If you're growing tired of the horrendous jobs by the umpiring crews this postseason, you can start reading up on various offseason plans.
A couple Sox-related ones popped up:
*MLB Trade Rumors takes a crack at the offseason outlook. I'm guessing Dayan Viciedo is only listed at DH to take note of the 2010 salary committment, and not because he's a viable option.
*David Cameron at USS Mariner came up with this gem in his offseason strategy for the Mariners:
Now, having written all that, perhaps you’ll think it is a little hypocritical that I then immediately suggest swapping an infielder for a pitcher by sending [Jose] Lopez, [Mark] Lowe, and [Jason] Vargas to Chicago for Danks. However, the situations are quite a bit different. Despite his age, Lopez is simply not the kind of player the M’s want to build around for the future, and his value will be maximized in another city. His best skill, power to left field, is in direct conflict with the way Safeco plays. The M’s will get less value from Lopez than just about every other team in baseball, so moving him to an environment that doesn’t clash with his skills is an efficiency maximization decision.
Danks gives the team an above average starter to slot behind Felix, but also helps build for the future at the same time. Heading into his age-25 season, he’s already arbitration eligible, which is why the White Sox would be willing to move him in the first place. As a left-handed starter with a bit of a home run problem, Safeco would be perfect for his continued development, so both main pieces of the deal would find a better fit in the confines of their new home.
There are so many ways to destroy this (and he doesn't back off in the comments) that I'll go a less obvious route. I like that Danks isn't a good enough fit for U.S. Cellular Field, like the stadium is holding him back. A pitcher might fare better in Safeco Field than Comiskey? Stop the presses!
Anyway, I figure now's as good a time as any to introduce the offseason strategy rodeo, as suggested by Striker. That way we can tear each other apart, instead of strangers. Here's how I have it broken down, and if you have any suggestions to improve it, I'm all ears.
MUST-MAKE DECISIONS
1) Octavio Dotel: Arbitration, or not?
2) Jermaine Dye: Mutual option, arbitration, or not?
FLEXIBLE DECISIONS
3) One-year contract for John Danks? If not, what would you pay to extend him?
4) One-year contract for Bobby Jenks, extension or trade?
4a) If you picked trade, what do you see as a return?
FREE AGENCY
5) Which positions are in most dire need of an upgrade?
6) Name three (or more) free agents you'd consider, at a price.
TRADES
7) Name three (or more) realistic trades that could improve the Sox team.
And finally:
8) Sum it all up in a paragraph or nine, and add up the total payroll. The Cheat has a nice spreadsheet of salary committments to use.
Feel free to add additional notes/ideas wherever you see fit. You can email them to me at jim@8b83fa7fd3.nxcli.net.
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Christian Marrero reading room:
*J.J. continues his series with an evaluation of Ramon Castro.
*Gordon Beckham earned the respect of his peers by winning the Sporting News' Rookie of the Year award.
*Lucas Harrell and his Team USA exploits are the subject of a story for the folks back home.
*Justin Cassel, meanwhile, has a slightly larger paper cover him.
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Arizona Fall League:
- Monday: Peoria 8, Mesa 1
- Jordan Danks walked and hit a solo homer in two plate appearances.
- He pinch-hit for C.J. Retherford, who went 0-for-2 with a walk.
- Dayan Viciedo went 1-for-5 with two RBI and two strikeouts.
- Jacob Rasner allowed one run on two hits in an inning of work.
- Tuesday: Peoria 14, Mesa 10
- Jordan Danks went 2-for-4 with two walks, a double, an RBI and a strikeout.
- Justin Cassel and Sergio Santos were both roughed up.
- Matt Long struck out four over 2 1/3 innings, allowing a run.
