http://www.baseball-reference.com/o/owensje01.shtml

He was called up in July of '06 and posted a OPS+ of 115.  He's only 25.  Finally, a move Sox fans can get excited about.  

For us young but ready is perfect. And most importantly this is very cost effective. The only Caveat is Quentin's health, but for a guy in low Class A you can't expect everything.

he's a grinder!

Both had similarly excellent minor league walk rates and with experience one would imagine that they will both improve.

At the time, the Reds were training in Plant City, Fla. Bowden frequently attended Milledge's high school games with Reds' scouts, comparing his bat speed to Kevin Mitchell's and Gary Sheffield's.
The Mets selected Milledge with the 12th pick of the 2003 draft, two selections before the Reds chose right-hander Ryan Wagner. But Bowden never stopped trying to get his man.

Two years later, Bowden tried to obtain Milledge for Brad Wilkerson, but instead traded Wilkerson to the Rangers in the Alfonso Soriano deal, thinking he could sign Soriano long-term.

The Nationals eventually lost Soriano as a free agent, but gained two compensation picks the following year, pitchers Jordan Zimmerman and Josh Smoker.

Just like Melvin Purvis, G-Man.

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2007/12/a-step-forward.html

We can revisit when KW finds the next obscure guy.

But setting aside talent evaluation (which I have no ability to judge), this was a good trade. A young OF with upside who should play now in majors is a very good fit for the Sox.

The really interesting thing is that if the use the "Hunter money" to sign a CF like Rowand or Jones, they will have no space for a speedy leadoff hitter.

My question is what if the 06 White Sox led by a resurging Vasquez, made or won the 06 series?

Does anything change? I know what the typical fan thinks (even now they don't grasp the Young deal-either way), but what about this board?

Many said and felt like if 05 happened they could care less about the future but of course that's not true. But what if they were 2 time defending champs before the 07 bomb.

Personally I thought KW deserved praise for not accepting status quo in the title defense as most gms would seem to do. I certainly loved Young but I understood at the time.

Could the Sox payroll then substain the 125-130 million level?

Does BA get a longer look in 07 because of no grinder signing?

First rounders Delmon Young, Lastings Milledge, and Carlos Quentin (drafted behind Anderson) were all traded within the last week...

Anderson or Sweeney will probably be moved at some point this year.

Michael Bourn was traded for Brad Lidge very early in the off-season.

And Reggie Willits or Matt Kemp figure to be in the Miguel Cabrera trade, depending on which LA team ponies up the pitching talent.

Ken Rosenthal wrote:

Among the highlights, nothing of which was earth shattering...

1. Just learned today and was suprised to find out the Sox had made the most trades in the last 5 years. Mr. Active himself.
2. He views the Garland trade as him for Cab & Linebrink. He said wouldn't have been signed without it. Hmmm. So what does this mean as far as budgeted payroll and what is earmarked for what. Repeated his grindy attitude (oh lord) and smarts as being key.
3. Pencils in Danks and Floyd in the 4-5 rotation spots. No surprise there.
4. Believes the current staff is "working" hard which is why he extended them. (oh lord pt 2)
5. Blames MJ (playfully of course) for the decline of blacks in baseball.

What does The Cheat think of the trade?