Cubs interested in Scott Podsednik?

i immediately thought of pods

when soriano came up lame. something of value, though? no. kanny needs another reliever.

by larry on Aug 7, 2007 1:04 PM CDT reply actions

Kerry Wood!

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Aug 7, 2007 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions

yeah... because it's after the deadline, the player in return would have either pass through waivers or yet to be added to the 40-man roster. That leaves guys like Donald Veal and Tyler Colvin, both of whom are still too valuable to give up for 2 months (even though it's technically 1year and 2months) of Pods. So yeah, look at some A-ball relievers.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Aug 7, 2007 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes

I'd love to get rid of Podsednik for anything.

I'd enjoy Quentin in the OF next year, but he isn't a sure thing. That Byrnes deal means Rowand's price will be higher.

Go Badgers!

by shaftr on Aug 7, 2007 1:10 PM CDT reply actions

Quentin is probably a sure thing...

to be better than any outfielder on our roster not named Dye.

by SSH2005 on Aug 7, 2007 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Probably true

but he is 25 and hasn't shown much in the Majors and I believe has injury concerns regarding his Shoulder and now Hamstring.

Still, I'd love to have him.

Go Badgers!

by shaftr on Aug 7, 2007 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Why is there a desire for him?

Don't know much about him - 2 years in the league, 25yrs old, ML offense not impressive so far - currently on DL. What is his upside? How does he rate better the Sweeney?

Save me - buy the rest of my tickets for this year.

by Brush Back on Aug 7, 2007 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Nice ML Track Record

He was good in a short stint he was up last year.

http://www.minorleaguesplits.com/pl/435/435041.html

Go Badgers!

by shaftr on Aug 7, 2007 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Interesting -

But I don't know if I'd put him on the love to have yet.

Save me - buy the rest of my tickets for this year.

by Brush Back on Aug 7, 2007 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions

SOTO SOTO SOTO

why must the likelihood of that actually happening be so low?

by colintj on Aug 7, 2007 1:12 PM CDT reply actions

soto

will not clear waivers, if the cubs do get Pods just think how awful their outfield defense will be, it's the worst in contention right now?

by tubesox on Aug 7, 2007 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Jones, Hunter, Cameron, or Rowand...

Hmmm, I wonder which guy Kenny will try to sign?

Which is a shame too because Rowand would probably be the worst guy on the list to sign after Cameron. He is having a monster season and he more than likely won't repeat it (or even come close) in 2008.

I would try to nab Andruw Jones since his numbers are down this year. He will likely have a bounceback season next year and he is still only 30 years old.

The sucky thing is that I doubt Kenny keeps Dye and also signs one of these free agent CF'ers. Basically, we will just be replacing Dye with Jones, Hunter, Cameron, or Rowand which really isn't much of an upgrade to our offense. Now, extend Dye and sign Andruw Jones and our offense looks sick (except for Jerry Owens leading off and our SS situation, of course)...

LF Jerry Owens
2B Danny Richar
DH Jim Thome
1B Paul Konerko
CF Andruw Jones
RF Jermaine Dye
C A.J. Pierzynski
3B Josh Fields
SS Juan Uribe / ???

But I would rather see this lineup with Owens on the bench...

2B Danny Richar
3B Josh Fields
DH Jim Thome
1B Paul Konerko
CF Andruw Jones
RF Jermaine Dye
C A.J. Pierzynski
3B Joe Crede
SS Juan Uribe / ???

If you can trade Garland for Yunel Escobar or some other SS prospect and a pitching prospect, go for it.

by SSH2005 on Aug 7, 2007 1:57 PM CDT reply actions

You certainly have 3B covered

by BoKnows on Aug 7, 2007 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions

ROFL, oops...

In the second lineup, Fields would be playing LF.

by SSH2005 on Aug 7, 2007 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions

some ammo for an escobar lover

Chad (Atlanta, GA): As a Braves fan, I feel as though I'm the only one not enamored with Yunel Escobar. Around here, fans and beat writers are slobbering over the guy, but I see a singles-hitter who never walks, albeit with above-average range, arm and glovework. Will he develop power? Am I selling his talent short?

Bryan Smith: Sorry, phone interruption. It doesn't shock me, as Escobar has a real nice story for the beat writers and the sort of highlight reel defensive plays (and scrappy offensive toolset) that can make fans fall in love. I think Escobar will hit for a little more power, but he's gonna hit a lot of singles because he never strikes out. A plus defensive shortstop at .300/.330/.420 isn't a bad thing, Chad.

by larry on Aug 7, 2007 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions

I see him

as a .300/.345/.425 guy. Which is pretty darn valuable with plus defense at SS.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Aug 7, 2007 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions

nothing

would get past crede and fields at 3rd

by lew on Aug 8, 2007 1:35 AM CDT up reply actions

i want

torii hunter, because he knows the division, is still the best defender, and runs the bases the best, plus I still see the Twins as the best team in division going into 2008

but i can see andrew jones as most likely, like Tejada and others when Kenny has his eye on a guy he usually.

I think Cameron ends up in ATL, Hunter in Tex, and Rowand takes a discount here or ends up in Baltimore

by tubesox on Aug 7, 2007 2:11 PM CDT reply actions

I'd like Torii, too

though most here have posted he's too old. I'll take him over Rowand.

Can anybody here play this game?

by winningugly on Aug 7, 2007 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Really

interested to see if Boras can get top dollar for Andruw Jones despite his .221 BA. He always seems to find one sucker. One thing's for sure he's not signing with the sox. Torii would be my last option. He's having a career year at 32 and is thus going to require at least a 5 yr. contract for his age 33-38 years. I definitely don't want a 38 yr. old Torii Hunter patrolling CF.

Aaron's gonna get 5 yr. 60 million (based on Gary Matthews and Byrnes). At that price, I'm not interested. Mike Cameron on a 2 yr. deal? yes. He's still very good in the field and is a really underrated hitter. He has been in horrible hitting parks the last 4 yrs. (SD and Shea). His road OPS has been above .800 last 4 years.

by bhoov on Aug 7, 2007 2:40 PM CDT reply actions

Cameron

Maybe I'm remembering incorrectly, but doesn't he have some issues with Sox management? I thought I remember him not leaving on the best of terms -- I want to say he was informed about his trade (Konerko for Cameron) through the TV, not from someone on the Sox.

But yeah, Cameron for two years would certainly be ideal.

by CWSKeith on Aug 7, 2007 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions

let's get the gang back together!

mike cameron. ray durham. frank thomas. robin ventura. those were the days when we drafted and developed position players.

by larry on Aug 7, 2007 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Don't forget Ron Schueler and Rollie Hemond!

Can anybody here play this game?

by winningugly on Aug 7, 2007 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Larry Himes is available

Can't argue with his first-round draft picks.

by asinwreck on Aug 7, 2007 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Dunn-Cameron-Dye

in the OF? Sign me up. Fields and Sweeney can take any days off/injuries and we could actually get away with DHing Fields against lefties and get Jim out of there.

RH

1)Richar
2)Cameron
3)Thome
4)Dunn
5)Konerko
6)Dye
7)Crede
8)Uribe
9)Pierzynski

LH

1)Richar
2)Cameron
3)Konerko
4)Dunn
5)Dye
6)Fields
7)Crede
8)Uribe
9)Hall (if he shows signs of life, otherwise AJ)

That's a pretty sizable payroll, I'd imagine. Unless we dump Contreras, Dunn would get around 18? And Cameron 2 for 10? If everyone stays that's 110 million dollar payroll isn't it? Pretty damn good team though.

by colintj on Aug 7, 2007 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions

If we signed Dunn and Cameron...

I wouldn't resign Dye -- I'd put Fields in right. His arm is certainly strong enough and he's athletic enough to handle the position (just for a couple of months, till the Sox figure out what to do with Crede).

I'm still holding out some hope for a Konerko to LAAAAAA deal, though. Getting Kotchman back and payroll flexibility would be great. There's also a lot of guys the Sox could use from them. And the thing is, I think Konerko's "percieved" value is much better than his actual value. For example, Kotchman only has nine homers to Konerko's 23, yet Kotchman leads the two in OPS+. Konerko also has the tags of "proven veteran" and "playoff tested winner". I don't think Kenny would do this, but if Stoneman offered Willits (or Rivera) and Kotchman for Konerko, I'd take that deal and run.

by CWSKeith on Aug 7, 2007 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions

yeah

Dye would be gone.

Go Badgers!

by shaftr on Aug 7, 2007 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree with you

For what he's supposed to be, Paulie has both replaceable power and on base skills. Not that I don't love him and have really enjoyed watching him play, but right now he's struggling to get up to a .900 OPS. If he can't hit around .285, his new found on base skills are just going to keep him afloat, instead of sending him into elite territory. Getting Kotchman's age 24-28 years is probably just as valuable for 10 cents on the dollar.

by colintj on Aug 7, 2007 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions

replaceable?

i guess i find it a bit tougher to find guys who consistently OPS+ out at 135. maybe that's just me.

you stated exactly why paul konerko isn't going to be traded for casey kotchman.

by larry on Aug 7, 2007 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions

relatively replaceable

...i've been using that word too much, but at 1B where defense is negligible, there is necessarily a larger pool of talent to pick from. i was also looking at the distribution of slugging pct. over the last three years amongst those qualified. The difficulty in replacing is dictated by the slope of the line, which is fairly flat and linear until you get to about .550 or so, at which point the graph looks exponential, which means that the difference between any two points is getting much bigger as SLG goes up. Sorry for the nerd-itude, but I'm kind of just walking through it myself. I'm definitely not totally qualified to be interpreting the data. Paulie has been on the wrong side of that for 3 of the last 4 years and indicates that he's not an elite talent, power-wise. Since I don't think anyone would argue his on base skills are elite either, I think we can conclude that, while he's very good, he's still not inordinately irreplaceable.

by colintj on Aug 7, 2007 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Adam Dunn, Mike Cameron, AND Jermaine Dye?

Let's be somewhat realistic here. That outfield is never going to happen.

by SSH2005 on Aug 7, 2007 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions

No kidding. But it made me feel good.

by colintj on Aug 7, 2007 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Kenny's ideal outfield for 2008...

LF Jerry Owens
CF Aaron Rowand
RF Jermaine Dye

It makes my stomach churn but this is probably what Kenny is envisioning as his starting outfield for 2008 right now, unfortunately.

by SSH2005 on Aug 7, 2007 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions

i'm not convinced you're right

but if he throws huge money at rowand, i think i'm going to start calling for his job.

by colintj on Aug 7, 2007 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions

as comapred to

Ozzie's ideal outfield of ozuna, owens, erstad?

by spengler on Aug 7, 2007 11:35 PM CDT up reply actions

How unrealistic

Wow, why dont we go get Griffey and Bonds too. Maybe after we trade Garland and Contreras it will free up some money to get Clemens and A-Rod. Maybe, if Steinbrenner croaks we can snype Jeter from the Yankees for Sweeney and Uribe!

That is about as unrealistic as your proposed 08 lineup. Also, watch a Padres game and listen to what they have to say about Cameron. All they talk about is that there is nowhere in the lineup to hit this guy. One day he decides he wants to hit for power, another day for average, another day as a leadoff hitter, another day a bunter and most days not a hitter at all.

Rowand is our best option. Period.

-- Jeffman "We'll see you all again, sleep tight"

by jeffman4426 on Aug 7, 2007 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Rowand is not a better option than Andruw Jones...

I don't care how bad Jones' line looks this season. He usually puts up way better numbers than Rowand every season. Rowand has had two good seasons in his entire career. If you are going to spend $10+ million a year on Rowand, you may as well throw a bit more money at Jones, who is the same age as Rowand.

by SSH2005 on Aug 7, 2007 6:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Rowand is going to get huge cash this year

And I don't want any piece of that. In any case, how or why would I go about watching this Padres game you speak of? Not living in San Diego means I don't get a ton of Channel 4 anymore and if the announcing team is as good as they were when I left San Diego, I'm not totally sure I should care. Hasn't ESPN and the existence of Hawk Harrelson convinced you that just maybe those guys on TV aren't always right?

Since I don't have access to the raw video, I'm going to the stats, which suggest to me that he's still got it. He's playing solid defense and has been good to great his last three years away from home. Since the number I threw out there was 2 years, 5 mil per, we're not talking exorbitant price and we're getting back a major leaguer in return. Erstad and Pods are no longer that. There are some caveats there, including the fact that his walk rate is on the decline, but it looks like his K rate is stable, so it's probably an approach issue, not a declining physical talent issue (reaffirmed by the consistent defense, according to the zone metrics on THT). I'll grant you he's no certainty, but if we're talking marginal value here, bub. Erstad/Owens or Cameron? He's making 7 million this year and shouldn't expect a raise or even equal salary considering his age. So I don't see why his signing is unreasonable.

As for Dunn, I pegged him for 18 mil per year, which, indicated by the question mark, was by no means certain. Correct me with facts, not "Period." His '08 option is worth 13 million and Ichiro got paid 20 million for talent plus additional considerations, so I pegged him at 18? That's ridiculous? Hardly. 23 for the both of them is exorbitant? Considering I elsewhere ceded the possibility of signing Dye concurrently (in fact, I ceded the surreality of the lineup already) and hoped for the dumping of Contreras for minimal considerations, that's really not the stretch you make it out to be.

Also, JEFFMAN (is the "WHOOOOOOO!" implied?) maybe you could, like, respond reasonably instead of a soupy mess of sarcasm?

by colintj on Aug 7, 2007 6:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Hunter is the best of the three at this point

I'm a disgruntled Whitesox fan and I can't spell

by chisox on Aug 7, 2007 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions

I'll agree with you offensively

but I think he'll need to move to right field soon. In any case, I don't think the price will be worth it.

by colintj on Aug 7, 2007 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions

alright

Well, Matt Vasgersian watches Mike Cameron every time he plays so I think that he might have a solid idea of his ability level. I live in the West Coast time zone so I see them play every day. Now, you can try to argue as many points as you want about Cameron but I will tell you with full certainty that... get ready for the bold statement... "JERRY OWENS WILL HAVE A BETTER STATISTICAL SEASON THAN MIKE CAMERON IN 08"..... There it is.

Now, did you say that we should still pursue Jeter and A-Rod too? Maybe Kark will want to come back to the Sox? Psycho Steve?

-- Jeffman "We'll see you all again, sleep tight"

by jeffman4426 on Aug 9, 2007 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions

This should be the subject of a bet

"JERRY OWENS WILL HAVE A BETTER STATISTICAL SEASON THAN MIKE CAMERON IN 08"

As for this:

"Now, did you say that we should still pursue Jeter and A-Rod too?"

Where did you get that? Mistaking me for someone else? Love of hyperbole? I'm lost here.

Also: Ken Harrelson watches Darin Erstad and Jerry Owens every day too. There is no reason for me to trust the observations of some guy (this Matt Vasgersian dude) I don't know when I've never read or heard what he has to think on some things that I've got some idea of to check against. He has zero cachet with me.

by colintj on Aug 10, 2007 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions

I'd be fine with Hunter

but nothing more than four years. I'd offer 4/$50 or thereabouts. Hunter has expressed interest in coming here and I think moving from turf to grass would help him out a little bit. He's probably not as good a hitter as he's been this season, but over the last three years he has an OPS+ of about 115. Combine that with his defense -- which is probably declining but I'd still say is average -- and you have a pretty valuable player.

by CWSKeith on Aug 7, 2007 2:43 PM CDT reply actions

Looks like he's actually falling off

to the point at which he's below average.

THT stats

Looks like Andruw Jones might be a good buy low candidate actually, since his defense is holding up very well, though I have no faith that we'd be able to fix whatever's wrong with him.

by colintj on Aug 7, 2007 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions

BTW,,,

what is the market going to be for a CFer this winter? Look at the big market teams -- Boston has Crisp and Ellsbury, the Cubs have Pie, Anahiem has Sarge Jr... I'd imagine the Yankees might be in the market, but if Cashman is still in control, he'll stick with Melky who has a 111 OPS+ and has rated above average defensively in CF.

I guess what I'm asking is, who are going to be the teams that have the $$$ to throw around at guys like Jones and Hunter? Is there a bigger payroll team than the White Sox who has as big a hole in CF as the White Sox do? Texas, perhaps?

Everyone is throwing out these huge numbers for this winter's CFers, but I'm not seeing who is going to give them that money...

by CWSKeith on Aug 7, 2007 2:53 PM CDT reply actions

This is why I jump all over Andruw Jones.

by SSH2005 on Aug 7, 2007 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Jones looks like he'a aged a lot

over the past year - he's played for 13 years or so, and has been flopping around a lot. I know I don't normally kick about a 30+ year old, but Torii looks younger than Andruw.

Can anybody here play this game?

by winningugly on Aug 7, 2007 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Actually Andruw's defense is much better

which probably indicates that he's not losing it physically. It's hard to play top notch defense in center if you're losing it physically.

by colintj on Aug 7, 2007 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Wow that's a really awfully written comment

I managed right there. ENGLISH MAJOR FTW

by colintj on Aug 7, 2007 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Wily Mo Pena Clears Waivers

link

by The Wizard on Aug 7, 2007 3:01 PM CDT reply actions

Surprising...

I guess Kenny was truly never interested in Pena. Any team likely could have had him for free. I'm surprised that the Cubs didn't take him with Soriano out for six weeks now.

The Boston Globe reports that Wily Mo Pena cleared waivers, making the Red Sox free to trade him to any team.
It's somewhat surprising that no team felt like taking the chance on being handed Pena and the half-million bucks he's owed for the remainder of the season, but his stock has apparently plummeted over the past year. With Bobby Kielty now in the fold, the Red Sox are definitely looking to move Pena.

Source: Boston Globe

by SSH2005 on Aug 7, 2007 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions

this underlines what a low ball offer

the Red Sox made for Dye. WMP and Craig Hansen? fuck you too, mate.

by colintj on Aug 7, 2007 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions

couldn't have said it better

glad kenny didn't bite

by The Wizard on Aug 7, 2007 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Probably couldn't have had him for free.

If he was claimed, Boston could:

work out TRADE.
If the couldn't 1., then pull him off waivers.
Give him to the claiming team with nothing in return.

Most probably they wanted something in return.

by ballyb on Aug 7, 2007 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions

WMP's former teammate

Adam Dunn might be appealing this winter. I don't think Krivsky is going to pick up his option and Dunn will probably be a bit undervalued on the market. Of course, getting Dunn would mean you'd have to find somebody who could really go get the ball in CF -- somebody like Cameron. Getting those two this winter would be pretty nice, that's for certain...

by CWSKeith on Aug 7, 2007 3:08 PM CDT reply actions

Dunn

He could hit a lot of HRs at US Cell.

Go Badgers!

by shaftr on Aug 7, 2007 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Wow - Dye and Dunn on the corners

We damn sure better get Cameron/Hunter/Jones or our outfield would be worse defensively next year than this year. (Is that possible?) And we'd have another slow white guy on the bases (assuming on occasion he'd hit only a single or double).

Man, Earl Weaver is rubbing his hands with glee somewhere...

Can anybody here play this game?

by winningugly on Aug 7, 2007 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions

You are overrating defense and speed a bit...

Most of the games we lost in the first half of this season were due to a pathetic offense. We would have won more games in the first half with better bats than better defense and speed.

by SSH2005 on Aug 7, 2007 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions

A good example...

Who would you rather have in LF -- Adam Dunn with his power, OBP, and bad defense or Scott Podsednik with his speed and better defense?

It's a no brainer as to which guy will contribute to more wins.

by SSH2005 on Aug 7, 2007 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Then

we can throw Brian Anderson back out in center.

Damn Sox

by marco054 on Aug 7, 2007 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Brian Anderson...

If Anderson can't even hack it in AAA (before his injury), I don't think I want to hand him a starting job in CF for next season. Although, he probably wouldn't be that much worse than ErstaDL anyways.

by SSH2005 on Aug 7, 2007 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions

He's our best defensive OF

but we all know Jerry Owens is at the top of the list for outfielders

Damn Sox

by marco054 on Aug 7, 2007 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions

He was doing great

till he got shoulder tendinitis. He was batting around .300 give or take a couple points. He didnt play for like a week and then started at DH. Once he got healthy again he started doing well and then came the wrist injury. I think he would have done well if he had started in CF at the beginning of the year. I certainly would have preferred to see him out there instead of Tinkerbell.

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 7, 2007 6:08 PM CDT up reply actions

yep

grinderstad benches brian, what a fucking travesty...

by The Wizard on Aug 7, 2007 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions

I mean seriously WTF?!

For me that was the biggest heart break of the season. How does it make sense to bench your once top prospect after he started to improve the year before for an oft-injured Grinder with only one year of actually good performance?

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 7, 2007 6:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, I kept an eye out for BA in Charlotte

this year and it seemed like every time he got hot, he'd get injured again. I don't know if he can get that behind him, but I hope the team holds out to see what he can do. He's exactly the sort of guy Kenny is always snaking from other teams and getting the most out their sudden resurgences.

Plus, I've got an unreasonable like for the guy despite his failings.

by colintj on Aug 7, 2007 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, but he walks to the plate

from the on deck circle like a complete asshole.

I always love speed

by ChicagoPete on Aug 7, 2007 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions

LOL THAT DICK

by colintj on Aug 7, 2007 6:48 PM CDT up reply actions

If he doesnt come back big for us

he will be big for someone else. Or at least above league average.

July '06 .313 .328 .469

August '06 .296 .367 .437

Bad September though, but he can obviously figure it out.

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 7, 2007 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions

That kinda looks looks one of Uribe's battinglines

when he gets hot for a few weeks and carries the team. But I guess he's never done that for two months in a row. This year Brian should have started. Next year, not so much.

by comet922 on Aug 8, 2007 12:55 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm right there with you

I still feel he should be our starting centerfielder (Damn Erstad). It sucks he keeps getting hurt in charlotte. He has great defense and sure he started out horrible as a rookie but he got better later into the year. I feel that we might need his defense next year if we don't land a good centerfielder or if we got Dunn & Dye in the outfield.

Damn Sox

by marco054 on Aug 7, 2007 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Brian in Center

And two big bats to compensate till he relearns everything since he hasnt seen Big league pitching in so long.

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 7, 2007 7:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Great plan.. we're on the same page

Now we just got to do something with that damn Jerry. Somehow must pry Ozzie off his nuts.

Damn Sox

by marco054 on Aug 7, 2007 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Hopefully this is just a PR move

if there's something that we know this team engages in, it's propaganda and spin.

by colintj on Aug 7, 2007 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions

If Piazza were the only other option

Mikey would be the centerfielder. And we'd hear over and over how BA 'didn't give Ozzie a choice'. BA won't ever play for the Sox again. At some point, we have to just accept that. (And "we" means I would like to see Anderson get a chance as well. I'd also like millions of dollars, a long solitary confinement with Jessica Biel, a WS title by the 2007 Sox, etc.)

by jackie hayes on Aug 7, 2007 7:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Your probably right

but I won't give up on the guy. I'd rather have Kenny trade him to the Marlins (my favorite NL team) than have him rot in AAA. BUT first he needs to get healthy.

Bring Back BA

by marco054 on Aug 7, 2007 7:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Agree with you there

I was thinking that Dunn might be a possible trade target and almost wrote a diary about it, but it makes more sense just to give him the money than to give Krivsky his ransom. The teams that might otherwise value him, like the Red Sox and A's, don't have the room or the money, so unless the Yankees swoop in and say Hey Play First Base, we could have a shot. He'd be a great signing, imo.

by colintj on Aug 7, 2007 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions

What would undervalued be?

Maybe a little -- but not much. Even if the Reds don't want him, I think he'll draw enough interest for a big offer. Haven't there been Yankee rumors around him? And I remember reading, somewhere, that the Nats want to bring him in. There'll certainly be a few more teams jumping in if he becomes a fa (especially since they wouldn't have to lose any picks). In any case, what number would you peg as his value?

by jackie hayes on Aug 7, 2007 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm a bit confused

What would I peg as his value? That's a tough question for me to answer. Apparently Eric Byrnes is worth 3/$30, and I'd much rather have Dunn, but I wouldn't go much over 3/$30. I know that's sort of contradicting -- me viewing Dunn as a vastly superior player to Byrnes but not wanting to go more than 3/$30 -- but it's just how I feel.

I would probably be comfortable with Kenny offering something like 3/$27 with an option for a fourth year (at something like $10-12 million in that fourth year). Does Bowden have enough funds to beat that?

You're right about the Yankees -- they could stick him at first with no problems. And if the Yankees really want him, I wouldn't advocate getting into any sort of bidding war with them -- I don't want Dunn that much.

by CWSKeith on Aug 7, 2007 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions

I think he'd be insulted by that offer

His '08 option alone is worth 13 and the other OF options out there are going to ask for the big bucks after Ichiro managed 20 million. I pegged him at 18 million and I'm not sure if that's unreasonable. It's not my money, so why not?

by colintj on Aug 7, 2007 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions

18 million?

I think that's crazy.

You might be right that 3/$30 isn't close to what he's worth, but I can almost guarantee he won't get $18 million. He has too many "percieved" flaws -- his defense sucks, he doesn't hit for a high average and he strikes out a ton.

Don't get me wrong -- I don't really care about any of the above three. The defense bothers me a little bit, but it's left-field, and I'll give him a pass out there so long as he's putting up a .900 OPS at the plate.

by CWSKeith on Aug 7, 2007 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions

I hope you're right

I'd love to get Dunn for 15 million or less.

by colintj on Aug 7, 2007 6:48 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't think that will get it done

In a world where Juan Pierre is worth $11 mil+, Adam Dunn would settle for $9-10? I'd like to see Dunn in Chicago, too, but it won't happen if we're signing a cf for $10 mil or so (just ballparking by the Byrnes signing).

He'll go for more dollars, in any case. And don't count out the Nats -- remember that they are opening a new ballpark soon and they need more 'face of the franchise' types. I don't think $10 mil+ is out of their range. Besides the Nats and (maybe) the Yankees, you always see a couple wildcards in free agency. The Giants need hitters, have money, and don't seem to mind sluggers in lf with no defensive ability. I'm not saying they will -- just that a couple other teams will make sense and have interest, and using them as an example. (Although, in the Giants' case, they usually WANT to lose draft picks.)

by jackie hayes on Aug 7, 2007 6:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Can't count out small market teams

Baltimore, Texas, SF, St. Loius among fairly big market teams. But if Gil Meche can get 5/55 from KC, then you have to think teams like Pittsburgh, SD and Cincy (especially if they let Dunn go) might join the bidding as well.

by bhoov on Aug 7, 2007 3:08 PM CDT reply actions

Actual Possibilities

Kyle Reynolds - Nothing exciting, but hitting okay at AA after breaking out (relatively speaking, he sucked prior to this year). He might be able to hit enough for left field if he ups his walk rate, but really it's more like possible lefty power bat off the bench in a few years. He's posting a .207 ISO with a high average and it's not inconceivable he adds those walks. He's a former 6th rounder, which doesn't scream "prospect" but isn't so bad.

Colvin isn't a possibility, but I'd try for it anyway.

Aside from that, I didn't find anyone "intriguing" that "might pan out" except for Veal, who doesn't really count anyway, since he's supposed to be dominant. The Cubs system is really top heavy right now and it looks like they have or are about to cash in on most of their prospects this year. Pie and Colvin are the only really high upside guys anyway, though having Cedeno and Soto is nice, since they play critical defensive positions.

by colintj on Aug 7, 2007 3:11 PM CDT reply actions

Hawk and Stoney...Yeeeeeeees!

Enjoy the insightfulness of Steve Stone as he joins Hawk in the TV booth starting tonight through the rest of this weekend's home stand, while DJ is at his wife's side as she gives birth.

I can't wait to see how Stoney responds to Hawk's first "dagumit" and how he handles Hawk's inevitable "silent time."

On WSCR, Stoney said (with a slight dig to DJ) he thinks he will provide an interesting perspective from a pitcher's standpoint, as the broadcast usually only offers the opinions of a couple of outfielders - Zing! Take that, DJ!

I guess the rumor is that Chris Singleton may lose his job to Stoney next year, if his contract isn't renewed. Stoney and Farmio (a.k.a. "Mr. Excitement")...that will make for some interesting radio.

Enjoy!

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on Aug 7, 2007 3:51 PM CDT reply actions

stone has handled loonies before

by larry on Aug 7, 2007 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Well, Hawk has handled stoners before...

http://www.heavethehawk.com/Replacements.html

by SSH2005 on Aug 7, 2007 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Did DJ get caught with weed or something?

Why does DJ have a bong p-shopped into his hand there?

by colintj on Aug 7, 2007 6:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Members of the Tribe can play

the straight man pretty well. Look at Carl Reiner.

Can anybody here play this game?

by winningugly on Aug 7, 2007 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Look at Larry Fine,

he let Moe tear brillo pads out of his head for years without a peep.

I'd love to see Stone get snarky with The Hawk, but I doubt it - he's probably auditioning for next year.

I always love speed

by ChicagoPete on Aug 7, 2007 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Larry also got a callus rom all the slaps

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 7, 2007 6:28 PM CDT up reply actions

You are a wild man, Pete

Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.

Stoney will be who Stoney is - he don't need no cash. And Hawk, being his insufferable self, will provoke SS to his greatest heights. I am a fan of Stone, and always have been - nasal f**kin' voice excepted. Good insight, a different point of view, and not afraid to take on the legends (Caray, not Rowand).

Hope he sticks.

Can anybody here play this game?

by winningugly on Aug 7, 2007 7:39 PM CDT up reply actions

HE ROCKS!

get it? it's humorous!

by colintj on Aug 7, 2007 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't know

I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

Go Badgers!

by shaftr on Aug 7, 2007 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Gammons: White Sox have made offer for Pena...

I hate to link a piece of trash website like WSI but here is the source (it could be bogus):

Link

And this is supposedly a trade offer right when or after Boston put him on waivers.

by SSH2005 on Aug 7, 2007 5:00 PM CDT reply actions

Umm, where does it exactly say that?

I don't read WSI, so I don't have an opinion on it. But if you're going to say its trash, then at least read the link you pasting. Nowhere does it say that the White Sox made an offer except in the headline fo that post. The Boston Globe link attached to that post does not mention the White Sox.

by onlysoxfaninboston on Aug 7, 2007 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions