I have to write about something

by The Cheat on Dec 13, 2006 11:52 PM CST in White Sox News

Non-tenders came and went. The Sox opened up a spot on the 40-man, presumably to be filled soon by a back-up catcher, by non-tendering the erratic reclamation project Eduardo Sierra, who the Sox picked up after he was dropped by the Rockies mid-season.
In my planned piece on the non-tenders, I was going to point out that Cintron could be a candidate, but, sad as it is, $2+M is the going rate for backup middle infielders these days. The Sox also tendered a contract to Joe Crede, giving them an extended time to negotiate before they're forced into arbitration.
The only interesting players I see are Giles (no chance), Reistma (injured, back mid-season?), Hall (who we've discussed to exhaustion in the comments), and Werth (injured, surgery in the off-season?)
A month ago, I didn't think there was a chance in hell that I would have called the Matsuzaka deal a good one, but here we are... I still think $51.1M is outrageous, but when the payoff is having a projected 1-2 starter signed from ages 27-33 at about $9M per year, you pay as much as you can afford in the posting process.
In the past, I said that I wouldn't want to risk getting stuck with Matsuzaka at an exorbitant price because I thought his stuff, and thus his probable major league performance, compared to Javier Vazquez. If healthy, does anyone think Vazquez (or more accurately a 33-year old version of Vazquez) will only be making $9M per annum in six years? Keep in mind, six years ago the White Sox paid $9.5M for 100 innings of David Wells.
Even if Matsuzaka is only a league average innings eater after a few good years, he'll easily be moved for something of value thanks to what will assuredly be considered a cheap contract in a few more years.
I used to think that Jim Bowden was the worst GM in baseball. With his last two major trades, however, he's proved me dead wrong. First he bested Wayne Krivsky with his injured bullpen bonanza. That move opened up the possibility of moving the Statue of Jose Vidro that was manning 2B in RFK.
Krivsky has had two high level front office execs resign recently, both of whom complained that their advice had fallen on deaf ears. Bavasi's miscues have lead to a grassroots campaign to find his successor. Congratulations, Mr. Bowden. You're no longer the worst GM in the game!

Tweet Comment 53 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Toby Hall...

http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hallto02.shtml

Check out who the #1 most similar batters through age 30 to Hall is. That's got to be bad karma or something.

by SSH2005 on Dec 14, 2006 12:17 AM CST reply actions

That is ironic

The good thing about that comparison is Sandy was an All-Star 6 times before age 33.

by RME JICO on Dec 14, 2006 12:00 PM CST up reply actions

Matsuzaka

I think that deal is outrageous no matter how you slice and dice it...especially for a guy who has yet to face an MLB batter.

Plus, they are on the hook for another $50 million to his Japanese team, right? What if the guy pulls a "Liriano" and screws up his arm?

This is just adding to the craze of paying average pitchers (right Cubs fans?) and journeymen outrageous free agent dollars.

I want KW to pull the trigger on some deals as bad as the next Sox fan, but let's not add fuel to the fire.

by tailgater on Dec 14, 2006 10:47 AM CST reply actions

i haven't heard a single scout who doesn't think this guy has top of the rotation stuff. and he looked pretty darn good to me at the WBC. lumping him in with average or journeymen pitchers does him a disservice.

this deal - even if you include the posting fee - will look cheap in a few years. and the red sox now have one of the best rotations in baseball.

by larry on Dec 14, 2006 10:58 AM CST up reply actions

Including the posting fee

The Red Sox are paying him $17+ million/year. The Japanese leagues are commonly thought to be a little more competitive than AAA ball. How much would a AAA pitcher with his numbers in a hitters' park make on the open market?

It's a good deal when you don't consider 50% of the cost. It's not so good when you do.

by BridgeportJoe on Dec 14, 2006 11:14 AM CST reply actions

"Paying," not "paying him"

by BridgeportJoe on Dec 14, 2006 11:15 AM CST up reply actions

i think the risk

is minimized by the fact that this will obviously bring in millions for the red sox every year from this new exposure in japan.

i don't think the comparison to a AAA pitcher is quite accurate; he's clearly better - and more experienced - than that level. i certainly think there would have been teams willing to pay close to this range for a francisco liriano or a justin verlander (there is a reason baseball has a draft system and holds down the salaries of players for many years).

i'd just put it this way - he's almost assured to be better than the sort of pitchers who have been getting $10-12 million this offseason. how much better remains to be seen. i'd certainly be willing to pay an extra few million above ted lily/gil meche money to have a guy projected by scouts to be at worst a #3 and with the upside of a #1.

by larry on Dec 14, 2006 11:34 AM CST up reply actions

Bowden

I don't think I would've considered him the worst GM in the game before. He's made good individual moves in the past, but his problem lies in making moves as part of the plan.

Nevertheless, if he did ever have that title, he gave it to Krivsky last season along with Majewski and Bray in the Kearns deal.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Dec 14, 2006 11:26 AM CST reply actions

Toby Hall is hilarious...

Free agent Toby Hall isn't interested in returning to the Devil Rays on a minor league contract.
"That was funny," Hall said. "I guess it would be a minor league contract because they're a minor league team." Way to burn those bridges, Toby. The club gave you more than 2,000 at-bats even though you never once managed a 700 OPS. Your OBP for the club was under .300, and you never came close to matching the 19 homers you hit at Triple-A Durham in 2001. If the Rays weren't much more than a minor league team during your tenure, well, it's in part because you weren't much more than a minor league player.

Source: St. Petersburg Times

by SSH2005 on Dec 14, 2006 11:42 AM CST reply actions

White Sox interested in Toby Hall?

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/12/14/Rays/Rays__Iwamura_confide.shtml

Ex-Rays catcher Toby Hall, nontendered by the Dodgers, said several teams called and he expected better options (Phillies? White Sox? Yankees?) than a minor-league contract the Rays might offer. "That was funny," Hall said. "I guess it would be a minor-league contract because they're a minor-league team."

by SSH2005 on Dec 14, 2006 11:45 AM CST up reply actions

that is funny

i'd be insulted, too, if i was him and just offered a minor league contract. sure, the guy isn't ivan rodriguez but he's not jaime burke, either.

by larry on Dec 14, 2006 11:48 AM CST up reply actions

To our collective chagrin...

I just have a feeling that we're not going to be the ones to end up with Hall. The Sox haven't made one peep about bringing in a real backup catcher for AJ.

It would be a shame, too. There were seemingly so many options available this winter, and we're caught with a 50 year old with 25 knee surgeries and a kid who will hit worse than Alex Cora next year.

by CWSKeith on Dec 14, 2006 11:58 AM CST reply actions

The lack of news

makes me think something will happen. Normally the rumors we hear never materialize, but the ones that happen, just happen. Hopefully this will be the case with Hall.

by RME JICO on Dec 14, 2006 12:03 PM CST up reply actions

Chris Stewart

Is he any good defensively?

AIM: shaftr01

XBL: TheMattressMan

by shaftr on Dec 14, 2006 12:01 PM CST reply actions

From what I have heard

he is average at best.

by RME JICO on Dec 14, 2006 12:06 PM CST up reply actions

He looked good in September

Throwing out Grady Sizemore at second twice? Once with Haeger on the mound? I was impressed.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Dec 14, 2006 12:16 PM CST up reply actions

I think...

He's thought to have a good arm, be a decent throwing catcher. I don't think he's great at preventing passed balls/wild pitchs (didn't Charlotte have someone else catch Haeger last year?). The problem is that can't hit at all. And has no power.

Unless he's going to miraculously learn to hit major league pitching this year, when he couldn't hit AAA pitching, I think Alomar would better. But Alomar is still a bad idea.

by hitlesswonder on Dec 14, 2006 12:28 PM CST up reply actions

I'm trying to remain optimistic about this one...

but it's hard because the Sox have not been linked in any way to have any interest in any catcher.

On the other hand, if Stewart were the choice, why wouldn't they just have come out and said that. And, if Alomar were the choice, how hard would he be to sign ? They would have had it done. His choice would be coaching or playing for the Sox.

by White Sox Randy on Dec 14, 2006 12:21 PM CST reply actions

Matsuzaka Could be a Bargain

To all those who think the Red Sox paid way too much for the Japanese phenom, think again. The Red Sox will probably make that money back and then some with advertising revenue they get from Japan. The Japanese press will be all over this. Come on, Boston-NY rivalry, huge NE market, game being broadcast back to Japan. You may even see billboards at Fenway in Japanese! If this guy can deliver 50-75% of expectations the BoSox will be smelling like a rose and may even threaten the Yanks.

As for the ChiSox, I am not excited about the 2007 prospects if we go with basically the same rotation as in 2006. I also believe B Mac is highly overrated and if his relief appearances are any indication of what is to come, we can expect many balls leaving the park and be lucky to see a sub 5.00 ERA. I don't buy the excuses I've been reading that Mac just isn't a reliever. It could be a longer season than '06.

by waitonhim on Dec 14, 2006 12:36 PM CST reply actions

Matsuzaka will be a good deal

if he doesn't flame out. He is going to be under a lot of pressure to perform, and if he flops, the Red Sox are stuck eating that contract. He had right around a 3.00 ERA in Japan, and that normally goes up considerably when they come into the Majors, especially once teams have seen him for a second time. The Red Sox won't necessarily get all that extra revenue. The league will get some and so will the tv stations like Fox.

B-Mac is supposedly in the best baseball shape of his life, has added 10 lbs of muscle and is set for a great season. He has had a chance to sit back and see how everything works, and now he can apply what he learned next season. I expect him to have a solid year, nothing spectacular, but solid.

by RME JICO on Dec 14, 2006 1:00 PM CST up reply actions

I'm a bit skeptical

About the whole "so-and-so's obscenely high salary isn't that big of a deal because he'll draw extra fans" argument because so many things can happen that makes the additional fan interest subside (injury, poor performance, little additional marginal impact where there is already significant interest)--but he's making the same salary in any case.

The fact is, the Red Sox are paying more than $17M in nominal dollars for a guy who excelled at an inferior level of baseball. Unless he performs at the top end of his anticipated range, I have a hard time seeing how this was remotely a cost-effective signing.

by BridgeportJoe on Dec 14, 2006 1:25 PM CST reply actions

Another hitch

The Red Sox already sell out every game. The people really raking in the cash will the secondary market ticket sellers.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Dec 14, 2006 1:30 PM CST up reply actions

i don't think they anticipate extra ticket sales

it's merchandise, TV, internet, travel, tours, etc. sure, some of this goes to the big pool of money. but you can be sure that a heck of a lot more people in japan know about the red sox now than a month ago. baseball is finally going global - to be perfectly honest, they're late in game compared to the other major sports.

there's risk with any player; maybe there's a bit more with this guy but the reward is massive. $17 million for a #1 or #2 is a bargain. and the $51 million or so they posted for him has given the red sox entry into an untapped market. even if this guy sucks, all the free advertising and exposure they'll get from this guy will end up paying that fee.

by larry on Dec 14, 2006 1:59 PM CST up reply actions

I hear ya

I just think that for a team like Boston, any increase in popularity/exposure is more like a drop in the bucket, especially since MLB splits all official merchandise revenue.

If he signed with the Pirates or Royals, that would make more a difference, putting double the butts in seats every fifth day.

Boston got itself a status symbol more than anything, and not a bad one at that.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Dec 14, 2006 2:49 PM CST up reply actions

Really?

"there's risk with any player; maybe there's a bit more with this guy but the reward is massive. $17 million for a #1 or #2 is a bargain"

I guess I totally disagree with the above. What #1 starters make $17M or above? Clemens--but that's on a year-to-year basis. Pedro. After that, I can't really think of anyone in that range.

What #2 starters? Glavine maybe? But he's a bit lower than $17M/year if memory serves.

Now, given the salaries that mediocre-or-a-little-better pitchers have been getting this offseason, I think that it is probably true that the very, very best pitchers are going to earn in the $18M-$20M range when they sign new deals over the next few/several years. But a 5%-15% discount isn't really that big of a bargain. And that's assuming that the kid is MORE than just a good, solid #1/#2 starter (i.e., 200 IP, 3.50 ERA, 16-9 on the year). To be worth that kind of money (let alone worth enough that that kind of money is a "bargain"), he's going to have to be close to Santana-esque (i.e., 220 IP, 2.25 ERA, 20-4 on the year).

And can you really call it a smart move to sign a guy who has to finish in the top 3 in Cy Young voting to justify what you are paying him--before he's pitched a single pitch in the majors?

by BridgeportJoe on Dec 14, 2006 3:21 PM CST up reply actions

first of all....

I think you are greatly underestimating the value of 200 IP and a 3.50 ERA. Do you realize that there were only 2 AL pitchers that did that (or better) last year. They are named Santana and Halladay. So those are not the stats of a "solid #1/#2 starter", those are the stats of one of the top 3 pitchers in the AL.

I feel very comfortable saying that Santana would get $20 million a year easily in this market. Halladay 18-19 million. When Zito, who is claerly inferior to those two and who most GM's rate Matsusaka ahead of, signs for 16-17 million a year the value of those two will be established.

So while I don't think $17 million a year is a bargain for Matsusaka it is certainly market value. Personally, I'd rather have Matsusaka than Zito myself.

by bhoov on Dec 14, 2006 4:06 PM CST up reply actions

2006 was a fluke

"I think you are greatly underestimating the value of 200 IP and a 3.50 ERA. Do you realize that there were only 2 AL pitchers that did that (or better) last year. They are named Santana and Halladay. So those are not the stats of a 'solid #1/#2 starter', those are the stats of one of the top 3 pitchers in the AL."

In 2005, five pitchers in the AL posted sub-3.50 in 200+ innings. Relax that to 3.61 and 188 innings, and you have 10 pitchers. In 2004, there was only five (using 3.61/188), but in 2003 there was 10. In 2002, there was 12--and 9 below the original 3.50 in 200+ innings.

In any event, I think my point stands re: cost of a "good, solid" pitcher. Of the foregoing 10 sub-3.61, 188+ inning pitchers in 2005, their salaries in 2006 (presumably reflecting 2005 performance) were:

$7.9M, $8.8M, $8M, $3.2M, $3.3M, $8M, $14M, $7M, $.3M, $9.5M

Incidentally, Mussina's 2006 salary was $19M, so I suppose that he exceeds the $17M. But I'm having a hard time finding other pitchers over that amount.

by BridgeportJoe on Dec 14, 2006 5:59 PM CST up reply actions

2005 performance is not reflected in 2006 salary

i'm sure you realize that. those players aren't on one-year contracts. those salaries are a reflection of the market in 2002 and before not as it is now.

by larry on Dec 14, 2006 6:13 PM CST up reply actions

really

mussina did last year; pettite is pretty much there now. zito will far exceed that. i know i could go on to a few more names whose contracts have averaged about that much. randy johnson.

you're right to point out that this is a trend-setting year. if this guy is even a #3 starter by the middle of his contract, my guess is that he will be cheap. by the way, he won't have to be santana-esque; the top echelon ("the very, very best") of pitchers will make well in excess of $20 million going forward.

yes, i call it a smart move. i already did. you and i obviously disagree. this is a somewhat risky move but the reward is certainly there. teams like the red sox can make these moves and not have it be that high of an overall risk to their club's finances. this would be a much bigger risk for darn near every other team in the league. it doesn't change the fact that this is a move that - from every scout i've heard - is much more likely than not to be a windfall for the red sox.

by larry on Dec 14, 2006 4:11 PM CST up reply actions

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

All this inconsequential (Toby Hall? D-Mat?) postulating is becausewe have a vacuum of activity. Hey, anything to stay engaged in discussing b-ball. But, really, if our team is now what we are bringing to Opening Day, um, I think we're SOL re: taking a title.

So all our posts are, in my mind, "whistling past the graveyard" if we don't upgrade LF, CF, and backup C (Hall ain't the answer). Unless, of course, we get some magic again like 2005 when everyone clicks.

by winningugly on Dec 14, 2006 2:45 PM CST reply actions

Why isn't Hall the answer?

and if he isn't who is?

Is he going to make us a 100 win team? No, but he's MUCH better than anything the Sox currently have (Stewart) or could grab reasonably easily (Sandy).

by CWSKeith on Dec 14, 2006 2:48 PM CST reply actions

If that were so

I believe we'd have him already locked up. Or, rather, if KW, et. al. thought we'd need to lock him up already and not be able to pick him up off the scrap heap, it'd be done already, don't you think?

If some nimrod at the St. Pete Times can make a compelling argument for how much he sucks, perhaps he does.

The salient question you ask is the scary one: If not, who? I have no freaking clue, and it's slightly depressing. August/September is still blaring in my memory bank as AJ wore down and the Old Man was brought in to bail him out. Not a pleasant vision for 2007.

by winningugly on Dec 14, 2006 3:00 PM CST up reply actions

Hall

Is an .800 OPS hitter against LHP, and I think he's OK defensively. He would be a big upgrade over last year's lineup against LHP. He's not a guy would want starting, but I think he's a fine backup.

It's possible Anderson himself could be an upgrade in CF this year -- it's not ridiculous to think he could be better tis year than last.

I am disappointed that the Sox still lack a leadoff hitter that can get on base. That's a failure on KW's part. A right-handed platoon partner for Sweeney in LF would be a boost as well.

Anyway, if KW really does just go with Stewart or Alomar, I have to say I do think he had a bad offseason.

by hitlesswonder on Dec 14, 2006 3:10 PM CST up reply actions

Agree w/ BA assessment

but still don't understand all the whoopla ("Whoops, there it is") around T. Hall. With so many teams rushing to lock up others (Torrealba, et. al.) why is no one slobbering over Hall? And if we do get Haeger as a 5th starter or long reliever can Hall not shadowbox the flutterball?

Also agree with the "bad offseason" assessment if we sit tight. You are one smart dude, Hitless.

by winningugly on Dec 14, 2006 3:37 PM CST up reply actions

Toby Hall...

Teams may not be too interested in Hall because there isn't very much value in a catcher who can only hit lefties. Fortunately, that really all the Sox need...

Toby Hall's 3-year splits versus lefties (2004-2006):
303 AB / .297 AVG / .334 OBP / .436 SLG / .770 OPS

Plus, Hall is supposed to have a pretty strong arm. Granted, if Pierzynski gets hurt and we have to start Hall full-time we are kinda screwed because he stinks versus righties. But if AJ did go down, I'd still rather have Hall starting full-time over old man Alomar or Chris Stewart.

Hall is worth a 2-year, $3 to $4 million dollar deal IMO. Afterall, Kenny just dumped Freddy's $10 million dollars. It's not like we don't have the money to spend on a decent backup catcher. Do we really need to go through this Widger and Alomar crap every year?

by SSH2005 on Dec 14, 2006 7:30 PM CST up reply actions

It appears so

Besides, what the hell would we talk for 4 months about if we had our roster of 25 set in December?

by winningugly on Dec 14, 2006 8:03 PM CST up reply actions

Too early to slit wrists

I think we need to look on the bright side here. Would you want to swap the Sox roster for anyone else in the AL Central right now (or the Cubs, haha)? Sure Sox have some holes, but what about everyone else:

Twins, Radke & Soriano gone. How are they going to replace them, Boof Bonser?
Tigers, totally pulled it out of their asses last year. Plus they've got to mentally rewind that woeful WS gag job all through the winter. Highly doubt they can repeat, I'm seeing them as a .500 team next year.
Tribe, oh oh. Yes, but can they pitch?
KC. Can we please take at least 15 games from them in 07? Christ, every loss to these chumps is a dagger in the heart.

Sox have best balanced team in division. Just need to dominate these filthy monkeys in the 76 division games next year and we'll be alright.

by ChicagoPete on Dec 14, 2006 3:35 PM CST reply actions

As the Bard said,

"much ado about nothing". Too soon to get angry/depressed/ennui because so much more has to play itself out. Zito looks like maybe the next big unknown domino to fall - doubt we'll see much action until then.

Just fun to bitch/carp while at work as the year winds down. And to stay glued to the Sox.

by winningugly on Dec 14, 2006 3:43 PM CST up reply actions

soriano = liriano

i'm guessing.

AIM: shaftr01

XBL: TheMattressMan

by shaftr on Dec 14, 2006 4:09 PM CST up reply actions

So Li Ta Di Do

You didn't hear Cubbies trade with the Twinkies? Hendry with another bold masterstroke to make that big push for WS in '07.

by ChicagoPete on Dec 15, 2006 11:47 AM CST up reply actions

Hall, and the Tigers

That's what dissappoints me, winningugly. I think that if Kenny really wanted to grab Hall, or a decent backup catcher, he would've a.)sent the Dodgers some mediocre prospect to assure nobody else would snatch him first or b.) signed him as soon as he wasn't tendered a contract.

------------------------------

Unless the Tiggers suffer some catastrophic injuries, they're looking at another 90 win season. Yeah, they have a couple guys who won't repeat their seasons (Rogers comes to mind, maybe there's a few others) but their pitching is still Top 3 in the AL. And, love him or hate him, they've added a pretty good offensive force in Sheffield without subtracting anything from the major league roster.

If I were to make a preseason prediction right now (which I realize is silly, considering the offseason isn't even over yet, I'd say):

Tigers
Sox
Twinkies or Tribe (as of today, Minny's starting rotation is Santana - Bonser - Silva - Garza - Baker, and the offense outside of the two Ms and Cuddyer ain't very good)
KC

by CWSKeith on Dec 14, 2006 3:46 PM CST reply actions

Keith, I agree

Pains me (though, again, a little early right now) to say it, but Tiggers didn't play over their head, IMO. Young staff going to get better. Maggs/Pudge didn't break down as per usual, but that's why they got the big bucks. Team loks solid - just arrived a year earlier than most thought. Not worried about the Twinks because of the rotation (and Santana can't get MUCH better, can he) and we can still outhit them.

Can't imagine KW or rest of brass can realistically say otherwise. Which is why I think he's not done.

by winningugly on Dec 14, 2006 3:52 PM CST up reply actions

AL Central

It certainly does pain me to think of DET as legitimate contender. AND the Twins AND the Tribe.

Sox look very old compared to the rest of the division. That makes '06 that much more disappointing, it's going to be brutal fighting through this division the rest of the decade. Sox better get it done in '07, which I'm confident they can.

by ChicagoPete on Dec 15, 2006 11:54 AM CST up reply actions

Agree about KW and Hall...

Williams have never shown a lot of concern over catching (witness Widger...). It's seems likely to me that Alomar will be back again, and Hall will be a Phillie or something else.

by hitlesswonder on Dec 14, 2006 4:14 PM CST up reply actions

Freddy passes his bong

to Tank Johnson?

by Air Raid Siren Stan on Dec 14, 2006 4:17 PM CST reply actions

Ripken:

Can anyone tell me when Cal started shaving his head? He looks scary. VERY few white guys should emulate the Isaac Hayes look.

by winningugly on Dec 14, 2006 8:08 PM CST reply actions

well, you need to have the noggin for it

but it usually looks better than balding.

ripken's been doing for a few years now.

by larry on Dec 14, 2006 10:41 PM CST up reply actions

To me...

He kinda looks like a cross between Dr. Evil and Pete Townshend. But it's not like he has other options.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Dec 15, 2006 12:01 AM CST up reply actions

Guitar Hero Zumaya

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16212095/

LOL

by illinikrush on Dec 14, 2006 10:01 PM CST reply actions

All I can say to that

is my new favorite word:

BWAHHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Didn't C. Zambrano have the same "injury" earlier this year from too much text messaging? Now we know how to get to J. Santana - challenge him to an air guitar match emulating Carlos Santana during "Black Magic Woman" or text message him naked pictures of his wife (anonymously, of course). On the DL for 3 weeks, guaranteed.

by winningugly on Dec 15, 2006 7:51 AM CST up reply actions

Zumaya

I will vouch for zumaya on that one. Guitar Hero II wreaked havok on my wrist/forearm area after a marathon session. I had trouble writing for a few days. the controller is a very destructive instument.

by boyonthedock on Dec 15, 2006 12:59 AM CST reply actions

Toby Hall news...

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/480178p-404016c.html

HALL, NO?: The Yanks are interested in free-agent catcher Toby Hall (who was non-tendered by the Dodgers) as Jorge Posada's backup, but a person familiar with Hall's thinking said he'll first pursue a job with a club promising the opportunity for more playing time. Philadelphia, which recently lost Mike Lieberthal to L.A., is considered a strong possibility.

; (

by SSH2005 on Dec 15, 2006 12:14 PM CST reply actions

Time to give up the dream of a real backup C

With PHI and NYY ahead of the Sox in line, I doubt that the Sox can scoop up Hall.

Call it an overreaction, but I think this has been a somewhat dismal offseason for the Sox SO FAR (I realize it's not opeining day yet). It's one thing to do nothing if you're the Twins, sitting on a mountain of young talent with a tight payroll. But the Sox are much older and should have money to spend. Yet the Sox have Pods back in LF, no improvement at C, no improvement in CF, have probably downgraded the rotation. At this point, the Sox are onpaper a weaker team than in 2006.

by hitlesswonder on Dec 15, 2006 1:11 PM CST up reply actions