Score just reported Sox sign AJ

[AddisonStSox]

Do we really know what we are gonna get from cora? His numbers jump up and down so much year to year.

 

Although his numbers vary year-to-year, I think its safe to say you know what you're getting.

 

In 138 games played last year, 8 errors, .987FPCT, .825ZR, 4.97RF.

 

I'm not too woried about his offensive production. .264avg, .364OBP, not stellar by any strech of the imagination, but very serviceable.

 

I'm also a big backer of Cora because I think he'll come at a great price. If Kenny signs him to the right deal, the Sox may still have some dough left over to address another middle infield issue, or start working with Aaron on his extension.

 

Just my opinion. Cora>Harris.

 

EDIT: Its also important to note Cora obtained his numbers against MLB pitching.

[quickman]

Yeah, I tried to delete two of mine and got an error message.  Maybe it's better that way 

 

Your last two sentences are still putting your own value judgements on the two players.  And that's fine, there's nothing wrong with that.  My point is not what I think or what we think about players, it's watching what the White Sox are doing and trying to draw conclusions.

 

You know the history.

 

- Harris says he's tentative on the basepaths.

-  Guillen does the eye roll at Harris' end of season comments.

- Guillen showed little faith in Harris to begin with.

-  Guillen states he will speak up more because now, no one can tell him what guys can and can't do.

-  Acquisitions have been made which clearly fit Guillen's philosophy.

- The White Sox postgame guy who rarely if ever rips on a player makes disparaging remarks about Harris.

- Most importantly, the White Sox are courting at least one other 2B if not two.  And one of the guys has zero MLB experience, from Japan.

 

All of the above clearly tell me they have no faith in Harris.  Doesn't make them right, or wrong.  But those are all pretty clear signals to me.

 

That's why I think Iguchi is Target A.  If they sign him, they will bring in a high level utility guy, like Cairo or maybe a trade.

 

If they don't sign him, I think it's Alex Cora and a utility guy and Harris is out.

 

Two more moves in my opinion.  Or should I say two additions, one subtraction.

Again, this is just what I think they'll do.  If it happens, we can analyze then.l

 

 

isn't that what I said? We are in agreement. Good.

[Guest JimH]

isn't that what I said?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Didn't I just tell you this afternoon, I have you on ignore ...

[mrzo2733]

thank you qwerty

[quickman]

Didn't I just tell you this afternoon, I have you on ignore ... 

 

 

the family will be at the door tommorrow. We can talk about things then. by that time we will have a new second baseman.

[Guest JimH]

We are in agreement.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

By the way, the other thing we agree on is your assessment of Larkin.

[Guest JimH]

the family will be at the door tommorrow. We can talk about things then. by that time we will have a new second baseman.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Have a good time, bowling nite for us. I will hold you to that prediction.

[DBAHO]

The Sox should consider themselves very lucky right about now. With the Shawn Green trade falling apart, the Dodgers won't be gettin Dioner Navarro, which means Paul DePodesta still needs a catcher. If we waited another day, we could have missed out on A.J all together.

 

Money wise this is a really a fantastic deal. How someone like Alex Gonzalez gets $1.75 million from the D-Rays and A.J only gets $2.25 million, well I'll never know. He'll bat 6th or 7th in the lineup, could hit over .300, will hardly strike out, is a lefty hitter, and could give us up to 20 home runs at the Cell. The only downside is that he's Konerko like in GIDP.

 

If the Sox are only $600,000 away from an Iguchi deal, they gotta find a way to sign him in my opinion. The guy has had 2 fantastic seasons in a row in Japan hitting at a pitchers park. And it could help our chances of signing Daisuke Matzusuka in the next off-season.

 

And if the Sox miss out on Iguchi, realistically Miguel Cairo should be their next option, not Alex Cora, because Cairo can hit LHP very well, plus he gives you the flexibility to play 2B and SS as well.

[mrzo2733]

I like Iguchi but if we do get Cora I won't mind. I don't know about you guys but the more people we have in the this organization and team that like each other- the better (Alex and Joey, Freddy and Ozzie). I know I've always played better in any sport when I truly like the people on my team. Its all about synergy, 1+1=3.

[3E8]

Its all about synergy, 1+1=3.

 

That was great.

[Guest JimH]

plus he gives you the flexibility to play 2B and SS as well.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Cora can play SS as well. But your point is well taken about Cairo's ability to hit LHP, assuming the Sox stick with Harris.

[DBAHO]

Cora can play SS as well.  But your point is well taken about Cairo's ability to hit LHP, assuming the Sox stick with Harris.

It depends on what the Sox would prefer. Cairo will hit for a higher average and will hit LHP better, while Cora is a better fielder and will probably have a little higher OBP.

[TheBlackSox8]

you also have the deal of iguchi and takatsu....having familiarity on the team...

[mrzo2733]

I thought it was pretty witty. Just because you don't know what it means doesn't mean its not true brah.

[3E8]

I thought it was pretty witty. Just because you don't know what it means doesn't mean its not true brah.

I wasn't being sarcastic. I really liked that line.

[captain video]

The signing of AJ solves two major problems -- it gives us a solid catcher and adds a left handed hitter to the lineup. If we sign Iguchi -- which I view as a risk worth taking -- KW gets a B+ from me! IMHO we still need to sign another starter. KW wanted a top of the rotation guy like JavierV or the Unit. He ended up with ElDuque. He has tried to sell it as getting a third starter -- but only time will tell. Over all KW did a great job getting players at "sox-friendly" money. ElDuque is a far better risk at 4 mil than most of the other guys who signed for 7-8-9 million per year or higher. I'd rather roll the dice on ElDuque than to over pay for a guy like Clement. We have Dustin H that can sub in as a starter. We also have two quality young guns in Cotts and BMac. We still need that "in-case-we-need-you" pitcher. If we sign that kind of guy -- and I am sure we will before Spring training. Then KW gets an "A"!

[GoodAsGould]

i think the mariners were really pulling for reed and at first they wanted reed and crede not either or... whatevr im happy with the trade still even though i really wanted to see reed play for us i like seeing garcia more

[hi8is]

The signing of AJ solves two major problems -- it gives us a solid catcher and adds a left handed hitter to the lineup. If we sign Iguchi -- which I view as a risk worth taking -- KW gets a B+ from me!  IMHO we still need to sign another starter.

 

your funny

[S720]

Everyone, please calm down. Kenny still has three more moves to be made:

 

1) Sign Iguchi

2) Sign Rob Nenn to a minor league contract

3) Trade Garland, Burke and Brian Anderson for Vazquez

 

Only then Kenny will be done with this offseason. Heck, even without the above signings and trade, I still bow to Kenny.

[ChWRoCk2]

Everyone, please calm down.  Kenny still has three more moves to be made:

 

1) Sign Iguchi

2) Sign Rob Nenn to a minor league contract

3) Trade Garland, Burke and Brian Anderson for Vazquez

 

Only then Kenny will be done with this offseason.  Heck, even without the above signings and trade, I still bow to Kenny.

 

rob nenn? cant remember the last time he played but we dont need to fool with him thats for the cubs to do

 

Im 50/50 on the iguchi signing idea, i want him because seems like japan players have success here, but ive never seen him and for all we know hes just a hype we are making bigger

 

Trade garland burke and anderson? if we did that i would definitely want some money from this, but i dont think this will happen

[CWSGuy406]

Everyone, please calm down.  Kenny still has three more moves to be made:

 

1) Sign Iguchi

2) Sign Rob Nenn to a minor league contract

3) Trade Garland, Burke and Brian Anderson for Vazquez

 

Only then Kenny will be done with this offseason.  Heck, even without the above signings and trade, I still bow to Kenny.

 

Jamie Burke would never be part of a trade. Other teams around the league don't want a 32 year old catcher who just has 133 ML AB's.

 

And anyways, I don't do that trade. Leave the rotation as it is, unless you can get a clear upgrade at a reasonable price. Vazquez, IMHO, isn't a clear upgrade, especially at that price.

 

I agree with the first two, though.

[qwerty]

Everyone, please calm down.  Kenny still has three more moves to be made:

 

1) Sign Iguchi

2) Sign Rob Nenn to a minor league contract

3) Trade Garland, Burke and Brian Anderson for Vazquez

 

Only then Kenny will be done with this offseason.  Heck, even without the above signings and trade, I still bow to Kenny.

 

Iguchi yes, no one else has heard anything else about nenn, not saying he is lying just saying no one else heard anything about it.

 

Trade Garland, Burke and Brian Anderson for Vazquez? Icky.

[ChWRoCk2]

I was thinking about that carlos lee trade after the signing and thought instead of acquiring a "player to be named" we might actually be better off getting cash out of the deal if that is possible.

 

That would definitely help our team.

[Wanne]

Can I ask why they only signed him for one year. I thought I read that he's not eligable to be a free agent until 2006. Do the Sox have an option on next year. I'd hate to have this guy for just one season...I mean...FINALLY...a catcher.

[CWSGuy406]

I was thinking about that carlos lee trade after the signing and thought instead of acquiring a "player to be named" we might actually be better off getting cash out of the deal if that is possible.

 

That would definitely help our team.

 

I definitely would have loved had Keith Ginter been the third guy in that deal (he kills LHP, and is a nice utility IF who could platoon with Harris @ second), but what's done is done, so no complaining from me.

 

 

In case anyone's interested, you can listen to the AJ Pierzynski Conference Call Here, and hear AJ speak about his new team. If anyone can find for me the Kenny Williams conference call, that'd be just dandy...

 

EDIT: I wanted to add this, I suggest for (there's not many here, but over at WSI, there's a bunch) some of you doubters to listen to the conference call. While I know you can't take a guy's word as gospel, he definitely sounds like a guy that wants to be here, wants to prove himself, and really wants to get back at those Twinkies...