Ask Al: The THREAD~!

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

Al, what do you think of the new Phillies GM?

 

I think he's a dolt.

 

On WIP he rambled about there not being a #1-2 pitcher available for the Phils to get, then Eskin baited him into admitting Beckett is an available #1-2 pitcher, but the new GM replied "He's not in our price range."

 

He then later said the Phillies would be okay with 3-5 more wins. Does he not know that the Phillies getting the # they got this year could be because the Braves mailed it in at the end, resulting in a few key wins, or other intangibles?

 

Also, he referred to Pat Burrell as a "special player".

 

So basically, what do you think of him, his track record (2 rings), and his plans? And what do you think the Phillies need to do to get over the hump?

 

I say: Thome gone. Abreu gone. Leiberthal gone.

 

Then sign away. If the Phillies can get hot early, and not dig a ditch AGAIN, people will come out. Break the bank. Thome's gonna cost us a lot, but we need WINNING PLAYERS, not leaders who get decent statistics (like Abreu) but don't WIN.

[Fökai 0]

Trade Thome and Abreu for Jeter.

[mike546 0]

Why don't the Phillies just sign Broisius and ONeil out of retirement, they'll bring them a WS.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Al: The Twins need help. Brian Giles would be my first choice. That's not happening. Who can they target that helps the lineup?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Remember the Twins have Jason Kubel ready to return next season. Kubel can hit as well as any prospect in the game. Right now the Twins need to target infield help. Rafael Furcal would be ideal, but probably out of their price range. Bill Mueller appears more likely.

 

I agree with your 5 choices for starters....but I was afraid you'd say Wright to long relief.  I don't have any confidence in him being able to make that conversion.  It may keep him healthier, possibly, but I don't see him being effective in that role.  I hope I'm wrong and he can contribute something to the team, because we're certainly paying him enough money.  Would he be the most expensive long reliever in the game?

 

Pavano...the injury worries me....the switch to the AL worries me....I was never crazy about signing him in the first place.  If the right offer came along I'd probably take it....and look for a bargain on the FA market to replace him. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If Wright isn't one of the five best starters on the team, relief work is the only solution, short of eating his contract. The Yankees are stuck with Pavano. No team, especially the Brewers, is going to take a $30 Million contract. And I would be quite surprised if there's a bargain starter on the market.

 

What should the A's do with Barry Zito? Trade him to free up cash to sign or trade for a power hitter? Sign him to a contract extension? Let him leave through free agency after next year and get draft picks?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Letting Zito go the free agency route is probably the ideal solution. He devours innings and I'm not sure the Athletics can replace him.

[Guest Leelee]

Al, are the D-Backs any good? What are your thoughts of them next year? Please tell me a couple people who play for them, so I can bullshit that I know something about the team.

[Sandman9000 0]

Give me a reason as to why I should want Torii Hunter for the Yanks outfield over Juan Pierre.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Al, what do you think of the new Phillies GM?

 

I think he's a dolt.

 

On WIP he rambled about there not being a #1-2 pitcher available for the Phils to get, then Eskin baited him into admitting Beckett is an available #1-2 pitcher, but the new GM replied "He's not in our price range."

 

He then later said the Phillies would be okay with 3-5 more wins.  Does he not know that the Phillies getting the # they got this year could be because the Braves mailed it in at the end, resulting in a few key wins, or other intangibles?

 

Also, he referred to Pat Burrell as a "special player".

 

So basically, what do you think of him, his track record (2 rings), and his plans?  And what do you think the Phillies need to do to get over the hump?

 

I say:  Thome gone.  Abreu gone.  Leiberthal gone.

 

Then sign away.  If the Phillies can get hot early, and not dig a ditch AGAIN, people will come out.  Break the bank.  Thome's gonna cost us a lot, but we need WINNING PLAYERS, not leaders who get decent statistics (like Abreu) but don't WIN.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If he's a dolt, it's because he took time from his schedule to talk to Howard Eskin. I assume you meant A.J. Burnett. Frankly, Burnett is not worth the money he is going to get. Look at the fat lot of good he did for the Marlins down the stretch. There's no way the Phils can easily obtain a #1 starter, and in the absence of one they are better off building other areas of the team to cover for that. Besides, Brett Myers is a better pitcher than Burnett, without the injury history.

 

As for the wins, remember that if the Phillies had won ONE more game against the Braves, they would have tied for the division. Had they beaten the Astros once, they would have won the wild card. That's what frustrates me. Craig Biggio hit Billy Wagner for a three run shot. If he flies out, the Phils are in the playoffs. Was that Ed Wade's fault? Bobby Abreu's? The Phillies desperately want to re-sign the player who gave up the home run. The Phillies missed out by a razor sharp margin. Was that poor planning or bad luck?

 

Is Pat Burrell a special player? I'm not going to begrudge a GM for speaking highly of his players.

 

As for your ideas, sure, every team would love to ditch their albatross contracts and sign the best players in baseball. Unfortunately, baseball GMs live in this strange world we call "reality." Thome's owed $45.5 Million, and the Phillies are going to have to eat a substantial portion of that. Lieberthal's owed $7.5 Million. He's not going anywhere. Bobby Abreu? The only player on the market at his level is Brian Giles, another player you would likely label a stats monkey. As for Abreu not being a winning player, the Phils improved by seven wins when he arrived.

 

That Abreu doesn't WIN is one of the most asinine, stupid opinions I've dealt with on this board. Is it Abreu's fault that Lieberthal and Bell couldn't hit? Is it Abreu's fault that Thome missed four months? Is it Abreu's fault the team had a poor bench? Is it Abreu's fault the team lacked a number one starter? Is it Abreu's fault that Cormier tanked? Pull your head out of your ass. If it were so goddamned easy to accumulate empty statistics, everyone would do it.

 

The Phillies won 88 games last year. They don't need to make a desperate all-in rush at the postseason to make a few drooling idiots happy during the NFL offseason. They can make a few moves and make the playoffs. The only real issue the Phillies need to figure out is that the park factors disguise that it was the offense, rather than the defense, that held back the Phils last season.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Al, are the D-Backs any good?  What are your thoughts of them next year?  Please tell me a couple people who play for them, so I can bullshit that I know something about the team.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Prospects, prospects, prospects. Stephen Drew, Carlos Quinten, and Conor Jackson are all top notch prospects, and you'll see them in Phoenix in the near future. Along with Shawn Green, Chad Tracy and Troy Glaus, they could sport a very formidable offense in the near future. The big issue for the D'backs is they most improve their bullpen, which was awful behind Jose Valverde. But given that the relief corps are easy to improve in an offseason, the D'backs could make a run at the division next season.

 

Give me a reason as to why I should want Torii Hunter for the Yanks outfield over Juan Pierre.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Torii Hunter can hit the ball.

[Precious Roy 0]

Well, as long as I'm pretending to be Brian Cashman with King George's money....I'd pay 1/3 of Pavano's contract to get Overbay and maybe a relief prospect. I mean, Overbay isn't exactly cheap himself I don't think, and most of that team is filled with young, inexpensive players. If, like you suggested, the Brewers would look to do a 1-1 swap (which is kind of what I was thinking, based on the team looking mostly complete and the fact that they did a 1-1 with established guys last offseason, and they're looking to be competitive now)....what better trade options for a mid-rotation starter are on the market? Most guys who they'd target couldn't be that much cheaper than Pavano. They have Sheets, Capuano, Doug Davis....Ohka wasn't bad last year....I think they'd really benefit having a guy like Pavano in the rotation....much moreso than the Yankees would

[Mik 0]

And if he signs, don't forget Justin Upton. It could be a sparkling future in Arizona.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Well, as long as I'm pretending to be Brian Cashman with King George's money....I'd pay 1/3 of Pavano's contract to get Overbay and maybe a relief prospect.  I mean, Overbay isn't exactly cheap himself I don't think, and most of that team is filled with young, inexpensive players.  If, like you suggested, the Brewers would look to do a 1-1 swap (which is kind of what I was thinking, based on the team looking mostly complete and the fact that they did a 1-1 with established guys last offseason, and they're looking to be competitive now)....what better trade options for a mid-rotation starter are on the market?  Most guys who they'd target couldn't be that much cheaper than Pavano.  They have Sheets, Capuano, Doug Davis....Ohka wasn't bad last year....I think they'd really benefit having a guy like Pavano in the rotation....much moreso than the Yankees would

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't think the Brewers would even take Pavano under that circumstance. I think Doug Melvin is more likely to seek a prospect, based on what we saw from the Danny Kolb trade.

[Guest]

What can the Dodgers do to their lineup through free agent signings? Is Hee Seop Choi going to be the guy at 1B or do they pickup someone?

[Guest *KNK*]

Tell me exactly what the hell the Cincinnati Reds are going to do wrong this off-season and explain why they will continue to struggle and depend on the long-ball. Also, do they give up and trade off Dunn?

[Hektik 0]

There are rumors that the Padres are going to trade Adam Eaton to the Rangers for some kind of combination of Adrian Gonzalez, Laynce Nix, or Gerald Laird. Would you make that kind of move?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

What can the Dodgers do to their lineup through free agent signings?  Is Hee Seop Choi going to be the guy at 1B or do they pickup someone?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Shoring up the right side of their infield should be a priority for the Dodgers. If they can sign a guy like Joe Randa to a one-year contract while they await their prospects, that would be ideal. Alex S. Gonzalez might also represent a good acquisition, as someone who can fill in for Cesar Izturis and then move around when Izturis comes back.

 

Tell me exactly what the hell the Cincinnati Reds are going to do wrong this off-season and explain why they will continue to struggle and depend on the long-ball.  Also, do they give up and trade off Dunn?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Reds have made poor choices in the amateur draft and have failed to develop their own pitching. Obviously they need to find starting pitching that can at least keep them in the game. Adam Dunn they absolutely should not trade. The Reds should consider either trading Griffey or moving him out of center. Griffey's increasing defensive decline is part of the problem.

 

There are rumors that the Padres are going to trade Adam Eaton to the Rangers for some kind of combination of Adrian Gonzalez, Laynce Nix, or Gerald Laird.  Would you make that kind of move?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes. The only impressive portion of Eaton's performance this season was his W/L Record. He's an injury risk, and he hasn't beat the league average ERA since his rookie season. If they could receive Nix and Laird in return, that would be an excellent trade.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

As for the wins, remember that if the Phillies had won ONE more game against the Braves, they would have tied for the division. Had they beaten the Astros once, they would have won the wild card. That's what frustrates me. Craig Biggio hit Billy Wagner for a three run shot. If he flies out, the Phils are in the playoffs. Was that Ed Wade's fault? Bobby Abreu's? The Phillies desperately want to re-sign the player who gave up the home run. The Phillies missed out by a razor sharp margin. Was that poor planning or bad luck?

Is this where I should say "bad managing"? Manuel did a poor job of handling the pitching staff during the 1st couple series of the season, and we could probably pick out a couple other instances where Manuel made some poor player decisions (letitng Endy Chavez pinch-hit, pinch-running for Pat Burrell when the team was down 3 runs & he was the 1st guy on base). A better manager doesn't make those mistakes, and probably wins a handful of those games.

 

That Abreu doesn't WIN is one of the most asinine, stupid opinions I've dealt with on this board. Is it Abreu's fault that Lieberthal and Bell couldn't hit? Is it Abreu's fault that Thome missed four months? Is it Abreu's fault the team had a poor bench? Is it Abreu's fault the team lacked a number one starter? Is it Abreu's fault that Cormier tanked? Pull your head out of your ass. If it were so goddamned easy to accumulate empty statistics, everyone would do it

Abreu did have a poor 2nd half of the season, especially when you look at what he did in the 1st half, but that's was probably due to nagging injuries.

[Failed Bridge 0]

how are you holding up now that there are discussions of an Abreu for Vernon Wells trade?

[Guest SpiderFan]

How do you see the Jay's doing in the free agent market this year? How do you think we'll do next year?

[CanadianChris 0]

On the same topic -- and I'm already afraid I know Al's answer to this one -- assuming AJ Burnett signs with Toronto, which is where the rumour mill has him going, how will he do next year? How will the Jays do with him? And is there anyone Toronto should be going after instead?

[tominator89 0]

how are you holding up now that there are discussions of an Abreu for Vernon Wells trade?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I heard this one was shot-down.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

how are you holding up now that there are discussions of an Abreu for Vernon Wells trade?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am not violently opposed to the trade. My only objection would be that there's really not a hole at center field. Pat Burrell's arm would make him well suited for right, and the deal would save the Phillies $8.7 Million. You'd lose about two wins on the deal, so you would need to make sure you get a decent left fielder. The only concern is that it's not a good idea if the plan is to move Ryan Howard to left, and it doesn't solve our weaknesses at third and catcher.

 

How do you see the Jay's doing in the free agent market this year?  How do you think we'll do next year?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

On the same topic -- and I'm already afraid I know Al's answer to this one -- assuming AJ Burnett signs with Toronto, which is where the rumour mill has him going, how will he do next year?  How will the Jays do with him?  And is there anyone Toronto should be going after instead?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm going to lump these two together. A.J. Burnett will be overpaid. The question is whether it is better to pay too much, or not to enter the market and not gain any pitching. Burnett's got great stuff but he's not quite an ace. Given that the Jays already have Roy Halladay, a superior pitcher, Burnett is probably the wrong direction to persue. Halladay, Chacin, Towers, Bush and Lilly isn't a bad rotation to start with. With Dustin McGowan on the way, they're all the better off. What the Jays could use most is a mid-rotation starter. Paul Byrd and Jason Johnson might be ideal. The best thing the Jays have going for them is their young players, who should improve.

[ISportsFan 0]

What are the chances that the defending champ White Sox don't even make the playoffs next season, considering they're in a division with Cleveland and the AL wild card race will be loaded?

[Sass 0]

Al, are Barry Bonds and Frank Thomas going to be playing for their respective teams next season or not? What do you see happening? If you were the GM for both of their teams, what would you do in this off-season with them?

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

What are the chances that the defending champ White Sox don't even make the playoffs next season, considering they're in a division with Cleveland and the AL wild card race will be loaded?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Sadly, pretty good.

[ISportsFan 0]

I know, and as a Sox fan, I'm dreading the answer.

[razazteca 0]

Will the Cubs give up on their oft injuried starting pitchers Prior and Wood?

[CanadianChris 0]

What are the chances that the defending champ White Sox don't even make the playoffs next season, considering they're in a division with Cleveland and the AL wild card race will be loaded?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Sadly, pretty good.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Grace, period, guys. Grace period.

[Failed Bridge 0]

Al, are Barry Bonds and Frank Thomas going to be playing for their respective teams next season or not?  What do you see happening?  If you were the GM for both of their teams, what would you do in this off-season with them?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

White Sox already bought out the remainder of Frank's contract. Unless he's willing to go back for the league minimum I doubt he rejoins the White Sox.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

What are the chances that the defending champ White Sox don't even make the playoffs next season, considering they're in a division with Cleveland and the AL wild card race will be loaded?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Fifty-fifty. The American League will probably come down a little next season, as the lower tier inches up and becomes more competitive. It's hard to say until we see what the White Sox do this offseason, but even given their luck they're still a playoff contender.

 

Al, are Barry Bonds and Frank Thomas going to be playing for their respective teams next season or not?  What do you see happening?  If you were the GM for both of their teams, what would you do in this off-season with them?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Giants will certainly keep Bonds, as he's too much of an injury concern to shop at his price. I think Thomas will return to the White Sox, as very few teams will want to commit to him with his injuries, and it's a reasonable fit. If Thomas leaves, it would almost have to be to a last place team with nothing to lose.

[Guest Leelee]

Al, when will you admit that 95+% of MLB is on steroids.