Poreda more than likely to the pen in 2009

[caulfield12]

if he's with the Sox...lots of good quotes.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,2907010.story

 

Some other interesting stuff floating around that a few may or may not be aware of.

 

1) Cora is a finalist for the Mariners job

2) Viciedo has scheduled a series of workouts/showcases in the Dominican Republic next week...so it doesn't look like any signing of the kid will take place for the next 7-10 days, if not 2 weeks.

Edited November 11, 2008 by caulfield12

[scenario]

Viciedo has scheduled a series of workouts/showcases in the Dominican Republic next week...so it doesn't look like any signing of the kid will take place for the next 7-10 days, if not 2 weeks.

 

 

I think the workouts are on Wednesday of this week.

 

And it looks like the Sox have already made an offer too.

 

Edited November 11, 2008 by scenario

[caulfield12]

My mistake...this week.

 

Well, I think we're still looking at the weekend or next week for official news...as Torres tries to drive up the competition ala Boras. Actually, we might be better off if he's in so-so shape/condition, because we know what he can do, but other teams might be scared off by the rumors of his work ethic and attitude being lackadaisical the last couple of years in Cuba as many have argued that he has regressed a bit from the Omar Linares comparisons.

 

I wish we could have the national team's SS to pair with Alexei...I can't remember his name, but he made a big impression at the WBC 18 months ago.

[southsideirish71]

My mistake...this week.

 

Well, I think we're still looking at the weekend or next week for official news...as Torres tries to drive up the competition ala Boras. Actually, we might be better off if he's in so-so shape/condition, because we know what he can do, but other teams might be scared off by the rumors of his work ethic and attitude being lackadaisical the last couple of years in Cuba as many have argued that he has regressed a bit from the Omar Linares comparisons.

 

I wish we could have the national team's SS to pair with Alexei...I can't remember his name, but he made a big impression at the WBC 18 months ago.

 

I think you are thinking of their 2nd baseman. Yulieski Gourriel. I remember the announcers being all over him.

 

 

[caulfield12]

Can Cubano locate him?

 

According to the reports, he plays all three infield positions...he reminded me of a younger Nomar Garciaparra, at least that was my recollection...maybe more in terms of his body type/frame.

[bighurt4life]

Actually, we might be better off if he's in so-so shape/condition, because we know what he can do, but other teams might be scared off by the rumors of his work ethic and attitude being lackadaisical the last couple of years in Cuba as many have argued that he has regressed a bit from the Omar Linares comparisons.

 

 

Wouldn't that simply confirm the reports of his being a bit lazy if he isn't in shape for such an important workout. He's had months since he defected and should have known that he'd eventually have to work out for mlb teams, if you can't get yourself in shape in that period of time then there should be some major concerns about the kid's work ethic.

[beck72]

Wouldn't that simply confirm the reports of his being a bit lazy if he isn't in shape for such an important workout. He's had months since he defected and should have known that he'd eventually have to work out for mlb teams, if you can't get yourself in shape in that period of time then there should be some major concerns about the kid's work ethic.

I'd go by Alexi's and Jose's assessment of the kid's work ethic and the type of person he is more than one workout in front of a few scouts and how in shape he is. From all accounts, those two have done nothing but work their behinds off and should know if this kid is a winner.

 

Now, unless the kid is orca fat and a complete slug, some kind of deal makes sense for the sox. We all remember how alexei's workout left every team except the sox unimpressed. I'd give the kid some leeway, esp. him being so young.

[GreatScott82]

I think Poreda would do better as our 5th starter and we move Richard to the pen. It just seems like Rirchard would be a nasty lefty set up man. Especially if we DO in fact trade Jenks and Thorton replaces him.

[SkokieSox]

I think Poreda would do better as our 5th starter and we move Richard to the pen. It just seems like Rirchard would be a nasty lefty set up man. Especially if we DO in fact trade Jenks and Thorton replaces him.

 

Maybe Richard would be better off, but if Poreda still needs work on his secondary pitches, then starting could be a roller coaster ride. I'm fine with him in the pen.

[Kenny Hates Prospects]

If the Sox seriously believe he'll be able to develop the secondary pitches to start, then I want him in Birmingham next year starting. Don't send him to Charlotte where the bandbox + hanging slider combination could hurt his confidence and send him back. Let him develop for a full year in Double A and then maybe think about Charlotte, although for me a guy like him has nothing to prove there.

 

If the Sox instead view Poreda as a reliever, then bring him up now because his FB is good enough. I'm in the camp that says trade Jenks, make Thornton the closer, and if Poreda is ready, have a competition involving Poreda and Richard for one lefty specialist and one late inning, full inning pitcher. Maybe sign a free agent lefty too. I don't want either Poreda or Richard in the rotation though. No freaking way.

Edited November 11, 2008 by Kenny Hates Prospects

[joejoesox]

I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if Poreda & Konerko are somehow dealt in the off-season for a CF/Leadoff man, with Swisher moving to 1B

Seems like an under the radar type of move, with Kenny's comments about swisher not being in CF, and how "he better" hit higher than .219 in 2009

 

Arizona have a need for a stud lefty like Poreda, and a decent 1B?

 

edit: wanted to clarify, i'm not saying all we would be getting is a CF/Leadoff guy (1 player), and nothing else for those two players, i was merely stating that would be one piece of the return IMO

Edited November 11, 2008 by joesaiditstrue

[caulfield12]

All depends on KW feeling that Poreda's peak value is now and that he will never add a secondary pitch...and that there are many teams and scouts still viewing him as a front-line starter (like a 3) and not a lefty set-up guy.

 

That's a lot of suppositions. The thing is Poreda is young/cheap/high potential. That's the best type of player (especially LH pitcher) to have in your depth chart. So in order for us to give that potential up for "veteran certainty" (higher quality than Swisher obviously), then you better get a game-changing type of player for your line-up like a Brian Roberts or Carl Crawford-ish level of player that the Sox can afford to add to the payroll...yet in his late 20's (prime) and not the downside of his career. At least Swisher, at his age, that was the right idea for turning the roster over a little bit in the direction of younger players.

 

 

[Balta1701]

Well, here's our starting point then:

 

Jenks

Linebrink

Dotel

Thornton

Poreda

 

Top 5 followed by potential backup options:

MacDougal (Out of options now)

Carrasco

Wasserman

Logan

Eventually Contreras

[beck72]

I don't think the sox trade Poreda regardless. It's probably too early to say he's just a bullpen arm. Yet until he adds another pitch, though, he should be in the bullpen. IIRC, Danks added his cutter in the Spring. Poreda adds another pitch, and he'd be as valuable if not more than Danks or Floyd. His "floor" [the lowest projection for him] is still pretty high. Yet his "ceiling" is one in which you build a team around an arm like his.

[ILMOU]

Well, here's our starting point then:

 

Jenks

Linebrink

Dotel

Thornton

Poreda

 

Top 5 followed by potential backup options:

MacDougal (Out of options now)

Carrasco

Wasserman

Logan

Eventually Contreras

 

I see Russell and Contreras rounding out those top 5 nicely.

 

[ChiSox_Sonix]

I see Russell and Contreras rounding out those top 5 nicely.

 

 

Logan too. He is still so young (24!) and if he has options I would absolutely hang onto him and hope he can figure it out in Charlotte. He is a lefty who has shown he can have success. At his age, it would a dumb move to part ways.

 

And I also think Contreras coming back in July/August in the pen could be one hell of a set-up man

[Balta1701]

Logan too. He is still so young (24!) and if he has options I would absolutely hang onto him and hope he can figure it out in Charlotte. He is a lefty who has shown he can have success. At his age, it would a dumb move to part ways.

 

And I also think Contreras coming back in July/August in the pen could be one hell of a set-up man

Logan is not out of options, so he'll almost certainly start in Charlotte IMO.

 

MMac is actually the big issue in the bullpen. The Sox aren't going to want to buy his contract out and at the same time let him walk for nothing, but he's out of options so they can't send him down. If they go with a 7 man pen again, I think he winds up by default being #7 until they can do something with him.

[NorthSideSox72]

Logan is not out of options, so he'll almost certainly start in Charlotte IMO.

 

MMac is actually the big issue in the bullpen. The Sox aren't going to want to buy his contract out and at the same time let him walk for nothing, but he's out of options so they can't send him down. If they go with a 7 man pen again, I think he winds up by default being #7 until they can do something with him.

I'd bet big money that the Sox are shopping MacD, hoping to get something, anything for him.

 

[Balta1701]

I'd bet big money that the Sox are shopping MacD, hoping to get something, anything for him.

I'd agree. But something tells me, they're not going to have any more luck with him than they had with Masset last offseason, until the regular year starts and he starts throwing some big league innings.

[beck72]

I'd bet big money that the Sox are shopping MacD, hoping to get something, anything for him.

It's probably more a case of taking on someone else's bad contract.

[JPN366]

I wish we could have the national team's SS to pair with Alexei...I can't remember his name, but he made a big impression at the WBC 18 months ago.

 

 

The WBC was almost three years ago.