aboz56 Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 By Phil Rogers Tribune baseball reporter January 30, 2004 Aaron Boone's basketball jones could turn out to be a good thing for the White Sox. While the New York Yankees don't know yet how much time Boone will miss from the knee he injured playing basketball, the likelihood is they will have to replace him. The Sox have two ways to fill the need, both involving shortstop Jose Valentin and achieving management's goal of creating a little payroll flexibility. Health concerns involving a couple of players involved in talks could put these scenarios on hold until spring training, but talks could heat up as soon as the Yankees get a read on Boone. With some risk-taking, it's possible Ozzie Guillen's lineup could be overhauled drastically in the near future, if not by the end of the SoxFest festivities this weekend. One simple possibility: Valentin goes to the Yankees for prospects and the defensively gifted Juan Uribe becomes a regular. The group of players available from New York includes left-handed-hitting outfielder Bubba Crosby and Triple-A pitchers Ramon Ramirez, Jorge DePaula and Scott Proctor. It is the complicated scenario, however, that is the most interesting: Valentin and Paul Konerko go to Anaheim, Troy Glaus (recovering from a torn right rotator cuff) goes to New York and left-hander Jarrod Washburn and center fielder Darin Erstad (limited to 67 games last year from hamstring problems) come to Chicago. The Yankees would send prospects, possibly including top minor-leaguers like infielders Joaquin Arias and Robinson Cano, to both the White Sox and Angels. Valentin and Konerko for Washburn and Erstad is essentially a cash-neutral proposition. But there are several ways this deal could be expanded, with one of them being that the White Sox insist on the Yankees taking Billy Koch's $6.375-million salary. While the New York payroll would climb, the hit isn't out of the question if the Yankees decline to pay Boone, who violated the terms of his contract by playing basketball. Anaheim reportedly is willing to move Glaus, who like Erstad played a huge role in the 2002 World Series. It has third-base prospect Dallas McPherson coming and isn't likely to sign Glaus to the extension that would keep him beyond 2004, not with Vladimir Guerrero in the lineup. There's nobody the Yankees could get who would be better than Glaus. But general manager Brian Cashman almost certainly would need to go through a third team because New York doesn't have a third baseman to send Anaheim. Valentin is the perfect bridge piece. He was surprisingly solid at third base when Jerry Manuel used him there for 149 games in 2001 and '02, showing above-average range. His left-handed bat seems suited for Yankee Stadium. He and Shane Halter would make at least an adequate third-base platoon in Anaheim, or he could split time with Miguel Cairo or Erick Almonte in New York. If Williams can pull off either of these deals, in particular one moving Konerko to Anaheim, the upside potential is great. The White Sox have lost some big pieces off their 2003 team but essentially are handing Guillen the same flawed nucleus that failed Manuel. It could be time for a real shakeup, not just another fine-tuning of the group that has averaged 83 victories the last three seasons. Uribe, a failed regular in Colorado, is only 24 but has played 314 big-league games. He has Gold Glove skills in the field and some power, though needs to improve his hitting. Sound familiar? That was the scouting report on Florida's Alex Gonzalez before Guillen arrived as a coach to push him. The White Sox and Angels have been talking about trades all winter but don't match up well because both want to move high-salaried players. But they could make a deal with the Yankees' help. Here's how the Sox could look if they did a Valentin-Konerko for Erstad-Washburn (or another pitcher, such as Ramon Ortiz or John Lackey) deal: 1B--Carlos Lee (some in the organization believe he would be above-average defensively if he moved from left field; 2B--Willie Harris; SS--Uribe; 3B--Joe Crede; LF--Aaron Rowand; CF--Erstad; RF--Magglio Ordonez; Rotation--Mark Buehrle, Esteban Loaiza, Washburn (or Ortiz or Lackey), Jon Garland and Scott Schoeneweis. That team would not have to rely as heavily on run production as the current model because it would have better starting pitching and be upgraded significantly in the field. It still would have Frank Thomas, Ordonez and Lee to provide firepower with Erstad providing a presence that has been lacking through the years. Sure, Erstad is a risk. He's owed $24 million over the next three years--the same basic value as the Konerko contract but for an additional year. There's no guarantee he will stay healthy. His .344 career on-base percentage was fattened considerably during his career year in 2000, when he hit .355 with a .409 OBP. But he brings a fierce presence the White Sox have been lacking. Things are going to be different under Guillen, but he appears to need more help than Williams has been able to give. Copyright © 2004, The Chicago Tribune Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RibbieRubarb Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 Interesting...But I would prefer Erstad at 1st base. But I wouldn't be against Carlos at 1st, that would give Chicago two Lee's playing 1st!! Wow, the media would have sooo much fun with that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RibbieRubarb Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 Interesting...But I would prefer Erstad at 1st base. But I wouldn't be against Carlos at 1st, that would give Chicago two Lee's playing 1st!! Wow, the media would have sooo much fun with that Actually, now that I think about it more. Erstad could be moved to LF, leaving rowand in CF. Darrin won a Gold Glove for LF in 2000. This could minimize his chances of getting injured. Carlos could move to 1st, having played 3rd in the minors. It would take some training, but I don't think the defensive impact would be as severe as past experiments like Valentin to CF. Our up the middle defense would be very good with Uribe at SS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Bartman's my idol Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 Lets do the second scenario, but I really don't want Lackey, I would take Ortiz or Washburn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 Actually, now that I think about it more. Erstad could be moved to LF, leaving rowand in CF. Darrin won a Gold Glove for LF in 2000. This could minimize his chances of getting injured. Carlos could move to 1st, having played 3rd in the minors. It would take some training, but I don't think the defensive impact would be as severe as past experiments like Valentin to CF. Our up the middle defense would be very good with Uribe at SS. I can't put my finger on it.. but I don't like Erstad. And a GG in 2000 means nothing after 4 years. Also, I don't think he's got the speed to patrol the outfield anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted January 30, 2004 Author Share Posted January 30, 2004 I can't put my finger on it.. but I don't like Erstad. And a GG in 2000 means nothing after 4 years. Also, I don't think he's got the speed to patrol the outfield anymore. He's always one dive away from a month or two stint on the DL. That's why they want to get him out of the outfield ASAP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RibbieRubarb Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 I can't put my finger on it.. but I don't like Erstad. And a GG in 2000 means nothing after 4 years. Also, I don't think he's got the speed to patrol the outfield anymore. But Steff...He's a grinder!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted January 30, 2004 Author Share Posted January 30, 2004 Someone should ask KW at the Q&A what grinders he has added this offseason.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Bartman's my idol Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 Right now I would like Erstads bat better than either Konerko or Valentin, minus the power, I don't like him at first base, but getting Washburn or Ortiz for Konerko/Valentin, (equivalent to straight up), I'm all for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofIChiSox Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 I love the players we've got, but I think it's time to do something to shake it up. I would also take Ortiz or Washburn, don't buy into Lackey, he did well on the biggest stage of all at the World Series, but beyond that Series, hasn't done much. I would keep Rowand in center and Erstad in Left and see what CLee can do at first. I don't know much about Uribe, but if what you guys all say is true, our defense up the middle would be much improved, and that's good news. MAKE A TRADE OF SOME SORT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 But Steff...He's a grinder!!! Yea.. I know. You're going tonight, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Bartman's my idol Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 Is it that important to get a bat in return? What about if we just get Washburn/Ortiz and Percival for Valentin and Konerko? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 Is it that important to get a bat in return? What about if we just get Washburn/Ortiz and Percival for Valentin and Konerko? With the uncertianty of the pitching staff... yea. If we can't stop them from scoring we might as well at least try to score more than them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Bartman's my idol Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 But with the addition of a solid starter and solid reliever, it could take some of the pressure off of having to score so many runs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 But with the addition of a solid starter and solid reliever, it could take some of the pressure off of having to score so many runs. Right.. with those additions. Problem is.. those additions haven't been made and don't appear to be a priority. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Bartman's my idol Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 What is a priority for the ChiSox, what if the Yankees and Angels offer to pay everyone's contract? Would KW go for that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 What is a priority for the ChiSox, That appears to be the million $$ question.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RibbieRubarb Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 Yea.. I know. You're going tonight, right? No, I won't be able to attend SoxFest this weekend. I am working on a show this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Showtime Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 This seems like a trade proposal from Rogers, more than an actual rumor floating around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beebeerichards Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 I like the infusion of speed into the lineup that this type of deal would bring. Having Harris, Uribe, Rowand, Erstad, not to mention CLee, Maggs and Olivo in the lineup would change us from a station to station....or station to double play team. The addition of a number 3 or 4 starter would be very welcome too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmmmmbeeer Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 This seems like a trade proposal from Rogers, more than an actual rumor floating around. agreed. not one word about any source, named or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 agreed. not one word about any source, named or not. Phil Rogers is a great speculator. Until we start to hear about this other places, I wouldn't think twice about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick03 Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 He's always one dive away from a month or two stint on the DL. That's why they want to get him out of the outfield ASAP. yea, but if it meant getting a quality pitcher, im all for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Bartman's my idol Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 The exact information is on ESPN online, under rumors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sox4lifeinPA Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 do you think the angel's would throw in the rally monkey as a deal sealer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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