Torii Hunter

[Kalapse]

He said a "little ghetto" came out of him after the play when the fans started berating him, he yelled back.

 

It was a damn good interview, I've always loved hearing Torii talk he's a very interesting guy. He also said he refuses to play for a team with a centerfield wall that he can not climb. (ie: Wrigley, Boston, I suppose Houston, etc)

[sircaffey]

Anybody hear Hunter this morning on Silvy and Waddle? Sure it may be a pep rally, especially considering the way Torii tends to run his mouth. Surprised this hadn't been mentioned yet, but he seems like he really wants to come here. He will be meeting with KW on Sunday, and wants to play for a big market like Chicago. He also mentioned that the Dodgers and Nationals seemed to be interested off the bat, but would like to finish his career with this contract. Has always loved to play at the Cell, knows he has hit well there, loves to play D in CF there, and mentioned the grass is true. (thank u Sodfather) Also stated that he has always been fond of Ozzie since he was young playing spring training through minor leagues, he's always made him laugh, and he'd really like to play for him someday... he is now just realizing that this might become a reality and "you never know"

 

Silvy brought up the Jamie Burke incident, and Hunter said he actually got a couple death threats about that, but people joke about that with him all the time in Chicago now. He basically stated it was a gut reaction and a litt'l ghetto came out of him... but a good play nonetheless, just something Sox fans were obviosuly not happy with at the time. He would welcome coming to Chicago, he had a lot of family and freinds here, and is not scared of the way the media and fans treated Jacque Jones on the North Side. "We are two completely different people, I like to be out in the streets and be social."

 

5 years might be rough... but damnit, I want him.

 

Ok, 9 years 50 million. Deal.

[RockRaines]

He is a good clubhouse leader, but that worries me as its been said Konerko doesnt like to have his leadership threatened in the locker room.

[kwolf68]

I'd rather not pay Hunter and save the money for Miguel Cabrera. That guy loves Ozzie. Show him the money and get him in shape. He would be awesome at USCF.

 

 

I agree and then we could move Crede and/or Fields (if one isn't in the Miggy deal) for a CF.

 

I don't like the idea of KW trading good chips for a bunch of aging, on the downside of their career players...but Miggy is an elite player, a YOUNG elite, proven player. I'd break the farm for him.

[Balta1701]

He is a good clubhouse leader, but that worries me as its been said Konerko doesnt like to have his leadership threatened in the locker room.

On a 70 win team...someone better be threatening the leadership/

[kapkomet]

He is a good clubhouse leader, but that worries me as its been said Konerko doesnt like to have his leadership threatened in the locker room.

 

 

On a 70 win team...someone better be threatening the leadership/

Exactly. I've heard this before about PK, and my opinion on that is, thanks for 2005, but get the ef out of town if you're in this to be the "clubhouse leader".

 

 

[CWSGuy406]

Ugh, the cards seem to be lining up for Torii coming here for, don't they?

 

It's better than giving C-Lee 6/$100 or Soriano 8/$136, but I still don't like this a whole lot. It certainly improves the Sox a lot for 2007, but since they've committed to Fields at third-base, that means they're still without a left-fielder. And if they go with Jerry Owens in LF, that's as bad or worse than the decision to bring Podsednik back last season or to sign Erstad. Owens bat will be hard-pressed to play CF, much less LF. I'm 100% confident saying his bat will never even be average for a whole season in LF.

 

Luke Scott for Joe Crede, please?

 

FWIW, this contract would make me much happier if after they inked it, they turned around and traded Konerko somewhere.

 

Anyone care to calculate the percentage of our payroll that will be tied up in players over 30 for 2008 if Hunter signs? It's got to be close to 70%, right?

Edited November 8, 2007 by CWSGuy406

[Rowand44]

Ugh, the cards seem to be lining up for Torii coming here for, don't they?

 

It's better than giving C-Lee 6/$100 or Soriano 8/$136, but I still don't like this a whole lot. It certainly improves the Sox a lot for 2007, but since they've committed to Fields at third-base, that means they're still without a left-fielder. And if they go with Jerry Owens in LF, that's as bad or worse than the decision to bring Podsednik back last season or to sign Erstad. Owens bat will be hard-pressed to play CF, much less LF. I'm 100% confident saying his bat will never even be average for a whole season in LF.

 

Luke Scott for Joe Crede, please?

Woah, Hunter is going to improve our team from last season?

[Kalapse]

Where would Hunter hit in an order that includes Thome, Konerko, Dye and Fields? If the Sox added Scott they'd have 3 lefties in the lineup but it would be pretty much impossible to avoid batting 2 of them back to back.

 

Scott

Fields

Thome

Konerko

Dye

Hunter

Pierzynski

Uribe

Richar

[CWSGuy406]

Woah, Hunter is going to improve our team from last season?

 

For $90 million he damn well better!

[NorthSideSox72]

Where would Hunter hit in an order that includes Thome, Konerko, Dye and Fields? If the Sox added Scott they'd have 3 lefties in the lineup but it would be pretty much impossible to avoid batting 2 of them back to back.

 

Scott

Fields

Thome

Konerko

Dye

Hunter

Pierzynski

Uribe

Richar

I don't think Fields is really a 2-hole hitter, despite what Ozzie seems to think. You might want to consider putting Hunter in the 2-spot, actually, flipping him with Fields.

 

But really, no one in that lineup is an ideal #2 hitter.

 

[Rowand44]

I don't think Fields is really a 2-hole hitter, despite what Ozzie seems to think. You might want to consider putting Hunter in the 2-spot, actually, flipping him with Fields.

 

But really, no one in that lineup is an ideal #2 hitter.

That's what I'd personally do as well.

[Balta1701]

Where would Hunter hit in an order that includes Thome, Konerko, Dye and Fields? If the Sox added Scott they'd have 3 lefties in the lineup but it would be pretty much impossible to avoid batting 2 of them back to back.

 

Scott

Fields

Thome

Konerko

Dye

Hunter

Pierzynski

Uribe

Richar

As this lineup sits right now, I don't see how you can hit Torii anywhere else but 2nd. Depending on whether or not Crede is moved, you have something like:

 

Richar

Hunter

Thome

Konerko

Dye

Fields

AJ

Crede

Uribe

 

or

Owens

Hunter

Thome

Konerko

Dye

Fields

AJ

Uribe

Richar

 

Unless we can get a dynamite LF for Crede, I actually kinda like the 2nd one of those. Too many damn strikeouts at the top of the order, but it's better than having Fields at the 2.

[Balta1701]

I don't think Fields is really a 2-hole hitter, despite what Ozzie seems to think. You might want to consider putting Hunter in the 2-spot, actually, flipping him with Fields.

 

But really, no one in that lineup is an ideal #2 hitter.

I think Josh wound up hitting 2nd last year sort of by default, because someone had to hit 2nd. I think even Ozzie can't be crazy enough to want him there.

[StrangeSox]

Anybody hear Hunter this morning on Silvy and Waddle? Sure it may be a pep rally, especially considering the way Torii tends to run his mouth. Surprised this hadn't been mentioned yet, but he seems like he really wants to come here. He will be meeting with KW on Sunday, and wants to play for a big market like Chicago. He also mentioned that the Dodgers and Nationals seemed to be interested off the bat, but would like to finish his career with this contract. Has always loved to play at the Cell, knows he has hit well there, loves to play D in CF there, and mentioned the grass is true. (thank u Sodfather) Also stated that he has always been fond of Ozzie since he was young playing spring training through minor leagues, he's always made him laugh, and he'd really like to play for him someday... he is now just realizing that this might become a reality and "you never know"

 

Silvy brought up the Jamie Burke incident, and Hunter said he actually got a couple death threats about that, but people joke about that with him all the time in Chicago now. He basically stated it was a gut reaction and a litt'l ghetto came out of him... but a good play nonetheless, just something Sox fans were obviosuly not happy with at the time. He would welcome coming to Chicago, he had a lot of family and freinds here, and is not scared of the way the media and fans treated Jacque Jones on the North Side. "We are two completely different people, I like to be out in the streets and be social."

 

5 years might be rough... but damnit, I want him.

 

He also said that he cares more about winning and having fun than making the absolute top dollar at this point. He knows he's going to be very wealthy no matter where he goes, so he might as well have fun doing it.

 

And he'll never play somewhere that he can't rob homeruns.

 

[CWSGuy406]

Unless we can get a dynamite LF for Crede, I actually kinda like the 2nd one of those. Too many damn strikeouts at the top of the order, but it's better than having Fields at the 2.

 

No it's not. Your scenario has Jerry Owens in LF, and there's not a chance in hell Owens hits well enough for a LFer. It's already looking like we're going to be carrying one offensive black hole in Uribe, you can't carry another, especially in LF. Gotta get somebody who can hit the f***ing ball in LF, no more of this slap-hitter crap.

[NorthSideSox72]

No it's not. Your scenario has Jerry Owens in LF, and there's not a chance in hell Owens hits well enough for a LFer. It's already looking like we're going to be carrying one offensive black hole in Uribe, you can't carry another, especially in LF. Gotta get somebody who can hit the f***ing ball in LF, no more of this slap-hitter crap.

*cough* Jenkins *cough*

 

[NorthSideSox72]

If we did pick up Jenkins and Hunter for LF and CF, that makes for a serious lineup of hitters, but... no real leadoff guy, unless it was Richar. Then you'd have...

 

Richar/Ozuna/Bourgoeis (platoon 2 of them)

Hunter

Thome

Konerko

Dye

Jenkins

Fields

Pierzynski

Uribe

 

Lots of power there, tons of homers. But a lot of K's too.

 

[CWSGuy406]

*cough* Jenkins *cough*

 

Meh, Jenkins is okay. He was league average with the bat last year, probably a little worse seeing that his OPS was slugging percentage heavy (.317 OBP). If you get Jenkins, you're still not done -- you need a platoon partner, and I don't consider Pablo Ozuna to be that guy.

Edited November 8, 2007 by CWSGuy406

[dmbjeff]

*cough* Jenkins *cough*

 

 

it makes too much sense to have jenkins as our LF in 2008. short contract, decently priced,solid bat, average defender.

[NorthSideSox72]

Meh, Jenkins is okay. He was league average with the bat last year, probably a little worse seeing that his OPS was slugging percentage heavy (.317 OBP). If you get Jenkins, you're still not done -- you need a platoon partner, and I don't consider Pablo Ozuna to be that guy.

Looking at his career, 2007 looks like a down year to me. And I think he can be had for reasonable money. As far as platoon goes, I think playing Ozuna does fine, or Bourgeois. But I think you play Jenkins 5 or 6 days a week anyway. Ozuna plays 1 game a week at LF, 1 at 2B.

 

[CWSGuy406]

Looking at his career, 2007 looks like a down year to me. And I think he can be had for reasonable money. As far as platoon goes, I think playing Ozuna does fine, or Bourgeois. But I think you play Jenkins 5 or 6 days a week anyway. Ozuna plays 1 game a week at LF, 1 at 2B.

 

Why does it look like a down year? In the three seasons, he's posted OPS+' of 130, 101 and 101. He's already 33 years old and will turn 34 in the middle of 2008.

 

And in this division, with good lefties up the wazoo, you need a competent platoon partner for a guy who doesn't have a chance versus lefties, and I don't consider 33 year old Pablo Ozuna to be that guy, especially coming off of an injury.

[NorthSideSox72]

Why does it look like a down year? In the three seasons, he's posted OPS+' of 130, 101 and 101. He's already 33 years old and will turn 34 in the middle of 2008.

 

And in this division, with good lefties up the wazoo, you need a competent platoon partner for a guy who doesn't have a chance versus lefties, and I don't consider 33 year old Pablo Ozuna to be that guy, especially coming off of an injury.

Fair enough. I think Jenkins/Ozuna or Jenkins/Bourgeois (who seems to be able to play just about anywhere) are huge improvements over Owens, though. And can be had for less money than what the market may dictate in money or trade for something better.

 

[Vance Law]

No it's not. Your scenario has Jerry Owens in LF, and there's not a chance in hell Owens hits well enough for a LFer. It's already looking like we're going to be carrying one offensive black hole in Uribe, you can't carry another, especially in LF. Gotta get somebody who can hit the f***ing ball in LF, no more of this slap-hitter crap.

 

Interestingly the average OPS for American League CFs this year was .753. For LFs it was .758.

 

It doesn't matter where you get the offense from. If you have plus-offense at CF, that makes it less necessary that you have it at LF.

 

Also, LF still might be Fields. I contended throughout the Damon speculation and continue to (as have many others here), you won't get anything of value for Crede if he's traded before he actually plays some baseball.

 

 

 

[sircaffey]

If we did pick up Jenkins and Hunter for LF and CF, that makes for a serious lineup of hitters, but... no real leadoff guy, unless it was Richar. Then you'd have...

 

Richar/Ozuna/Bourgoeis (platoon 2 of them)

Hunter

Thome

Konerko

Dye

Jenkins

Fields

Pierzynski

Uribe

 

Lots of power there, tons of homers. But a lot of K's too.

 

I never get the logic of putting your worst hitter leadoff because he's resembles somewhat of a leadoff hitter. You want to give the most plate appearances to your worst hitter? That makes no sense. Why not just bat them 9th, move everyone else up a spot, and give the most PA to a good hitter? Afterall, the only inning that they truly are a leadoff batter is the 1st. If you don't have a true and quality leadoff hitter, don't force it. Hunter leading off the game is a hell of a lot more dangerous than Richar, and ultimately will create more runs over the course of the season.

Edited November 8, 2007 by sircaffey