We need Paul Konerko

[82CardsGrad]

Yes, guessing. Doesn't matter. Sox aren't going to trade Pauly.

Why not? The guy is putting together some incredible numbers over the past few seasons. The Sox need pitching badly... What if they can grab some quality talent and/or prospects?
He's the perfect candidate to go to a team who is dead sure they are ready to win right now. Tampa Bay (though they can't afford him...)? Seattle? Texas? Giants?
Why wouldn't the Sox take a serious look if those teams came calling??

 

[Mulli]

Why not? The guy is putting together some incredible numbers over the past few seasons. The Sox need pitching badly... What if they can grab some quality talent and/or prospects?
He's the perfect candidate to go to a team who is dead sure they are ready to win right now. Tampa Bay (though they can't afford him...)? Seattle? Texas? Giants?
Why wouldn't the Sox take a serious look if those teams came calling??

Face of the franchise type thing. And they don't need pitching that badly really.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Face of the franchise type thing. And they don't need pitching that badly really.

I get the face of the franchise thing... But, the Sox can use some pitching... badly.

 

[Mulli]

I get the face of the franchise thing... But, the Sox can use some pitching... badly.

Didn't they just take 2 of 3 from the mighty backs?

 

[82CardsGrad]

Didn't they just take 2 of 3 from the mighty backs?

Indeed... and, I would never use the term "mighty" to associate with the D-backs... not yet anyway...

 

[DWKB]

Konerko's put up almost 1,000 PAs with a 163 OPS+ the past year and a half at 34/35. This stretch easily surpasses anything he's done in his career to date. (Obviously steroids )

He's probably a player who can continue to be productive close to 40.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Konerko's put up almost 1,000 PAs with a 163 OPS+ the past year and a half at 34/35. This stretch easily surpasses anything he's done in his career to date. (Obviously steroids )

He's probably a player who can continue to be productive close to 40.

Maybe... though, I think it's a safer bet to assume his #'s will begin to head southward and fall much closer, if not below his normal 162 game averages.
Regardless, are you making a case that we should give up on Goldschmidt to try to grab Konerko?

 

[Gaddabout]

Huh?? Are you serious?? Aside from Konerko, and maybe Upton if he somehow keeps up his pace, who else will be hitting against Halladay, Oswalt, Lee and Hammels? And, aside from Kennedy and Hudson, who will be prepared to stop their offense?? Colmenter is a great story, but, c'mon man... he's a rookie and will most likely begin to act like one come late July/August. And what about Putz? He's already showing signs of slowing down.

Love your enthusiasm Jon, but this team is nowhere near ready to take a run at the Phillies.
And worse, why in the world would we trade away an amazing young talent like Goldschmidt, for a 35 year old vet with a huge salary with only 2 years left on the deal??

I have to agree with Jon. Konerko's bat in the 4 or 5 hole is a game changer for the whole line up. Those who hit in front or behind him will see more fastballs early in the count. Chris Young would be the greatest beneficiary.

 

[82CardsGrad]

I have to agree with Jon. Konerko's bat in the 4 or 5 hole is a game changer for the whole line up. Those who hit in front or behind him will see more fastballs early in the count. Chris Young would be the greatest beneficiary.

Oh, I'm not saying Konerko wouldn't help. Of course he would. I just don't see the logic in giving up on Goldschmidt to get Konerko. Even with Konerko, we are not a legit contender. So why do it??

 

[Dback Jon]

Oh, I'm not saying Konerko wouldn't help. Of course he would. I just don't see the logic in giving up on Goldschmidt to get Konerko. Even with Konerko, we are not a legit contender. So why do it??

And this is where we disagree

 

[Gaddabout]

Those who cover the team are convinced the D-Backs will make a trade by the All-Star break, but it will be for bullpen help and not an everyday player. FYI

 

[82CardsGrad]

And this is where we disagree

Are you talking about "contender" in the context of winning our division, or, "contender" in terms of getting to the World Series?

Here's my view on the former... with Konerko, we absolutely become a better offensive team. I still have my doubts about CY, but, perhaps Konerko's presence gets CY to the .260 level.
In order for us to win the West, we will need Kennedy, Hudson and Colementer to keep up their first half production. I can see Kennedy and maybe even Hudson doing this, but Colmenter?? Would be terrific, but highly unlikely...ain't no way he keeps an ERA just over 2 and a WHIP under 1.00. The only way this would be mitigated is if Saunders were to pick up his performance. Now that is possible, however, I am not at all willing to bank on it.
And then there's the pen... They were lights out in May, and have been average at best thus far. Putz is showing some signs of slowing down. Vazquez, Shaw and Heilman are entirely unreliable and inconsistent.

So, if everything goes 100% perfect, maybe.... with Konerko we win the West. Maybe. There is no chance of getting past the Phillies. And for me, merely winning the west isn't enough to justify dumping Goldschmidt before he ever has a chance to make it in the bigs, while taking on an aging Konerko who might only give us 2-plus years and more than $25million in salary.
Let's do this right... let's shoot for a team that can be considered a legit World Series contender, not just a surprise divisional champ!

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Those who cover the team are convinced the D-Backs will make a trade by the All-Star break, but it will be for bullpen help and not an everyday player. FYI

Hopefully they plan on adding a starter as well. Right now, we have a great #2, good #3, and a number 5 starter in Saunders.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Those who cover the team are convinced the D-Backs will make a trade by the All-Star break, but it will be for bullpen help and not an everyday player. FYI

Well - not sure what type of quality we can get in a trade, as we just don't have all that much to give. Unless of course they want to toss out some of our young prospects...
I'm on record as someone who would not mind seeing CY offered up in a trade, but again, just not sure what type of quality that would bring...

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I'm on record as someone who would not mind seeing CY offered up in a trade, but again, just not sure what type of quality that would bring...

Yeah, let's give up one of the best defensive CF in all of baseball who can actually hit as well. Good plan.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Yeah, let's give up one of the best defensive CF in all of baseball who can actually hit as well. Good plan.

I knew some of you would come around and see the light eventually!!

 

[Gaddabout]

Well - not sure what type of quality we can get in a trade, as we just don't have all that much to give. Unless of course they want to toss out some of our young prospects...
I'm on record as someone who would not mind seeing CY offered up in a trade, but again, just not sure what type of quality that would bring...

You don't trade an everyday starter for a reliever. Period. Unless it's a salary dump.

 

[82CardsGrad]

You don't trade an everyday starter for a reliever. Period. Unless it's a salary dump.

Agreed... just wanted to get the "trade CY" thing out there again...

 

[Dback Jon]

Agreed... just wanted to get the "trade CY" thing out there again...

And he hits #15 out...

 

[Brian]

Agreed... just wanted to get the "trade CY" thing out there again...

Please don't start this up again this year. It's old and you are alone in it. You said it 50,000 times last year.

That aside, I am with you 100% on your Konerko take. NO WAY do you trade someone like Goldschmidt for a guy with one or two years left. No way. IF the team was a player or two away from WS contention then maybe, but this team is just a good team that is fun to watch and will surprise some people.

They are still 1-2 starting pitchers away, a bunch of bullpen help away, a first baseman, maybe 3rd, and possibly a 2nd baseman away if Kelly doesn't snap out of this mini-funk.

 

[82CardsGrad]

And he hits #15 out...

Please don't start this up again this year. It's old and you are alone in it. You said it 50,000 times last year.

That aside, I am with you 100% on your Konerko take. NO WAY do you trade someone like Goldschmidt for a guy with one or two years left. No way. IF the team was a player or two away from WS contention then maybe, but this team is just a good team that is fun to watch and will surprise some people.

They are still 1-2 starting pitchers away, a bunch of bullpen help away, a first baseman, maybe 3rd, and possibly a 2nd baseman away if Kelly doesn't snap out of this mini-funk.

Look, if you guys were REAL fans, you would jump on board with me!! I've got a great streak going here. Just about every time I put up a negative post about CY, he produces...
Heck, I think we need a new Bat Boy and I'm willing to trade CY!! I hear the Yankees Bat Boy prefers a dry heat - CY in pinstripes? Who's with me??

 

[Nasser22]

lol, I love this ^

I think we win the division without Konerko, but we do need some bullpen help right now. I'd like to see us bring in Wood as was discussed in the past, and it would also be great to see Goldschmidt and Parker get some experience in the majors this season. I think if we play our cards right, we can be having a serious discussion about being WS contenders at next year's deadline. I still choose to believe that we can sneak in this year because anything really can happen once you get there as we saw last year, but I wouldn't trade away a 1st baseman with all that potential right now. Let's finish this season strong, spend some money this offseason on another solid starter, and bring in some of the young guys.