What are the chances of Uribe returning?

[WCSox]

That pricetag is still a bit too steep for mine.

 

I can't see paying a utility bench player 10 mil "just in case".

 

That's $10 million over two years, or $5 mil per... which is only $500k more than Kenny gave Uribe to be a utility player this year. Good luck finding a veteran FA defensive wiz who can play 3B, SS, and 2B exceptionally well and will agree to only $2 million a year.

 

I don't see why Uribe at 2/10 would be a bad investment. That would only make up 5% of the Sox's payroll and there are several aging vets coming off the books over the next two years. On top of the insurance money that they should be getting from Jose's injury, the losses of Cabrera, Crede, and Griffey will free up about $20-25 million for next season. And with the Sox on pace to draw a healthy 2.5 million this season, I don't see JR pressuring KW to slash payroll any time soon.

 

We have a butt load of SS/2B type guys

 

That's news to me, especially with Cabrera almost certainly leaving next year and Richar now out of the picture. Or are you talking about guys in AA or AAA not named Getz?

 

If the Sox can sign Casey Blake at 2/15 or 2/16, I wouldn't have a problem with Uribe leaving town. But with Fields apparently not ready to hit ML pitching (and being a massive defensive downgrade), Getz being an unknown, and even Alexei being an unknown defensively at SS, the Sox need to seriously consider investing in infield depth (even if that doesn't include Uribe). The infield will be ridiculously thin next year.

 

Edited August 13, 2008 by WCSox

[DBAHO]

That's $10 million over two years, or $5 mil per... which is only $500k more than Kenny gave Uribe to be a utility player this year. Good luck finding a veteran FA defensive wiz who can play 3B, SS, and 2B exceptionally well and will agree to only $2 million a year.

 

I don't see why Uribe at 2/10 would be a bad investment. That would only make up 5% of the Sox's payroll and there are several aging vets coming off the books over the next two years. On top of the insurance money that they should be getting from Jose's injury, the losses of Cabrera, Crede, and Griffey will free up about $20-25 million for next season. And with the Sox on pace to draw a healthy 2.5 million this season, I don't see JR pressuring KW to slash payroll any time soon.

Well when the Sox signed Uribe to that deal, we didn't have Cabrera or Alexei. We basically had a middle infield of Danny Richar and Juan Uribe.

 

Utility players just don't make $5M a season (especially ones that hit for a weak average and K a lot). I'd rather go with Getz for the min, maybe sign another utlity infielder who can play SS/3B, and use the 4M you'd save towards a starting pitcher, a 3rd baseman, or a bonafide stud center fielder.

 

All depends on how much $$$$ KW has to spend this off-season though.

[WCSox]

Utility players just don't make $5M a season (especially ones that hit for a weak average and K a lot).

 

Veteran players typically don't take 60% paycuts when they hit free agency. You're not going to find a good veteran utility infielder for $1 million. Mackowiak was making $2.75 million last year, and he wasn't really good at anything. Geez, even Toby Hall's worthless ass makes $1.75 million. Given Juan's defensive prowess and versatility, my guess is that there's no way he signs anywhere for less than $7 million guaranteed.

 

Uribe's has the ability to play all three positions and play them better than anybody else on the team, so he'd be seeing a ton of action next season in a utility role. He would be far from your average utility player.

 

I'd rather go with Getz for the min, maybe sign another utlity infielder who can play SS/3B,

 

Given that there's no evidence that Getz can hit ML pitching over the long term or that he's a better defensive option than Uribe or Alexei, I wouldn't automatically pencil him in at 2B next season. I also don't feel particularly safe with a massive question mark at 2B and an Ozuna-like utility guy as his insurance policy.

 

Well when the Sox signed Uribe to that deal, we didn't have Cabrera or Alexei. We basically had a middle infield of Danny Richar and Juan Uribe.

 

And right now, we (apparently) have Alexei at SS, a player with one ML at-bat at 2B, and nobody capable of playing 3B going into next season. That's a much more dire situation than this past winter, where Kenny didn't blink at the prospect of picking up Uribe's $4.5 million option.

 

Like I said before, the Sox are far from broke, will have $20-25 million freed up next season, and will getting Thome and Contreras off the books the following season. Committing $10 million over two years to a super-utility/insurance-policy player isn't exactly breaking the bank. And given their need for good defensive infielders, it's not a bad option.

 

and use the 4M you'd save towards a starting pitcher, a 3rd baseman, or a bonafide stud center fielder.

 

The Sox are going to need a veteran 3B next season. That's going to be Priority #1.

 

[BearSox]

I think I just puked a little in my mouth after thinking of having Uribe for two more years at 5 million per year.

 

It might sound crazy, but utility infielders are a dime a dozen. Sure, some might not be as good defensively or as fat as Juan, but a lot can at least match him in hitting and cost way less.

Edited August 14, 2008 by BearSox

[spiderman]

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.

 

Considering that Alexi Ramirez is the only IF (outside of 1B) who we know will be starting next season, and with Joe Crede & Orlando Cabrera's return both in serious doubt, I think there's a solid possibility of Uribe returning at one of the IF spots, almost similar to this season where he's either a utility player or a stop gap starter.

[YASNY]

I think I just puked a little in my mouth after thinking of having Uribe for two more years at 5 million per year.

 

It might sound crazy, but utility infielders are a dime a dozen. Sure, some might not be as good defensively or as fat as Juan, but a lot can at least match him in hitting and cost way less.

 

I know this much, Uribe is earning his 4.5 million right now. Add into it the fact that he can hold down any of 3 positions in event of injury and I think he is well worth it.