CWSGuy406 Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 I usually don't do this, but there was a lot of 'Baseball Offseason Preview' talk in this week's Sporting News. A lot of it is some scrambled news that we already know, but there's also some interesting stuff in there. I'll start off with Ken Rosenthal talking about Carlos Beltran: The Phillies badly need a center fielder. The White Sox would want Beltran in the likely event they lose free agent Magglio Ordonez. The Mariners, Orioles, Mets and Giants figure to show interest. It's been talked about a little bit here, but Rosenthal seems to think we might make a pretty nice push at Beltran. (I also should say to take everything FWIW - because, like Jim said in his Southtown posts, most of this is just speculationi.) Next, Rosenthal talks about Adrian Beltre, the prized FA third baseman (jumping ahead of Glaus with this awesome year) on the market: If new Dodgers owner Frank McCourt isn't willing to pay Beltre, the Angels, Giants, Red Sox, Tigers, and White Sox are among teams that could have interest. I guess the key word in there is could, but Beltre would absolutely kill the ball here. Then again, we've had right handed power hitters before, and it hasn't gotten us too far over the past couple years. However - if a team like, say, Boston, were to pick him up - could we then possibly swing a trade for Bill Mueller? All speculation at this point, and this is probably even more doubtful, with all of the 'Joe Crede's got one more year' ramblings. Interesting enough, I've seen a couple closers that Rosenthal seems to think will be available. Among the names being Danny Graves of Cincy, Jorge Julio of Baltimore, and even Dan Kolb of Milwaukee. The last thing a low-revenue team needs is a closer who will make $6.25 million next season. Graves' 41 saves are deceptive. His opponents this season batted .282. The Rockies will attempt to acquire an affordable closer; Orioles RHP Jorge Julio is one possibility, and the Brewers likely would listen to offers for RHP Dan Kolb. Kolb would be a great pickup, but then again so would Julio - Julio would be a nice start to a package for Paul Konerko - JMHO... And finally, Scott Merkin talking about the Sox need for another starter. There are a number of possible No. 1 starters on the free-agent market, but it's not certain whether the best options will fit under the salary guidelines the White Sox have set. The team's best option is more likely to upgrade the staff via trade, which could mean losing a valuable offensive commodity such as Carlos Lee or 1B Paul Konerko. Such a loss is a possibility even if RF Magglio Ordonez departs and frees up salary space. So -- besides looking at FA starting pitchers, which other ones are on teams that are looking to fill other holes? Does Kenny have the balls to make a trade for - hell, Randy Johnson? Could he actually get a deal like that done? Well - sorry for getting so dramatic at the end, but I post this for discussional and (perhaps) informational purposes only. I saw some interesting stuff in there and thought I'd pass it on to everyone on the board. I probably find the tid-bit about Kolb to be most interesting, I didn't think Milwaukee would let go of him. Who knows, though - it's all speculation, so it could be true, it might not be. I'm just interested in some others' thoughts on the stuff above... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Honda Civic Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 Kolb would be awsome at USCF -- he doesn't overpower anyone, but he gets them to put the ball in play on the ground. Plus heather would like him ISU grad and all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerty Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 Kolb would be awsome at USCF -- he doesn't overpower anyone, but he gets them to put the ball in play on the ground. Plus heather would like him ISU grad and all. His k/9 is 3.30. Only jimmy gobble and kirk rueter have lower for pitchers that have pitched at least 57 innings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Honda Civic Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 His k/9 is 3.30. Only jimmy gobble and kirk rueter have lower for pitchers that have pitched at least 57 innings. I know he went on a tear. He only had 9 K's at the ASB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 I know he went on a tear. He only had 9 K's at the ASB. And when he started striking people out, he started getting hit a little bit. That guys a stud. I want him on my team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 I could see KW going after Randy Johnson, but that is one trade I truly feel KW would be tempted to overpay. I'd rather he approach that need for a starter in some other way. I seem to recall that 'Zona (or somebody) was throwing around the names of Garland and Rowand as the START of a package for RJ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerty Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 I know he went on a tear. He only had 9 K's at the ASB. He had 11 at the all-star break. But he did pitch eleven more innings in the first half of the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmteam Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 I don't want Johnson, not for what it would take to get him. I'd rather get a younger, but still has a lot of potential pitcher. Someone along the lines of Joel Pineiro, perhaps, or anyone else that fits that mold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter Parque Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 I think Danny Kolb could be a good closer for this team Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 In regards to Beltre, its looking more likely that he will be a free agent. The papers are reporting he's asking for roughly 11-12 million which is doable, but wants a 6 to 7 year deal, which doesn't appear doable. Remember, they also have to sign Gagne long term this offseason. DePodesta said he wants to sign Beltre quick, but will not overpay for him. And no, he isn't coming to Chicago. If your going to spend that money, go after Beltran...case closed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 In regards to Beltre, its looking more likely that he will be a free agent. The papers are reporting he's asking for roughly 11-12 million which is doable, but wants a 6 to 7 year deal, which doesn't appear doable. Remember, they also have to sign Gagne long term this offseason. DePodesta said he wants to sign Beltre quick, but will not overpay for him. And no, he isn't coming to Chicago. If your going to spend that money, go after Beltran...case closed. No doubt about it. Beltran>>>>>>Beltre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
israel4ever Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 No doubt about it. Beltran>>>>>>Beltre I agree. Never spend big money on guys who have their best production (by far!) during their option year> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WSoxShuf Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 Can you imagine a presser with Beltre and Beltran being announced. Oh well that is why Dream world is great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 Can you imagine a presser with Beltre and Beltran being announced. Oh well that is why Dream world is great. For what Beltre would cost, give me a Lowell and a reliver anyday of the year. I don't like guys who explode for their contract drive. I haven't seen a lot of Beltre, but this situation always seems to work out badly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AddisonStSox Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 I remember an interview with Brewers Gm Doug Melvin saying he has no intentions what-so-ever of trading Danny Kolb. He is a star and they want to build up their bullpen, not take significant steps backwards. Make of this what you will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 I remember an interview with Brewers Gm Doug Melvin saying he has no intentions what-so-ever of trading Danny Kolb. He is a star and they want to build up their bullpen, not take significant steps backwards. Make of this what you will. Any word on whether the new Brewers ownership will pump up payroll at all to keep some of these guys for once? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AddisonStSox Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 Any word on whether the new Brewers ownership will pump up payroll at all to keep some of these guys for once? Melvin was really positive that 05' was going to be a big year. Now with Overbay, Russell Branyan (if anyone ever has a chance to watch this guy hit BP do it...he hits moonshots!!! so strong), sheets all producing consistently and with TOP prospects Prince Fielder (Cecil's kid) and Rickie Weeks right around the bend, they think can seriously compete as early as next year. I imagine we won't be seeing a Brewers "Garage Sale" much like the Pirates of 03' for quite some time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 Any word on whether the new Brewers ownership will pump up payroll at all to keep some of these guys for once? I read somewhere, though I can't recall off the top of my head, that the Brewers payroll will increase to like $40 mill next year...and while that is not a lot, consider that it is like a 50% increase(from about $27.5 mill this year, to the near $40 mill). I just hope they do keep this core together. The Brewers are friggin stacked and could be a fun team to watch over the next couple years. Also...if we were to trade for RJ...it would be around the ASB, because, for starters, he wouldn't accept a trade to Chicago anyways...his main goal is to get to the playoffs...so why would he come to a team in the offseason that hasn't been the to playoffs since 2000 and hasn't proven that they can consistently win? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Honda Civic Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 Don't get me started on the f***ing Brewers... They are not a baseball team.. They are a state supported business...Yes state supported. They benefit the most of any single team from the joke of a revenue sharing program the MLB has instated. The Selig's have put no money into that team ever since getting the new stadium built (which cost a few lives on top of taxpayer $$$) -- Now that the sale of the franchise appears to be going down, the Selig's are looking to turn a HUUUUGE profit despite never even attempting to put a competitive team on the field. And most of that profit is off of the blood, sweat, tears, and lives of the people who built that new stadium. You can not believe a single word you hear from within the Brewers organization, especially when they say they have intentions of increasing payroll. The new owners will take more that 6 months to take over, and by then the payroll for next season will already be determined. Look for the Seligs to ship out Kolb, as he is in his final year of arbitration before Free Agency, and install someone cheaper. Profits baby, profits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AddisonStSox Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 Don't get me started on the f***ing Brewers... They are not a baseball team.. They are a state supported business...Yes state supported. They benefit the most of any single team from the joke of a revenue sharing program the MLB has instated. The Selig's have put no money into that team ever since getting the new stadium built (which cost a few lives on top of taxpayer $$$) -- Now that the sale of the franchise appears to be going down, the Selig's are looking to turn a HUUUUGE profit despite never even attempting to put a competitive team on the field. And most of that profit is off of the blood, sweat, tears, and lives of the people who built that new stadium. You can not believe a single word you hear from within the Brewers organization, especially when they say they have intentions of increasing payroll. The new owners will take more that 6 months to take over, and by then the payroll for next season will already be determined. Look for the Seligs to ship out Kolb, as he is in his final year of arbitration before Free Agency, and install someone cheaper. Profits baby, profits. Settle down Homestar. "Seriously." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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