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Remaining of the offseason


S720

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Long time lurker and first time poster

 

As a long suffering Sox fan, I have to give kudo to KW for the trade that he just made that has lead the Sox to have the financial flexibility to add more important players and concurrently solves our leading hitter problem and strengthens our bullpen tremendously with the arrival of Vizcaino and Hermanson, both of whom are throwing in the mid 90s. With the advent of AJ being waived by San Fran, my wish list for finishing up the offseason is of following:

 

Loaiza - 5th starting pitcher (Loaiza was stunningly throwing in the low 90s during the playoff. Garland being 4th and Loaiza 5th would round out our starting pitching staff pretty well, IMO)

 

Polanco - 2nd (With Willie Harris backing up)

 

AJ - Catcher (Burke rotating)

 

If KW could pull this off, I truly feel that we would become the best team in our division.

 

Hitting Starters (in batting order)

 

1) Podsednik - CF

2) Rowand - LF

3) Thomas or Everett - DH

4) Konerko - 1B

5) Polanco - 2B :wub:

6) Uribe - SS

7) Dye - RF

8) AJ - C :wub:

9) Crede - 3B

 

Starting Pitchers (in rotation order)

 

1) Buehrle

2) Garcia

3) Contreras

4) Garland

5) Loaiza

 

Regarding our bullpen, it's solid with the acquisitions of Hermanson and Vizcaino.

 

It would be a solid and fun year should our team roster is as above. :)

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Loaiza was getting 3 year offers amazingly a week ago from the Nationals I think (Jim Bowden, suprise suprise), so it'll be doubtful he'll come back here. And I think the Sox would probably take their chances on Shoe or even Grilli (can't believe I just said that) instead of bringing him back.

 

Pierzynski though could be had for $4 million in that range if no team puts in a waiver claim and takes him to arbitration where he could get $5 million. I think the Dodgers will go after him fairly heavily though, since it's likely they won't be getting Jason Varitek. And welcome to SoxTalk finally. :cheers

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I like the Polanco acquisition, but Loaiza would be a mistake. He'd probably raise the asking price if KW inquired about him, but who knows?

 

If we can't get Clement, Odalis Perez or Milton (he's not officially signed yet and might not be), I'd like to see Millwood signed for 1-2 years, or one of the 3 pitchers for 1 year: Wilson Alvarez, Ismael Valdez, Aaron Sele or Ron Villone.

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I'd like to see the Sox get into the AJ Burnett sweepstakes.  He'd be worth tapping into our top minor leaguers for.

Yeah I've long been a fan of Burnett, and he'll be 2 years after major arm surgery at the beginning of next season. My question about him is this though, why doesn't Florida just lock him up to a 3 year deal for $21 to $24 million, instead of trading for Javier Vazquez and paying him the same amount?

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Welcome aboard. I agree that Grilli and Schoe will be given chances before we look back at Loaiza. I think we need to give Davis a chance to catch (he showed some potential last year) and if he faulters let Burke catch. Burke is a good hitter and a good fielder.

 

Contrary to other posters I like the team we have together. I'd feel more comfortable if we had another good starter, but the team we do have can definitely compete in our division. Then we can go get a rent-a-player after the All Star break if needed. Ben Sheets is one pitcher I know that will be a free agent after 2005.

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With the amount of money left, I guess my point is between acquiring:

 

1) AJ Pierzynski, Polanco and using a cheap pitcher (Loaiza or even Schoenweis) as 5th starter

 

2) Clement OR Oladis Perez without the acquisitions of AJ and Polanco

 

I would feel much better to have AJ and Polanco on our team. And this would make our team faster, "grindier" and stronger.

 

Let's see. Buehrle and Garcia would pull in 35 wins. Contreras probably pulls in 15 to 18 wins. Garland and the 5th starter perhaps 20 wins. Our solid bullpen can get us 20 to 25 wins. This would make our team winning bet. 90 and 98 games, and that's a division title, I hope. :cheers

 

Am I high on my so optimistic prediction?

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