Free agent resource.

[hi8is]

dont know if this is well known or mentioned but... matsui's agent is none other then Arn Tellem... the same arn tellem who has represented frank thomas for years now... the same Arn Tellem who is good friends with jerry riensdorf.

[hi8is]

according to some new york fans, the negeotations began yesterday in califiornia and looks like he is asking 11 - 12 million per year for around 4 years

 

its a good option i think.

[southsider2k5]

Sox really could have a good marketing piece with Matsui. Brooks and the rest of the Sox brass could have a field day with making "Tad" and "Dek" the Japanese bash brothers. You can say we had Shingo and Iguchi on the same team, but this would be a whole new ballgame.

 

You could even hit them back to back pretty easily.

[YASNY]

I can't see the Yankees letting Matsui walk, based upon their history. However, if they have learned from that history about siging guys for too long and too much, they may be gun shy. I'm betting he'll be a Yankee next year.

[Steff]

Urbina's had a terrible reputation for a long time in baseball, well before he tried to kill someone.  Not only that, but he's the type of pitcher who would start to b**** if he wasn't used frequently (like the role Viz had last year).

 

 

Alleged.. and heaven for bid someone be accused of something that isn't true.. remember there are some pissed off rebels still on the loose who weren't able to cash in on kidnapping his mother - which many feel was an inside job...

 

I for one would love Urbina on the Sox. Just from seeing him and Oz and Freddy interacting last year in Detroit it was clear that Oz can keep him under control.

[Pierzynski 12]

The Cubs re-signed two bums named Neifi Perez and Glendon Rusch to 2 year deals.

Edited November 9, 2005 by BMac41

[Steff]

I can't see the Yankees letting Matsui walk, based upon their history.  However, if they have learned from that history about siging guys for too long and too much, they may be gun shy.  I'm betting he'll be a Yankee next year.

 

 

 

I can see George cutting loose anyone that isn't in a long term deal at this point. He's pissed they got their butts handed to them, and is just the type of person to cut off his nose despite his face.

[YASNY]

I can see George cutting loose anyone that isn't in a long term deal at this point. He's pissed they got their butts handed to them, and is just the type of person to cut off his nose despite his face.

 

I have to acknowledge that as a very valid point which I hadn't considered.

[southsider2k5]

Alleged.. and heaven for bid someone be accused of something that isn't true.. remember there are some pissed off rebels still on the loose who weren't able to cash in on kidnapping his mother - which many feel was an inside job...

 

I for one would love Urbina on the Sox. Just from seeing him and Oz and Freddy interacting last year in Detroit it was clear that Oz can keep him under control.

 

To me it is just as possible that he could have been trying to exact some vigilante style justice from his mom's kidnapping. I haven't heard anyone mention that, but I would be curious if that was the presumed motive.

 

It will be interesting to see how the case progresses.

[fathom]

Alleged.. and heaven for bid someone be accused of something that isn't true.. remember there are some pissed off rebels still on the loose who weren't able to cash in on kidnapping his mother - which many feel was an inside job...

 

 

Either way, the guy has a ton of baggage right now, and isn't someone I'd want my team to have to count on. Not only that....but he's not very good. He makes a lot of money for someone who is no better than Viz now.

[Steff]

Either way, the guy has a ton of baggage right now, and isn't someone I'd want my team to have to count on.  Not only that....but he's not very good.  He makes a lot of money for someone who is no better than Viz now.

 

 

 

No, it's not either way. It's alledged. And your comments are irresponsible.

 

No better than Viz.. :rolly whatever.

[NorthSideSox72]

I like the idea of Matsui more and more as time goes on. He seems to like our team and/or players, he's very reasonably priced for his performance, he is a left-handed bat (which we lack), he can fill in at DH and also be the 4th outfielder like Carl was (leaving room for Frank, potentially), he'd have a Japanese compatriot on the team... the list goes on.

 

Just one thing bothers me. Does anyone else have players who always look terrible when you see them play? Even if you know they are good, have the stats, etc.? Matsui is that guy for me. Every time I've seen him hit (mostly against the Sox), he looks lost at the plate. I have no logical reason to believe this, but he just looks terrible up there. Or does he just always look like that, and he hits well anyway?

[Pierzynski 12]

Matsui is going to end up back with the Yankees.

[Steff]

Matsui is going to end up back with the Yankees.

 

 

 

Thank you Mrs Cleo...

[Pierzynski 12]

Thank you Mrs Cleo...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sure..........

[fathom]

No, it's not either way. It's alledged. And your comments are irresponsible.

 

No better than Viz..  :rolly  whatever.

 

You really don't think Urbina has some baggage? I've been told for years that he has an awful reputation within baseball, and recent events only scare me off more from him joining the Sox. Sure, he may very well be innocent of the crime....but it's not like being charged with attempted murder should just be brushed off like it's no big deal. UU had a 4.5 ERA in 2004, and then a 4.13 ERA in his time with the Phillies last year. We're not talking about the marquee closer that he once was. His fastball has lost like 8 mph in the last few years, and he'll still cost you at least 3 million. For our 5th or 6th reliever in the pen, give me Viz. In no way could I see UU having no problem not pitching but once a week.

[Milkman delivers]

And didn't he get drunk and fight a teammate on the Tigers or Phillies?

[Steff]

You really don't think Urbina has some baggage?  I've been told for years that he has an awful reputation within baseball, and recent events only scare me off more from him joining the Sox.  Sure, he may very well be innocent of the crime....but it's not like being charged with attempted murder should just be brushed off like it's no big deal.  UU had a 4.5 ERA in 2004, and then a 4.13 ERA in his time with the Phillies last year.  We're not talking about the marquee closer that he once was.  His fastball has lost like 8 mph in the last few years, and he'll still cost you at least 3 million.  For our 5th or 6th reliever in the pen, give me Viz.  In no way could I see UU having no problem not pitching but once a week.

 

 

I don't know anything about him other then meeting him for 5 minutes in the Ritz bar - where I witnessed an extreme respect between him and Oz. Do I care what baggage he carries.. no, and I don't think the Sox do either. If they did.. then Bobby Jenks and AJ both would not have been on the '05 roster.

 

Attempted murder is brushed off like no big deal for football players.. baseball players shouldn't get the same..? :rolly

 

Would you care to elaborate on your experience with UU as to how you KNOW he would have an issue pitching once a week...? TIA.

[Steff]

And didn't he get drunk and fight a teammate on the Tigers or Phillies?

 

 

And didn't Jenks get drunk on the team bus and attempt to start himself on fire..?

[Frank the Tank 35]

Matsui doesn't hit well against us... who can blame him though? Hey, his BA will go up a few points if we signed him. Matsui= #3 hitter. Sox lack... a #3 hitter. Coincidence? Providence. If PK's not back... Pods, Gooch, Godzilla, Frank/Dye, AJ, Joe, Arow, Uribe. I dunno what the Brewcrew would want for Overbay. If they wanted pieces from our major league lineup outside of maybe an Arow (maaaybe), then I'd balk. I'd prefer Frank back, but I understand the concern about his health. If signing Matsui saves a little cash over PK, maybe that gives the Sox some flexibility to improve the pen. Maybe we could look at some names that haven't come up too frequently like a Mota or a Dotel or a loogy. You know Matsui would fit right in with Ozzie's philosophy... hard worker, solid fundamentals, team player. PLUS, he could just have Shingo's old interpreter!

[fathom]

I don't know anything about him other then meeting him for 5 minutes in the Ritz bar - where I witnessed an extreme respect between him and Oz. Do I care what baggage he carries.. no, and I don't think the Sox do either. If they did.. then Bobby Jenks and AJ both would not have been on the '05 roster.

 

So we should bring in a player just cause him and Ozzie get along? Also, what point would there be in having a 3 million dollar set-up man when you already have money invested in Hermanson and Politte to be the set-up men? And to say attempted murder should be shrugged off is quite odd. Sure, Ray Lewis got off on the charges, but Rae Carruth sure didn't, etc.

[fathom]

Give me Overbay and Matsui over PK/Frank in a heartbeat. However, there's not a chance in hell we'd get both Overbay and Matsui.

[Steff]

1. So we should bring in a player just cause him and Ozzie get along?  2. Also, what point would there be in having a 3 million dollar set-up man when you already have money invested in Hermanson and Politte to be the set-up men?  3. And to say attempted murder should be shrugged off is quite odd.  Sure, Ray Lewis got off on the charges, but Rae Carruth sure didn't, etc.

 

 

 

1. Don't put words in my mouth.

2. Dustin is going to have back surgery

3. I didn't say it should... you did.

[fathom]

1. Don't put words in my mouth.

2. Dustin is going to have back surgery

3. I didn't say it should... you did.

 

1) You said that Ozzie and UU got along great when you saw them at the Ritz. Just because they got along great, it doesn't mean he's a great fit for this team in terms of personality. While someone like AJP had a bad reputation for being an ass off the field, he always was a tough SOB on the field. That's what KW wanted for this team. UU is much more about himself, which is something that it seems the Sox have been trying to clear themselves of recently.

2) I agree with you that Hermanson will probably have to have back surgery.

3) I definitely never recalled saying that the attempted murder charged should be shrugged off as no big deal. It will definitely scare off numerous teams from possibly signing him.

[Steff]

1) You said that Ozzie and UU got along great when you saw them at the Ritz.  Just because they got along great, it doesn't mean he's a great fit for this team in terms of personality.  While someone like AJP had a bad reputation for being an ass off the field, he always was a tough SOB on the field.  That's what KW wanted for this team.  UU is much more about himself, which is something that it seems the Sox have been trying to clear themselves of recently.

2) I agree with you that Hermanson will probably have to have back surgery.

3) I definitely never recalled saying that the attempted murder charged should be shrugged off as no big deal.  It will definitely scare off numerous teams from possibly signing him.

 

 

1. Yes I did. However where did I say that because of that, the Sox should sign him...? And, again, would you mind elaborating on how you know all these things about UU..? TIA.

3. You brought it up.. not I.

QUOTE(fathom @ Nov 9, 2005 -> 10:41 AM)

You really don't think Urbina has some baggage? I've been told for years that he has an awful reputation within baseball, and recent events only scare me off more from him joining the Sox. Sure, he may very well be innocent of the crime....but it's not like being charged with attempted murder should just be brushed off like it's no big deal.

 

 

Not that any of this matters and it's ruining the thread.