My offseason wish list

[whitesox61382]

1) Trade Koch and Konerko - The Sox wont get much, if anything, in return for these 2 because of their salaries and underperforming this year, but it would be an addition through subtraction. If the Sox want anything in return(a decent prospect for example), than they will have to inturn take on a big salary themselves, but I would rather the Sox almost give these 2 away(ala Millwood last offseason) and get MAYBE a so-so prospect at best while freeing some salary. Baltimore might be an option for Konerko with there need for offense and financial flexibility, and the Philadelphia might be an option for Koch with their need for bullpen help and financial flexibility. This is a lot easier said then done and probably wont happen.

 

2) Improve the middle infield(sign Cabrera and Castillo) - There is a strong correlation between a solid middle of the field(C,2B,SS,CF) and playoff teams. This is one area the Sox need to upgrade. Both Cabrera and Castillo are long-term options that not only improve the middle of the infield, but provide good OBP and speed to put at the top of the order. I know some people might want Tejada or Matsui, but I dont think the Sox will have the money to sign either of those 2, so why not invest the money it would take to sign 1 of those guys into signing Cabrera AND Castillo long-term. Besides, I would take Cabrera straight up over Tejada because he is a more complete player, not to mention that he will cost less. I still have questions about Japanese hitters in the majors, especially a guy that SO 121 times last year in Japan.

 

3) Resign Colon - The guy has been up and down, but none the less has put together a very solid season. He has been a workhorse and the innings that he has saved the Sox vulnerable bullpen cant be measured. The Sox top 4 starters have been one of the best combinations in the majors, so why change something that has worked so well.

 

4) Sign at least 2 dominating right handed relievers - There is also a strong correlation between a good bullpen and playoff teams. A weak bullpen was one of the key reasons that this team got off to a poor start. If the Sox can add 2 dominating right handed relievers(I count about 8-12 on the market) to go with Marte and Wunsch on the left side, than the Sox will have 4 very good relievers that it can count on in close games.

 

5) Sign Fullmer - With Konerko gone the Sox will need to find a cheap option to play 1B/DH. Not only does Fullmer have slightly better career numbers to Konerko, but he would add a lefty bat to the middle of the order and would cost about half as much as Konerko.

 

Do these 5 things and I think the Sox have a championship calibur team. They address almost all of the major weaknesses. They improve the middle of the infield, add 2 good OBP and speed guys for the top of the order, improve the bullpen, and add a lefty bat to the middle of the order. Here would be the lineup and approxiamate salaries:

 

1) Castillo 2B (6M/yr)

2) Cabrera SS (6M/yr)

3) Lee LF (6M/yr)

4) Maggs RF (10M/yr)

5) Fullmer DH/1B (3M/yr)

6) Thomas 1B/DH (6M/yr)

7) Crede 3B (300K/yr)

8) Rowand CF (300K/yr)

9) Olivo C (300K/yr)

 

1) Colon (10M/yr)

2) Buehrle (500K/yr)

3) Loiaza (3.5M/yr)

4) Garland (400K/yr)

5) Schoeneweis (1M/yr)

 

1) Right handed FA(Gordon) (3M/yr)

2) Right handed FA(Hawkins) (3M/yr)

3) Marte (300K/yr)

4) Wunsch (600K/yr)

5) Wright (300K/yr)

6) Ginter (300K/yr)

 

IF Miles (300K/yr)

IF/OF Harris (300K/yr)

C Rivera/Burke (300K/yr)

OF/1B Right handed FA (500K/yr)

utility FA (500K/yr)

 

Total Payroll approxiamately 60-66M/yr (assuming the Sox get prospects for Koch and Konerko and not a big salary).

[JoshPR]

I'd Rather Have SPiezio than Fullmer. But hey Great List Maybe Kenny Claus will answer

[Chisoxrd5]

1) Castillo 2B (6M/yr)

2) Cabrera SS (6M/yr)

3) Lee LF (6M/yr)

4) Maggs RF (10M/yr)

5) Fullmer DH/1B (3M/yr)

6) Thomas 1B/DH (6M/yr)

7) Crede 3B (300K/yr)

8) Rowand CF (300K/yr)

9) Olivo C (300K/yr)

Love your ideas....but you messed up on one thing!!

 

If Thomas stays you actually think hes gonna hit in the SIX HOLE!!?!?!?!?! HAHAHAHAHAH.....LOL boy would he b**** and moan hitting behind Brad Fullmer in your "projected" lineup!!!!

[Gene Honda Civic]

I'm no Salary expert. I'm sure someone will come through with the specifics.

 

Frank if he's back, would most likely be at 8 MIL

Maggs is due to make more than 10 MIL

Colon "was offered the largest contract in WS history for a pitcher"

Loiza will make 4 MIL

Buhrle is likely to be offered another contract, although I'm pretty sure he'll turn it down.

[southsider2k5]

I'm no Salary expert. I'm sure someone will come through with the specifics. 

 

Frank if he's back, would most likely be at 8 MIL

Maggs is due to make more than 10 MIL

Colon "was offered the largest contract in WS history for a pitcher"

Loiza will make 4 MIL

Buhrle is likely to be offered another contract, although I'm pretty sure he'll turn it down.

I could almost guarentee that Frank won't be back at $8 mil, either he exercizes his $6 mil option, or the Sox decline his $8 mil. It could be an easy cut of payroll in a position that we are way deep at.

[RibbieRubarb]

I'd launch Thomas and plug Everett back in.

KW likes him...he's a Grinder

[aboz56]

You've got a few major problems in your salary listings.

 

First off, Ordonez will make $14 million next season.

 

Secondly, you have Buehrle scheduled in at 500K. He's going to make a few million next season after his arbitration hearing this offseason. His salary will most likely be at $3 million.

 

Additionally, Cabrera and Castillo will not come to the Sox for those prices you are discussing. They'll get more from another team or take less to play somewhere else.

 

And to top it all off, we aren't going to be able to unload Koch. Konerko is possible, but highly unlikely.

[Harry Chappas]

Budget is set at $55M. Maggs is set at $14M, Buerhle will get at least $2M in arbitration and Schoenweis and Garland will get at least $1M in arbitration. Remove Colon, Cabrarea, and Castillo and you may be correct although I do not think they will give Konerko and Koch away as they both could turn it around. Sorry but I think they will lose all their free agents and pick-up a jouryman pitcher and sell us on the growth of players. Next year I think they will be the same as this with more hitting and less pitching.

[Capn12]

First off, there is no way you unload Koch right now, at his absolute lowest value possible. You tell Billy to go home, stay in shape, and don't pick up a baseball until February 2004. All you can hope is that the arm will recover from its overuse, and he can be back to 96-98 MPH. You can't get rid of the guy at 6+ mill owed in 2004, and get ANYTHING, and you'll probably be asked to take some of that salary to boot. Konerko, if it is possible, yeah, we should move him. Don't know if it is, but I wish we could. Herse the problem.

 

Maggs, Everett, Frank, Konerko

.....If you keep Frank and Konerko, Everett is as good as gone

.....if you keep Frank and Maggs, Everett is as good as gone, maybe PK

.....if you keep Everett and Frank, Konerko and maybe Maggs are gone

 

Theres no way to keep all 4, so who do you wanna see gone? Me, I would like to move Konerko if possible, and then decide between Everett and Maggs. If keeping Everett means we can get a real SS and/or sign Bartolo, then sorry, but Maggs and his $14 million salary have to go. We are too financially strapped by max payrolls to have one player make 20% of the payroll.

[whitesox61382]

"I'd Rather Have SPiezio than Fullmer."

 

I dont understand why people like Spiezio so much. Fullmer would most likely cost less considering he made only slightly more then 1M/yr last year opposed to Spiezio making over 4M/yr, and his career OPS is about .75 points higher then Spiezio's.

 

"If Thomas stays you actually think hes gonna hit in the SIX HOLE!!?!?!?!?! HAHAHAHAHAH.....LOL boy would he b**** and moan hitting behind Brad Fullmer in your "projected" lineup!!!!"

 

I did think about that. I think that would be the best lineup for the team, but in reality you would probably switch Fullmer and Thomas.

 

"Frank if he's back, would most likely be at 8 MIL"

 

I believe Frank has 2 options either 6M or 8M, and I have a feeling the Sox will let him go if he wants the 8M option. Off the top of my head I cant remember how they work though.

 

"Maggs is due to make more than 10 MIL"

 

I know Maggs salary gradually increases to 14M/yr by his last year, but I am not sure how much it is next year. I think it is in the 10-12M range, so I just guessed 10M. Thats one of the reasons I gave a range for the total payroll.

 

"Colon "was offered the largest contract in WS history for a pitcher"

 

I really cant imagine him getting more then 12M/yr even from the Yankees. The richest contract for a Sox pitcher isn't that much. What was the previous high? Navarro getting 20M for 4 years? In the end Colon will probably get between 10-12M/yr.

 

"Loiza will make 4 MIL"

 

I am pretty sure that Loiaza's option is for 3.5M.

 

"Buhrle is likely to be offered another contract, although I'm pretty sure he'll turn it down."

 

Is Buehrle arbitration eligible this year? If so he will get a nice pay increase or if he signs a new contract.

 

I am no salary expert either and thats why these are just estimations. My whole point is that the Sox could put a championship calibur team on the field with a payroll in the mid-60'sM.

 

"I'd launch Thomas and plug Everett back in."

 

I would much rather have Everett instead of Thomas as well, but Everett will probably get 8+M/yr on the open market after the year he put together.

[whitesox61382]

"You've got a few major problems in your salary listings."

 

To begin with I am not salary expert and that is why the word estimation and approxiamation are used as well as a range for the total payroll. Using my estimations the payroll would be about 63M/yr, but I used a range to leave for some flexibility, so add 4-6M/yr to that 63M/yr and you will have you total. You missed the main point though. The main point is that the Sox could field a championship calibur team with a payroll in the mid 60'sM/yr.

 

"First off, Ordonez will make $14 million next season."

 

Is next year the last year of his contract, because I was pretty sure that his salary increased gradually over the course of the years ending at 14M/yr in the last year.

 

"Secondly, you have Buehrle scheduled in at 500K. He's going to make a few million next season after his arbitration hearing this offseason. His salary will most likely be at $3 million."

 

I doubt that it will be as high as 3M/yr next year unless the Sox offer him a long-term contract worth 3M/yr. Zito only got about 3M/yr with his new contract, if I am not mistaken, and he is better then Buehrle. Buehrle won't get 3M from arbritration.

 

"Additionally, Cabrera and Castillo will not come to the Sox for those prices you are discussing. They'll get more from another team or take less to play somewhere else"

 

I think 6-8M/yr is the range you will see both sign for. Why are you so sure that they will decide to sign elsewhere at cheaper prices instead of sign with the Sox for my estimated prices. Is it just for arguements sake, because it appears that you(and I for that matter) arent sure how much Cabrera and Castillo will get, but you left yourself a way out by saying if they sign for less then they will sign eslewhere.

 

"And to top it all off, we aren't going to be able to unload Koch. Konerko is possible, but highly unlikely."

 

Please read the title of this thread. Its my WISH list. At no point did I say any of these would happen. I even mention that somethings are almost certain not to happen, but the offseason is long and I am just listing the things I would like to see done.

 

"Budget is set at $55M."

 

Do you have a link for this or is this just your estimation? If it is true that the Sox offered Colon a big contract and he signs, than that will almost guarantee that the Sox will have a payroll over 55M even if they let all other FA go, so I am a little skeptical about your 55M budget statement.

 

"although I do not think they will give Konerko and Koch away as they both could turn it around."

 

Even if they turn it around they still arent worth the money that they are being paid. I was one of the few people that said the Sox should get rid of Konerko after last year when people asked who would you get rid of Konerko or Lee. He is a one dimension player. I also was never a big fan of Koch. Even though he was the rolaids relief winner last year I remember that he gave A's fans a heartattack every time out there and was overrated. I would give both away because of the financial flexibility that it would give the Sox. Its like the saying goes, you need to know when to cut your loses and get out when you can, so you can find a better investment.

 

"Sorry but I think they will lose all their free agents and pick-up a jouryman pitcher and sell us on the growth of players."

 

I think you are right, but once again this is MY WISH LIST.

 

".....if you keep Frank and Maggs, Everett is as good as gone, maybe PK"

 

This is the senerio that I would like to see. I dont mind losing 2 out of the 4 as long as one of them is Konerko.

[Chisoxfn]

Did you subtract the 4.5 mill that Jose Valentin made.

 

First off...I am with you 100%. I think the two of us should walk into Sox headquarters and lay down our list cause we pretty much see eye to eye.

 

The only worry I'd have with Fullmer is whether he's 100%. I am almost positive he would be as he's a workout nut and was on base to have an awesome year last season.

 

Stick him at the DH and your set...You can not play him at first, it will be ugly with him and Frank there, imo. Spiezo is an awesome defensive player which is why I like him. I couldn't possibly see Spiezo get more then 2 million either.

 

Other then that we agree 100%. I would of said deal Koch, but I just don't know if its possible. Personally I think Koch is more marketable then Konerko. Koch was a stud a lot longer then Konerko ever was. Plus you take a shot on Koch and he pans out then you can sign him the next year...you don't have a long term contract to take on. If Konerko flops then your stuck for a few more years.

 

I'd offer Konerko to the Orioles and try to get a prospect that you see something out of (Not a highly rated one) and just take the money and if you could do the same for Koch and Philly then I'd do that too. Figure you pay some of the salaries then you can get 10 mill freed up. That assumes you pay 5 mill in contracts.

 

With that 10 mill freed up you can get your middle infield. I think at the most that would cost 12 mill. Then you use the 4.5 mill that was allocated for Jose and give it to Colon/Your New First Baseman. Then the only real increase you see comes with the arbitration guys. Carlos won't get a huge huge raise cause he was already well paid. I see him right around 3 yr 15 mill and JG won't get much of a raise and I think Buehrle can only go up a certain amount, like 1 mill or so. Then next year he will get a huge jump. Still, I see the Sox going long term with him for about 4 mill.

 

Basically at 6-8 mill on the beginning payroll from last year and your set if you can move those two. Take what Gordon/Sully made and bring back two guys their caliber. You then go with those two...plus Marte, Wright, Wunsch a rookie and then either cheap vet or another youngster.

 

Scho is in the 5th slot.

 

Here's the exact salary breakdown:

+12 Mill for 2nd/ss

- 4.5 Mill for Jose

- 10 Mill between Koch/Konerko (Estimate...assume sox pay 5 mill)

+ 1 Mill for Frank

+3-4 Mill to give Gordon or whomever a raise and add another good reliever

+ 1 mill on Carlos

+ 3 mill on Buehrle (Give him that extension)

+ 2 mill on Loaiza (Don't know what exactly it figures too)

+ 4 Mill on Maggs (Not sure if thats what it is)

 

Thats 62.5 Mill or so. If the Sox can renegotiate with Magglio on a long term deal that pays him fairly, I think you could save about 4 mill here, which would bump ya around 58 mill. If this doesn't work, then the Sox could deal Maggs to another team that has cheaper young guys that could come up and contribute right now. This could get them their 5th starter and of course an outfielder plus some prospects.

[whitesox247]

If we could get someone like Javier Vazquez, I would gladly let Colon go.

 

Getting Luis Castillo would also make a huge difference.

[JoshPR]

Did you subtract the 4.5 mill that Jose Valentin made.

 

First off...I am with you 100%.  I think the two of us should walk into Sox headquarters and lay down our list  cause we pretty much see eye to eye.

 

The only worry I'd have with Fullmer is whether he's 100%. I am almost positive he would be as he's a workout nut and was on base to have an awesome year last season.

 

Stick him at the DH and your set...You can not play him at first, it will be ugly with him and Frank there, imo.  Spiezo is an awesome defensive player which is why I like him.  I couldn't possibly see Spiezo get more then 2 million either.

 

Other then that we agree 100%.  I would of said deal Koch, but I just don't know if its possible.  Personally I think Koch is more marketable then Konerko.  Koch was a stud a lot longer then Konerko ever was.  Plus you take a shot on Koch and he pans out then you can sign him the next year...you don't have a long term contract to take on.  If Konerko flops then your stuck for a few more years.

 

I'd offer Konerko to the Orioles and try to get a prospect that you see something out of (Not a highly rated one) and just take the money and if you could do the same for Koch and Philly then I'd do that too.  Figure you pay some of the salaries then you can get 10 mill freed up.  That assumes you pay 5 mill in contracts. 

 

With that 10 mill freed up you can get your middle infield.  I think at the most that would cost 12 mill.  Then you use the 4.5 mill that was allocated for Jose and give it to Colon/Your New First Baseman.  Then the only real increase you see comes with the arbitration guys.  Carlos won't get a huge huge raise cause he was already well paid.  I see him right around 3 yr 15 mill and JG won't get much of a raise and I think Buehrle can only go up a certain amount, like 1 mill or so.  Then next year he will get a huge jump.  Still, I see the Sox going long term with him for about 4 mill. 

 

Basically at 6-8 mill on the beginning payroll from last year and your set if you can move those two.  Take what Gordon/Sully made and bring back two guys their caliber.  You then go with those two...plus Marte, Wright, Wunsch a rookie and then either cheap vet or another youngster. 

 

Scho is in the 5th slot. 

 

Here's the exact salary breakdown:

+12 Mill for 2nd/ss

- 4.5 Mill for Jose

- 10 Mill between Koch/Konerko (Estimate...assume sox pay 5 mill)

+ 1 Mill for Frank

+3-4 Mill to give Gordon or whomever a raise and add another good reliever

+ 1 mill on Carlos

+ 3 mill on Buehrle (Give him that extension)

+ 2 mill on Loaiza (Don't know what exactly it figures too)

+ 4 Mill on Maggs (Not sure if thats what it is)

 

Thats 62.5 Mill or so.  If the Sox can renegotiate with Magglio on a long term deal that pays him fairly, I think you could save about 4 mill here, which would bump ya around 58 mill.  If this doesn't work, then the Sox could deal Maggs to another team that has cheaper young guys that could come up and contribute right now.  This could get them their 5th starter and of course an outfielder plus some prospects.

Remember Scott Sullivan has an Option too

[Chisoxfn]

Did you subtract the 4.5 mill that Jose Valentin made.

 

First off...I am with you 100%.  I think the two of us should walk into Sox headquarters and lay down our list  cause we pretty much see eye to eye.

 

The only worry I'd have with Fullmer is whether he's 100%. I am almost positive he would be as he's a workout nut and was on base to have an awesome year last season.

 

Stick him at the DH and your set...You can not play him at first, it will be ugly with him and Frank there, imo.  Spiezo is an awesome defensive player which is why I like him.  I couldn't possibly see Spiezo get more then 2 million either.

 

Other then that we agree 100%.  I would of said deal Koch, but I just don't know if its possible.  Personally I think Koch is more marketable then Konerko.  Koch was a stud a lot longer then Konerko ever was.  Plus you take a shot on Koch and he pans out then you can sign him the next year...you don't have a long term contract to take on.  If Konerko flops then your stuck for a few more years.

 

I'd offer Konerko to the Orioles and try to get a prospect that you see something out of (Not a highly rated one) and just take the money and if you could do the same for Koch and Philly then I'd do that too.  Figure you pay some of the salaries then you can get 10 mill freed up.  That assumes you pay 5 mill in contracts. 

 

With that 10 mill freed up you can get your middle infield.  I think at the most that would cost 12 mill.  Then you use the 4.5 mill that was allocated for Jose and give it to Colon/Your New First Baseman.  Then the only real increase you see comes with the arbitration guys.  Carlos won't get a huge huge raise cause he was already well paid.  I see him right around 3 yr 15 mill and JG won't get much of a raise and I think Buehrle can only go up a certain amount, like 1 mill or so.  Then next year he will get a huge jump.  Still, I see the Sox going long term with him for about 4 mill. 

 

Basically at 6-8 mill on the beginning payroll from last year and your set if you can move those two.  Take what Gordon/Sully made and bring back two guys their caliber.  You then go with those two...plus Marte, Wright, Wunsch a rookie and then either cheap vet or another youngster. 

 

Scho is in the 5th slot. 

 

Here's the exact salary breakdown:

+12 Mill for 2nd/ss

- 4.5 Mill for Jose

- 10 Mill between Koch/Konerko (Estimate...assume sox pay 5 mill)

+ 1 Mill for Frank

+3-4 Mill to give Gordon or whomever a raise and add another good reliever

+ 1 mill on Carlos

+ 3 mill on Buehrle (Give him that extension)

+ 2 mill on Loaiza (Don't know what exactly it figures too)

+ 4 Mill on Maggs (Not sure if thats what it is)

 

Thats 62.5 Mill or so.  If the Sox can renegotiate with Magglio on a long term deal that pays him fairly, I think you could save about 4 mill here, which would bump ya around 58 mill.  If this doesn't work, then the Sox could deal Maggs to another team that has cheaper young guys that could come up and contribute right now.  This could get them their 5th starter and of course an outfielder plus some prospects.

Remember Scott Sullivan has an Option too

Ya...I assumed that money in the reliever area to bring in two relievers. I'd like Sully back, but I wouldn't exercise the option, I'd give him a 2 yr 5 mill deal and I believe that would be more then fair.

[greg775]

Why both a new ss and 2b?

I don't think that is necessarily wise.

[whitesox61382]

"Why both a new ss and 2b?

I don't think that is necessarily wise."

 

I am from the old school belief that a strong middle of the field(C,2B,SS,CF) is an important aspect in winning. What do you think the Sox should do? Resign Alomar and Valentin? Both are below average at their respective positions and are on the downside of their careers, so why invest a good sum of money on aging veterans when you can sign talented guys in the prime of their careers(Castillo and Cabrera for example) for just a little more $? I am also not sold on either Miles or Harris being an everyday 2B either. Harris has yet to show that he can hit in the majors and Miles has career minor leaguer/utility infielder written all over him. To me solidifing/improving the middle infield should be one of the top goals, if not goal #1. I would love nothing more then for the Sox to invest about 14M/yr combined over about 4 years and sign Castillo and Cabrera to play the middle infield for years to come. Not only would these 2 solidify the middle infield defensively, but they are good OBP and speed guys that would fill the holes at the top of the batting order.

[Al Lopez Ghost (old)]

I'd go nuts trying to figure out how much each guy is gonna make, so this is without having totaled up these numbers, but since KW said the budget will only go up marginally, and they're offering Colon a huge contract, I wouldn't be surprised if they trade Maggs. Welcome to the hitless wonders, 2004.

[DBAHO]

I'd go nuts trying to figure out how much each guy is gonna make, so this is without having totaled up these numbers, but since KW said the budget will only go up marginally, and they're offering Colon a huge contract, I wouldn't be surprised if they trade Maggs. Welcome to the hitless wonders, 2004.

I'd rather be a team with good pitching than a team that's gonna try and slug their way to the playoffs. Pitching wins ballgames, just look at Oakland.

[greg775]

Good point, but I wouldn't mind seeing Robbie come back.

And Jose V. did whack what, 28 hrs?

That isn't too bad.

I would like to acquire Guzman somehow.

Is he a FA?

[whitesoxfan99]

Good point, but I wouldn't mind seeing Robbie come back.

And Jose V. did whack what, 28 hrs?

That isn't too bad.

I would like to acquire Guzman somehow.

Is he a FA?

No way do I want Jose back. Yeah, he hit 28 HR but he also hit .230 with an OBP of .300.

[witesoxfan]

Guzman ain't going anywhere....I mean, who would replace Guzman at SS if they were to hypothetically let him go? Absolutely NO ONE.