Off-Season Suggestion Thread

[fathom]

I figure his trade value will go down with the fact it is almost a guarantee they will trade him. It might take more than Egbert, but not much more, IMO.

 

There's about 5 teams interested in him as their starting catcher this coming season who will give up a lot more than Egbert.

[whitesoxbrian]

Despite his problems in the 5th and 6th today, what does everyone think about going after Derek Lowe?

 

I'm not sure what he'd cost, but I'd guess around 2-3 years at 13-15 per year, and I'd definitley make that signing. He is a power sinkerball pitcher which would be great in our park, he's never been on the DL, and every year he gives 200+ innings.

 

Then, go out and trade Javy and whoever for a CF'er, and then sign Roberts or Hudson.

[fathom]

Forget about Lowe....he's a Boras client. He's good, but he's going to get a ton of money and he's not exactly young. Sounds like he'll end up with the Yankees.

[greg775]

I have a question: If you think Fields would get us Figgins, then you are assuming the Angels think Fields is as good as Figgins. If so why wouldn't we just play Fields over Figgins?

 

Laird sounds like a nice backup catcher choice.

I'd pass on Pedro.

[whitesoxbrian]

Forget about Lowe....he's a Boras client. He's good, but he's going to get a ton of money and he's not exactly young. Sounds like he'll end up with the Yankees.

Wow, definitley forget he is rep-ed by Boras.

 

s***

[fathom]

I have a question: If you think Fields would get us Figgins, then you are assuming the Angels think Fields is as good as Figgins. If so why wouldn't we just play Fields over Figgins?

 

The last thing the Angels need is another power hitting prospect with issues making contact (see: Brandon Wood). From the sounds of it, the Angels want to move Figgins to LF.

[whitesoxbrian]

If the Yankees are really going to go after McClouth hard, and us the fans want him, then it comes down to one thing- who has the better prospects?

[Kenny Hates Prospects]

OFFSEASON

FREE AGENCY:

-Offer Orland Cabrera arbitration (99.9% chance he walks and signs somewhere else-gains us 2 draft picks)

-Offer Ken Griffey Jr. arbitration (very good chance he walks-gains us 1-2 draft picks if so)

-Let Joe Crede go

-Buyout Toby Hall's team option

-Offer Juan Uribe arbitration (could go either way with him, as along as he is only a backup. If he wants to try and go somewhere else to get more PT or something, oh well)

 

----------

 

-Sign 2B Orlando Hudson to a 3 year, 25 million dollar contract (roughly 8 million per year), with an option for a 4th year at 9 million.

-Sign RHSP Pedro Martinez to a 1 year, 4 million dollar contract with incentives/bonuses that could double his salary. Includes a team option for 2010.

-I also wouldn't mind signing one of those young cuban prospects and throwing them into the farm system for a couple years, most preferably Noel Arguellez.

 

TRADES:

-Trade for C Gerald Laird. The Rangers have Ramirez, Teagarden, and Salty, there isn't a chance they don't trade Laird. Laird is a very good defensive catcher who can throw out runners with ease (espically compared to Pierzynski). Plus, he provides a pretty decent bat. He would provide us with a great platoon option at catcher. The Rangers would want pitching in return, but not sure who exactly. We could probably get him for Jack Egbert, or some sort of combination of our mediocre pitching prospects and struggling relief pitchers. I tend to think that Egbert would get it done as he should be intriguing to the Rangers due to his sinker and his low HR numbers.

-Trade for 3B Chone Figgins. Not sure what exactly it would cost to get him, or what the Angels would want, but I would offer Josh Fields for him and go from there. Figgins is very expandable for the Angels as they have a jammed OF and Kendrick at 2B, as well as some other options at 3B including Wood. I think Fields would/could get it done.

 

LINEUP:

1. Figgins, 3B

2. Hudson, 2B

3. Quentin, LF

4. Konerko, 1B

5. Thome, DH

6. Dye, RF

7. Ramirez, SS

8. Pierzynski, C

9. Anderson, CF

*Swisher platoons with Anderson in CF, acts as the 4th OF, and backup 1B. He should still get plenty of PA's in this role.

 

BENCH:

C, Laird (platoons with Pierzynski)

INF, Getz

UTL, Bourgeois (he and Getz also act as primary pinch runners)

OF/1B, Swisher

 

ROTATION:

1. Buehrle

2. Floyd

3. Danks

4. Vazquez

5. Martinez

 

BULLPEN:

CL: Jenks

SU: Thornton

SU: Linebrink (if finally healthy)

MRP/SU: Dotel

MRP/LRP: Carrasco

MRP: Macdougal (if he has his head on straight)

LRP: Richard

 

FINAL THOUGHTS:

I feel if KW did this, we would have a pretty damn solid team going into 09. We'd have a much more sound team with more speed and better D. I am no BA fan, but he has improved his bat and provides ++D out there. He is likely our best option out there. I really like the idea of bringing in Laird to be a platoon option with Pierzynski, and I think it would be really smart to have him be the main catcher for one of Danks or Floyd because his D will help their development, IMO.

 

Pitching wise, our rotation stays pretty much the same. We bring in Martinez and hope he has a similar impact that El Duque had in 05. Martinez might not be the same pitcher he used to be, but he is still a pitcher. Odds are that he will likely fade come the second half, but hopefully by then either Poreda will be ready, or one of our other pitching prospects, such as Broadway, steps it up.

 

What are your thoughts?

If the Sox offer Griffey arbitration there is no way he walks. The lowest he'll be able to get in arbitration has to be something like $12 million, and there's no way he passes that money up at this stage of his career, especially to remain with a contender. The chance of the Sox offering Griffey arb is exactly 0%.

 

No point in signing Pedro. Just a waste of money. Jose Contreras could be back midseason, so we only definitely need a starter for half of a season. I don't believe Richard can handle that, but I'd bring in Freddy Garcia if we could to add some depth. Pedro hasn't been healthy enough to be worthy of anything.

 

Ideally, I'd like to see the Sox trade Javy, pick up two young pitchers with high ceilings somewhere in a trade, one from a Javy deal and one from another if necessary, then use the cash saved on Javy to sign Freddy Garcia and Juan Cruz. That way you have two young guys battling for one spot in the rotation with Freddy taking the other, and if Freddy goes down you have a better option than Clayton Richard, who should be used as a lefty specialist and long reliever. Assuming all these guys stay healthy, if Contreras comes back midseason you have 2 young pitchers and 2 veterans for 2 rotation slots, and that would be a great problem to have, especially if someone in the bullpen is failing miserably.

 

The idea of trading Fields for Figgins I could get behind. Ideally I'd like more for Fields by including him in a package, but Figgins fills a need now. I don't think that deal is realistic though.

 

Realistically I think Oakland, Texas, Seattle, Houston, Philly, St. Louis, Baltimore, and Toronto are better fits for Fields, with Baltimore, Seattle, and Oakland being the absolute best fits. Baltimore has Roberts, Seattle has Beltre, and Oakland has pitching. I have no problem dealing Fields for Beltre, Roberts, or any other Type A free agent that will likely decline arbitration. I'll take the draft picks and one year of a much better player.

 

[whitesoxbrian]

The Yankees. By far.

 

They are going to go nuts this off-season. I won't be surprised to see them moves both Hughes and Kennedy to get what they want. If I had to guess, I say their rotation next year looks like CC-Lowe-Wang-Joba-Moose. The Cano rumors won't die, and Hudson has been linked to Yanks for quite some time now.

 

With them missing the playoffs, and the new stadium opening up, just sit back and watch.

Well, I figured all that. I just wasn't sure who had the better farm.

 

Too bad there's no way KC would trade DeJesus to us.

[Kenny Hates Prospects]

Well, I figured all that. I just wasn't sure who had the better farm.

 

Too bad there's no way KC would trade DeJesus to us.

Aside from swapping nobody pitchers for nobody prospects like the Horacio Ramirez deal, I believe Kenny and Dayton are done dealing with each other. The Royals are on the rise and ownership has stated they will be spending some money over the offseason. I expect them to very active and I expect them to have a much better team next year. Even though it doesn't seem like it, the Royals took a big step this year. They finished 4th, ahead of the Tigers of all teams.

[whitesoxbrian]

In that case, there's really no CF to go after. DeJesus wouldn't be traded to us anyway and McClouth isn't coming here.

[whitesoxbrian]

Realistically I think Oakland, Texas, Seattle, Houston, Philly, St. Louis, Baltimore, and Toronto are better fits for Fields, with Baltimore, Seattle, and Oakland being the absolute best fits. Baltimore has Roberts, Seattle has Beltre, and Oakland has pitching. I have no problem dealing Fields for Beltre, Roberts, or any other Type A free agent that will likely decline arbitration. I'll take the draft picks and one year of a much better player.

There is no way Seattle takes Fields for Beltre straight up, and same goes for Baltimore for Roberts. What would be the most anyone here would give up for Beltre? Personally, I'd give up any 2, maybe 3, of our minor leaguers. This is his walk year, I believe, and so hopefully he gets on the HGH again and belts 45. But seriously, I think he'll have a great season. I'd give up Fields, Getz, and MAYBE Richard.

 

What about Looper, Wolf, Od. Perez, or Jamie Moyer as our 5th starter??

Edited October 10, 2008 by whitesoxbrian

[witesoxfan]

The Yankees. By far.

 

They are going to go nuts this off-season. I won't be surprised to see them moves both Hughes and Kennedy to get what they want. If I had to guess, I say their rotation next year looks like CC-Lowe-Wang-Joba-Moose. The Cano rumors won't die, and Hudson has been linked to Yanks for quite some time now.

 

With them missing the playoffs, and the new stadium opening up, just sit back and watch.

 

Hopefully Cashman gets creative, because I really think the Yankees are going to win 100 games next year. Forget about 2010, the Steinbrenners won't take to missing the playoffs.

 

Of course, there's a bullpen too beyond MO.

[Cowch]

The more I think about it, the less I want Figgins and Hudson. I wouldn't mind them, but I don't want them as much as other players. I hope KW thinks similar to me.

[beck72]

The more I think about it, the less I want Figgins and Hudson. I wouldn't mind them, but I don't want them as much as other players. I hope KW thinks similar to me.

Figgins likely won't be dealt. And Hudson will probably get a 4, 5 yr deal from someone [prob. the Mets].

[beck72]

Aside from swapping nobody pitchers for nobody prospects like the Horacio Ramirez deal, I believe Kenny and Dayton are done dealing with each other. The Royals are on the rise and ownership has stated they will be spending some money over the offseason. I expect them to very active and I expect them to have a much better team next year. Even though it doesn't seem like it, the Royals took a big step this year. They finished 4th, ahead of the Tigers of all teams.

KC is on the rise. What they need though is starting pitching. I could see some sort of deal for DeJesus with Javier Vazquez going down. Both are signed for 2 more years. Aviles could then take over at leadoff for KC.

 

The more I think about it, the sox should keep Getz at 2b to hit #9. Then make the big play for a CFer who can hit leadoff, even if they have to overpay. Vazquez alone won't get DeJesus. But it's a decent starting point. Javy showed the sox what he's made of and should be sent packing.

[maggsmaggs]

KC is on the rise. What they need though is starting pitching. I could see some sort of deal for DeJesus with Javier Vazquez going down. Both are signed for 2 more years. Aviles could then take over at leadoff for KC.

 

The more I think about it, the sox should keep Getz at 2b to hit #9. Then make the big play for a CFer who can hit leadoff, even if they have to overpay. Vazquez alone won't get DeJesus. But it's a decent starting point. Javy showed the sox what he's made of and should be sent packing.

I am on your mindset. Why overpay for a second baseman when Getz seems like he can be a very solid right away in all facets of the game. Why now get a top 3rd baseman or CF via FA/trade so that the lineup become balanced. I am very confident that Getz can hit .280 right away.

[whitesoxbrian]

I am on your mindset. Why overpay for a second baseman when Getz seems like he can be a very solid right away in all facets of the game. Why now get a top 3rd baseman or CF via FA/trade so that the lineup become balanced. I am very confident that Getz can hit .280 right away.

I love Getz, too.

 

Then, in your terms, you want us to get a 3B, re-sign Uribe for a super bench player, and then trade for a CF'er with speed, OBP ability, and good fielding? I wouldn't mind that. But again, who's a CF'er out there for us? If we get Beltre, we will use most prospects on him, unfortunately.

[beck72]

I am on your mindset. Why overpay for a second baseman when Getz seems like he can be a very solid right away in all facets of the game. Why now get a top 3rd baseman or CF via FA/trade so that the lineup become balanced. I am very confident that Getz can hit .280 right away.

From all accounts, Getz should be the type of contact hitting, decent avg., good OBP, good fielding that we have been looking to provide more balance to the lineup. If he's in the #9 hole, he could hit .260 and be a plus to the sox. .280 would be a huge bonus.

 

Getz is definitely not the only answer. But he could play a big part by hitting .260 with a .320 + OBP and fielding his position as a rookie. The sox have limited resources from which to improve the club and need to know which players to "cut bait" on and which to keep. Getz looks like a keeper.

 

 

[maggsmaggs]

I love Getz, too.

 

Then, in your terms, you want us to get a 3B, re-sign Uribe for a super bench player, and then trade for a CF'er with speed, OBP ability, and good fielding? I wouldn't mind that. But again, who's a CF'er out there for us? If we get Beltre, we will use most prospects on him, unfortunately.

 

Every player (well almost every player) is available for the right price. You could pry Alex Rios from the Blue Jays as he is not available, but you could get him for the right price. I mean it would take Swisher + Poreda and Shelby probably, but you could get him.

[witesoxfan]

From all accounts, Getz should be the type of contact hitting, decent avg., good OBP, good fielding that we have been looking to provide more balance to the lineup. If he's in the #9 hole, he could hit .260 and be a plus to the sox. .280 would be a huge bonus.

 

Getz is definitely not the only answer. But he could play a big part by hitting .260 with a .320 + OBP and fielding his position as a rookie. The sox have limited resources from which to improve the club and need to know which players to "cut bait" on and which to keep. Getz looks like a keeper.

 

Chris Getz is almost certainly going to be a statistical liability at .280...if he hits .260 he's probably going to be worse than Alex Cintron.

[ThunderBolt]

I am on your mindset. Why overpay for a second baseman when Getz seems like he can be a very solid right away in all facets of the game. Why now get a top 3rd baseman or CF via FA/trade so that the lineup become balanced. I am very confident that Getz can hit .280 right away.

Why overpay for a CF when your Centerfielder last year had what was by all accounts, a year that was a statistical aberration, and is almost assured to have a turnaround year next year?

 

[beck72]

Chris Getz is almost certainly going to be a statistical liability at .280...if he hits .260 he's probably going to be worse than Alex Cintron.

How so? Getz' M.O. is supposedly making contact, walking as much as striking out, being able to situational hit, having on OBP about 60 points higher than avg, with some ability to steal bases, and decent defense. Getz may not hit .280 right away. But a comparison to Cintron?! Not likely.

[beck72]

Why overpay for a CF when your Centerfielder last year had what was by all accounts, a year that was a statistical aberration, and is almost assured to have a turnaround year next year?

I agree Swisher will likely rebound. But he's not a leadoff hitter, which is what the sox need. If the sox trade either PK or Dye, then Swisher will take over their spots. I guess the question would be who fills in and hits #1 if not from a trade for someone who plays CF, 2b or 3b?

[witesoxfan]

How so? Getz' M.O. is supposedly making contact, walking as much as striking out, being able to situational hit, having on OBP about 60 points higher than avg, with some ability to steal bases, and decent defense. Getz may not hit .280 right away. But a comparison to Cintron?! Not likely.

 

He's got limited power and only decent OBP. He has a spot on the team, and I'm not saying he wouldn't be valuable, just that, statistically, he would be a liability. He seems to fit the Eckstein/Miles mold pretty well.