What are the chances of Uribe returning?

[harfman77]

A month ago I would have thought slim to none with slim on the first flight out of town. But now, he seems he has earned some playing time back, plays the best defense of anyone on the team, and most importantly has not caused a distraction with his benching. With the market tight for MI and OC as good as gone, what are the chances Uribe is brought back as at least the utility player that Ozuna was meant to be this season, and maybe as the starting 2B? He has one of the worst offensive approaches in the game, but pitching and defense contributes just as much to winning as hitting does.

 

I am going to add the disclaimer that is not my preference that Uribe returns as the starter, but Beckham may not be that far away depending on when (if) he signs, and signing another MI long term may not be cost effective.

[CanOfCorn]

A month ago I would have thought slim to none with slim on the first flight out of town. But now, he seems he has earned some playing time back, plays the best defense of anyone on the team, and most importantly has not caused a distraction with his benching. With the market tight for MI and OC as good as gone, what are the chances Uribe is brought back as at least the utility player that Ozuna was meant to be this season, and maybe as the starting 2B? He has one of the worst offensive approaches in the game, but pitching and defense contributes just as much to winning as hitting does.

 

I am going to add the disclaimer that is not my preference that Uribe returns as the starter, but Beckham may not be that far away depending on when (if) he signs, and signing another MI long term may not be cost effective.

 

I think a lot is going to depend on Josh Fields. If Josh can get back on track...Uribe is as good as gone, IMO. I think the Sox are going to make a play for Orlando Hudson or Brian Roberts (again).

[YASNY]

I think it all depends on the Sox evaluation of Getz. If they feel he step up and be a solid utility guy next year, he's more cost effective. If they don't Uribe will be back. I believe Uribe will be back.

[GreatScott82]

A month ago I would have thought slim to none with slim on the first flight out of town. But now, he seems he has earned some playing time back, plays the best defense of anyone on the team, and most importantly has not caused a distraction with his benching. With the market tight for MI and OC as good as gone, what are the chances Uribe is brought back as at least the utility player that Ozuna was meant to be this season, and maybe as the starting 2B? He has one of the worst offensive approaches in the game, but pitching and defense contributes just as much to winning as hitting does.

 

I am going to add the disclaimer that is not my preference that Uribe returns as the starter, but Beckham may not be that far away depending on when (if) he signs, and signing another MI long term may not be cost effective.

I'd take him back as our 4th infielder any day of the week, but not as a fulltime starter. Unfortanately he will likely sign elsewhere to become a fulltime starting SS. Teams like SF and Baltamore will likely pick him up. My guess is KW will attempt to resign Crede but talks with Boras will go nowhere. So i can see KW trying his best to get a guy like Figgins again. Its definitley a defensive downgrade but KW has been be in love with this guy for awhile. ANd we all know that if KW is in love with a player, he'll eventually get him.

Erstad in 2001, eventually got him in 2007.

Thome when he left Cleveland got him in 2006

Griffey in 2005, got him in 2008

Figgins in 2007 and 2008, get him in 2009?

You could also bring up guys like the Alomars, and Everett etc.... Oh BTW KW is also in love with Orlando Hudson. So we may see an infield of Hudson, Ramirez, and Figgins next year..which isn't too bad.

[Balta1701]

Here's your real question. Do you offer him salary arbitration?

[DBAHO]

Here's your real question. Do you offer him salary arbitration?

No I wouldn't personally.

 

I'd pay him nothing more than 2.5-3M at most a season to be a backup, and even that maybe too steep.

[YASNY]

Here's your real question. Do you offer him salary arbitration?

 

Again, it depends on the Sox evaluation of Getz.

[harfman77]

Here's your real question. Do you offer him salary arbitration?

 

If he maintains his "B" level status you have to offer him arbitration. If he walks you get a comp pick, if not you get a backup MI who is one of the best defenders in baseball. There is no lose in that equation.

[Balta1701]

If he maintains his "B" level status you have to offer him arbitration. If he walks you get a comp pick, if not you get a backup MI who is one of the best defenders in baseball. There is no lose in that equation.

The reason I ask that is...if you're offering him arbitration, you're basically guaranteeing him a $4 million salary next year if he chooses to accept.

 

If he was still a type B Free Agent I'm pretty sure I would also, but the reason to ask that question is it sets the floor of the amount of money you'd be paying him next year.

[DBAHO]

So would a team have to give up a draft pick to sign Uribe if he was a "B" free agent, because I'm assuming they would, and that'll probably scare off a few teams to say the least.

[YASNY]

So would a team have to give up a draft pick to sign Uribe if he was a "B" free agent, because I'm assuming they would, and that'll probably scare off a few teams to say the least.

 

It's borderline right now, if what I've seen is accurate. In fact, Uribe was rated above Crede.

[bigruss]

So would a team have to give up a draft pick to sign Uribe if he was a "B" free agent, because I'm assuming they would, and that'll probably scare off a few teams to say the least.

No, only Type A teams give upa draft pick, the White Sox would gain a compensatory "sandwich" pick which is just an added pick in the draft.

[DBAHO]

No, only Type A teams give upa draft pick, the White Sox would gain a compensatory "sandwich" pick which is just an added pick in the draft.

Ok cool. Just in Uribe's position, it depends if he wants to be a starter or not, because if he only cares about the $$$, then I think he would definitely take the $4M.

[Kalapse]

So would a team have to give up a draft pick to sign Uribe if he was a "B" free agent

No

 

Losing a type B free agent gets you a sandwich pick

 

Signing a type B free agent costs you nothing

[DBAHO]

No

 

Losing a type B free agent gets you a sandwich pick

 

Signing a type B free agent costs you nothing

Hence we dearly hope that Joe Crede ain't a type B FA come the off-season (which unfortunately he probably will be).

[EvilJester99]

I think my question is what are the chances that Uribe is the starting 3B next season?

[BearSox]

Hence we dearly hope that Joe Crede ain't a type B FA come the off-season (which unfortunately he probably will be).

wait, why do we hope Crede isn't a type a B FA?

[BearSox]

I think my question is what are the chances that Uribe is the starting 3B next season?

God, I hope not. If we enter another season with him as a starter for us, I might jump off a building.

[EvilJester99]

God, I hope not. If we enter another season with him as a starter for us, I might jump off a building.

I agree completely with you here. I don't want him back let alone starting. We all know though how much Ozzie loves him and his defense...it wouldn't shock me at all. Plus it seems he doesn't want Fields.....

[Chisoxfn]

Hence we dearly hope that Joe Crede ain't a type B FA come the off-season (which unfortunately he probably will be).

Why is that? Crede isn't going to be a type A FA. So his only chance is really being a type B FA.

[BearSox]

I agree completely with you here. I don't want him back let alone starting. We all know though how much Ozzie loves him and his defense...it wouldn't shock me at all. Plus it seems he doesn't want Fields.....

I can easily see Fields fading away and never amount to much in the big leagues ever again. We have horribly mishandled him from the end of last season.

[Chisoxfn]

I can easily see Fields fading away and never amount to much in the big leagues ever again. We have horribly mishandled him from the end of last season.

I don't see how he was mishandled. The Sox kept Crede, Fields isn't getting killed by spending one extra year in the minors. Imo, The only thing that hurt him was injuries and the holes in his swing.

[Balta1701]

I don't see how he was mishandled. The Sox kept Crede, Fields isn't getting killed by spending one extra year in the minors. Imo, The only thing that hurt him was injuries and the holes in his swing.

I'll agree on this one. He put up decent numbers as a rookie last year, but it's hard to see how he'd have been in a better position if he'd known he was the starter in the big leagues from day 1.

[Gregory Pratt]

I also disagree here. Fields is showing who he is. Going to hit bombs, but strikeout a ton. Thats fine, and alot of hitters make the HoF that way, but they also adjust. So far, Josh has shown his weaknesses, and not been able to make the necessary adjustments to compensate.

 

Like who?

 

I don't ask that to be snarky, but I can't think of anyone who is like Fields or, say, Ryan Howard, who was a low-average high-strikeout hitter who hit bombs and that's about it and made the Hall of Fame aside from Harmon Killebrew. This is just offhand, though. I think Adam Dunn is on his way, but he's got a long way to go before he can be considered seriously. Howard is "on his way" in terms of numbers, but I don't think he'll have the peak or the longevity to wind up being seriously considered. I guess that's not the point, though -- I wonder what other HOFers profile as high-strikeout low-average bombers and made the Hall.

[Balta1701]

Like who?

 

I don't ask that to be snarky, but I can't think of anyone who is like Fields or, say, Ryan Howard, who was a low-average high-strikeout hitter who hit bombs and that's about it and made the Hall of Fame aside from Harmon Killebrew. This is just offhand, though. I think Adam Dunn is on his way, but he's got a long way to go before he can be considered seriously. Howard is "on his way" in terms of numbers, but I don't think he'll have the peak or the longevity to wind up being seriously considered. I guess that's not the point, though -- I wonder what other HOFers profile as high-strikeout low-average bombers and made the Hall.

Does Thome count?

 

Reggie Jackson is by far #1 on the career strikeout list. Sammy Sosa is #2 until Jim passes him, although Sosa might not make the HOF for, let's say, other reasons.