You're the GM: White Sox edition

[Heads22]

Today over at http://www.minorleagueball.com, John Sickles will be taking my suggestion for this. Anyone with any interest may want to check his site today.

[DBAHO]

Ok here we go, just for this off-season (because I didn't want Alex to have all the fun).

 

Re-sign Paul Konerko to 3 year $33M deal.

 

Bid adieu to Carl Everett, and buy out Frank Thomas's deal.

 

Sign Brian Giles for 2 years at 13M and let Dye DH or move to 1st, and if fails,

sign Erubiel Durazo to 1 year $2M deal with incentives that could increase to 4M

and invoke an option for a 2nd year.

 

Take Joe Crede to arbitration for 1 year deal. Bill Mueller's probably headed elsewhere anyways.

Trade Ray Liotta, Damaso Marte and Daniel Haigwood for Chad Tracy, even if one of Giles or Durazo signs.

 

Move Iguchi down the order from the #2 spot.

 

Sign Scott Eyre on a 1 year deal with a team option for a 2nd year (like Politte's deal, prob a little more though) to replace Marte.

 

Trade Aaron Rowand and Orlando Hernandez to the NY Yankees in either

A - a 3 way deal that involves the Sox receiving Kevin Mench or Matt Holliday.

B - for prospects that will allow Chad Tracy to play LF.

Move Scott Podesednik to CF.

 

Re-sign JG to a 4 year deal, that mirrors Buerhle's, back-loaded with a team option for a 4th year.

 

So in essence, 2006 starting lineup is;

CF - Podsednik

LF - Tracy

RF/2B - Giles/Iguchi

1B - Konerko

DH - Durazo (or Konerko/Dye)

RF/2B - Dye/Iguchi

C - Pierzynski

SS - Uribe

3B - Crede

 

And rotation;

SP - Buerhle

SP - Garcia

SP - Garland

SP - Contreras

SP - B-Mac

 

And pen;

Closer - Jenks

Setup Guys - Politte, Cotts, Hermy

Lefty LOOGY - Eyre

Long reliever - Vizcaino

[3E8]

There's a promising 3B in the DBacks system named Brian Barden. He's currently not protected. Glaus is blocking him, and I don't know if he can play any other infield positions. DH obviously isn't an option in the NL. If he remains absent from their 40-man, I really want KW to try and get him via rule V.

[DBAHO]

There's a promising 3B in the DBacks system named Brian Barden.  He's currently not protected.  Glaus is blocking him, and I don't know if he can play any other infield positions. DH obviously isn't an option in the NL.  If he remains absent from their 40-man, I really want KW to try and get him via rule V.

Looking at minorleagueball, he wasn't in their top 20 prospects that were reviewed. Looking at his stats, he's hitting over .300 but has a K/BB ratio of 111/38. I'm guessing if KW's gonna try and get anybody from the D-Backs, it'll be Tracy or Conor Jackson to DH.

[Randar68]

Move Scott Podesednik to CF.

 

[knightni]

Pods can't play CF any better than he does left.

 

Maybe worse.

 

Pods is a Paul Molitor/DH-type of player.

[DBAHO]

Pods can't play CF any better than he does left.

 

Maybe worse.

 

Pods is a Paul Molitor/DH-type of player.

Well then he shouldn't be in the lineup at all. The problem is, we don't have a good starting lead-off guy to replace him. That's why I'd say Rowand would get moved before him, even though he's a MUCH better defensive player. Just my $0.02.

[Randar68]

Today over at http://www.minorleagueball.com, John Sickles will be taking my suggestion for this. Anyone with any interest may want to check his site today.

 

The real problem is that every move is so contingent on other moves you make...

 

I'm definitely starting Brian Anderson in CF next year and seeing what the market for Rowand looks like in trade. Dye in RF or 1B if you can't move Rowand. Pods? I'm not sure I'd keep him if I could land Furcal, although a 1-2 of Pods-Furcal could be fun to watch run...

 

This team desperately needs a middle-of-the-order hitter... Delgado, a healthy Frank, someone who can scare opposing pitchers and get on-base at a good clip. The trade-market is really the only way to land one this year...

 

Address 1B:

1) Try to trade for Delgado

2) Again look to try to get Helton from Colorado

3) maybe Texas would part with Texiera for a package including Garland or Buehrle?

4) Look at Durazo and Millar in FA

5) Move Dye to 1st?

 

Priority FA's:

1) Rafael Furcal

2) always look for an Ace Starting pitcher or innings eater... (Burnett, Schmidt, Millwood, etc)

3) Bill Mueller

4) Brian Giles (not coming here, though).

5) If I landed Furcal, I'd also look at Matsui if he becomes a FA (complicated contract)

6) Legit lefty-specialist. Cotts is not, Marte is unreliable...

7) Tom Gordon

 

Based on the above moves, this allows you to trade some of Uribe, Crede, Pods, Rowand, or a starter if one is signed.

 

 

current Sox:

1) let Konerko, Carl, Blum, Marte, walk or trade for whatever you can get

2) Resign Garland to a Buehrle-like back-loaded contract, although I don't think he should get as much as Buehrle based on performance

3) Pickup options or resign Politte, Widger, Ozuna

4) If Mueller not signed, resign Crede to a 3-year deal, not much $$ there

 

 

Frankly, the Sox will have some money to spend, and with an increase in payroll in the 5-10 million dollar range, I think they should be looking at trades where they can take salary and not give up TOP talent... aka. Delgado, Helton, etc...

 

My best-case lineup for 2006:

 

1) Pods - LF

2) Furcal - SS

3) Helton or Delgado - 1B

4) Frank - DH

5) Dye - RF

6) Iguchi - 2B

7) AJ - C

8) Anderson - CF

9) Crede - 3B

 

Bench:

Gload, Ozuna, Timo, Uribe, and Rowand

 

Rotation:

1) Buehrle

2) Garcia

3) Garland

4) Contreras

5) McCarthy

 

Bullpen:

lefty-specialist, Hermy, Politte, Gordon and Cotts

Closer: Jenks

 

Might not be opposed to keeping Vizcaino and using a short bench or not signing Gordon...

 

This should all be in whatever color indicates "dreaming"...

 

I dunno at this time. We'll have to see who is available in the offseason, as trades are going to be Kenny's best bet with the weak FA crop outside of about 4-5 players...

[3E8]

Looking at minorleagueball, he wasn't in their top 20 prospects that were reviewed. Looking at his stats, he's hitting over .300 but has a K/BB ratio of 111/38. I'm guessing if KW's gonna try and get anybody from the D-Backs, it'll be Tracy or Conor Jackson to DH.

Maybe he doesn't walk enough. But 111 K's isn't bad for over 500 AB's and a guy who had 250 total bases. And keep in mind this is somebody who could possibly be had for nothing, unlike the other prospects.

[Reddy]

3) maybe Texas would part with Texiera for a package including Garland or Buehrle?

 

i actually really like that...

[fathom]

Players who I think we'll resign: Garland, Crede, Ozuna, Politte

Players who won't be back: PK, Thomas, Everett, Widger, Borchard

 

I'd love to trade Duque, but he has no trade value. Contreras is our best trade chip, and with Marte a definite goner, I'm all for packaging Contreras, Marte, and a prospect like Sweeney for Adam Dunn. Brian Anderson should be our 4th outfielder next season, as Timo should be shown the door.

[AddisonStSox]

Time to pull it back in, gang.

 

I'll try to sprinkle just a little dose of reality in a GM thread.

Not everyday you get the opportunity to do that.

 

First off, the sheer number of moves you guys think Kenny will be making is downright silly. He made such an abnormal amount of move this off-season because this was as close to an absolutle over-haul as we'll be seeing for quite some time.

 

This off-season marked the transition from bad defense, no speed, free-swinging White Sox, to pitcher-happy, speedy, "Ozzie-ball" White Sox.

 

We will not be seeing that many moves again.

 

Now, with that all said, here's what I'd like to see happen. It doesn't even have to be these players...just something in this general direction.

 

1) Re-sign Paul Konerko to a 3 year deal. I have completely changed Konerko-camps over the course of this season. The Sox need this guy's bat in the lineup for the next 3 years. It's not everyday you can get that type of power-production from a clean, hometown favorite. He needs to be back.

 

2) Let Frank Thomas walk. Thanks for the memories, Frank...and believe me, there are a lot of them. But, you've played your last game as a member of the White Sox.

 

3) Lock up Jon Garland for the next 3 seasons.

 

4) Bring Crede back via arbitration.

 

5) Let Everett and Timo walk giving Brian Anderson a concrete roster-spot with the chance of becoming an everyday player.

 

6) Re-sign Cliff Politte and Chris Widger--that is, if he still wants to play ball.

 

NOTICE: I have YET to bring in any new faces...that is what we should ALL be expecting. Re-signing some old faces while letting others walk.

 

New Additions:

 

1) Trade Jose Contreras, Damaso Marte and a combination of prospects for a guy LIKE Mark Texiera. (Yeah, how many Mark Texieras are there. )

 

2) Seriously pursue both Furcal and either Burnett or another SP you can sign to a two year deal.

 

3) New bullpen arm. Period.

 

So...let's take a look at the "NEW" White Sox.

 

C) Pierzynski

1B) Texiera

2B) Iguchi

SS) Furcal

3B) Crede/Uribe

OF) Podsednik

OF) Rowand

OF) Dye

DH) Konerko

 

SP Buehrle

SP Garcia

SP Garland

SP NEW SP ADDITION

SP McCarthy

 

Bullpen: El Duque, Politte, Cotts, NEW ADDITION, Hermanson, Jenks

 

Realistic...YES!

 

EDIT: Keeping with the realistic motif, this is worth noting. Per Rotoworld:

 

The Rangers tried opening negotiations on a long-term deal with Mark Teixeira after the All-Star break, but agent Scott Boras was only prepared to accept a three-year deal taking the slugger through his arbitration years or a monster 10-year contract.

A deal that would but out one, two or three years of free agency doesn't interest Boras, not when Teixeira should be able to command a huge six- to eight-year deal when he becoems a free agent after 2008. It seems unlikely that anything will get done

Edited September 23, 2005 by AddisonStSox

[Chisoxfn]

I shudder at the thought of Pods playing LF, let alone seeing him in CF. A team built on pitching needs to be strong up the middle...therefor Pods is not an option to play CF.

[jackie hayes]

I know he's got Boras as an agent, and I know he's basically unsignable, and I know the Rangers need pitching -- BUT, if you honestly believe Texas will trade Teixeira, after the year he's had and the year Blalock didn't have, not to mention Soriano possibly walking, then I think...you have to think about it a bit longer. Not with this many years of arbitration left. Mench, maybe.

[mac9001]

I'm willing to bet anything Frank Thomas will be back next season for something like $4-5M guaranteed (plus $3M in incentives). If the Sox don't give him a contract he'll pick up his option, so they'll probably be willing to give him a $4-5M, then just let him walk for $3.5M.

Edited September 24, 2005 by mac9001

[qwerty]

I'm willing to bet anything Frank Thomas will be back next season for something like $4-5M guaranteed (plus $3M in incentives). If the Sox don't give him a contract he'll pick up his option, so they'll probably be willing to give him a $4-5M, then just let him walk for $3.5M.

 

Thanks for the laughs.

[sircaffey]

I'm willing to bet anything Frank Thomas will be back next season for something like $4-5M guaranteed (plus $3M in incentives). If the Sox don't give him a contract he'll pick up his option, so they'll probably be willing to give him a $4-5M, then just let him walk for $3.5M.

Not if Frank can't walk. His foot is in disarray. It's not minor. Hate to say it, but Frank just doesn't fit on this team. His career could be over...

[sircaffey]

Resign: Politte, Ozuna, Widger, Pauly

Let Go: Thomas, Everett

 

Trade: Contreras/Crede to Texas for Blalock

Trade: Marte and a solid package of prospects to Milwaukee for Overbay

Sign: Quality 2nd tier SP (Weaver? Washburn? 3yr/20mil?)

Sign: Scott Eyre (2yr/4mil?)

 

1. Pods LF

2. Iguchi 2B

3. Overbay 1B

4. Konerko DH

5. Blalock 3B

6. Dye RF

7. Pierzynski C

8. Rowand CF

9. Uribe SS

 

1. Buehrle LHP

2. Garland RHP

3. Garcia RHP

4. Washburn/Weaver

5. McCarthy

 

CL-Hermanson RHP (hopefully healthy after back surgery)

SU-Politte RHP

SU-Cotts LHP

RP-Jenks RHP

RP-Eyre LHP

RP-Viz RHP

LR-Duque RHP

 

Feasible in the number of moves made, and payroll wouldn't be an issue with Blalock and Overbay being so cheap. Fantasy is fun...Get it done!

 

EDIT: Forgot the most important move of all...

 

Fire: Ozzie Guillen

Sign: Jim Leland/Grady Little/Lou Pinella/Jeff Torborg/other

Edited September 24, 2005 by sircaffey

[DBAHO]

Chad Tracy - .299/.350/.536. Age 25, can play 1B/3B/OF. Home and Away Splits are almost identical, and he's still about .280/.290 from the ASB. Making $335,000.

Lyle Overbay - .278/.370/.458. 3 Years older, weaker power stats, known for being a 1st half hitter.

 

Just asking, if the asking price for Tracy and Overbay was pretty much the same (and it could be, since these 2 teams need young pitching / bullpen help), wouldn't you rather Tracy instead of Overbay?

[GoodAsGould]

Let Go: Konerko, Everett, Thomas

Resign: Garland, Widger, Ozuna

F/A:Mueller and Furcal

Trade: Get Overbay and Tracy... offer following players Rowand, Crede, Marte, El Duque(pay some of contract if have 2) and Vizcaino... maybe a minor league player like sean tracey.

 

Lineup:

1. Podsenick LF

2. Furcal SS

3. Iguchi 2B

4. Overbay 1B

5. Tracy DH

6. Dye RF

7. Mueller 3B

8. Pierznski C

9. Anderson CF

 

Rotation:

1. Mark Buehrle

2. Freddy Garcia

3. Jon Garland

4. Jose Contreras

5. Brandon McCarthy

 

Bench:

1B/LF/RF: Ross Gload

Util: Pablo Ozuna

C: Chris Widger

LF/RF: Timo Perez

Util: Geof Blum

 

Bullpen: Hermanson, Jenks, Politte, Cotts, Bajenaru, and f/a lefty or Arnie Munoz.

[whitesoxgt]

Let Go: Konerko, Everett, Thomas

Resign: Garland, Widger, Ozuna

F/A:Mueller and Furcal

Trade: Get Overbay and Tracy... offer following players Rowand, Crede, Marte, El Duque(pay some of contract if have 2) and Vizcaino... maybe a minor league player like sean tracey.

 

Lineup:

1. Podsenick LF

2. Furcal SS

3. Iguchi 2B

4. Overbay 1B

5. Tracy DH

6. Dye RF

7. Mueller 3B

8. Pierznski C

9. Anderson CF

 

Rotation:

1. Mark Buehrle

2. Freddy Garcia

3. Jon Garland

4. Jose Contreras

5. Brandon McCarthy

 

Bench:

1B/LF/RF: Ross Gload

Util: Pablo Ozuna

C: Chris Widger

LF/RF: Timo Perez

Util: Geof Blum

 

Bullpen: Hermanson, Jenks, Politte, Cotts, Bajenaru, and f/a lefty or Arnie Munoz.

 

 

Would u seriously resign blum?

[Chisoxfn]

Chad Tracy - .299/.350/.536. Age 25, can play 1B/3B/OF. Home and Away Splits are almost identical, and he's still about .280/.290 from the ASB. Making $335,000.

Lyle Overbay - .278/.370/.458. 3 Years older, weaker power stats, known for being a 1st half hitter.

 

Just asking, if the asking price for Tracy and Overbay was pretty much the same (and it could be, since these 2 teams need young pitching / bullpen help), wouldn't you rather Tracy instead of Overbay?

And the price isn't going to be the same...its going to be less, imo.

 

I've log been on your said of this Andrew...Chad Tracy >>>> Lyle Overbay

[GoodAsGould]

Would u seriously resign blum?

 

Well idonno... he isnt really an important part of the team like last guy off the bench behind Timo. If there is someone in our minors or some cheap guy in f/a thats basicly the same thing. Just a guy who can play lots of positions.

 

Anyways besides that what do you think about it.

Edited September 24, 2005 by SoxFan101

[Felix]

@ SoxFan101

 

The whole scenario there seems like it would hurt the Sox more than help.

a.) Overbay and Tracy wont match Konerko's production, especially with Overbay batting 4th. He's not a cleanup hitter, he's more of a #5/6 hitter.

b.) Crede is a better 3b than Mueller (sorry, but its true, especially if Crede can finally come into his own on offense). Crede's defense is much better, and he still has potential to be a good offensive player. If his September this year is a taste of his talent, I wouldnt want to see him go.

c.) Not sure where Uribe went, but I wouldnt want to see him out of SS either, especially when being replaced by Furcal. His numbers on the road are complete crap, so losing one of the best defensive SS's (Uribe who has some good power too), and replacing him with Furcal isnt the best thing for this team imo.

d.) Trading Rowand? Sorry, but no. Rowand is one of the best defensive CF's in the league, and while his offense this year was down from 2004, it should go back up in 2006.

e.) Trading Vizcaino and Marte. While I know alot of people in Chicago don't like him, I think he can be a dominant reliever out of the pen, and just struggled in his first year in the AL. He should rebound nicely in 2006. As for Marte, well.. he just needs to work on his control. If he can get some more control in the off-season, he can be a shutdown lefty in relief.

[Felix]

I love Uribe, one of my favorites, but Furcal IMO, along with many others, players better D than Uribe.

This year, Uribe has the 4th best range factor out of AL shortstops, and the second best zone rating out of AL shortstops. Add his arm on top of that, and you have one of the best defensive SS's in the AL.

 

While Joe is a good defensive 3b, this team is not in a postion to have the entire left side of the infield not be able to keep a .265 average. Joe seems to always have great ends of seasons, just enough to keep him around. Mueller has been very consistant over the last 3-4 years, and while he brings the D down a notch, his O would/will be worth it.

According to the numbers this year, Mueller has the worst range out of all 3b, and is in the lower half in zone rating. In the past 3 years, Crede has had more HR and RBI, and since Crede is 25, and is possibly showing his talent here in September, I would rather him than a 34 year old Bill Mueller, who is making $2.5 million this year.

 

Same story, different player. Why will Rowands #'s go up? Because you like him? I like him to, infact spend 190 on a Rowand jersey. However, I think what we are seeing this year is what is the true Aaron Rowand. And there is nothing wrong with that. But on a team with a LF that has 0 HR's, you need some more production out of your CF.

Why will his numbers go up? A hunch. I dont think a lack of production when it comes to HR's is really that big a deal.. I mean, look at how many the Sox have hit this year..

Edited September 25, 2005 by Felix