Sox should trade Josh Fields

[Chisoxfn]

Well considering he hit what about 22-25HR's in 2/3'rds of his first major league season, and that he would hit in argubly the best ballpark for HR's in all of baseball, I can see why people would think as he progresses that he could certainly hit that.

 

The thing is, can he cut down on the K's enough to raise that OBP?

40-50 HR power is a rare feat. I saw very few HR's which were absolute bombs which leads me to believe that his upside is more in the 30-40 range than the 40-50 range.

[Dick Allen]

I think my post pretty much states his upside and where he'll most likely fall. The one thing he could do to significantly increase his value is improve defensively (he has the skill-set to do such) as well as to continue to improve his eye (if he walks more, than you can put up more with his k's).

 

However, if he walks at his current clip you are talking about a guy who not only hits for a low average, but also gets on base at a below average clip and strikes out at a pace similar to Ryan Howard. At that point you are talking about a guy who would really only have one strength (POWER).

In a similar amount of AAA ABs this year and last, his walk rate is down significantly, and his strikeouts are higher. He'll be 26 years old next year. Something has to happen fairly soon.

 

[Chisoxfn]

So what third baseman are there out on the FA or trade market this off-season that could give you a better OBP and defense than what Josh Fields could offer you in 2009?

 

Garrett Atkins? Casey Blake?

If Blake gets moved, I would have zero problem picking him up. He's a solid veteran who can handle a bat way and play decent enough D. He's clearly nothing special but I don't think there would be significant costs in getting him (he'd just have to be on another team cause the Tribe won't be dealing with the Sox). Beltre would be an actual upgrade and the Sox could afford to acquire him and extend him another year or two (which would be smart because he will put up above average 3B numbers while playing at the Cell). But the Sox can't afford to deal there top notch prospects for a 3Bman, imo as those prospects have to be kept for the major league squad or to fill key holes (ie, CF).

 

With Blake you know your gonna get a league average OBP, average, and 20 HR power. Is he a UFA this off-season or still under contract?

[Chisoxfn]

In a similar amount of AAA ABs this year and last, his walk rate is down significantly, and his strikeouts are higher. He'll be 26 years old next year. Something has to happen fairly soon.

I'd much rather have Casey Blake at 3B with Fields being traded in a package that gets the Sox an ace pitcher or a 5 tool CFer (Kemp would be included in this group).

[Dick Allen]

Determining who will be available is kind of a waste of time. Who would have thought last summer Cabrera would be the White Sox SS this season? If the White Sox need a 3rd baseman, KW will trade for one, but I would think there's an 80% chance it will be Fields, unless he really falls off the table the rest of the season.

[Chisoxfn]

Garret Atkins would likely be too expensive (in terms of prospects). He's 28 and I'm always scared about getting guys coming from Coors because there is an obvious crap-shoot as to how they will perform. The good news is his power has been consistent whether he's playing at home or away over the past 3 years (although his average deeps to the .270 range).

[Kalapse]

If Blake gets moved, I would have zero problem picking him up. He's a solid veteran who can handle a bat way and play decent enough D. He's clearly nothing special but I don't think there would be significant costs in getting him (he'd just have to be on another team cause the Tribe won't be dealing with the Sox). Beltre would be an actual upgrade and the Sox could afford to acquire him and extend him another year or two (which would be smart because he will put up above average 3B numbers while playing at the Cell). But the Sox can't afford to deal there top notch prospects for a 3Bman, imo as those prospects have to be kept for the major league squad or to fill key holes (ie, CF).

 

With Blake you know your gonna get a league average OBP, average, and 20 HR power. Is he a UFA this off-season or still under contract?

The 35 year old Casey Blake will be a free agent following this season.

 

Adrian Beltre is a Boras client.

[Dick Allen]

Garret Atkins would likely be too expensive (in terms of prospects). He's 28 and I'm always scared about getting guys coming from Coors because there is an obvious crap-shoot as to how they will perform. The good news is his power has been consistent whether he's playing at home or away over the past 3 years (although his average deeps to the .270 range).

The humidor has helped, but I agree, you never know when you get Rockies.

[Kalapse]

I'd much rather have Casey Blake at 3B with Fields being traded in a package that gets the Sox an ace pitcher or a 5 tool CFer (Kemp would be included in this group).

What Ace quality starters will be available (you can even push it a bit here) on teams that would be interested in a Josh Fields as the centerpiece of a trade? We all now who the Aces are which of them are you talking about here?

[Brian]

If we trade Fields and lose Crede, you know we will be bringing Uribe back for another year to play 3B.

[Dick Allen]

If some team were willing to give up a #1 or #2 pitcher for Fields, KW would be insane not to do it, unless the contract coming back is just ridiculous.

[Dick Allen]

If we trade Fields and lose Crede, you know we will be bringing Uribe back for another year to play 3B.

That won't happen.

[Chisoxfn]

The 35 year old Casey Blake will be a free agent following this season.

 

Adrian Beltre is a Boras client.

Which means Beltre won't extend. Blake would be the guy I target. Hopefully whomever has him doesn't offer him arbitration because that would prevent such club from receiving draft pick compensation (I assume he'd at least qualify as a Type B FA).

 

I have no problem giving a 35 year old like Blake a 2 year 14M deal (money shouldn't be a concern for the Sox, especially short-term), if it meant they could use Fields as bait to get a legit 5 tool CF (obviously not Fields by himself). This could mean an unproven guy or even some sort of ridiculous deal to get a guy like Kemp (whose a 5 tool guy already at the major league level). The problem is to get Kemp you'd have to make that deal now (ie, OC) or get a 3rd team involved (or have Paulie re-establish himself as the Sox don't have the necessary components the Dodgers will want come the off-season).

 

I can't say it enough just how good Matt Kemp is and the fact that the Dodgers have reportedly been dangling him for a SS means the Sox should show some fore-sight and make the risky move. The Dodgers would do Kemp for OC (I'm damn near sure of this) and that would enable the Sox in the long-term to move Swisher to 1B and Ramirez to SS. The issue is this season you'd have to find a taker for Konerko.

 

The next question is could you convince Paulie to waive his 10/5 rights to go back to the Dodgers and would the Dodgers be willing to take him. At this point in time, any team getting Paulie would obviously be giving up nothing in terms of talent to get him (given the large risk they are taking and his current contract, which is perfectly fine when producing, but given his season totals this wouldn't be the case). The only real horrid contract the Dodgers have (aside from Jason Schmidt) would be Andruw Jones (or Juan Pierre) and if the Sox got Kemp they would have no need for Jones (who has had a 4K and 5K game since coming off the DL).

 

So would the Sox make an in-season move where they give up more talent to get better long-term (they don't get better short-term, unless they have another move up there sleeves) by trading Konerko and OC to the Dodgers for Kemp. And do the Dodgers make this move, given the significant amount of contracts they would be taking on (OC's isn't an issue, but Konerko's is a long term deal).

 

The move fills the Dodgers significant void (SS) and actually could fill another void (there lack of power and Paulie (if healthy) would become there best power hitter). Loney is capable of playing the OF (as is Ethier) and the Dodgers had too many OF'ers so while the loss of Kemp would be big (talent wise) you could make a case that the Dodgers could afford such a loss.

 

The Sox would now have Ramirez at SS and a void at 2B (Uribe would either play SS or 2B) and a serious void at the top of the order. However, Brian Roberts is on the market and if the Sox wanted to dangle Josh Fields they could acquire Roberts and at that point you could argue that despite trading Konerko/OC/Josh Fields that the Sox are actually better.

 

Brian Roberts

AJP

CQ

Dye

Thome

Kemp

Swisher

Crede

Ramirez

 

Next season, the roster essentially stays the same with Crede being the guy you have to replace and the farm system is not decimated as the only top prospect the club gave up would be Fields (although you could bet your ass that one of Richar/Getz plus one pitching prospect would be involved in the Roberts deal). So I don't know how realistic the idea is of the Konerko portion of the deal but I do think the Sox could acquire Kemp & Roberts this season (which helps the Sox not just this year and next year). Also, financially the Sox would be big winners because they'd now have a large chunk of there lineup filled with younger/cheaper players.

[Chisoxfn]

If some team were willing to give up a #1 or #2 pitcher for Fields, KW would be insane not to do it, unless the contract coming back is just ridiculous.

If its a legit #1 or #2 than assuming its not like a 7 year contract coming back the Sox should have no issues. They should have all kinds of money to play with this off-season (given the contracts which are coming off the books).

[SoxPride56]

Which means Beltre won't extend. Blake would be the guy I target. Hopefully whomever has him doesn't offer him arbitration because that would prevent such club from receiving draft pick compensation (I assume he'd at least qualify as a Type B FA).

 

I have no problem giving a 35 year old like Blake a 2 year 14M deal (money shouldn't be a concern for the Sox, especially short-term), if it meant they could use Fields as bait to get a legit 5 tool CF (obviously not Fields by himself). This could mean an unproven guy or even some sort of ridiculous deal to get a guy like Kemp (whose a 5 tool guy already at the major league level). The problem is to get Kemp you'd have to make that deal now (ie, OC) or get a 3rd team involved (or have Paulie re-establish himself as the Sox don't have the necessary components the Dodgers will want come the off-season).

 

I can't say it enough just how good Matt Kemp is and the fact that the Dodgers have reportedly been dangling him for a SS means the Sox should show some fore-sight and make the risky move. The Dodgers would do Kemp for OC (I'm damn near sure of this) and that would enable the Sox in the long-term to move Swisher to 1B and Ramirez to SS. The issue is this season you'd have to find a taker for Konerko.

 

The next question is could you convince Paulie to waive his 10/5 rights to go back to the Dodgers and would the Dodgers be willing to take him. At this point in time, any team getting Paulie would obviously be giving up nothing in terms of talent to get him (given the large risk they are taking and his current contract, which is perfectly fine when producing, but given his season totals this wouldn't be the case). The only real horrid contract the Dodgers have (aside from Jason Schmidt) would be Andruw Jones (or Juan Pierre) and if the Sox got Kemp they would have no need for Jones (who has had a 4K and 5K game since coming off the DL).

 

So would the Sox make an in-season move where they give up more talent to get better long-term (they don't get better short-term, unless they have another move up there sleeves) by trading Konerko and OC to the Dodgers for Kemp. And do the Dodgers make this move, given the significant amount of contracts they would be taking on (OC's isn't an issue, but Konerko's is a long term deal).

 

The move fills the Dodgers significant void (SS) and actually could fill another void (there lack of power and Paulie (if healthy) would become there best power hitter). Loney is capable of playing the OF (as is Ethier) and the Dodgers had too many OF'ers so while the loss of Kemp would be big (talent wise) you could make a case that the Dodgers could afford such a loss.

 

The Sox would now have Ramirez at SS and a void at 2B (Uribe would either play SS or 2B) and a serious void at the top of the order. However, Brian Roberts is on the market and if the Sox wanted to dangle Josh Fields they could acquire Roberts and at that point you could argue that despite trading Konerko/OC/Josh Fields that the Sox are actually better.

 

Brian Roberts

AJP

CQ

Dye

Thome

Kemp

Swisher

Crede

Ramirez

 

Next season, the roster essentially stays the same with Crede being the guy you have to replace and the farm system is not decimated as the only top prospect the club gave up would be Fields (although you could bet your ass that one of Richar/Getz plus one pitching prospect would be involved in the Roberts deal). So I don't know how realistic the idea is of the Konerko portion of the deal but I do think the Sox could acquire Kemp & Roberts this season (which helps the Sox not just this year and next year). Also, financially the Sox would be big winners because they'd now have a large chunk of there lineup filled with younger/cheaper players.

 

 

I would LOVE that lineup, but what are the odds we can put that together?

[Chisoxfn]

What Ace quality starters will be available (you can even push it a bit here) on teams that would be interested in a Josh Fields as the centerpiece of a trade? We all now who the Aces are which of them are you talking about here?

Well by ace, I should say more likely front of the rotation starter. Dan Haren/Brandon Webb/Carlos Zambrano/Beckett/Peavy will not be available (CC is the only legit ace that will be available and the Sox will have the money to go after CC but CC will likely get 6 plus years and the Sox won't do that).

 

The one guy that I think the Sox might target is Erik Bedard. It would be a risky deal and the M's will likely want a decent amount, however, they'll have a need at 3B (assuming they are going to deal Beltre, which means Fields could be an attractive option) and are probably not going to be competing next year. That said there is a lot of risk involved with Bedard (health) and the Sox tend to stay away from acquiring injury prone starters.

[knightni]

CC will be in SF, AZ or LAD probably.

 

He wants to be on the west coast, in the NL.

[Chisoxfn]

I would LOVE that lineup, but what are the odds we can put that together?

The Sox have enough to acquire Kemp (as long as OC is the main bait) and should have enough to acquire Roberts. The question is if you make both of those deals Konerko becomes the odd-man out since the acquisition of Kemp would lead to Swisher moving to 1B. The club could obviously hold onto Konerko and basically keep him as an insurance policy to anyone going down (and also be ensured that they will be able to give everyone rest down the stretch).

 

Keeping Konerko could turn into a good thing because if he is healthy and puts up numbers you would actually be able to trade him for value in the off-season (getting 2 B type prospects in return). However, if he isn't healthy than you'd potentially have a hard time trading him period.

 

The only logic in acquiring Roberts occurs if you move OC so basically put any deal for Roberts hinges on OC going to the Dodgers (as that is the one team in desperate need for a SS that also has top talent to deal). Either of this trades would be ballsy though as it would significantly impact the clubhouse. In fact, if you keep Paulie you would be impacting the club-house less, essentially removing OC (someone who hasn't fit in with all) and one of the fringe roster players (to make room for Roberts).

[Chisoxfn]

CC will be in SF, AZ or LAD probably.

 

He wants to be on the west coast, in the NL.

I can't see the Giants throwing out another 7 year deal to a pitcher.

[knightni]

I can't see the Giants throwing out another 7 year deal to a pitcher.

We're talking about Sabean here.

[Kalapse]

Well by ace, I should say more likely front of the rotation starter. Dan Haren/Brandon Webb/Carlos Zambrano/Beckett/Peavy will not be available (CC is the only legit ace that will be available and the Sox will have the money to go after CC but CC will likely get 6 plus years and the Sox won't do that).

 

The one guy that I think the Sox might target is Erik Bedard. It would be a risky deal and the M's will likely want a decent amount, however, they'll have a need at 3B (assuming they are going to deal Beltre, which means Fields could be an attractive option) and are probably not going to be competing next year. That said there is a lot of risk involved with Bedard (health) and the Sox tend to stay away from acquiring injury prone starters.

I doubt KW makes any sort of push for Bedard before the July 31st deadline especially with Erik currently on the DL and unable to pitch until August. If the Mariners want to get ANY sort of value back for Erik Bedard they'll wait until the offseason after he's able to make a few starts in August and September proving he's at least capable of pitching. Bedard not being able to make a start before the deadline should kill any chance of him being dealt.

[Chisoxfn]

I doubt KW makes any sort of push for Bedard before the July 31st deadline especially with Erik currently on the DL and unable to pitch until August. If the Mariners want to get ANY sort of value back for Erik Bedard they'll wait until the offseason after he's able to make a few starts in August and September proving he's at least capable of pitching. Bedard not being able to make a start before the deadline should kill any chance of him being dealt.

In terms of acquiring an ace, I was referring to over the off-season, not this season.

 

[DBAHO]

Who's the 3B for the Marlins at the moment? Is it Cantu or McPherson.

 

Because I'm just throwing out the scenario, if anyone would be interested in a Fields for Cameron Maybin trade (and the Sox could always throw in one of their fringe starter prospects to get a deal done).

[Kalapse]

Who's the 3B for the Marlins at the moment? Is it Cantu or McPherson.

 

Because I'm just throwing out the scenario, if anyone would be interested in a Fields for Cameron Maybin trade (and the Sox could always throw in one of their fringe starter prospects to get a deal done).

It's Cantu and he's definitely producing (offensively at least, he's brutal in the field) with a line of .291/.338/.493./831 and 18 HRs.

[witesoxfan]

Cameron Maybin was also the main piece along side Andrew Miller in the acquisition of Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera. They aren't looking to move him, let alone for a mediocre prospect in Josh Fields.