2011

[GreatScott82]

Let start looking ahead here.

 

2011 free agents: Bobby Jenks, Freddy Garcia, Paul Konerko, AJ Pierzynski, Andruw Jones, Mark Kotsay, JJ Putz, Omar Vizquel, Manny Ramirez . This is a combine salary of around 30 million dollars. Im assuming the Sox will part ways with Garcia, Jenks, Jones, Kotsay and Ramirez. I think the Sox will offer Konerko a 3 year deal worth 10 mil per year season with bonuses. He has proven once again that he still has pleanty in the tank and that he can carry this team. I think they will offer AJ arbitration and he will accept it. I say he'll get around 4 million next year. I also believe they'll re-sign Putz and Vizquel. They both were HUGE pieces to this years team. Putz will likely get a 2 year 4-5 million deal while Vizquel another 1.5 million deal.

 

So lets look at it: 30 million- 10 mill (PK) - 4 mill (AJ)- 4 mill (Putz) - 1.5 mill (OV): Thats about 17 million left over to spend on a DH or 3B based on last years salary.

 

Lets look at the lineup:

 

Pierre LF (proved to still have it- lead league with SB)

???? 3B (Omar will likely go back to bench role with proper aquisition) The guy I want is Beltre. . .

Rios CF (I loved his play all year long!)

Konerko 1B (The King will return!)

???? DH (KW will definitley address this issue right away in the offseason) Who do you like?

Quentin RF (if there is one guy KW will trade this offseason, i think its him)

Pierzynski C (With Flowers regression, AJ will get another chance to rebound)

Ramirez SS (had a hell of a year defensively)

Beckham 2B (really picked up his game in the 2nd half before the hand injury)

 

Bench:

Lillybridge (infield/outfield)- cheap. needs to work on his baserunning

Castro C- loved him as a backup this year

Teahen INF/OF- Most overpaid bench guy we will have next year. Likely will be PK's backup at 1B.

????? OF- KW will likely get a veteran with something to prove again here.

Vizquel- INF- the old man has GAME!

 

Rotation: Buerhle- Getting older- but proven to still have it.

Peavy??? Will he be ready to go? Or should i say will he ever be the same?

Danks- Loved him this season.

Floyd- Im still waiting for him to excell- the dude can pitch.

Jackson- In a full season i think he can turn out to be our ACE.

 

Bullpen: Sale CL- Yes i want Sale as our team's closer. This dude is NASTY! I think he can be someone we can rely on no doubt.

Putz SU- He was very impressive until his injury.

Thorton SU- Mr. Reliable!

Santos SU- This guy has nasty stuff and his getting better and better.

Pena MR- This guy impressed me all season coming in and salvaging games for us.

Linebrink MR- Yep his contract continues on.

Threets LS- A lefty specialist. Hopefully he returns healthy next year.

 

 

Our pitching appears to be set which is a great luxory for KW to have going into 2011. We will still need a DH, 3B and another OF specialist for the bench. I want Adrian Beltre for 3B. For a DH i can see KW making some sort of a blockbuster deal perhaps involving CQ and some prospects.

 

What are your thoughts moving ahead. . i love the makeup of this team and feel that we very close!

Edited September 9, 2010 by GreatScott82

[shrek]

If we get far out of it, I'd say give a good amount of AB's to morel and see if he is ready. I really hope we don't resign AJ unless it's for very cheap. He just isn't very productive anymore.

[elrockinMT]

I would want some more time to study on the team situation. Kind of late in the year to try and evaluate minor league talent especially when you are still in a pennant race. I do agree we have had some disappointing displays this year though and on the othr hand some real good ones too

[bigruss]

You forgot about arbitration raises (Quentin, Danks, possibly Pena).

 

AJ cannot be offered less than 20% of his current salary in arbitration, which is $5.4 million, and thats if the judge believes he deserves a 20% cut.

 

Right there you are talking about an extra $10 million eaten up, not including AJ. Essentially, even with losing all those players, with resigning Konerko and AJ, and with arb raises, we have almost no wiggle room without a trade.

[winninguglyin83]

mostly agree with your assessments.

 

Threets, however, won't pitch next year. Not after Tommy John.

 

Be a miracle if Kenny can cut his losses and dump Teahen on somebody.

 

I agree Quentin is the guy to trade. His constant injuries and need for days off, make him too unreliable.

 

But it won't be easy to find somebody who can drive in runs like him.

 

Peavy will be really hard to project -- so Garcia might have to be kept at a reasonable rate.

 

Sale will eventually be a starter. Can't see them using him as a closer. My guess is the job will go to Santos or Thornton.

 

I wonder what their plans are for Flowers. Kenny would have to admit he was wrong when he took him as the major piece in the Vaz trade, but a decision will have to be made on him. Can't put him in AAA another year.

 

sorry to ramble.

 

feels like the season ended today.

[chisoxt]

Let start looking ahead here.

 

2011 free agents: Bobby Jenks, Freddy Garcia, Paul Konerko, AJ Pierzynski, Andruw Jones, Mark Kotsay, JJ Putz, Omar Vizquel, Manny Ramirez . This is a combine salary of around 30 million dollars. Im assuming the Sox will part ways with Garcia, Jenks, Jones, Kotsay and Ramirez. I think the Sox will offer Konerko a 3 year deal worth 10 mil per year season with bonuses. He has proven once again that he still has pleanty in the tank and that he can carry this team. I think they will offer AJ arbitration and he will accept it. I say he'll get around 4 million next year. I also believe they'll re-sign Putz and Vizquel. They both were HUGE pieces to this years team. Putz will likely get a 2 year 4-5 million deal while Vizquel another 1.5 million deal.

 

So lets look at it: 30 million- 10 mill (PK) - 4 mill (AJ)- 4 mill (Putz) - 1.5 mill (OV): Thats about 17 million left over to spend on a DH or 3B based on last years salary.

 

Lets look at the lineup:

 

Pierre LF (proved to still have it- lead league with SB)

???? 3B (Omar will likely go back to bench role with proper aquisition) The guy I want is Beltre. . .

Rios CF (I loved his play all year long!)

Konerko 1B (The King will return!)

???? DH (KW will definitley address this issue right away in the offseason) Who do you like?

Quentin RF (if there is one guy KW will trade this offseason, i think its him)

Pierzynski C (With Flowers regression, AJ will get another chance to rebound)

Ramirez SS (had a hell of a year defensively)

Beckham 2B (really picked up his game in the 2nd half before the hand injury)

 

Bench:

Lillybridge (infield/outfield)- cheap. needs to work on his baserunning

Castro C- loved him as a backup this year

Teahen INF/OF- Most overpaid bench guy we will have next year. Likely will be PK's backup at 1B.

????? OF- KW will likely get a veteran with something to prove again here.

Vizquel- INF- the old man has GAME!

 

Rotation: Buerhle- Getting older- but proven to still have it.

Peavy??? Will he be ready to go? Or should i say will he ever be the same?

Danks- Loved him this season.

Floyd- Im still waiting for him to excell- the dude can pitch.

Jackson- In a full season i think he can turn out to be our ACE.

 

Bullpen: Sale CL- Yes i want Sale as our team's closer. This dude is NASTY! I think he can be someone we can rely on no doubt.

Putz SU- He was very impressive until his injury.

Thorton SU- Mr. Reliable!

Santos SU- This guy has nasty stuff and his getting better and better.

Pena MR- This guy impressed me all season coming in and salvaging games for us.

Linebrink MR- Yep his contract continues on.

Threets LS- A lefty specialist. Hopefully he returns healthy next year.

 

 

Our pitching appears to be set which is a great luxory for KW to have going into 2011. We will still need a DH, 3B and another OF specialist for the bench. I want Adrian Beltre for 3B. For a DH i can see KW making some sort of a blockbuster deal perhaps involving CQ and some prospects.

 

What are your thoughts moving ahead. . i love the makeup of this team and feel that we very close!

My thoughts...Do not assume that Konerko will be back...He almost went to LAA last time, and given the likliehood of a shorter term contract for less $, he may decide to bolt to a team closer to home, or to a more serious contender.

 

Threets will be out next year, and if Tony Pena impressed you this year, more power to ya.

 

You assume that Kenny will have a lot of $ to spend on free agents. i do not know if that will be the case. I tend to think not.

Edited September 10, 2010 by chisoxt

[Cali]

I want the following people gone for 2011:

 

JENKS

Quentin

Pierzynski

Pena

Linebrink

Kotsay

Teahen

 

[fathom]

One of the more under-reported stories during ST was that Konerko said he thought it would be time to leave the organization after this season. I was amazed there wasn't a lot of talk about it in the media. Due to his success this season, I say its 50/50 if he returns. I'd love to see him back, but if he's going to get 3/30 this offseason, I wish him luck.

[daggins]

Lets just go with for sures and question marks.

 

Like fer sures

LF - Juan Pierre

CF - Alex Rios

2B - Gordo

SS - Alexei

 

These guys are too important/good/contractually obligated to be moved.

 

Bench - Teahen, Lillibridge

 

No value.

 

P - Buehrle

P - Peavy

 

These guys won't/can't be moved.

 

Linebrink, Santos, Thornton - bad contract/valuable/amazing

 

Moving on to... TRADE BAIT

 

No positional guys. Sad but true. Unless KW thinks he can get something for Flowers or Morel, it's doubtful we can move any positional guys due to lack of value or bad contracts (TEAHEN)

 

P - Edwin Jackson

P - John Danks

P - Gavin Floyd

 

KW could try to sell high on Jackson or get a huge haul for Danks, either of which would add a lot of uncertainty to 2011's rotation. Floyd is a longshot here but I wouldn't rule him out entirely.

 

Now the bad news... Non-tenders

 

RF - Carlos Quentin has been one of the worst everyday players in baseball, with an inconsistent bat and stupefyingly awful defense. Even if you could get something for him, it would probably come with a similar price tag. Q would likely get about 4+ mil next season in arb, but he could get the Jack Cust treatment and be brought back for half that or less. He may still have value as a DH.

 

Tony Pena - 2 mil for a bad bullpen guy is not a wise use of resources, especially with Linebrink eating up 5.5mil.

 

Bobby Jenks - Duh.

 

finally, Free Agents

 

Paul Konerko - At first this might seem like a no-brainer, but the 1B crowd is pretty strong this offseason, and Paulie is no spring chicken. You might see the org go slightly younger (Laroche), cheap with upside (Pena), cheap and just hope he's decent (Overbay) or something else.

 

AJ - History is on his side, but the future isn't. When catchers start to drop off it can get ugly quick. We might see a brand new face behind the plate next year, or maybe they give Castro a chance to catch full time.

 

Ramon Castro - See above.

 

Omar Vizquel - At his age, and as delightful as he's been, this is as close to a sure bet as you'll see. Should be cheap and he clearly still has some gas left in the tank. Plus Oz loves him.

 

Andruw Jones - Eh, he's been decent, but I dunno if he takes another minimum contract. If so, sure. If not, next!

 

Mark Kotsay - NEXT

 

Manny Ramirez - Wild card, a lot depends on what his agent thinks he can get on the market. I wouldn't be opposed to it but bringing him back might not be the best move for the org. Wait and see!

 

JJ Putz - I'd love to have him back, but again, it depends on his offers. Some team hard up for relief with deep pockets like I dunno...DETROIT or NEW YORK could overpay him and that would put us out.

 

Freddy Garcia - A nice surprise, and I can't imagine with his history, both with Ozzie and with injuries, that he will get a big multi year offer, so look for the Sweaty One to return in 2011. Starting depth is never a bad idea.

 

That about covers it. The predictable thing with KW is his unpredictability, which makes each offseason exciting, anyways. Who knows what he'll do next!. Obv. I'd like to go into 2011 with a stronger offensive core and more starting depth, so that when a guy inevitably does go down, there's a capable body there to take his place (and not Torres and Harrell).

 

(For the purposes of this harangue I am going to assume Sale starts in the minors)

Edited September 10, 2010 by daggins

[chetkincaid]

If Konerko leaves, we are f***ed unless we replaced him with A. Gonzalez/P. Fielder/A. Dunn.

 

I too would love to see Beltre at third, but I don't think that'll happen because he'll cost too much.

 

Man would Chin Soo Choo look good in RF.

[nitetrain8601]

I appreciate PK's season and his time with us. I think it's time to go in a different direction though. He will forever be remembered and probably will get a statue, but we need to get a leader with more fire. I also wouldn't be opposed to keeping Manny at DH, giving Viciedo a shot at 1B, trading Quentin for a bag of balls, signing Beltre and V Mart and going after an OF via trade.

 

Guys who absolutely must go:

Jenks

Pena

Quentin

Pierzynski

 

I would give Sale a shot at being the 5th starter. Resign Putz as the closer as Thornton doesn't seem well in that spot and Santos isn't ready for it yet. Make Santos the RH Setup Man. Fill out the bullpen with some cheap players.

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

The most glaring problem I see in your mock roster is Sale as our closer. I will pull my hair out if they don't try this kid as a starter, like he is supposed to be. No sense wasting an electric arm for 3-4 innings a week when he can be a great starter for us in 2012.

[Jack Parkman]

The most glaring problem I see in your mock roster is Sale as our closer. I will pull my hair out if they don't try this kid as a starter, like he is supposed to be. No sense wasting an electric arm for 3-4 innings a week when he can be a great starter for us in 2012.

Sale may have an electric arm, but we saw how good that did for Strasburg. He started 1 season every 5th day and his elbow exploded. Sale has similar mechanics. I think that if they start Sale, he will suffer the same fate as Strasburg in his first season starting. If they can preserve Sale's arm by making him a closer, you do it. Liriano was throwing 98 mph before he had Tommy John surgery, now he throws 92-94. Sale throws 95-97 out of the bullpen, I'd guess that makes him a 92-94 mph guy as a starter. If Sale loses anything on his fastball if he gets injured, it could make him a fringe major league pitcher. We all know how hard reliable closers are to find, Sale seems to have the makeup, and I'd rather have that electric arm out of the bullpen for at least 6 seasons, than an injury prone starter who the team can never rely on, including losing probably 2 seasons of cheap service time for when his elbow explodes. JMO.

Edited September 10, 2010 by Elgin Slim

[Balta1701]

Sale may have an electric arm, but we saw how good that did for Strasburg. He started 1 season every 5th day and his elbow exploded. Sale has similar mechanics. I think that if they start Sale, he will suffer the same fate as Strasburg in his first season starting. If they can preserve Sale's arm by making him a closer, you do it. Liriano was throwing 98 mph before he had Tommy John surgery, now he throws 92-94. Sale throws 95-97 out of the bullpen, I'd guess that makes him a 92-94 mph guy as a starter. If Sale loses anything on his fastball if he gets injured, it could make him a fringe major league pitcher. We all know how hard reliable closers are to find, Sale seems to have the makeup, and I'd rather have that electric arm out of the bullpen for at least 6 seasons, than an injury prone starter who the team can never rely on, including losing probably 2 seasons of cheap service time for when his elbow explodes. JMO.

There's also absolutely no guarantee that working him out of the bullpen is a way to keep him healthy. He could well be throwing harder out of the bullpen as you note, and that could make things go faster. Also, workign and warming up on 60+ days per year instead of 30-35 could tax his arm in a different way.

 

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

Sale may have an electric arm, but we saw how good that did for Strasburg. He started 1 season every 5th day and his elbow exploded. Sale has similar mechanics. I think that if they start Sale, he will suffer the same fate as Strasburg in his first season starting. If they can preserve Sale's arm by making him a closer, you do it. Liriano was throwing 98 mph before he had Tommy John surgery, now he throws 92-94. Sale throws 95-97 out of the bullpen, I'd guess that makes him a 92-94 mph guy as a starter. If Sale loses anything on his fastball if he gets injured, it could make him a fringe major league pitcher. We all know how hard reliable closers are to find, Sale seems to have the makeup, and I'd rather have that electric arm out of the bullpen for at least 6 seasons, than an injury prone starter who the team can never rely on, including losing probably 2 seasons of cheap service time for when his elbow explodes. JMO.

 

I understand your concern, but approaching a pitcher with great talent by saying "Let's limit his value by putting him in the bullpen instead of utilizing him to full potential because we fear that he may get injured in the future" is a pretty bad way of going about handling him. The way it's taught is that a bullpen pitcher is a failed starter. You never grow a pitcher to be a reliever. Now you DO if that's what he has been his whole life because he has never had the stamina to throw 80+ pitches, but if a guy has shown the ability to start, you should never stunt his growth to be cautious.

 

Sale needs to be a starter until he proves he can't, either by results or by injury. If he ends up becoming injured, then he can resort to the bullpen. Plenty of bullpen pitchers are there because they got injured as a starter and couldn't recover. That doesn't mean their career is over, it just means they can't start anymore, but they can certainly have a great career in the bullpen.

 

PS: Mariano Rivera started his career as a starting pitcher, after struggling and having major arm surgery, he converted to a reliever, and the rest is history.

Edited September 10, 2010 by JoeCoolMan24

[greg775]

One of the more under-reported stories during ST was that Konerko said he thought it would be time to leave the organization after this season. I was amazed there wasn't a lot of talk about it in the media. Due to his success this season, I say its 50/50 if he returns. I'd love to see him back, but if he's going to get 3/30 this offseason, I wish him luck.

 

I could see him leaving as well. He might actually want that change of scenery. The warm and fuzzies of 05 are over and he might want to go to a team with a better shot at winning. Our team is simply bizarre. That was one, weird season. We were s*** for so long then had one amazing stretch and then a return to mediocrity, even though that 7 game win streak wasn't exactly conceding. But after winning seven we immediately drop 3 to Detroit. Weird weird team. He might want to try things somewhere else.

I hope he decides to sign his last contract in Chicago, however, but I could see why he would want a change of scenery.

 

I'd really like to see this team keep the starting rotation intact and go young elsewhere.

Is anybody else not in love with Pierre and Omar despite their terrific seasons? I wish Flowers was not a bust because that would be a spot we could get younger.

It's imperative we get rid of Teahen somehow. No serious contender can win with a guy who is that much of a butcher in the infield.

I could see keeping Quentin and Manny, even though Manny could lose interest as he did in LA.

Rios, Paulie, Quentin, Manny, Alexei and Beckham on paper aren't a bad little group of hitters to go with all those (on paper) excellent pitchers.

I still love Ozzie, but this team needs to get its s*** together. We're like 14 games over .500 which is darn good, but to me, it seems like we were much worse if that makes any sense.

 

Will our rotation next year finally be dominant? Can Sale, Thornton and Sergio and Putz kick ass in the pen? I don't see why not, except they ain't done it yet. I also stil love Bobby but he also needs a change of scenery. I think he'll do well wherever he lands. Won't save every game but he'll do well.

I hope any guys we lose DO NOT SIGN WITH CENTRAL DIVISION TEAMS.

Edited September 10, 2010 by greg775

[YonderLaroche]

non tender Quentin, Jenks, Pena (Around 12 mill saved), dont resign AJ (around 6mil saved), trade Floyd for prospects (around 5 mill saved), Let Kotsay, Jones, go. Resign Putz, Castro, Paulie, Manny (if on the cheapside)sign Crawford, Inge, Kearns, and a proven reliever and a few at league minimum and see does best in Spring Training... my ideal 2011 team:

 

C- Castro

1B- Konerko

2B- Beckham

3B- Vizquel

SS- Ramirez

RF- Crawford (FA)

CF- Rios

LF- Pierre

DH- Ramirez

 

Bench

 

1 Kearns (FA)

2 Flowers

3 Viciedo

4 Lillibridge

5 Teahen

 

1 Peavy

2 Jackson

3 Danks

4 Buehrle

5 Sale/Garcia

 

1 Linebrink

2 Santos

3 Thorton

4 ??

5 ??

CL Putz

 

Lineup:

 

LF Pierre

RF Beckham

CF Rios

1B Konerko

LF Crawford

DH Ramirez

SS Ramirez

C Castro

3B Vizquel

[greg775]

Is that only one lefthanded hitter in your starting lineup? I could see some prolonged team slumps with little lefthanded pop.

Edited September 10, 2010 by greg775

[Balta1701]

One of the more under-reported stories during ST was that Konerko said he thought it would be time to leave the organization after this season. I was amazed there wasn't a lot of talk about it in the media. Due to his success this season, I say its 50/50 if he returns. I'd love to see him back, but if he's going to get 3/30 this offseason, I wish him luck.

I'd give 3/30.

 

Here's the scary thing I'm thinking. I'm looking for teams that might have money to spend and could use a RH hitting, veteran 1b for next year and who might in a couple years be willing to move that guy to DH to finish his season.

 

You know who pops onto that list? If Justin Morneau's condition is as bad as I think it is...the Minnesota Twins are very much on that list. Especially if his contract is insured.

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

I'd give 3/30.

 

Here's the scary thing I'm thinking. I'm looking for teams that might have money to spend and could use a RH hitting, veteran 1b for next year and who might in a couple years be willing to move that guy to DH to finish his season.

 

You know who pops onto that list? If Justin Morneau's condition is as bad as I think it is...the Minnesota Twins are very much on that list. Especially if his contract is insured.

 

Wouldn't that be something? Thome and Konerko both go North and end up beating our brains in. Ugh.

[fathom]

Wouldn't that be something? Thome and Konerko both go North and end up beating our brains in. Ugh.

 

Konerko LOVES Thome, so it wouldn't be a ridiculous idea.

[SoxAce]

I'd be very, very careful with evaluating Vizquel. I still think he is having a fluke year offensively at his age, especially when he was putting up .243/.301/.308/.608 combined from 07-09. If we are bringing him back for his glove, sure, but I fear Ozzie will give him more at-bats (again) than he is worth similar to what he did with Kotsay after his sample size 09 season. I honestly would look to trade Pierre as well which is a good sell high with him. His OBP is inflated this season with his 18 HBP. (twice as many than he's ever had in his career in a season, i.e. he had 10 with the Rockies 9 years ago) I also hate his game, so perhaps that is my hatred talking, though I have nothing to say about him this year with us luckily. I didn't even mention the bullpen either.. KW has alot of work to do, no doubt and he and the front office (not Ozzie) has to make his smart decisions. And if there is one guy I hope is not brought back, and we get a much better hitter/OBP guy.. it's A.J. (not getting VMart, I don't believe, we'll see with KW) and I'd give Konerko only 2 years max. (though he definitely won't duplicate the season he had this year, and I'm sure the F.O. knows it.) Theres gonna be alot of 1B to sell low on, it's up to the F.O. if they want to gamble on that and get more established hitters elsewhere in different positions.

[Jordan4life_2007]

I'd be very, very careful with evaluating Vizquel. I still think he is having a fluke year offensively at his age, especially when he was putting up .243/.301/.308/.608 combined from 07-09. If we are bringing him back for his glove, sure, but I fear Ozzie will give him more at-bats (again) than he is worth similar to what he did with Kotsay after his sample size 09 season. I honestly would look to trade Pierre as well which is a good sell high with him. His OBP is inflated this season with his 18 HBP. (twice as many than he's ever had in his career in a season, i.e. he had 10 with the Rockies 9 years ago) I also hate his game, so perhaps that is my hatred talking, though I have nothing to say about him this year with us luckily. I didn't even mention the bullpen either.. KW has alot of work to do, no doubt and he and the front office (not Ozzie) has to make his smart decisions. And if there is one guy I hope is not brought back, and we get a much better hitter/OBP guy.. it's A.J. (not getting VMart, I don't believe, we'll see with KW) and I'd give Konerko only 2 years max. (though he definitely won't duplicate the season he had this year, and I'm sure the F.O. knows it.) Theres gonna be alot of 1B to sell low on, it's up to the F.O. if they want to gamble on that and get more established hitters elsewhere in different positions.

 

Man, for a Jeremy Reed fan (even his family knows he sucks), you're pretty smart.

[Wanne]

Wouldn't that be something? Thome and Konerko both go North and end up beating our brains in. Ugh.

 

that would pretty much send me over the edge...

[thxfrthmmrs]

we should really push signing vmart, if we let konerko, jenks, and aj walk, and trade away CQ, i think we should have the cap space to do it. I think a package of CQ and Danks2 should be good enough to get Choo, if not a guy like Markakis.

 

If we do sign Vmart, talk about the flexibility we have

 

LF Pierre

2B Beckham

C Vmart

DH Manny

CF Rios

RF Choo

1B Viceido

SS Alexei

3B Morel

 

bench:

Viquel

De Aza

Jones (I heard he's willing to return for the same money)

Castro

 

Both Morel and Viceido are fairly young and inexperience, we can throw them out there 4-5 days a week and still have a pretty good secondnary lineup with Vizquel at 3rd, Vmart at 1st and Castro catching.

 

I am no expert at contracts, but I think Vmart can be had for 5 year $65 Mil or so? really gives us someone who can play the catcher and first base, and switching hitter in the middle of the lineup.