Ideas for 2006 lineup

[yankeessuck013]

looks like the sox have inquired about soriano to possibly play CF

 

Soriano's defiance triggered calls from several interested teams who wondered if the Nationals might be willing to trade Soriano, including Boston, according to a source familiar with the discussions. Nationals front-office executives, however, for now appear unwilling to part with Soriano unless they are bowled over with an offer that includes either a front-line starting pitcher, such as the Red Sox' Josh Beckett, or several younger, front-line pitching prospects. One source familiar with Washington's discussions over the last several weeks said, "There's nothing close enough to take seriously right now," but thought the Nationals would remain open to talks about trades for pitching.

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/29/AR2005122900894.html

[jsinger121]

he has already stated he won't play the outfield. i also refuse to trade top prospects for someone who plays shoddy defense at second, does not have a high obp, will make at least 10 million in arbitration in 2006 and is a free agent after the 2006 season.

[Ray10]

The Sox need to adress their CF problem first they lost Damon now they need to bring in someone who is his calibre or better. The SS is another place the Sox need to adress. They still really don't have a good quality starter at Short.

[ksushi]

here is the breakdown of millwood's contract

 

Kevin Millwood's five-year, $60 million contract with the Rangers calls for a $15 million signing bonus, payable over an extended length of time, and salaries of $6 million in 2006, $7.5 million in 2007, $8.5 million in 2008, $11 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2010.

 

You're right. Looks like we just got the s*** end of the stick betting against a team that clearly is looking for another Chan Ho Park type situation, at least at the back end of this one. Jesus.

 

I'd give him 4-48 even 4-50 give or take if I felt right about it and thought I needed it to protect the kids, but I think that extra year really changes things. 5 years?

 

btw, what is your source for that I can't find it anywhere.

 

and what is everyones fascination with Soriano? Don't you think we have enough second basemen? Everyone seems to be getting distracted with shiny objects right now. Forget Tejada and Soriano, someone PM me when we get Reed or Yhency Brazoban, and let me know when the White Sox decide to deal Jose Contreras on the cheap, I'd be delighted.

[riverside sluggers]

Soriano, nope sorry. According to that source, the Nationals would seek along the lines of Josh Beckett, Papelbon, or Lester

[ksushi]

Soriano, nope sorry. According to that source, the Nationals would seek along the lines of Josh Beckett, Papelbon, or Lester

 

You make a lot of sense. THANK GOD! You and I both, Brother! We deserve our own member group, called The Sense Makers. Yes. Awesome.

 

 

Ok, Sorry for this whole post, actually, I'm sorry for my whole body of posts. I am crap.

[jimmycarter05]

As much as I like Soriano(everyone here knows I do), I wouldn't want to trade Josh Beckett or any of our young pitchers for him. We also don't need him now since we have Loretta, I still would love to have him on the Red Sox, but his unwillingness to change positions and the fact that we dont' need him, I wouldn't make this trade.

[Cityofchampions33]

Yeah, it makes no sense to even inquire about Soriano, because you know that the Nats qill ask for pitching, as they already have.

[yankeessuck013]

I think the soriano for wilkerson and others is by far the dumbest move this off season

 

They already had a good 2nd basemen in Vidro and now they have alot of $$$ tied up in someone who wants nothing to do w/ them

 

and if the Nats think they will get someone of Becketts stature in return for him there nuts

[Cityofchampions33]

Also it makse no sense for us to acquire him, I really hope that the FO isn't trying to get superstars just to please the unenlightened portion of RSN.

[jsinger121]

soriano makes no sense for this team. he won't play the outfield and i would never part with young talent for a player 1 year from free agency and who also does not have a high obp.

[whereisnomar]

Do Ortiz and Manny still both not want to bat clean up? Because that was what happened last season...

[ksushi]

thats what happened with what? I think it was the other way around, they both wanted to bat third, not clean up. I don't think it was much of a problem though

[Cityofchampions33]

Yeah, thats a non-issue at all.

[riverside sluggers]

With the way things are going for shortstop: Miguel being a far fetched wish, and the d-rays asking Boston for their top prospects in return for an average shortstop who just has 1 season on his contract... its getting to the point where I'm comfortable with keeping Cora on board as the opening day shortstop. This would be desperation mode if Sox were to choose that, even Tito has said several times thats what he would like to see happen. We all know he can play solid D. How many times did he show up in the web gems segment? He would also give sufficient enough offense for the team, and decisive baserunning skills

[jsinger121]

i would not mind cora either. i am against giving top prospects up for the likes of lugo or gathright. tampa's demands are ridiculous and i would rather avoid dealing anything to them.

[riverside sluggers]

Julio Lugo might be out of the mix for Boston anyway...

 

A BAEZ MARKET

By JOEL SHERMAN

 

January 1, 2006 -- The Mets will begin business in the new year where they left off in 2005, trying to conclude a trade for Tampa Bay closer Danys Baez to serve as Billy Wagner's primary set-up man. The Mets are viewed as the front-runner among about a half-dozen teams attempting to land Baez. And the Mets did not want to stop there. They were still hoping to expand the trade to include Kaz Matsui and cash as part of their package in order to also obtain shortstop Julio Lugo, whom the Mets would play at second base.

 

The Red Sox have been asking the Devil Rays to hold onto Lugo until Baltimore resolves what it is going to do with Miguel Tejada, and the Orioles have told interested teams they need their best offers for the star shortstop this week. The Red Sox and Cubs are the most serious suitors for Tejada, who has demanded a trade. Boston would like to obtain Tejada, perhaps in a deal that would include its disgruntled star, Manny Ramirez.

 

But if the Red Sox are unable to land Tejada, they consider Lugo their top fallback position over free agent Alex Gonzalez, formerly of the Marlins. The Devil Rays, however, have let all interested clubs know they are not waiting for other teams to do business. Therefore, the Mets are trying to close a deal quickly by including a third team in trade talks with the Devil Rays, but that team is neither the Orioles nor the Red Sox.

 

There have been reports that the Mets, Orioles, Red Sox and Devil Rays have been working on a four-way deal that would ultimately bring Ramirez to the Mets. However, at least one top official from each of those teams denied four-way trade talks. One of the executives went as far as to call it "bogus bull[bleep]." Another executive said yesterday this was the first he was hearing of the four-way possibility.

 

In fact, Met officials have not spoken with their Red Sox counterparts since the winter meetings. Mets GM Omar Minaya is clearly infatuated with acquiring Ramirez, and tried to obtain Tejada so he could turn around and deal him to Boston to obtain Ramirez. But the Orioles have told the Mets that if David Wright or Jose Reyes are not included in the discussion, they will not move Tejada to the Mets. And the Mets told the Orioles that those players are off limits.

 

The Orioles, at present, are adamant that they must receive a star-level player, such as Ramirez or the Cubs' Mark Prior, in return for Tejada. In none of the four-team scenarios reported would Baltimore receive a star-level player. Minaya also has made it clear to officials outside of the Mets that he loves Lugo's game and does not intend to use Lugo in a deal with the Red Sox. Besides, Boston officials say that once the Mets traded Mike Cameron, their chances of creating a package for Ramirez all but disappeared, even if they were to obtain Lugo.

 

The Post on Friday reported that Minaya was trying to finalize a deal in which the Mets would send either Jae Seo or Aaron Heilman as the main component in a package for Baez.

[ksushi]

I'm also O.K. with Cora. I will second that. I don't think that offense is a priority at short stop, as a matter of fact, I would sacrifice offense if I knew I were getting top notch defense in a second. I've said this a couple times on here now, but offense isn't going to be what wins this division, its going to be pitching and defense. A key position like short provides both. A sure handed defensive shortstop helps out his pitcher more than any other player on the field, except maybe the catcher. Short is key. I am completely ok with Cora for that reason. He saves the runs he doesn't score on offense, with his D.

 

I'm not convinced Gonzalez will be better, although he is good. Tejada will not be better at D, nor will Loretta or Graffanino. I don't mind Cora in the slightest. People are good with Orlando Cabrera. Cora is very similar with a less familiar name.

 

P.S. Thank God that fourway is dead. Or maybe thank Ben and Jed, I don't know, but seriously, did anyone want to trade Clement Marte and Ramirez for Tejada?

[a700hitter]

i would not mind cora either. i am against giving top prospects up for the likes of lugo or gathright. tampa's demands are ridiculous and i would rather avoid dealing anything to them.

The Sox could live with Cora at SS temporarily, but as of now, there are only 2 OF's that would make the opening day roster. The third would be Stern, and he has been injury prone and he has not shown that he is offensive output would justify any substantial playing time.

 

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[jsinger121]

well stern has to be on the roster for 18 days to fullfill his rule 5 duties.

[riverside sluggers]

Stern I dont really think is being eyed as a possible candidate to be the starting center fielder. At the least he will be the opening day 4th outfielder

[a700hitter]

well stern has to be on the roster for 18 days to fullfill his rule 5 duties.

How does that work? I thought that he had to remain on the ML roster for 2005. Do they subtract the days that he was on rehab assignments?

[jsinger121]

all i know is that he must be on the major league roster for 18 more days before he can be sent to pawtucket.

[jimmycarter05]

Yeah Adam Stern is to the Red Sox what Bubba Crosby is to the Yanks.

[sarasoxfan]

luca brazi would be better in centerfield than adam stern.

[MANNYHOF24]

I would trade Clement or Arroyo and a lower level prospect for Coco Crisp

[riverside sluggers]

Last I heard, the Guardians will be willing to talk with Boston if Marte is included in the deal.

[ksushi]

And if I were the sox I would be willing to talk to the Guardians if they included a top tier prospect along with Crisp, if Marte were involved.

[jimmycarter05]

What about Paps and Marte for Crisp and Cliff Lee?

[guapo34]

I don't think we're getting enough in that deal.