Frank Coztansa wrote:
They have some nice piece in place- Quentin, Alexei, Danks, Floyd.
Agreed, I look at Quentin and Alexei as super "finds" this year. However, if I had my druthers, I would like them to pick up an early 2005 Podsednik type of ballplayer that can lead off or hit second, that hits for average and not power. The lineup is FULL of power, and that's great, but when you don't have people that hit for average, then you end up with empty basepaths and solo home run shots. The problem with guys like Thome and Konerko is that they are too slow to be counted on to give you a lot of doubles or triples through the game. Ideally, we could move one of the two guys going into next year. Also, we've got to get rid of Swisher -- he is like the Erstad debacle to me. Wise could use some more time in the minors to develop his eye -- a sub 300 OBP is just a non-starter in my book. Same reason I don't like Uribe as a full timer at third next year... he's a big time offensive liability in a hitter's ballpark, and he's not that fantastic at defense; he is OK, and he would be a great utility infielder option, but shouldn't be an every day starter. Dye, Quentin, Ramirez, A.J., and Cabrera would be great to have 162 games a year.
Pitching wise, Danks, Buehrle, and Floyd are my 1-2-3 starters, probably in that order. I would love to acquire a fourth and fifth starter better than Vazquez and Contreras. I probably say no mas to Contreras, and see if Richard or Carrasco can come up to be the 5th guy. Jenks is still a solid closer, and Thornton and Linebrink are more than capable setup guys. Dotel has to go, and I would dump Logan if I could find something better left-handed.
So that's my plan... if we can get 35% of that accomplished, I would be a happy camper.