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phil rogers on the deal


thedoctor

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not a whole lot of new insight here. just basically says the deals hard to evaluate until kw makes other (expected) moves. also says sox should sign konerko to an extension.

 

here goes:

ANAHEIM -- So the White Sox really are serious about breaking up their formula for finishing second—that is, a glut of burly right-handed hitters in the middle of the lineup.

 

Trading Carlos Lee up the road was the result of a round of late meetings between the Sox and the Milwaukee Brewers as the winter meetings were breaking up.

The reason the deal wasn't made until Monday, according to at least one source, was because the White Sox were still trying to broker a deal that would send Randy Johnson to the Yankees and bring Javier Vazquez and a carload of cash to Chicago.

 

But the Diamondbacks must not have been convinced that Lee could play right field or move to first base. They already have the surgically repaired Luis Gonzalez in left. Paul Konerko, a consideration in talks between the White Sox and Arizona, no longer seems a fit as the Diamondbacks are prepared to shift Troy Glaus to first base if his shoulder is slow to respond to surgery.

 

Trading Lee is a risky move.

 

He has been a productive hitter since he arrived in the big leagues and has become an adequate left fielder. He could become a star in the National League, where the standard isn't quite as high for run-producers.

 

Talent for talent, Scott Podsednik and Luis Vizcaino for Lee is a mismatch. But there are financial considerations.

 

The White Sox would save more than $6 million in salary for next season, giving general manager Ken Williams more flexibility to add a starting pitcher or join the bidding for Japanese third baseman Norihiro Nakamura.

 

With Podsednik in center, the Sox could shift Aaron Rowand to left and play Jermaine Dye in right. That's a better defensive outfield than they've had in years.

 

The left-handed-hitting Podsednik led the NL with 70 stolen bases last season. But before getting too excited, his on-base percentage was .313, a huge drop from 2003, when he was a runner-up for Rookie of the Year.

 

Podsednik and Vizcaino for Lee is not a plus for the White Sox. But it's a deal that can't really be evaluated without knowing what Williams is going to do with the money he saves.

 

Without Magglio Ordonez, the Sox probably do need a drastic makeover. They had grown stale and it's going to take more than Carl Everett and a healthy Frank Thomas to make them into the team Ozzie Guillen envisions.

 

With Lee gone, Williams' next move should be to sign Konerko to a contract extension. He and Mark Buehrle are the leaders of this team.

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If Konerko starts the season hot I could see the Sox locking him up, especially if they have plans of potentially moving Thomas.

 

Konerko is a leader and a good guy. I have no problem dealing him either, but he is a very quality guy. I'm hoping he turns into a Jim Thome like masher from the right side of the plate (minus all the strikeouts).

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Ya, I like Rogers as a writer, but it seems like everyone is kind of out of the loop in terms of who they are targeting. Seems like Kenny's under the radar thing is working thus far.

 

Hell, if the Sox win a world series, maybe we should rename the site to www.undertheradar.com :lol:

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Podsednik better not be in CF over rowand ---

 

Arm - adv. Rowand

Reads/angles - adv. Rowand

Speed - adv Pod

Rowand still has good speed for a CF...but you're right in that Pod is faster..Arow is the obvious choice...i would sacrifice a little speed in center field for a better arm and a better reader.

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Podsednik better not be in CF over rowand ---

 

Arm - adv. Rowand

Reads/angles - adv. Rowand

Speed - adv Pod

Couldn't agree more. Kenny's quotes on defense specifically mentioned the upgrade of Pos' range in LF. I do agree, we'll see some really good range in LF and Lee never had anything but a below average arm (was better this season then any other season though) so its not like there is a loss there.

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