beck72 Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 AJ would be a pretty good #2 hitter good hit and run guy hits lefty contact hitter so can afford to take strikes when Podsednik steals. not great OBP, but certainly an upgrade over Davis. I'd platoon burke & AJ, release Davis and his salary. AJ would be fine batting 6, 7 or 8. He's not a #2 hitter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchetman Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 AJ would be fine batting 6, 7 or 8. He's not a #2 hitter And that would be why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upnorthsox Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 Davis would have to be non-tendered to make salary space for AJ, that'd be the only way it would be done. This means AJ would have to be signed by Monday, I'm not confident that it'll happen but at least the wait is short. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 And that would be why? No speed; Isn't as good a situational hitter as Uribe, Rowand; can't bunt; Hasn't hit in the #2 hole, want me to go on? The sox have far better options than AJ for the #2 spot. Ozzie doesn't want a guy who can't score from 1st on a double hitting in front of Frank or Dye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 The Washington Post reports that AJ cleared waivers on Thursday, which means he's free to negotiate a deal with any team. [And will likely come cheaper than his $3.5 mill 2004 salary] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchetman Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 No speed; Isn't as good a situational hitter as Uribe, Rowand; can't bunt; Hasn't hit in the #2 hole, want me to go on? He's got average speed, if you've ever seen him play. He's a better bat handler than Uribe. He's got a higher OBP than Uribe. KW says Rowand will bat down in the order. He wouldn't be your prototypical #2, but the Sox don't have one of those. You really want Uribe to be taking strike one and two while Podsednik tries to get a good jump? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KWs OK for Me Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 I think if Uribe is in the 2 spot SPod will steal a lot less bases. With AJ in the #2 spot it would open SPod up to run which would allow AJ to get him into 3rd with 1 out just by getting the ball in play (which he does quite well). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitetrain8601 Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 I agree, AJ on this team would be good. He's great for getting into other people's minds too. Can you imagine what he would've done if it was Torrii Hunter who ran him down? We wouldn't have seen Torii Hunter for the rest of the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxer83080 Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 I would love this move by signing AJ...He would be great in the 6th hole right after thomas, konerko, dye...When he was with the Twins...he hit great at the cell..The only concern I have is that he only threw out 17% base-stealers last year..But how much better is Ben Davis or Jamie Burke..In my mind, this would be a great move..So Kenny you have my approval..sign AJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevHead0881 Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 From the Boston Herald: "The Sox are continuing to have civil, daily dialogue with agent Scott Boras about free agent catcher Jason Varitek [stats, news], but continue to make little progress. Varitek must accept or reject arbitration by Sunday. If he rejects it, the sides will only be permitted to negotiate until Jan. 8. . . . A report out of Minnesota that the Sox had shown interest in former All-Star catcher A.J. Pierzynski appears to be premature. As long as they continue to have a shot at re-signing Varitek, the Sox will keep their distance from Pierzynski out of respect for the incumbent. Pierzynski, who batted .272 with 11 homers and 77 RBI in 131 games last season, was put on waivers by the San Francisco Giants earlier this week after Mike Matheny was signed to a three-year contract. The 27-year-old, who was acquired from the Twins on Nov. 14, 2003, made few friends in San Francisco. Pierzynski was paid $3.5 million in 2004 and is eligible for arbitration. If he clears waivers, however, he'll lose that right when he signs with a new team. . . ." ******************************************************************** Interesting. A team can pick him off waivers, but would have to be prepared to probably pay him more than $3.5 mill. in arb. But if he clears waivers, he'd be free to sign w/ any team, at a lower price. Would the sox claim him off waivers [or any other team] knowing he'd make at least $3.5 mill? Or wait and try to sign him as a FA? From the sounds of it, the sox have tried to talk with him, prob. to gauge his interest in joining the sox and clear up any questions. Ya sure this isn't the RED Sox? It is from the Boston Herald. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 He's got average speed, if you've ever seen him play. He's a better bat handler than Uribe. He's got a higher OBP than Uribe. KW says Rowand will bat down in the order. He wouldn't be your prototypical #2, but the Sox don't have one of those. You really want Uribe to be taking strike one and two while Podsednik tries to get a good jump? Yes, Uribe would be fine at the #2 spot if his 2005 is like his 2004 yr. IF the Sox got AJ [and that's a big IF] he wouldn't hit #2. You might want to argue this, but can you see Ozzie Guillen trying to make the case AJ is his best fit for that spot?! I can't. Avg speed? For a C maybe. Ozzie doesn't want a guy who hit into 27 DP's last yr near the top of the lineup. If that is avg speed for a LH hitter, I'd hate to see what a slow runner would look like BTW-Uribe hit very well w/ 2 strikes on him last yr, and is a good "bad ball" hitter. He seems very capable in the #2 spot, much more so than AJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 Ya sure this isn't the RED Sox? It is from the Boston Herald. I know its about the Red Sox. I was just pointing out the fact that if he cleared waivers, he could sign with any team and not have to go to ARB. [Which AJ cleared waivers, per the WP, and can negotiate a new deal] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 I think it's worth a shot putting Uribe in the number 2 slot. He's too aggressive right now, and that may force him to be more selective and therefore make him a better hitter. If he doesn't adjust in the short term, then bail on the experiment but I think it's worth a shot. He doesn't have to worry about his contract for a few years, so he might be open to "sacrificing for the team". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchetman Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 Avg speed? For a C maybe. Ozzie doesn't want a guy who hit into 27 DP's last yr near the top of the lineup. If that is avg speed for a LH hitter, I'd hate to see what a slow runner would look like AJ grounded into 27 DP's because Bonds was planted on 1B 300 times. He grounded into 27 the two previous years combined. Not that speed and DP's are correllated 1:1 anyway. (see Andruw Jones) But you're right. The book says catchers can't bat in the #2 slot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerty Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 AJ grounded into 27 DP's because Bonds was planted on 1B 300 times. He grounded into 27 the two previous years combined. Not that speed and DP's are correllated 1:1 anyway. (see Andruw Jones) But you're right. The book says catchers can't bat in the #2 slot. Catchers are not suppose to lead-off and kendall is one of the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upnorthsox Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 ARow in the 2 hole, EOS. Uribe? Puhlease! Don't be fooled too much by last yr, the 2 yrs before that he had an OBP less than .300 and you need a good OBP guy up there in the 2 hole. You also run the risk of him K'ing on 3 straight pitchouts. Maybe if he's in a hot streak but otherwise he should be hitting 8th. Unfortunately with the Lee trade we will probably have to hit ARow 3rd, at least until Frank comes back. If that's the case(and it is) I'd lean towards putting Willie up in the 2 spot, he's a decent OBP, he can bunt, and it bunches our two rabbits together for double steals and running rallies. My other suggestion, and don't laugh, is putting Crede up there. I have a few good reason why, but y'all are probably laughing too hard to read them so I won't bother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomsonmi Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 The book says catchers can't bat in the #2 slot. Two words and one number: Carlton Fisk 1983 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanOfCorn Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 ARow in the 2 hole, EOS. Uribe? Puhlease! Don't be fooled too much by last yr, the 2 yrs before that he had an OBP less than .300 and you need a good OBP guy up there in the 2 hole. You also run the risk of him K'ing on 3 straight pitchouts. Maybe if he's in a hot streak but otherwise he should be hitting 8th. Unfortunately with the Lee trade we will probably have to hit ARow 3rd, at least until Frank comes back. If that's the case(and it is) I'd lean towards putting Willie up in the 2 spot, he's a decent OBP, he can bunt, and it bunches our two rabbits together for double steals and running rallies. My other suggestion, and don't laugh, is putting Crede up there. I have a few good reason why, but y'all are probably laughing too hard to read them so I won't bother. Crede at #2 might not be a bad idea. opens holes for him and he'll see better pitches. the only thing I don't like is he strikes out too much. But a damn good suggestion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchetman Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 the score reported 6 teams, including the sox, are interested in AJ P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 the score reported 6 teams, including the sox, are interested in AJ P. Isn't he officially a FA now, after he cleared waivers yesterday [per the Washington post]? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchetman Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Isn't he officially a FA now, after he cleared waivers yesterday [per the Washington post]? i think so...the score said he'd sign with somebody by monday. which means nothing, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Showtime Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 i think so...the score said he'd sign with somebody by monday. which means nothing, of course. Ugh. Score has no inside news on anything outside of the Bears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchetman Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Ugh. Score has no inside news on anything outside of the Bears. yeah. i wonder if they just randomly make stuff up or what... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesox91403 Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Two words and one number: Carlton Fisk 1983 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 i think so...the score said he'd sign with somebody by monday. which means nothing, of course. Monday is the non-tender deadline, when teams offer their guys contracts. the sox could sign AJ and non-tender Davis. Other teams will be looking at the same thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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