This morning's trade rumors

[JUGGERNAUT]

From the various rumor pages at prosportsdaily.com:

A source close to Burnett indicated he would not sign with the White Sox He is seeking a Pavano ($40M/4) like contract as a FA. Burnett as a rent-a-player would cost about $1.3M by the deadline.

 

If the White Sox were to trade Marte they'd look to Embree, Kline or Villone to fill that void.

 

Guillen: “El Duque was outstanding. I think that was the best I have seen him in a long time."

 

My 2 cents:

I do not like this trade if it ends at Burnett. Career-wise he is 43-44 & just 6-6 w a 3.65 ERA since he returned from elbow surgery.

 

Would you trade BMac & Marte to a NL team to secure fireballing Wagner for the playoffs? I would. When it's all said it done it will have cost you about $3M to upgrade your bullpen to the best in MLB. The Phillies are on record as saying they would trade Wagner for Burnett.

 

With Thomas down, we need a clutch hitting bat in the middle of the lineup

Everett (1/19) over this homestand (< .260 now).

 

Konerko (7/52) in 2005 with RISP, 2 outs.

 

The White Sox are 13-15 vs contenders in the AL.

 

Ken Griffey Jr: RON (runners on), RISP (runners in scoring position) splits 2005

RON 2B: 4/22 (788OPS). RON 3B: 6/14 (1386 OPS). RON, 1&2:9/35 (811 OPS).

RON 1&3: 2/11 (690OPS). RON 2&3: 1/3 (1933 OPS). RON BL: 3/7 (1000OPS)

RON 1: 24/69 (959OPS).

 

RON 2out: 19/62 (1072OPS).

Close & Late: 10/41 (1068OPS).

 

RON overall: 49/161 (304A, 383O, 559S, 942OPS).

RISP overall: 25/92 (272A, 366O, 565S, 931OPS).

RISP, 2 out: 13/39 (333A, 458O, 795S, 1253OPS).

 

This is as much of a no-brainer as you'll ever see. Stop thinking KGJ HAS to play CF.

I don't want to hear about what a sup-bar OF he is or how he can't play the corners.

He can play them as good as Pods, Everett, Timo, & any other sub we have right now. Is Pods a better sub for Rowand in CF than Griffey? Hell No! Pods is an average LF at best. He does not have good instincts as an OFer.

 

There is an immediate hole to fill right now (DH) that Griffey can step in & assume.

When/if Thomas returns it will be with no better status than before. He'll still need someone to platoon with him. I would take Griffey over Everett in a heartbeat in that role. Everett looks to be running out of gas .. again.

 

As for the future this is pretty simple:

Griffey at 1B. Griffey has always been considered to be one of the best glove men in the game. It goes w/out saying he can sub for Rowand in CF any given year his ideal position that will keep him the healthiest is 1B/DH. Would he accept the role? I think so. His recent comments this year pertaining to his health seem to suggest he knows his playing days in CF are coming to an end. There is no question in my mind that he can be as good a 1B as Konerko & grooming him as such in ST 2006 is the best case scenario for the White Sox.

 

With Thomas becoming a bigger ? mark this season his price is plummeting. JR is now likely to be able to re-negotiate a better deal than the last one with Thomas. A lot better. Griffey & Thomas will solidify 1B&DH for the remainder of Griffey's contract. More importantly Griffey can sub for any OF position which makes him a versatile player.

 

 

As for Vizquel, I'm beginning to think this is a WSox fan's dream & nothing more.

I've not read one rumor any where that remotely indicates the Giant's GM entertaining offers for Vizquel.

[Milkman delivers]

If we're going to get Kline or Embree, I'll be pissed.

[SnB]

after last night, i realized how non threatening the heart of our order is. Of all the top teams, we have the worst middle of the lineup. I'm up for overpaying for a bat, not for a starter.

[Greg The Bull Luzinski]

after last night, i realized how non threatening the heart of our order is.  Of all the top teams, we have the worst middle of the lineup.  I'm up for overpaying for a bat, not for a starter.

 

I could not agree with you more. The Red Yankees have Ramirez and Ortiz, you can change a game in a flash. Konerko certainly does not intimidate pitchers. Thomas will never hit higher than .250 again, in reality we are better off without him. If we could get somebody like Griffey, that would be a major coup as he bats 3 or 4 and gives the offense instant credibilty. Even if it meant giving up Rowand, I would be for it. As last night was proof, we do not need pitching, we need somebody to hit with runners on base rather than popping out like Konerko and Thomas do virtually every time. Our best clutch hitter usually bats 6th. That is a problem.

[Chisoxfn]

After last night, thats all I could say.  GET ANOTHER BAT. KW, overpay, do what you have to do, the 3-4-5 can be shut down, and has been time and time again. Something needs to be done.

For those wanting a bat. My question is who gets replaced in the lineup and who do you all want?

[EvilJester99]

My choice would be get rid of Paulie Walnuts and of course to replace him I want Overbay but not sure if Milwaukee would deal him right now...

[Dick Allen]

For those wanting a bat.  My question is who gets replaced in the lineup and who do you all want?

KW wants another bat. Levine was saying they came in second for Graffinino and for Randa. So he knows more offense is in order. I think with Frank out, it opens up a spot for a guy at any position.

[southsideirish71]

For those wanting a bat.  My question is who gets replaced in the lineup and who do you all want?

 

 

Uribe would be the most likely guy.

 

Vizquel as your number 2. Move gooch further back in the lineup so he can swing away. I think it gets the front of the lineup even better, and improves an inconsistant back of the lineup.

 

Pods

Viz

Arow

Dye

Everett

Kong/Gload

AJ

Crede

Gooch

[Dick Allen]

Uribe would be the most likely guy.

 

Vizquel as your number 2.  Move gooch further back in the lineup so he can swing away.  I think it gets the front of the lineup even better, and improves an inconsistant back of the lineup. 

 

Pods

Viz

Arow

Dye

Everett

Kong/Gload

AJ

Crede

Gooch

 

 

Vizquel is not available.

[SoxFan1]

PK is not going anywhere this season, count it. HE WILL NOT BE TRADED. KW doesnt want to f*** up the whole chemistry thing. Hes not going anywhere.

 

On the other hand, I would want to replace PK in the order. Overbay and Tracy would be primary targets ff it was to happen at the deadline, which it wont. In the off-season, I'd love for KW to let PK go and get a Mike Sweeney, a Lyle Overbay, a Chad Tracy, a Eurubiel Durazo, or somone who is even a little clutch and wouldn't pop up EVERY single time with runners on.

[Chisoxfn]

Uribe would be the most likely guy.

 

Vizquel as your number 2.  Move gooch further back in the lineup so he can swing away.  I think it gets the front of the lineup even better, and improves an inconsistant back of the lineup. 

 

Pods

Viz

Arow

Dye

Everett

Kong/Gload

AJ

Crede

Gooch

I've been clammoring for Omar for weeks, but I'm convinced Vizquel isn't available. Considering how much the Sox liked him this past off-season and considering how Omar wanted to go to the Sox, it would make too much sense. Since I haven't ever heard his name really seriously tied to rumors I'm going to assume he's not on the market.

[Steve Bartman's my idol]

Im all for Griff, move Rowand to right, and play Dye, Paulie, Carl in 2 of 3 positions at either 1st or DH.

[Chisoxfn]

KW wants another bat. Levine was saying they came in second for Graffinino and for Randa. So he knows more offense is in order. I think with Frank out, it opens up a spot for a guy at any position.

So does Everett get the heave-ho? He's done a good job at DH, even though he is in a funk his past 4 games or so.

 

Obviously the Sox could use a middle of the order bat, but I don't see them getting rid of a guy like Paulie or Aaron or someone else in order to fill it.

 

Joe Randa or Graff would of given the club depth if Crede went down, but aside from that they wouldn't put the club over the top.

[South Side Fireworks Man]

For those wanting a bat.  My question is who gets replaced in the lineup and who do you all want?

If the Sox were willing to take on his obscene contract, Griffey can be had for prospects, I'm sure.

 

He could take Timo's place on the roster. That means he can play some DH, some CF, and some RF. Carl becomes the #4 outfielder and plays some DH.

 

If it's now or never, I say KW should do this deal, if JR allows it.

[WilliamTell]

That'd be awesome to get Griffey. He has a no trade clause I think, right? If so, he'd have to be willing to come and I think he would because the Sox have a lot better chance to make the playoffs than the Reds do.

[EvilJester99]

Oh I am well aware that Paulie won't get dealt but a guy can dream right...he is one of the least clutch hitters on this team....I can't stand seeing him come up with runners on because its either a GIDP , a weak pop up or a K...

[Chisoxfn]

Griffey is having a good year, I don't doubt that. I still don't see where this move makes sense, both now and long term. He shouldn't be a CF (I wouldn't risk it and I wouldn't let him play there every day), especially with Rowand in CF (he's a better defensive CF than Griffey).

 

Plus the contract is awful, obviously the Reds would be willing to pick up a decent amount of it for a few prospects. IF they took on a good amount of money they'd want Bmac, Tracey and something else (they'd want pitching prospects, imo). If they didn't take as much on the contract, my guess would be Gio and Tracey or something involving lower level guys who haven't proven as much.

 

Obviously in terms of prospects, it woudln't be that bad, but do the Sox risk shaking the lineup up that much? What happens when Frank comes back. You get a ton of depth, which is nice, and I guess it would only be for a month or two anyway until Frank and Paulie walked, but I'd be shocked if a team made these type of changes after rolling out to the best record in baseball.

 

It be easy if you could deal Konerko and prospects for a guy like Pujols (serious upgrade that wouldn't totally shake up the roster). Notice I'm just throwing out some randomly obvious upgrade (not at all saying to trade for Pujols). However thats the type of deal I'd like to see him look at.

 

For example, if there was a top SS available....Uribe/Anderson and someone else for a really good shortstop, I'd do it. I'd also think about keeping Uribe and using him as a super sub.

[WilliamTell]

I see both sides to the Griffey trade. At first it sounds great, but we have so many outfielders at the major league level and some good prospects also, and then there's Borchard, haha. Anyways unless we were giving up like Dye or Everett, which I don't see happening, there's no reason for the trade, it just sounds cool to get Griffey.

[Chisoxfn]

Alright since I saw this name....I would think of a Jermaine Dye for Ken Griffey swap. I think the Reds would listen simply because they'd save a lot of money. I wouldn't give them a top prospect in the deal.

 

The problem is Griffey doesn't want to leave Cinncy and I Think he has a full no-trade clause. If he's heatlhy he's a major upgrade to the lineup, plus he brings a left handed bat with power.

 

The big thing I want to see is Aaron Rowand moving into the 2 hole with Guchi sliding down.

 

But if the Sox made a deal with Cincy, I'd rather get Freel. He's a really solid ballplayer.

[EvilJester99]

Could you imagine Griffey hitting at USCF though?? The guy would own that place...plus you could use him at DH from time to time to rest him a bit.

[Milkman delivers]

If we were to get Griffey, he should ONLY DH.

[VAfan]

Griffey, Griffey, Griffey.

 

As a DH replacement for Frank Thomas, he would be more expensive, though with Frank's recent run of injuries, probably not less reliable. He has no future in the outfield. His ZR number is about the worst in baseball.

 

I just don't see how you get that deal done when KW thinks he already has the equivalent player -- Carl Everett -- in the lineup. I'm not saying Everett is the same player, just that KW thinks he is.

 

Plus we have Ross Gload as an extra LH bat who can fill the same roles.

 

The marginal value Griffey might add is not worth the complications of his contract.

[Chisoxfn]

Griffey, Griffey, Griffey.

 

As a DH replacement for Frank Thomas, he would be more expensive, though with Frank's recent run of injuries, probably not less reliable.  He has no future in the outfield.  His ZR number is about the worst in baseball. 

 

I just don't see how you get that deal done when KW thinks he already has the equivalent player -- Carl Everett -- in the lineup.  I'm not saying Everett is the same player, just that KW thinks he is. 

 

Plus we have Ross Gload as an extra LH bat who can fill the same roles. 

 

The marginal value Griffey might add is not worth the complications of his contract.

If the Sox are willing to bench Thomas/Everett than I think this would make a lot of sense. Griffey is better than both of them (although Everett has been huge for the club this year). Plus it adds that lefty bat and I'd stick him in the middle of the order.

[daa84]

If the Sox are willing to bench Thomas/Everett than I think this would make a lot of sense.  Griffey is better than both of them (although Everett has been huge for the club this year).  Plus it adds that lefty bat and I'd stick him in the middle of the order.

if thomas is gonna be out for a while longer, and personally, i feel that that could very well happen. id welcome griffey with open arms, and put griffey strictly at DH and do the same rotation where everett gives pods 1 day off a week, dye 1 day off a week, rowand 1 day off a week (with pods in center) and griffey Jr. 1 day off a week. question is, will JR dish out that kidna money? and will we have the guys to deal if we lose our best bargaining chip (at least who cincy would want most) to florida in bmac

[Chisoxfn]

if thomas is gonna be out for a while longer, and personally, i feel that that could very well happen. id welcome griffey with open arms, and put griffey strictly at DH and do the same rotation where everett gives pods 1 day off a week, dye 1 day off a week, rowand 1 day off a week (with pods in center) and griffey Jr. 1 day off a week. question is, will JR dish out that kidna money? and will we have the guys to deal if we lose our best bargaining chip (at least who cincy would want most) to florida in bmac

I don't think it would take that much to get Griffey. IF your willing to take on his contract, the Reds will unload him with open arms, imo.

 

I've been saying for a while (not speaking in terms of the Sox) but Griffey would be a key player at the trade deadline and may just be the best guy to trade for (at least offensively speaking). Once again, I'm speaking in terms of baseball in general, not saying he'd be the best pickup for the Sox.

 

Omar Vizquel and Billy Wagner would be the best the Sox could do, imo. A close 2nd would be Vizquel and Schmidt (if they could get them giving up Contreras and a few minor leaguers, I'd do it). Of course I don't think either of these would happen.