Kenny's First Comments On Off-Season...

[Huisj]

From KW's quote, it sure doesn't sound like they're going to plan on Morel as even much of a backup plan since he says he can't know anything about his future until he sees him on the field in spring training. So that hints at them at least actively trying to find a solution at 3rd.

[WhiffleBall]

Originally Posted by Huisj

From KW's quote, it sure doesn't sound like they're going to plan on Morel as even much of a backup plan since he says he can't know anything about his future until he sees him on the field in spring training. So that hints at them at least actively trying to find a solution at 3rd.

A 100% healthy Morel might work but bad backs and 3rd basemen usually means trouble.

[DeadMoney]

Originally Posted by Huisj

From KW's quote, it sure doesn't sound like they're going to plan on Morel as even much of a backup plan since he says he can't know anything about his future until he sees him on the field in spring training. So that hints at them at least actively trying to find a solution at 3rd.

I think it's telling that with Morel on the 40-man and having finished his season in AAA (and presumably healthy considering he was playing in the playoffs), he wasn't let anywhere near the big club following the Knight's season. If the organization had any plans for him, you'd think they would've wanted him around for a tight division race if even just to get the experience of being around it.

[kittle42]

Originally Posted by TaylorStSox

Those hometown discounts have been suggested in just about every thread discussing next year's roster.

If there's one thing Sox fans love, it's screaming "hometown discount" and then taking it out on ownership when the player won't take it.

[hawkjt]

My kneejerk expectations for the offseason:

1. Peavy,Myers,Youk,Liriano,AJ are all gone, mostly to greener pastures.

2. Sox will pick up Floyd's option,and go with a rotation of Danks,Floyd,Sale,Quintana,Santiago/Axelrod/Castro

3. Kenny will pick up a marginal 3rd baseman to compete with Morel.

4. Thornton probably is traded. Crain is retained.

5. DWise,O-Hudson...gone

6. Dan Johnson might be retained.

A little tweaking around the edges,and that is about it,gang.
I would not be too upset with this scenario,as our young players might improve,and we could be back in the hunt again.

[eriqjaffe]

Originally Posted by hawkjt

3. Kenny will pick up a marginal 3rd baseman to compete with Morel.

I saw this a few minutes ago:

Figgins Wants Out Of Seattle

...and all I could think of was how Kenny always gets his man. And Figgins is the very definition of a marginal 3rd baseman.

Boy, I hope those Rick Hahn rumors have some validity. ;)

[hawkjt]

Originally Posted by eriqjaffe

I saw this a few minutes ago:

Figgins Wants Out Of Seattle

...and all I could think of was how Kenny always gets his man. And Figgins is the very definition of a marginal 3rd baseman.

Boy, I hope those Rick Hahn rumors have some validity. ;)

I agree that Figgins is a Kenny favorite,but even Kenny is not that crazy. Figgins is beyond marginal,and way into horrible.

[Nellie_Fox]

Originally Posted by TaylorStSox

I'd rather move Beckham to 3rd and bring Sanchez up.

Beckham's offense would have to improve greatly for that move to make sense. His really exceptional defense up the middle makes his sporadic (at best) offense tolerable, but corner infielders have to contribute offensively.

[Zisk77]

What I would do:

Let A.J., and Peavy walk unless they are willing to take 2 years at a reasonable price. A.J. really showed his age defensivly this year (passed balls /wild pitches that shouldn't have been).

Let Floyd and Liriano go.

3b:

Plan A re-sign Youkilis
Plan B. Sign Cesar Izturis bat him second (yeah I know no power...Its ok we hit over 200 hr's will get it elsewhere).
Plan C. Brent Morel.

Rotation:

Plan A take all the Savings at sign Greinke. Maybe sign one of the following to a modest deal if available as well - Hudson, Villaneuva, Edwin Jackson, Guthrie, Marcum

Plan B sign one of the latter group or James Shields.

Plan C Liriano and/or Floyd.

Catcher -assuming no A.J.

Plan A Brian McCann
Plan B Trade suspect and get some cash from Nationals for Kurt Suzuki.
Plan C Tyler Flower + lH FA.

Trade Thornton maybe in a Package with Dunn and some $ for near major league ready Pitcher...SF and their anemic offense may be a suitor. Nationals? If not a good Deal Dunn stays DH. Dan Johnson/Konerko dh/1b platoon or maybe Viciedo with us aquiring another Of.

Thats my 2 cents

[mahagga73]

Originally Posted by hawkjt

My kneejerk expectations for the offseason:

1. Peavy,Myers,Youk,Liriano,AJ are all gone, mostly to greener pastures.

2. Sox will pick up Floyd's option,and go with a rotation of Danks,Floyd,Sale,Quintana,Santiago/Axelrod/Castro

3. Kenny will pick up a marginal 3rd baseman to compete with Morel.

4. Thornton probably is traded. Crain is retained.

5. DWise,O-Hudson...gone

6. Dan Johnson might be retained.

A little tweaking around the edges,and that is about it,gang.
I would not be too upset with this scenario,as our young players might improve,and we could be back in the hunt again.

i think the Sox will sign AJ and Myers. Peavy, after taking all that money for nothing from the Sox, will cash his newfound health in to another team. Youk , the impression I get, thinks he is more valuable at this point in his career than he is in reality. I liked Morel when he was healthy. If Morel is healthy, I would rather let him play third. Thornton will stay and Dwise will stay I hope. Honestly, I'm so sick of seeing these guys wilt at the end that a blowup of the roster might not be so bad at this point , even if they stink for awhile.

[Nellie_Fox]

Originally Posted by mahagga73

I liked Morel when he was healthy.

So, you're the one.

Originally Posted by mahagga73

I'm so sick of seeing these guys wilt at the end that a blowup of the roster might not be so bad at this point , even if they stink for awhile.

I simply don't believe people who say this. I believe that you'd be calling for people's firing before the first 90 loss season ended.

[asindc]

Originally Posted by Nellie_Fox

So, you're the one.

I simply don't believe people who say this. I believe that you'd be calling for people's firing before the first 90 loss season ended.

I'm with you. In fact, I'm calling out every Sox fan who says that. IF the team decides to go into full tear-down-to-rebuild mode, will you support the team the same way during that time as you would if they were winning 90+ games a year? That means attending the same number of games, buying the same amount of concessions, buying the same amount of merchandising, etc. If not, I'm calling hypocrisy.

[Madvora]

If KW is going to focus on a novelty like having a bunch of lefties, then this isn't going to turn out well. He did the same thing a few years ago by stocking the bullpen with a bunch of hard throwers that sucked like Andy Sisco.
Why not focus on getting good baseball players rather than looking for a novelty like this?

[BleacherBandit]

Originally Posted by Nellie_Fox

So, you're the one.

I simply don't believe people who say this. I believe that you'd be calling for people's firing before the first 90 loss season ended.

This team has been fielding poorly projected teams for the last three-to-four years. Why is everyone adverse to the idea of establishing an admirable farm-system? I've never seen that in my lifetime.

[hawkjt]

Originally Posted by Madvora

If KW is going to focus on a novelty like having a bunch of lefties, then this isn't going to turn out well. He did the same thing a few years ago by stocking the bullpen with a bunch of hard throwers that sucked like Andy Sisco.
Why not focus on getting good baseball players rather than looking for a novelty like this?

I hardly think that Kenny is obsessed on having a rotation with 4 leftys.
I just think it is the way it probably will work out.
Should he dump Sale and Danks?
Should he trade Quintana?...or Santiago?

I think it might just be that 4 of the best 5 starters in the organization happen to be leftys.