2004 team

[BrandoFan]

1. ____ (Colon?)

2. Loaiza

3 Buerhle

4. Perez

5 Judy.

 

Marte

____ (Osuna?)

Showy

Kelly

Danny

Sully

Koch/Diaz

Rauch

 

1. Harris/Uribe

2. Reed/Rowand

3. Frank

4. Maggs

5 Carlos

6 Jose

7 Crede

8 Gload

9 Olivo

 

 

We need to build a 7-8 game lead at the ASB, so that JR will see that the team is probably going to win. That way he can shell out up to 5 extra Million with less than 2 months to go, which would allow Sox to beef up for (much tougher) playoff competition. With 6 weeks to go, 4.5 Mill can buy you 15 Mill worth of impact player talent. More if you give teams some Royce Ring-type prospects so they can pick up part of the salary.

 

If we get Colon early, then the impcat player could be Jim Edmonds or maybe even Vladimir or Delgado because the above is likely to be very average. Otherwise, a STUD ace should be a priority. I do NOT trust Burhle with the #2 spot and Loaiza as ace.

 

Suggestions, I am sure I am missing a lot of stuff.

[JoshPR]

Gload ain't gonna be a regular. I think he might be a good bench player but not a regular. I don't want Antonio" Get me worried" Osuna back.

[BrandoFan]

Gload ain't gonna be a regular. I think he might be a good bench player but not a regular

 

Get Matt Stairs to play 1B for under 1 Mill. He KILLS right-handed pitching.

 

With Gload, you get a player who makes 300K in place of a player who is making 8 Mill. Gload is faster and better defensively and can't possibly hit into as many double plays if he tried. The only thing he gotta do is have an 800 OPS against righties and he is MORE than welcome at first. Then get a cheap FA who can hit LHP to platoon.

[BrandoFan]

Forget aboutr Osuna. What about someone like Lightenberg?

[SoxFan562004]

The sad thing is that team could be favored to win the division!!!

But, as my post indicates I don't see Colon coming back, so what's everyone thing a rotation will look like without him, I got;

 

Buehrle

Esteban

Garnland

Perez/Showy

Jon "I spent last year in the Witness protection progarm" Rauch (I think he still has a good upside)

Also I can maybe see the signing Ponson who would be 2 or 3

 

With the bullpen I love having Marte anchor it, and I actually trust KW to build one (He did last year). If you look at Marte's numbers last year they were SICK!!!

 

Also, I don't put much stock in Gload, there's usually a reason a player is a career minor leaguer, I do like bringing back Daubach (sp?) though, and let's bring back Tony G. if they're not going to sign Colon or another middle infielder

[Capn12]

C'mon Brando...after his solid 2nd half this year, Jonny Garland at least deserves a short-term reprieve from the "Judy" title. If/When he reverts back to his lackluster performance level, THEN we can go back to Judy Garland.

[SoxFanForever]

Judy is too great a nickname to let go no matter what he does

[BrandoFan]

1. I have no respect for Judy. Cocky air-head who probably won't amount to much. Might have topped out. I don't know why everyone and their mova consider him "super-talented": his 94-95+ fastball is all but a memory; his curve is bad; his slider is bad; his change is average and his fourseamer has little movement. The ONLY thing that saves him is a sinker.

 

2. It appears Sully is gone. Good-riddance. That makes Kock and Ownedweiss all that more important. Danny Wright will be a solid long man cuz he won't have to conserve or hold anythnig back and can once again be effectively wild. None of that 90 mph fastball finesse garbage.

 

 

How awesome would it be if we could send Konerko and 2 prospect to LA for Perez and Ventura.

[Wong & Owens]

How awesome would it be if we could send Konerko and 2 prospect to LA for Perez and Ventura.

You had me up until this statement. Why would we want Ventura back? He's lefty, but he can't run, can't hit anymore, and we have Crede at 3B, and plenty of 1b-men.

[BurlyMan56]

Not wanting to start but to act as a top corner infield guy off the bench...A LH bat backing up Crede when he's in a slump, or needs time off, and for him to get some time playing first against righties...

[winninguglyin83]

Ventura ain't coming back -- and I doubt he'd want to.

 

He, too, left under less than ideal terms.

 

KW needs to find a starting pitcher. And a damn good one 'cause we're going to miss Bartolo's innings and ability to pitch complete games with our broken down bullpen

[BrandoFan]

You had me up until this statement.  Why would we want Ventura back?  He's lefty, but he can't run, can't hit anymore, and we have Crede at 3B, and plenty of 1b-men.

Oh common, Tolly:

 

1. Ventura had good years in a hitter's park in NY. He was bad in 2003, but I don't think he is done. He ain't no Rickey Henderson.

 

2. Crede can post a 850 OPS or a 650 one. You simply DON'T know. High risk. And it's not like he is all that great on the pads or with the glove. Ventura will be able to hit against RHP if Crede struggles out of the game or if we don't find Konerko's replacement at 1B.

 

3. One million a year for a fan-favorite Robin is GREAT for the Sox even if he ends up being a platoon.

[sox-r-us]

I know you guys hate him .... but I do not mind Kenny Lofton again as starting CF,,,with Rowand being the 4th OF for depth off the bench and against LH pitching/pinch hitting

 

Also, remove Sully from your list....HE GAWN

[BrandoFan]

I know you guys hate him .... but I do not mind Kenny Lofton again as starting CF,,,with Rowand being the 4th OF for depth off the bench and against LH pitching/pinch hitting

 

Also, remove Sully from your list....HE GAWN

Trust me what I say it, 2002 Giants nor 2003 Cubs would have been where they were (few outs away from winning the WS- since Cubs absolutely outplayed the Marlins in the first 5.8 games, I think they would haver beaten the Yankees) without Lofton setting the table. That b**** was absolutely unstoppable when they needed him.

 

And since I don't Rowand can hit RHP-ing and that Jeremy Reed should start the year in AAA, getting Lofton for under 2 Mill will be a good idea. As long as Sox stay in contention, he'll be good. If we start slowly, he's done.

[maggsmaggs]

In the pen Arnaldo Munoz, a lefty and Felix Diaz, a righty might be our new guns to replace Sullivan and Gordon.

 

TM PITCHER G W L SV ERA IP H BB K

CWS Diaz,F. 4 1 0 0 1.21 22.1 14 3 14

 

CWS Munoz,A. 5 2 0 2 0.00 8.1 4 5 11

 

In the Dominican League, Courtesy of Baseball America

[BrandoFan]

The first priority should be trying to dumb as much of Konerko's salary as possible. If we can get Odalis Perez, we should thank heavens. Koch is untradeable.

 

Then we need to address the ACE pitcher issue because Loaiza is not a #1 nor Burhle a #2 and Garland- 3. Looks like Pedro will not be dealt by Boston and Shilling is off the table as well. Kevin Brown is too old and injured, but might be the best option- again, around the deadline as his full-year salary is too much and Dodgers have playoff aspirations themselves I bet.

 

THEN, provided Lee gets arbitrationa and doesn't get much over 6 Mill, we need to resolve Ordonez issue. If Konerko is still with us, Maggs should be bye-bye, allowing us to use his money on said ace pitcher and USCF-loving Mike Cameron to play CF, provided he costs about 3-4 Mill.

 

Bullpen? Marte, Wunsht, Shownweiss, Wright, Koch won't get it done. We NEED a righty closer/set-up man. ERA under 3.50/good WHIP is a must. That's 2 Mill right there, unless we start throwing Ryan Wing-type prospects.'

 

Speaking of prospects, since we don't have lots of money and Soriano for Maggs/Konerko for Perez are pipe dreams, it looks like we must throw in a bunch of prospects in trades as our currency. There is no indication that payroll will ever exceed 60 Mill in 2004 and might stay under 55 at the opening day.

 

It should be kept in mind that making it to playoffs AND experiencing a rekindled fan interest is a absolutely a MINUMUM goal this season. Another year of underachieving will make 2004 offseason unbearable.

[Wong & Owens]

Oh common, Tolly:

 

1.  Ventura had good years in a hitter's park in NY.  He was bad in 2003, but I don't think he is done. He ain't no Rickey Henderson.

 

2.  Crede can post a 850 OPS or a 650 one. You simply DON'T know. High risk. And it's not like he is all that great on the pads or with the glove. Ventura will be able to hit against RHP if Crede struggles out of the game or if we don't find Konerko's replacement at 1B.

 

3.  One million a year for a fan-favorite Robin is GREAT for the Sox even if he ends up being a platoon.

1) Ventura's bat speed--while never one of his strengths--got even slower last year. If you can't catch up to a 90 mph fastball, you need to pack it up. Unless he ahd some injury I'm not aware of, I'd stay away.

 

2) Welcome to Major League Baseball if you're not from NY or Boston. With our payroll, we're just going to have to hope that Crede is the goods.

 

3) A mil is cheap for a fan fav, but a fan fav doesn't work the same way in Bridgeport, as it does in Wrigleyville. If the team ain't winning, having Ventura on the bench ain't going to amount to Jack Squat.

[Ishmookie]

mr stairs is a royal 670 reports

[Ishmookie]

Get Matt Stairs to play 1B for under 1 Mill. He KILLS right-handed pitching

[BrandoFan]

1)  Ventura's bat speed--while never one of his strengths--got even slower last year.  If you can't catch up to a 90 mph fastball, you need to pack it up.  Unless he ahd some injury I'm not aware of, I'd stay away.

 

2)  Welcome to Major League Baseball if you're not from NY or Boston.  With our payroll, we're just going to have to hope that Crede is the goods. 

 

3)  A mil is cheap for a fan fav, but a fan fav doesn't work the same way in Bridgeport, as it does in Wrigleyville.  If the team ain't winning, having Ventura on the bench ain't going to amount to Jack Squat.

BTW, I meant a pitcher's park Shea, not hitters. That makes Robin's already impressive 1999-2002 production (800+ OPS, very good RBI/ab ratio for a #6 hitter, etc) look a little better.

 

 

1. You're right, Robin is the type of player who relies on eye, discipline, homework and hand-eye coordination rather than pure batspeed/strenght-- and that's part of the reason why he never became the player her was supposed to based on college dominance.....but that also should only make the aging process slower because loss of quickness shouldn't hurt him as much as others. Look at 39yo Palmeiro or 41yo Edgar, 40 Galarraga after a 3 years layoff no less, Rickey Henderson just a few years ago, Julio Franco, Gwynn, Ripken, Alou. etc. They are much older than 36yo Robin. The better question should be, does Robin want it bad enough- at his age he has to work twice as hard just to avoid severe decline. And frankly he seems a little too satisfied and passive, kinda like 39yo Mark Grace did in 2002 when I relaized he was done......................In any case, you're greatly exagerating his loss of batspeed- it's not like we are talking about Royce Clayton hitter here. As bad as Robin was in 2003, he still mustered 750 OPS playing in a very good pitcher's park.

 

2. So we should stop trying to look for ways to minimize the inherent youth risks and make peace with our fate? There is a "risk" (Burhle, Marte suddenly sucking) and then there is RISK (Crede going into one of his patented 3-30 slumps where he can't hit RHP to save his life). I am not advocating getting a 10yo a year replacement in Troy Glaus here........All I am saying let's get a back up like Robin who will give you good defense (great at 1b), clubhouse presence and might bust out for 800+ OPS if you avoid starting him agaionst LHP, that is.. Crede and Rowand should earn play time against righties just like Valentin and Harris should earn the right to hit against lefties. Nothing should be be handed on a sliver platter.

 

3. I think it's the other way around. Wriggley will be filled up NO MATTER WHAT. While in USCF, everything depends on "names" and "team record" and "buzz"..........Getting Robin back means little if the team is losing, you're right, but if it's not it will generate EXTRA amount of fan good will around the team. Robin should finish his career as a Sock as should Frank and a few others- this team is starved for favorite and it's anti-player reputation needs to be changed.

 

So at JUST one million a year, I do not want to hear this bulls***. Getting Robin costs us almost nothing (risk is low in other words) and the reward is pretty big if he does succeeed, especially if he healthy enough.

[Gene Honda Civic]

BTW, I meant a pitcher's park Shea, not hitters.  That makes Robin's already impressive 1999-2002 production (800+ OPS, very good RBI/ab ratio for a #6 hitter, etc) look a little better.

 

 

1.  You're right, Robin is the type of player who relies on eye, discipline, homework and hand-eye coordination rather than pure batspeed/strenght-- and that's part of the reason why he never became the player her was supposed to based on college dominance.....but that also should only make the aging process slower because loss of quickness shouldn't hurt him as much as others. Look at 39yo Palmeiro or 41yo Edgar, 40 Galarraga after a 3 years layoff no less, Rickey Henderson just a few years ago, Julio Franco, Gwynn, Ripken, Alou. etc. They are much older than 36yo Robin. The better question should be, does Robin want it bad enough-  at his age he has to work twice as hard just to avoid severe decline.  And frankly he seems a little too satisfied and passive, kinda like 39yo Mark Grace did in 2002 when I relaized he was done......................In any case, you're greatly exagerating his loss of batspeed-  it's not like we are talking about Royce Clayton hitter here.  As bad as Robin was in 2003, he still mustered 750 OPS playing in a very good pitcher's park.

 

2. So we should stop trying to look for ways to minimize the inherent youth risks and make peace with our fate? There is a "risk" (Burhle, Marte suddenly sucking) and then there is RISK (Crede going into one of his patented 3-30 slumps where he can't hit RHP to save his life).    I am not advocating  getting a 10yo a year replacement in Troy Glaus here........All I am saying let's get a back up like Robin who will give you good defense (great at 1b), clubhouse presence and might bust out for 800+ OPS if you avoid starting him agaionst LHP, that is..  Crede and Rowand should earn play time against righties just like Valentin and Harris should earn the right to hit against lefties. 

 

3.  I think it's the other way around. Wriggley will be filled up NO MATTER WHAT.    While in USCF, everything depends on "names" and "team record" and "buzz"..........Getting Robin back means little if the team is losing, you're right, but if it's not it will generate EXTRA amount of fan good will around the team.  Robin should finish his career as a Sock as should Frank and a few others-  this team is starved for favorite and it's anti-player reputation needs to be changed.

 

So at JUST one million a year, I do not want to hear this bulls***.  Getting Robin costs us almost nothing (risk is low in other words) and the reward is pretty big if he does succeeed, especially if he healthy enough.

Ventura Signed with LA

[BrandoFan]

Ventura Signed with LA

Hence the Konerko, prospects, cash FOR Perez and Ventura

[Chisoxfn]

Can't trade prospects to get Ventura, you have to wait a certain amount of time to trade him.

 

In regards to Ventura I don't think he would be playing 3rd. Crede is already superior to him and his 2nd half showed some really good things. Crede will be just fine. His defense continues to get better and offensively he shows that he can hit the ball to all parts of the field and has power. He still has to improve his avg and draw more walks, but he keeps making improvements and was one of the few players always willing to move guys over and he had quite a few clutch hits.

 

I'm a big Crede fan though.

[BrandoFan]

1. Crede can learn footwork, positioning and subtelties of bunt-fielding and ball-releasing from Robin. The latter never had great quickness or arm strenght, but more than compensated for it.

 

2. Robin is a fan favorite and is one of the biggest names among the disgruntled Old Guard of Sox fans, most of whom are quasi-boycotting the park. Bringing him back may alleviate fans' wrath after losing Colon, Robbie, Flash, Sullivan, Konerko, etc. Sox need to find any "popularity" edge as they can. When the Clubhouse King Jose and his 5 Million are dropped, we need someone to fill in his shoes if anything else, lol.

 

3. I simply do not believe Robin is "done". Sorry, I still see an 800 OPS left in him, provided he plays as little as possible against lefties. Even after torrid 2nd half, Joe had only 690 OPS against RHP in 2003. He needs to be challenged.

 

4. If Konerko is moved and Daubach has no desire to play for peanuts (and he won't), Ventura will fill in nicely at no cost, dramatically improving defense in the process. I don't know about you, but I am f***ing tired of seeing Konerko letting a routine grounder roll right by him because his slow instincts and back won't allow him to bend for it fast enough. Garland alone should put out a hit on him for inflating his ERA by 20-30 points with his s***.

 

6. ONE MILLION- ONE f***ING MILLION.

[BrandoFan]

In cany case, we need about 15 Million on a true ace pitcher and stud RH set-up man/closer.

 

11 Mill if Konerko-for Perez happens. That still puts the payroll at about 65 when Lee and Burhle are taken care of. Unacceptable.