -> 05:00 PM) i'm starting to be huge into the idea of colby rasmus. i know a lot of folk have talked danks + for him, anyone think they might take buerhle + morel + an arm or two for rasmus? then with the money saved we extend danks? good move for our future... anyone think it possible? No way. Buehrle is a pricey SOB next year. It would take D1 to land a young impact player like Rasmus.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 17, 2010 -> 12:46 PM) I'd still rather have him at that spot than Kotsay again. If Kotsay is anywhere near the Sox roster in 2011, i will personally blow up The Cell.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 17, 2010 -> 04:09 PM) I am not forgetting that. As a matter of a fact that is exactly why he is at his peak value to other clubs right now. Every bit of time that goes by lessens that value, because the team that trades for him will receive less time of Danks. You have to admit that starting pitching is the biggest strength of this team right now. It is also the thing that teams will pay the most to get. Its also dumb to be in win-now mode when you aren't looking for a way to get quality players to fill your biggest holes. Good stuff right there.^

QUOTE (Leonard Zelig @ Oct 16, 2010 -> 08:10 AM) You must be pretty confident that Danks will sign an extension? Because if he doesn't, there's a good chance won't be here past 2011. EXACTLY ^

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 15, 2010 -> 07:15 PM) Would you take that deal if Sale took over the rotation? Look at it this way. Trading D1 saves maybe about $7-$8 mil in arbitration this year. Putting Rasmus in RF Fills: the Left hand power bat opening, moves Quentin permanently to DH so the DH spot is filled with a guy who at least gives you 25 HR and an .800 OPS if he's healthy (which really isn't that bad for DH's in the AL based on last year), and we've got those spots filled with $15-20 million to spend, or more. That's plenty of money to keep Konerko, sign a catcher, and find a closer. Exactly what I was suggesting. I think Kenny is really gonna dangle D1 this offseason, and he should. An NL team would be nuts to not make a substantial move for him. He'd be a dominant SP in the NL. As I see it if the the Sox want to truly make a move in this division going forward there are a few things that must happen this winter: 1) Trade a rotation SP for talented, young and controlled OF talent. (Ideally lefty hitting power - Colby Rasmus / Travis Snider mold) 2) Do NOT resign Konerko. 3) Fortify the bullpen even further with available funds. (Soriano would be my target).

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Oct 15, 2010 -> 05:01 PM) Then let's get Albert Pujols. Makes about as much sense as the article on Rsmus and us trading Danks and 2 good prospects for the guy Danks make a ton of sense for the Cards and Rasmus for the Sox. John Danks is one of the very few trade chips the Sox have to get a quality, impact return for 2011 and beyond.