jackie hayes Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 I agree on Zaun, he'd clearly make the team stronger but I don't think the White Sox will get him. From what I've read, Zaun is intent on a situation where he'll get lots of playing time. Zaun/Davis/Burke is a strong catching corps, and it allows Burke to function as the 25th man and as a 3B backup, but I doubt it happens. I like Cairo as well but think the Cardinals will get him. Honestly, I'd be happy with bringing in any of the three ... Cairo, Cora, Iguchi. The key is finding a competent guy to play backup SS. Valdez IMO should be an option only if someone goes on the DL. They have decisions to make, but what's encouraging is it's clear they're looking to bring in another middle IF. The easy way out is to just give the job to Valdez. By the way, if the Cardinals get Cairo I'm not crying. Anything that makes those other NL Central teams stronger is fine by me. Just asking, why do you think Zaun wouldn't get playing time here? His worst seasons as a pro (and his big downside is that he's spectacularly inconsistent, I admit) were better than the 2004 of Ben Davis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JimH Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 Just asking, why do you think Zaun wouldn't get playing time here? His worst seasons as a pro (and his big downside is that he's spectacularly inconsistent, I admit) were better than the 2004 of Ben Davis. Yes, i agree Zaun is at this point probably a better catcher than Davis. My comment was based more on the White Sox's thinking - I get the very strong impression they want to give Davis a legit shot at being the #1 guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishmookie Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 i like iguchi and want him but what happened to that japanese third baseman? and whats up with pierz? did somene get him yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilJester99 Posted December 29, 2004 Author Share Posted December 29, 2004 I don't believe anyone has signed Pier as of yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackie hayes Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 Yes, i agree Zaun is at this point probably a better catcher than Davis. My comment was based more on the White Sox's thinking - I get the very strong impression they want to give Davis a legit shot at being the #1 guy. Yeah, I get that impression too after hearing KW say that they've been looking at Davis for a while. (I don't know what they saw while looking...) But 2 teams have already said that, and each one gave up in short order. I don't think the Sox will be as patient with Davis. If I'm Zaun, I think that I can probably outplay Davis, so it may be worth the risk. At least if the money's comparable, b/c the Blue Jays don't have nearly the playoff shot that we do. If Davis does pull off the resurrection, I imagine Zaun will be traded, anyway. So it's a risk of a half season of playing time, not too bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JimH Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 Yeah, I get that impression too after hearing KW say that they've been looking at Davis for a while. (I don't know what they saw while looking...) But 2 teams have already said that, and each one gave up in short order. I don't think the Sox will be as patient with Davis. If I'm Zaun, I think that I can probably outplay Davis, so it may be worth the risk. At least if the money's comparable, b/c the Blue Jays don't have nearly the playoff shot that we do. If Davis does pull off the resurrection, I imagine Zaun will be traded, anyway. So it's a risk of a half season of playing time, not too bad. I agree with you, it makes sense. Unfortunately, I get the impression it might not make sense for the White Sox wallet. Zaun is a good, solid veteran catcher who works well with pitching staffs. He would be a good addition, no doubt. I thought I'd read the Blue Jays want to get it settled with him one way or the other by 1/8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilJester99 Posted December 29, 2004 Author Share Posted December 29, 2004 Here is something I found on ESPN boards about Iguchi...take it for what its worth I guess..... Detfan here......if you guys get him anywhere near the mlb.com 2yr/4mill, you'll have the biggest steal in FA. He can hit for avg., some power, steals alot of bases and good on base percentage for a potential leadoff. I been wishing the Tigers sign him and put Infante back to SS and Guillen to 3b, our loss your gain! Here is what ESPN said about him and his background stats from baseballguru.com : http://baseballguru.com/jalbright/analysis...Tadahito_Iguchi ESPN's take on him: Tadahito Iguchi (Daiei Hawks): A second baseman with tremendous speed. He stole 42 bases in 2003 and it was his second stolen base title. His fielding would also be above average. However, he has been playing on artificial turf. He could struggle on natural grass, just like Kaz Matsui did wth the Mets. He has some power, but he will mainly be the type of player who hits between the gaps. He cares about on-base percentage (his OBP for 2003 season was .438) more than hits and home runs, so he could transfer from the middle of the lineup to the leadoff spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilJester99 Posted December 29, 2004 Author Share Posted December 29, 2004 Here is a possible catcher the Sox could look at as well... Kenji Jojima dob Jun 8, 1976 BR TR pos C 2004 salary: $3.74 million YEAR G AB H 2B 3B HR BB AVG OB PCT SLG 2000 101 364 105 26 4 7 26 .289 .337 .435 2001 162 618 149 20 0 22 29 .241 .275 .379 2002 133 597 132 20 0 17 28 .220 .265 .342 2003 162 638 196 44 4 24 49 .308 .358 .500 2004 141 519 163 30 2 26 48 .315 .373 .533 He's improved his averages, his power, and his ability to take a walk in each of the last two seasons. Such a broad-based improvement speaks well of him. He's due to become a free agent after the 2005 season, so his team might opt to post him. He's captured the last six Gold Gloves for catching in the Pacific League, so you've got to think he's got the tools to be at least decent behind the plate, even in the majors. One question is his ability to communicate with his pitchers. It's hard to underestimate the importance of pitcher/catcher communication, and a language barrier can't help in that area. On the other hand, Tony Pena managed for a while with poor English, so it can be done. I just want to know if Jojima can do it. I'd like to know more about his arm, but even if it isn't great, you could live with it for a catcher who hits .300 and slugs .500 and should otherwise be solid behind the plate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RibbieRubarb Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 I hear he won't sign unless we give him a cool, techno intro like Shingo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 Interesting that Iguchi's 2004 salary was $2.25 mill. from Baseball Guru. I wonder what Shingo made in 2003. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 Shingo made $1.4 mill in 2003. The sox signed shingo to a $1 mill contract in 2004. Kaz Matsui made $2.9 mill in 2003. The Mets signed him to $6.7 mill contract Iguchi made $670,000 in 2003, $2.25 Mill in 2004. The sox $2 mill a yr offer was in line with the one they made Shingo last yr. The Mets offer was off the charts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Kickass Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 I hear he won't sign unless we give him a cool, techno intro like Shingo! Wasn't Shingo's entrance Mr. Roboto? There's nothing Techno about Styx. Maybe he could enter to Come Sail Away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxAce Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 Man, everytime I think of a new Japanese/Chinese star that comes in to America in the MLB, I always think what a great influense Ichiro has been. Without his amazing numbers here and his big popularity here and in his country, baseball wouldn't be like this as it is now, these foreners willing to go here. Ichiro has changed the game in a positive way but it wasn't him singlehandedly. It's like he grabbed the torch that could never light, and he lit it bright. Props to him. But of course, this is just how I feel about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JUGGERNAUT Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 Don't forget Hideo Nomo. I think he had a lot to do with Ichiro getting here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamTell Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 Nomo opened up a lot of foreign Asian players to come here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KittleWalk83 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 Iggy & his agent are forgetting one important detail: Kaz was a bust. There is no way he's going to get a Kaz contract. While there is no question Kaz didn't live up to the hype, can you say a guy is a bust after one season? I remember even after Ichrio had that awesome first season, there were questions if he could do it again. While his second season stats were not as good as his first season, it's clear he's a superstar. But whose to say that Kaz can't live up to the hype next season? If he bats 320, 15-20 hrs, 30 SB's etc he certainly wouldn't be a bust. Some guys, just like minor leaguers take awhile to adjust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilJester99 Posted December 30, 2004 Author Share Posted December 30, 2004 Don't forget about the "Toad" Hedeki Irabu as well....hehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 I don't know if this was mentioned, but does anyone know if Iguchi worked out for MLB teams? If so, how many teams watched him? I thought I read it somewhere, and it was for like 10, 11 teams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilJester99 Posted December 30, 2004 Author Share Posted December 30, 2004 I believe he did work out for teams...IIRC the Sox had a private workout with him b4 the winter meetings the day b4 everyone else did...I could be wrong on that though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upnorthsox Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 I don't know if this was mentioned, but does anyone know if Iguchi worked out for MLB teams? If so, how many teams watched him? I thought I read it somewhere, and it was for like 10, 11 teams I believe you're thinking of the 3rd baseman who's name I can't recall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilJester99 Posted December 30, 2004 Author Share Posted December 30, 2004 All I do know is thankfully St.Louis signed Robbie Alomar, so hopefully KW doesn't go out to try and get him again...but I wouldn't put it past him come August.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 I believe you're thinking of the 3rd baseman who's name I can't recall. Wouldn't Iguchi also work out for MLB teams? I just haven't seen any press reports talking about it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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