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Iguchi Deal could Come Soon


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Here's the article, and some other good notes;

 

If you believe what you hear, there has been zero movement in contract extension talks with three Sox players eligible for free agency at the end of the season — right fielder Jermaine Dye, starting pitcher Mark Buehrle and second baseman Tadahito Iguchi.

 

Monday is the deadline set by White Sox general manager Kenny Williams to get deals done, or it’s wait until the end of the year.

 

With the window just about closed, don’t be surprised if one of the three is locked up before the Sox take the field against the Cleveland Indians on Monday afternoon at U.S. Cellular Field. Iguchi fits the profile.

 

Unlike Dye and Buehrle, Iguchi isn’t likely to be fielding monster offers on the free-agent market next winter. So the White Sox could lock up the 32-year-old second baseman with a contract in the range of three years for $15 million.

 

It’s a move that makes sense for both sides.

 

The Sox’ farm system hasn’t produced a second baseman since Ray Durham, and that was in 1995. They have no major-league prospects at the position in the farm system, so they’d have to go outside to replace Iguchi.

 

In his first two seasons with the White Sox since coming over from Japan, Iguchi has been invaluable. And if he does drop in the batting order this season, which is the plan, look for the power numbers to jump.

 

In a recent interview with Japanese reporter Hiroko Abe, Iguchi said he feels “respect’’ from the Sox and he wants to stay in Chicago. The White Sox should feel the same way.

 

•With 11 scoreless innings in the Cactus League, Boone Logan was the best pitcher to not make the 25-man roster.

 

On the position side, it was Josh Fields. Playing in 14 exhibition games, Fields batted .333 with 2 home runs and 8 RBI.

 

On just about any other major-league team, Fields would be the starting third baseman. But he’s still stuck behind Joe Crede, who could be wearing a Sox uniform through the 2008 season.

 

A couple of weeks ago, Fields handled the demotion to Class AAA Charlotte with his typical class and understanding. But this is a logjam that has to be broken, even if it means moving the talented Fields to the outfield.

 

•John Danks, the White Sox’ new No. 5 starter, pitches a lot like a young Mark Buehrle. Danks doesn’t mess around on the mound, and he’s not afraid to put the ball in play and let the defense get involved.

 

Gavin Floyd, on the other hand, looked a lot like a young Kip Wells this spring.

 

Now blossoming with the St. Louis Cardinals, Wells always had the arm, but his mental makeup was soft.

 

If Floyd can go to Class AAA Charlotte and simply let his above-average physical ability take over, the Sox might have something.

 

•Brian Anderson had a tougher spring than most.

 

Not only did he lose his starting job in center field to veteran Darin Erstad, Anderson was sweating bullets before landing the last spot on the White Sox’ bench.

 

But the 25-year-old outfielder never lost his quirky sense of humor.

 

After pinch hitting against Arizona on Wednesday and drawing a four-pitch walk against Diamondbacks reliever Doug Slaten, Anderson was strutting when he reached the postgame clubhouse.

 

“See that?’’ Anderson said of the at-bat. “(Slaten) feared me.’’

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Good deal for both sides. Sox give him the three year committment and he gives the Sox a break of a million or two each year. Let's hope that's what actually happens b/c Tad is an invaluable player for us, can bat anywhere in the order, never complains (maybe cause he doesn't speak english,) gives us a solid hitter, you know what your gonna get #'s wise and fields his position. Please be true. JD s gonna be the hardest one since he has played out his contract as the biggest bargain in baseball, so noone can fault him if he wants to go get his last big payday. IF he does leave the Sox for more money, nobody should be pissed cause he came year in 2005 for less money than elsewhere and never made a stink about making $5 million per year when he clearly was worth mid teens last year.

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Almost a perfect article, everything in there is stuff people on this board have been saying for weeks now. Definately would like to get Iguchi tied up before the season starts, especially at that price, he seems very affordable for a position the Sox are weak at.

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I like everything the article says, but... I see zero in there that is anything other than this writer's opinion. No quotes, no evidence, no nothing. He pulled that number out of thin air. So, much as I hope it happens, I wouldn't count on it.

 

Do you have a link to the article, by the way? I'm curious where its from.

 

Love the Anderson quote.

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QUOTE(maggsmaggs @ Mar 31, 2007 -> 10:12 AM)
Good deal for both sides. Sox give him the three year committment and he gives the Sox a break of a million or two each year. Let's hope that's what actually happens b/c Tad is an invaluable player for us, can bat anywhere in the order, never complains (maybe cause he doesn't speak english,) gives us a solid hitter, you know what your gonna get #'s wise and fields his position. Please be true. JD s gonna be the hardest one since he has played out his contract as the biggest bargain in baseball, so noone can fault him if he wants to go get his last big payday. IF he does leave the Sox for more money, nobody should be pissed cause he came year in 2005 for less money than elsewhere and never made a stink about making $5 million per year when he clearly was worth mid teens last year.

 

Absolutely agree about Dye. And of course, I'd love to re-sign Iguchi.

 

With 11 scoreless innings in the Cactus League, Boone Logan was the best pitcher to not make the 25-man roster.

 

Hell, he's better than a few pitchers that are actually on the team.

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I suppose 1 thing to look at is whether Iguchi could contribute at the same level he is now over a 3 year deal, when he reaches his mid 30's.

 

But Gooch seems to take pretty good care of his body, and injuries haven't been a major thing for him yet.

 

And they could front - load the deal possibly, especially if the likes of Buehrle and Dye do leave and it opens up some payroll flexibility.

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FWIW, the Braves announcers just mentioned the Sox were trying to lock up Iguchi for 3 more years. Not sure if they are basing it off the same article, chatting with Hawk (they had talked about what Hawk said about BA earlier), or other information.

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Only question is why this isn't done already.....we have NO ONE in our system that is going to produce as an everyday MLB second baseman, don't even say Valido....

 

Tad is one of the underappreciated guys on this team. Get it done KW.

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QUOTE(Kalapse @ Mar 31, 2007 -> 10:42 PM)
Isn't the Score supposed to have some sort of "Major Sox Announcement" during the North show on Monday morning? Wouldn't this be pretty perfect for something like that?

 

They've been advertising that for a week, haven't they? If that is the announcement, good job on keeping it a secret til now.

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QUOTE(Kalapse @ Mar 31, 2007 -> 10:42 PM)
Isn't the Score supposed to have some sort of "Major Sox Announcement" during the North show on Monday morning? Wouldn't this be pretty perfect for something like that?

Pappy will just announce that he'll be giving away some tickets to the game or some s*** like that.

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QUOTE(Kalapse @ Mar 31, 2007 -> 10:42 PM)
Isn't the Score supposed to have some sort of "Major Sox Announcement" during the North show on Monday morning? Wouldn't this be pretty perfect for something like that?

 

They'll probably announce that they have a listener

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