gosox41
09-29-2003, 10:45 PM
I've been away for 3 days and came back and had over 1500 posts to read. I tried getting through some and repsonding to what I could but it's too much. So here are my thoughts on issues facing the Sox. Somemay have been posted earlier, but repetition is my thing. My thing is repetition. :D:
1. I hate to say it, but I don't think Frank will be back next year, especially if today's Trib. gives any indications of what the Sox are thinking.
2. There's a very good chance that Magglio or Carlos will be gone, and a better chance then even that both can be traded considering Reed and Borchard are waiting in the wings. This ties in to the next point:
3. Kudos for KW for seriously going after Colon. I hope he stays, but his staying directly ties into #2. I worry since I can see the Yankees offering $2 mill. more per season and an extra year and see Colon taking it.
4. I predict Koch goes under the knife and has his elbow worked on. He'll collect his $6 mill. plus while he rehabs and then leaves the team after the 2004 season.
5. This ties in with trading Carlos and Magglio. I think the Sox will try to trade PK, but he is untradeable unless the Sox take someone elses problem who also has a big salary. While there willl always be stupid GM's, I think teams are catching on to the fact that even in a good year PK is average for his position and overpaid because of it.
6. Do NOT hire Tony LaRussa. It's a big mistake. He does a ton of tinkering and he whines a ton more then JM ever will. It would be even more ridiculous if the Sox trade Buehrle for LaRussa. That would be dumber then Foulke for Koch. Heck, hiring LaRussa and not giving up any compensation for him is just as dumb as the Foulke trade.
If the Sox wanbt to hire a proven manager, I hope the Yankees get eliminated in the playoffs so Torre becomes available. I also like Frank Robinson of the Expos.
The Sox don't necessarily need an experineced guy or to tie up a lot of money in a manager (especially if it gets taken away from player personnel moves.) They need a guy who can manage by the book, not screw his players over, and keep them motivated for every game.
Might I reccommend Carlton Fisk.
LASOXFAN, this one was for you. If the Sox do hire LaRussa, I get full complaining rights because I'm saying it's dumb before the move is even made.
7. As much as KW has shown improvement as a GM, does it bother anyone else that this guy is going to be in charge of a major overhaul? There's little doubt this off season is going to be busy and this team can look drastically different next year.
But it scares me when KW talks about rebuilding the pitching staff when the lack of a consistent offense is the problem. Sure the Sox pitching staff has holes, but so does everyone else's especially in the AL Central. In 2003, I'd take the Sox pitching staff as a whole over the Twins and Royals. While the pitching can be improved the focus needs to be on finding guys who can consistently get on base and produce.
Thank you Billy Beane. Maybe "Moneyball" helped KW see the light.
8. Not to sound too negative, but if Loiaza comes back next season and wins 15 games, I'll be thrilled.
9. Something to think about: We're 3 years in the KW regime and he still has failed to find adequate long term solutions to SS and CF. Based on what I've read, neither Borchard or Reed are good enough to be out in center.
Just a few thoughts. I look forward to any responses.
Bob
1. I hate to say it, but I don't think Frank will be back next year, especially if today's Trib. gives any indications of what the Sox are thinking.
2. There's a very good chance that Magglio or Carlos will be gone, and a better chance then even that both can be traded considering Reed and Borchard are waiting in the wings. This ties in to the next point:
3. Kudos for KW for seriously going after Colon. I hope he stays, but his staying directly ties into #2. I worry since I can see the Yankees offering $2 mill. more per season and an extra year and see Colon taking it.
4. I predict Koch goes under the knife and has his elbow worked on. He'll collect his $6 mill. plus while he rehabs and then leaves the team after the 2004 season.
5. This ties in with trading Carlos and Magglio. I think the Sox will try to trade PK, but he is untradeable unless the Sox take someone elses problem who also has a big salary. While there willl always be stupid GM's, I think teams are catching on to the fact that even in a good year PK is average for his position and overpaid because of it.
6. Do NOT hire Tony LaRussa. It's a big mistake. He does a ton of tinkering and he whines a ton more then JM ever will. It would be even more ridiculous if the Sox trade Buehrle for LaRussa. That would be dumber then Foulke for Koch. Heck, hiring LaRussa and not giving up any compensation for him is just as dumb as the Foulke trade.
If the Sox wanbt to hire a proven manager, I hope the Yankees get eliminated in the playoffs so Torre becomes available. I also like Frank Robinson of the Expos.
The Sox don't necessarily need an experineced guy or to tie up a lot of money in a manager (especially if it gets taken away from player personnel moves.) They need a guy who can manage by the book, not screw his players over, and keep them motivated for every game.
Might I reccommend Carlton Fisk.
LASOXFAN, this one was for you. If the Sox do hire LaRussa, I get full complaining rights because I'm saying it's dumb before the move is even made.
7. As much as KW has shown improvement as a GM, does it bother anyone else that this guy is going to be in charge of a major overhaul? There's little doubt this off season is going to be busy and this team can look drastically different next year.
But it scares me when KW talks about rebuilding the pitching staff when the lack of a consistent offense is the problem. Sure the Sox pitching staff has holes, but so does everyone else's especially in the AL Central. In 2003, I'd take the Sox pitching staff as a whole over the Twins and Royals. While the pitching can be improved the focus needs to be on finding guys who can consistently get on base and produce.
Thank you Billy Beane. Maybe "Moneyball" helped KW see the light.
8. Not to sound too negative, but if Loiaza comes back next season and wins 15 games, I'll be thrilled.
9. Something to think about: We're 3 years in the KW regime and he still has failed to find adequate long term solutions to SS and CF. Based on what I've read, neither Borchard or Reed are good enough to be out in center.
Just a few thoughts. I look forward to any responses.
Bob