Sox Acquire Carlos Quentin for Chris Carter; DFA Heath Phillips

[29andPoplar]

My prediction is we sign Rowand in the next week, and Owens will leadoff and play LF vs rhp, and Cabrera will leadoff vs lhp. It's too bad we didn't make a run at Josh Hamilton, as the Reds might be talking to the Cubs about him.

 

It will be interesting, that's for sure. In his media briefing Williams said some interesting things. As usual, with some things you have to read between the lines. Clearly he says he's not done looking to upgrade the OF. He says Anderson and Sweeney are still "on their list" but he very strongly hints he is not counting on either for 2008. I have said for a while now he is aiming higher and I think acquiring Quentin shows he's aiming higher.

 

Agree on Rowand, I have always felt they will get him back. If so, you still need a leadoff hitter. Don't forget they can still do an upgrade at 2B.

[Chet Lemon]

It's too bad we didn't make a run at Josh Hamilton, as the Reds might be talking to the Cubs about him.

 

I have thought about the team acquiring Hamilton myself. Who do you think the team would have to give up? Broadway perhaps?

 

[Chisoxfn]

I'm not saying he wouldn't have a ton of value...it's just that the definition of "A ton" might be somewhat less than what people think we'd get for him. He's not going to draw the same amount that Santana, Bedard, Haren are talking about no matter how much we might think so.

I think right now teams are more glued to Cabrera, but once Cabrera goes Konerko is the best available bat (absolutely no doubt about that). He has a fair contract, has produced on world series teams, and is known as a very good clubhouse guy (plus he's a great defensive 1st baseman). Any team in need of a major bat (after Cabrera goes) would be knocking down the Sox door, imo. I think they could easily get a 2 young major league players and an above average prospect (similar to the rumored Dbacks trade or what some of us would like from the Angels). Another sleeper has to be the Dodgers. A package headlined by Kemp or Loney plus a starting prospect and a reliever would have to interest the Sox. In fact I think the Sox would do a Kemp or Loney plus Broxton deal straight up (I also think the Dodgers would make said deal). The one problem with the rumored Dodgers deal is that the Sox would still have a potentially weak rotation (again that could be solved with the Sox going out and giving up a good chunk of arms for one good young arm).

 

I'd definitely be all about having Loney play 1st, with the Sox spending Paulie's money on Rowand or Jones and than shipping out Crede/Uribe for prospects (they wouldn't need a reliever) and than packaging MacDougall and whatever minor leaguers for a good young starter.

[bmags]

if we trade kong-crede-uribe like people talk, the only people rowand would know from 05 would be ... Dye and AJ - pitchers buerhle-contreras-jenks...and they would have been first year's that year. Wow what a turnover.

[CWSGuy406]

My prediction is we sign Rowand in the next week, and Owens will leadoff and play LF vs rhp, and Cabrera will leadoff vs lhp. It's too bad we didn't make a run at Josh Hamilton, as the Reds might be talking to the Cubs about him.

 

There's absolutely no way anyone could possibly believe that Quentin was acquired to be a platoon player. Not a chance in hell. If Quentin comes out and plays like crap for the first two months maybe, but so long as that shoulder is healthy, Quentin is the Sox' starting LFer or RFer come April 1st.

[Chisoxfn]

I'm not saying he wouldn't have a ton of value...it's just that the definition of "A ton" might be somewhat less than what people think we'd get for him. He's not going to draw the same amount that Santana, Bedard, Haren are talking about no matter how much we might think so.

Balta, you'd probably be just as good as anyone else when it comes to this. Do the Dodgers bite on Loney or Kemp plus Broxton for Konerko? I think they would do it. The Sox would be getting one front line stud position prospect (both of whom have already produced at the major league level) as well as a projectable young reliever (they obviously could go for other Dodger prospects, but it seems like Kenny would like another good arm for the pen and Broxton would definitely be that). I'd obviously prefer Billingsley but that may not be realistic.

[Balta1701]

Agree on Rowand, I have always felt they will get him back. If so, you still need a leadoff hitter. Don't forget they can still do an upgrade at 2B.

God, I can't put into words how stupid it would be for this team to give up Cunningham, while in a position of needing more OF's, for Richar, and then give up on Richar after 2 months of surprisingly rapid growth, in order to pick up Loretta or Iguchi because they've decided those 2 guys are their only leadoff options.

[fathom]

There's absolutely no way anyone could possibly believe that Quentin was acquired to be a platoon player. Not a chance in hell. If Quentin comes out and plays like crap for the first two months maybe, but so long as that shoulder is healthy, Quentin is the Sox' starting LFer or RFer come April 1st.

 

Believe me, I hope he does play full time. I just don't think Ozzie will be able to resist playing Owens. Prove me wrong Oz!

[Chisoxfn]

God, I can't put into words how stupid it would be for this team to give up Cunningham, while in a position of needing more OF's, for Richar, and then give up on Richar after 2 months of surprisingly rapid growth, in order to pick up Loretta or Iguchi because they've decided those 2 guys are their only leadoff options.

The question is could the Sox live with Rowand and Cabrera as there 1 & 2 hitters. The OBP wouldn't be amazing but both guys would be very solid and serviceable that is for sure. Plus they are great defensive players and in Rowands case if he did what he did last year from the 2 spot he would be posting not only a good OBP but a great average. You than hope that Richar eventually develops and you can than actually slide him to the leadoff spot in time (but go with the veterans Rowand/Cabrera early on). Again I should add that the Sox add a good starter (Kenny and Ozzie have done nothing but preach pitching and I continue to think if he moves Konerko you will see him buy a pitcher).

[CWSGuy406]

God, I can't put into words how stupid it would be for this team to give up Cunningham, while in a position of needing more OF's, for Richar, and then give up on Richar after 2 months of surprisingly rapid growth, in order to pick up Loretta or Iguchi because they've decided those 2 guys are their only leadoff options.

 

I agree. Signing or trading for a "proven veteran" would make the Cunningham trade absolutely pointless, and as much as I bash Kenny Williams, I doubt he'd show such little foresight and make a move that puts Richar back at Charlotte. Personally, I think a Uribe or Bourg + Richar platoon will be as productive as any free agent secondbaseman out there.

[Balta1701]

Balta, you'd probably be just as good as anyone else when it comes to this. Do the Dodgers bite on Loney or Kemp plus Broxton for Konerko? I think they would do it. The Sox would be getting one front line stud position prospect (both of whom have already produced at the major league level) as well as a projectable young reliever (they obviously could go for other Dodger prospects, but it seems like Kenny would like another good arm for the pen and Broxton would definitely be that). I'd obviously prefer Billingsley but that may not be realistic.

Honestly, I kinda doubt it. The feeling I've gotten from the Dodgers over the last 2 years is that they're just too hesitant to commit to anything. They won't commit to playing their young guys, so they go into FA and sign guys like Pierre and Gonzalez and Garciaparra and Kent, but when they do that, they also won't commit to trading their young guys for veterans who could fit in alongside their FA signings. They sort of seem like they're in limbo; they won't give up Kent, Loney, etc., but they won't give them the starting job either.

 

I get the feeling that if they make a move, they're making a move in the FA market for Jones/Rowand, because that fits exactly their pattern over the last 2 years; sign a guy for a fairly unreasonable contract to block one of your kids.

 

They're sorta like Anaheim in that they just seem to hype these young guys to the moon, and won't give them up in deals, except Anaheim on occasion moves a veteran or lets a guy walk to give their young guys a chance to play.

Edited December 4, 2007 by Balta1701

[29andPoplar]

I just don't think Ozzie will be able to resist playing Owens.

 

Everything I've seen is Guillen is not in love with Owens ... not at all. He specifically made a comment about being fast meaning nothing as far as a leadoff hitter is concerned. He badly wants an OBP guy up top and right now he doesn't have one.

[Balta1701]

Everything I've seen is Guillen is not in love with Owens ... not at all. He specifically made a comment about being fast meaning nothing as far as a leadoff hitter is concerned. He badly wants an OBP guy up top and right now he doesn't have one.

That sounds nothing at all like the Ozzie Guillen we've come to know, in terms of not being in love with the speedy guy.

 

Ozzie made the OBP comment, and honestly, the 2 deals we've seen have helped with that. But I still think Ozzie will focus on having a speedy guy at the top of his lineup, and unless someone here wants Podsednik in CF next year, Owens looks like the default.

[fathom]

That sounds nothing at all like the Ozzie Guillen we've come to know, in terms of not being in love with the speedy guy.

 

Ozzie made the OBP comment, and honestly, the 2 deals we've seen have helped with that. But I still think Ozzie will focus on having a speedy guy at the top of his lineup, and unless someone here wants Podsednik in CF next year, Owens looks like the default.

 

Exactly, I know I'm not the only person on here who will believe it when I see it.

[Chisoxfn]

That sounds nothing at all like the Ozzie Guillen we've come to know, in terms of not being in love with the speedy guy.

 

Ozzie made the OBP comment, and honestly, the 2 deals we've seen have helped with that. But I still think Ozzie will focus on having a speedy guy at the top of his lineup, and unless someone here wants Podsednik in CF next year, Owens looks like the default.

Ozzie ripped Owens a lot early in his time up. He also commended him on how he had improved and actually played with confidence upon his second stint. Still I think the Sox realize Owens has a very limited ceiling and they have a plan that doesn't involve Jerry. At teh same time it can do nothing but help the Sox by indicating they have some confidence in Jerry (both in giving Jerry some trade value but also in Kenny at least not appearing totally desperate when it comes to FA negotiations with Rowand/Jones or trade negotiations).

[29andPoplar]

God, I can't put into words how stupid it would be for this team to give up Cunningham, while in a position of needing more OF's, for Richar, and then give up on Richar after 2 months of surprisingly rapid growth, in order to pick up Loretta or Iguchi because they've decided those 2 guys are their only leadoff options.

 

Completely agree but not thinking of either Iguchi or Loretta. I believe the Sox like Richar and will give him a good shot to prove he can handle the job and not be overwhelmed at the plate. But it's just a guess on my part that they want some good veteran insurance, a guy who can play multiple positions and can handle 2B in case he doesn't. Maybe it's Pablo but my take on Pablo is they like him off the bench only.

 

I hate to speculate on specific names with no knowledge of the situation but I keep coming back to how well Freel fits. Assuming of course his head is relatively straight. He could help.

[iamshack]

I think both Ozzie and Kenny are changing some of their earlier philosophies. Which is good. Baseball is a changing game. And it requires one to change with it.

[29andPoplar]

Ozzie ripped Owens a lot early in his time up. He also commended him on how he had improved and actually played with confidence upon his second stint. Still I think the Sox realize Owens has a very limited ceiling and they have a plan that doesn't involve Jerry. At teh same time it can do nothing but help the Sox by indicating they have some confidence in Jerry (both in giving Jerry some trade value but also in Kenny at least not appearing totally desperate when it comes to FA negotiations with Rowand/Jones or trade negotiations).

 

Yes. You said it better than me, that's exactly where I was going. I believe they're aiming higher.

[Gregory Pratt]

I have thought about the team acquiring Hamilton myself. Who do you think the team would have to give up? Broadway perhaps?

 

Definitely not.

[fathom]

Definitely not.

 

You just have to shake your head at some things.

[Harry Chappas]

Is Quentin out of options and/or did the D'Backs need room on their 40 man for some reason. This trade still looks great for the Sox and adds what they need while not giving anything in the short term to the D'Backs. As was pointed out earlier a flier on Phillips and or a throw like Sisco, McDougal, Aardesma or McCullough would still seem to tilt the trade to the Sox. Hell even Floyd would've been ok.

[Gene Honda Civic]

You just have to shake your head at some things.

I know they could have used Phillips before they acquired Quentin...

[ptatc]

Hopefully Quentin is 100% and will be able to really turn things around. I also want the Sox to be patient with him. I'm also exstatic to hear they would consider moving Paulie. Afterall, there are almost zero bats out there (Cabrera is an amazing bat, but aside from that teams would have to give up a ton of cash for Jones or Rowand and neither of them are the consistent bat that Paulie is nor do I think he's a risk to be named on the Mitchell report like a certain SS from the Orioles that is on the market).

 

He is. I called around to find out. By all reports he is doing very well.

[Chisoxfn]

He is. I called around to find out. By all reports he is doing very well.

Sweet

[South Side Fireworks Man]

He is. I called around to find out. By all reports he is doing very well.

So will he be able to play in ST?