Leading off for the 2007 white sox will be....

[GoodAsGould]

Rafael Furcal.

 

Acquired in a deal for one of our current SP's, an offensive prospect or two like Fields or Sweeney, and the Sox get a few mil back in cash consideration.

 

i can only hope to god that dont happen... if we wanted Furcal we could of signed him.

[NorthSideSox72]

i can only hope to god that dont happen... if we wanted Furcal we could of signed him.

And your reason for not wanting him is what?

 

High OBP shortstop with speed and some power, defense is decent... the only downfall is his salary. But that is exactly why they will consider moving him. It jumps from 7M to 13M for 2007 and 2008. But the Dodgers next year will want pitching, and they already have Lugo in the wings for cheap. This just has Kenny-deal written all over it - prospects and an SP for Furcal and cash offset.

[fathom]

I wish we could have a banner that says: LUGO IS A FREE AGENT

[NorthSideSox72]

I wish we could have a banner that says: LUGO IS A FREE AGENT

Indeed. That would have helped me...

 

So what do you know of Lugo's intentions? Does he want to stay LAD if they will start him? Because he'd be a lot cheaper than 13M.

[fathom]

Indeed. That would have helped me...

 

So what do you know of Lugo's intentions? Does he want to stay LAD if they will start him? Because he'd be a lot cheaper than 13M.

 

I've heard rumblings that the Dodgers have been less than thrilled with his attitude so far. Also, he's expecting 8 mil a year, and the Blue Jays are said to be very interested.

[NorthSideSox72]

I've heard rumblings that the Dodgers have been less than thrilled with his attitude so far. Also, he's expecting 8 mil a year, and the Blue Jays are said to be very interested.

I see. Well, if Lugo and LAD aren't a good fit, then forget what I said. But if they like Lugo, and can get him plus a mid-rotation starter and a couple potentially MLB-quality prospects for the same 13M they'd have to pay Furcal, then I think they might do it.

[Buehrle>Wood]

Something tells me that Juan Pierre on this team next year is a certinty.

[GoodAsGould]

I see. Well, if Lugo and LAD aren't a good fit, then forget what I said. But if they like Lugo, and can get him plus a mid-rotation starter and a couple potentially MLB-quality prospects for the same 13M they'd have to pay Furcal, then I think they might do it.

 

again if we wanted Furcal he was just a f/a why wouldnt we of signed him than? Plus to give them our top prospects for him... he isnt a bad player but he isnt worth the money even if they paid a couple million...and he isnt worth us losing the few prospects we have.

[fathom]

again if we wanted Furcal he was just a f/a why wouldnt we of signed him than? Plus to give them our top prospects for him... he isnt a bad player but he isnt worth the money even if they paid a couple million...and he isnt worth us losing the few prospects we have.

 

Furcal would be a great fit for the team if the Dodgers are willing to pick up some of his contract. I'd much rather give up someone like Fields for Furcal than average relievers like Linebrink.

[Big Hurtin]

Okay, who does Boston have to replace Crisp in CF? No one. They're in the same position as us. Prospects mean nothing, they're trying to win now because that's the window.

 

They could throw a bunch of money at Torri Hunter. They've also used Wily Mo Pena there, as scary as that is.

 

As far as the question of who WILL be leading off, not who I want to lead off, I also believe it will be Juan Pierre.

[witesoxfan]

I would definitely be a huge fan of Furcal. Hell, I'd never thought of him. If LA were willing, and they'd eat some money, why the hell not?

[GoodAsGould]

I would definitely be a huge fan of Furcal. Hell, I'd never thought of him. If LA were willing, and they'd eat some money, why the hell not?

 

if he was cheap yeah, but do you guys really think the dodgers are going to give him up without asking for probably Uribe, a top prospect, a middle prospect and prob wont eat much if at all of his contract.

[NorthSideSox72]

if he was cheap yeah, but do you guys really think the dodgers are going to give him up without asking for probably Uribe, a top prospect, a middle prospect and prob wont eat much if at all of his contract.

Or, we give them one of the SP's and a prospect (or two). If its that sweet from our side, I bet they'd pay a few million off Furcal's contract. That was kind of my point.

 

Use Uribe and/or Pods for bait for a left fielder seperately, or go internal with Sweeney or Gload or Fields or Owens in LF.

[GoodAsGould]

Idonno, Its worth a thought but I dont really see it likely at all. I think Rollins, Dave Roberts, Pierre, or Crisp would be the most likely candidates... and i guess there is a chance Pods could be back.

[santo=dorf]

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 1, 2006 -> 08:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And your reason for not wanting him is what?

 

High OBP shortstop with speed and some power, defense is decent... the only downfall is his salary. But that is exactly why they will consider moving him. It jumps from 7M to 13M for 2007 and 2008. But the Dodgers next year will want pitching, and they already have Lugo in the wings for cheap. This just has Kenny-deal written all over it - prospects and an SP for Furcal and cash offset.

Please show me any evidence of the Dodgers not being happy with Furcal's salary. Why did they give him so much last winer, and why would they move him if he is performing better than his career numbers?

 

Aside from this season, Furcal's OBP isn't exactly "high."

 

Lugo is not cheap and he is a free agent.

Edited October 2, 2006 by santo=dorf

[witesoxfan]

Aside from this season, Furcal's OBP isn't exactly "high."

 

His lowest OBP in the last 4 seasons was .345 in 2004, and considering the number of XBHs he gets and the fact that he does still steal bases, his OBP can be a little lower. The point of a leadoff hitter is to score runs. Getting on base is the key idea in scoring runs, yes, but you're going to score more from scoring position than from standing on 1B. There is a reason he's scored 100+ runs in each of the past 4 seasons, and Podsednik has only scored 100 runs one time in his career.

[greg775]

Let's hope KW's thumbs down in the media means no Pierre.

Hopefully KW has no use for that slap hitter.

Why not drop Pods, give Sweeney the job.

[witesoxfan]

Let's hope KW's thumbs down in the media means no Pierre.

Hopefully KW has no use for that slap hitter.

Why not drop Pods, give Sweeney the job.

 

Because Sweeney would be as bad as Podsednik

[jackie hayes]

I see...

 

Since Lugo has sucked ever since he was traded to the Dodgers and will demand $8 mil, the Dodgers are going to desperately try to resign him and trade the productive Furcal. Hell, they'd surely even be willing to throw in a mil or three.

 

Since LA has discovered this winning philosophy, maybe they'll give us Takashi Saito as a throw-in? After all, they have Elmer Dessens now.

Edited October 2, 2006 by jackie hayes

[santo=dorf]

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Oct 1, 2006 -> 10:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

His lowest OBP in the last 4 seasons was .345 in 2004, and considering the number of XBHs he gets and the fact that he does still steal bases, his OBP can be a little lower. The point of a leadoff hitter is to score runs. Getting on base is the key idea in scoring runs, yes, but you're going to score more from scoring position than from standing on 1B. There is a reason he's scored 100+ runs in each of the past 4 seasons, and Podsednik has only scored 100 runs one time in his career.

Coming into this season his career OBP was .348 so while his lowest OBP over that span was .344 (according to Baseball reference,) he has generally been a .340-.350 type guy.

I don't know why you randomly chose the 4 year period, but I imagine it has to do with him posting a .323 OBP back in 2002.

 

I don't think Furcal is a bad player, but he's not worth the money he's getting (LA probably knows that, but they're not going to move him because of it) and I don't see why LA would move him AND eat money just for prospects if the guy is performing better than his career norms and is part of a team going to the playoffs.

 

You think there are fans of another team saying "Hey, The White Sox have Ross Gload and Jim Thome. Perhaps they would trade Paul Konerko for a couple good prospects and send some money over with the big contract he has."

 

?

Edited October 2, 2006 by santo=dorf

[knightni]

Anderson, Broadway, Owens and Tracey for Ichiro?

 

[fathom]

I've heard rumors of the Red Sox being interested in Rocco Baldelli for CF for a few years now.

[witesoxfan]

Coming into this season his career OBP was .348 so while his lowest OBP over that span was .344 (according to Baseball reference,) he has generally been a .340-.350 type guy.

I don't know why you randomly chose the 4 year period, but I imagine it has to do with him posting a .323 OBP back in 2002.

 

I don't think Furcal is a bad player, but he's not worth the money he's getting (LA probably knows that, but they're not going to move him because of it) and I don't see why LA would move him AND eat money just for prospects if the guy is performing better than his career norms and is part of a team going to the playoffs.

 

You think there are fans of another team saying "Hey, The White Sox have Ross Gload and Jim Thome. Perhaps they would trade Paul Konerko for a couple good prospects and send some money over with the big contract he has."

 

?

 

I figured the 4 year period was a good enough amount of time to see that a set pattern was in place. I didn't include 5 years back because his OBP was .323 and, well, because it was 5 years ago. It'd be a little illogical to use Sabathia's stats from 5 years back to compare him to the pitcher he is now, but by going back from those 5 years, you see a trend in his pitching performance from season to season. The same exact concept applies here.

 

He's not worth $13 mill a year, but if LA is getting a starting pitcher back, and not prospects(because prospects would be pointless for a team trying to contend), I don't know why they wouldn't consider it.

 

And I don't necessarily see how the Thome/Gload/Konerko comparison works. Thome's old as hell, Konerko's in the prime of his career, Gload's been a career backup, and the Sox don't have a big enough hole to have really any desire to trade Konerko. If hypothetically Minnesota offered the Sox Johan Santana, you'd have to make the deal, and there's no way around it. The same concept applies here, with LA figuring they can find a viable enough replacement for Furcal at SS and at leadoff(with of course, there no need to have both be a SS...the SS obviously has to be, duh, but they don't need their SS leading off), and in turn, they get a very quality starting pitcher while saving a bit of money long-term, thus filling a pretty big hole for them.

 

The Sox would probably have to make the right offer, and in doing so, would likely have to overpay in some regard, perhaps in taking on all of Furcal's salary rather than getting some financial help in return, or by sending other players along with the starter they give up for Furcal.

[NorthSideSox72]

I see...

 

Since Lugo has sucked ever since he was traded to the Dodgers and will demand $8 mil, the Dodgers are going to desperately try to resign him and trade the productive Furcal. Hell, they'd surely even be willing to throw in a mil or three.

Well, to cut through your sarcasm... yes. After all, they traded for Lugo. And he is probably 6M cheaper than Furcal. So like I said, if they still see in Lugo what they did when they traded for him, then this deal is a good one for both sides. The Dodgers want to win next year, and they will want starting pitching - which we can give them.

 

If you want to disagree with my idea, that's fine. No need for the sneering.

[DBAHO]

Well, to cut through your sarcasm... yes. After all, they traded for Lugo. And he is probably 6M cheaper than Furcal. So like I said, if they still see in Lugo what they did when they traded for him, then this deal is a good one for both sides. The Dodgers want to win next year, and they will want starting pitching - which we can give them.

 

If you want to disagree with my idea, that's fine. No need for the sneering.

I think it will be quite hard for Ned Colletti to justify giving Julio Lugo a 5 year / 40M deal (which is what he wants, and may get) when he's put up splits of .219/.278/.267 for the Dodgers (albeit it is a very small sample size).

 

If he could spin off Furcal for say Garland though, then there's some justification right there. Or they could let Nomar go, and have Lugo rotate at 1B/2B with Loney and Kent.