Sox pursuing Juan Uribe? Options

[mabrowndog]

According to CBSSports.com's Danny Knobler:

The Red Sox are deep in conversations with the White Sox on a trade that would send infielder Juan Uribe to Boston, according to sources.

Uribe is batting just .225 in limited playing time this season, but his three home runs are one more than all Red Sox shortstops have hit. Boston shortstops are 28th in the majors in runs scored and 23rd in RBIs.

It's not clear who the White Sox would get in return for Uribe, but one possibility is Alex Cora, the utility infielder who has fallen out of favor in Boston.

The White Sox want to rid themselves of Uribe's $4.5 million contract, perhaps in hopes of rekindling talks with Baltimore about second baseman Brian Roberts. If the White Sox could acquire Roberts, or another second baseman, they could shift Alexei Ramirez to shortstop and trade Orlando Cabrera, possibly to the Dodgers.

In terms of veracity, this report is fraught with red flag phrases: "according to sources", "one possibility is", "perhaps in hopes of", "could acquire", "possibly to"...

Even if true, this proposal frightens me. I love the way Lowrie looks right now, and Uribe's plate approach is directly counter to the Red Sox' espoused theory of lineup construction. He's a free swinger who rarely walks, whiffs a ton, and has some pop when -- when -- he makes solid contact. He's played mostly 2B this year, but even at that position he's gt a -3.5 VORP, barely good enough for 19th in the league.

Defensively, he offers nothing of substance. Frankly, I have no idea where this story emerged from, but if this is Around the Horn, I'm selling it.

This post has been edited by mabrowndog: Jul 23 2008, 08:14 PM

[Corsi Combover]

With the recent rumors of Chicago's interest in Brian Roberts, I'd hope that it's an expanded deal with someone like Sherrill coming to Boston as well.

[templeUsox]

If it's Cora for Uribe then I'm fine with it. We upgrade our back-up MIF and the Cora's can re-unite in Chicago. If there's even a chance of Uribe taking the spot over Lowrie, it's a brutal move.

This post has been edited by templeUsox: Jul 23 2008, 07:19 PM

[Corsi Combover]

Defensively, he offers nothing of substance. Frankly, I have no idea where this story emerged from, but if this is Around the Horn, I'm selling it.

Is this true? I thought Uribe's defense was his one saving grace. I think this is the reason for Theo's interest. Cora is just a brutal, brutal defender.

[templeUsox]

I've heard he has significantly declined in the last three years. Via Fielding Bible, he was a +3 in 2006 and a -7 last year and he obviously hasn't received much playing time there this year.

At worst though, I think it's spinning the wheels w/r/t the backup infield spot. My concern is if he is there to challenge Lowrie.

[mabrowndog]

If it's Cora for Uribe then I'm fine with it. We upgrade our back-up MIF and the Cora's can re-unite in Chicago.

How so?

I'm no huge fan of Cora, but in his limited work this season he's put up a .380 OBP -- that's more than 100 points higher than any of Uribe's past three seasons. I don't see him as a defensive improvement over Cora either.

And in this, the inaugural post-Mitchell Report MLB season, Uribe's power game has completely evaporated.

[templeUsox]

Maybe he's not a upgrade. I don't know. They're both terrible. My main point is that if there is any chance that this move takes away playing time from Jed Lowrie, it's a full-blown disaster.

[Corsi Combover]

Probably not related, but..

A source has indicated the Sox have been in discussions with ''more than one'' team about adding pitching help, either in the rotation or bullpen -- or possibly both -- and the major discussion is whether they dare part ways with minor-league third baseman Josh Fields.

According to the source, unless they are willing to part ways with Fields, there is no deal to be made. Basically, do they forfeit the future at third base to chase October glory this season?

Source: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/wh...T-sox22.article

[JVTek]

I live in Chicago and have seen a fair amount of Uribe's body of work. It's almost impossible to overstate how bad he is as a hitter. If we took him off the White Sox' hands, there would be a parade in this city.

This post has been edited by JVTek: Jul 23 2008, 08:00 PM

[mabrowndog]

Rotoworld lists Uribe as 6'0" and 225 lbs. His page there is festooned with myriad reports of how his infield defense and range has eroded this season, and how the White Sox have been trying to unload him since last year.

B-R.com lists his weight as 5'11" and only 173 lbs. However, based on this picture ...



... I'm convinced we'd be acquiring the bloated carcass of Kirby Puckett to play the most important defensive position on the diamond.

I'm also convinced there's more validity to my Mitchell Report throwaway line than I ever intended.

[bd11]

...



... I'm convinced we'd be acquiring the bloated carcass of Kirby Puckett to play the most important defensive position on the diamond.

I'm also convinced there's more validity to my Mitchell Report throwaway line than I ever intended.

Very amusing line re Puck. As for Uribe, his hr numbers likely have more to do with his losing his job to Alexi Ramirez than it does any PED. Hard to hit homers from the bench.

Have there been any other reports of Cora having "fallen out of favor?" I agree he doesn't bring much, but I never thought he was viewed by Tito or the FO as a bad apple.

[Corsi Combover]

Two months ago, speculation surfaced that Boston infielder Alex Cora could be available. But for the Sox to become interested, they would have to move Juan Uribe, who has hit three doubles in his past two games subbing for third baseman Joe Crede, who is nursing a stiff back.

Cora is playing behind Jed Lowrie at shortstop and Dustin Pedroia at second while shortstop Julio Lugo recovers from a leg injury.

Uribe committed a throwing error in the first inning. The Sox elected to keep Uribe over Pablo Ozuna when they made room for Paul Konerko to come off the 15-day disabled list. Uribe reiterated he wants to stay with the Sox.

"I want to play but I don’t want anyone hurt so I can play," Uribe said. "[Crede]is a good guy and on the team. I want to help the team. If they give me a chance, that’s what I want to do."

Source: http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune....r-examinat.html

Perhaps they want Cora more than we want Uribe?

[Pumpsie]

Have there been any other reports of Cora having "fallen out of favor?" I agree he doesn't bring much, but I never thought he was viewed by Tito or the FO as a bad apple.

Well, he's certainly fallen out of favor with me and with most of the members of this board. Cora's been absolutely brutal on defense. He's lost a step on what was already a limited range. The back-up middle infielder's role is to play defense as well or better than the starters and Cora simply can't do it. So, Uribe would be welcome in a swap because defense is all Uribe CAN do.

It wouldn't surprise me at all that Theo and the front office want to upgrade Cora before the stretch drive and postseason. It has nothing to do with being a "bad apple." Just a bad fielder.

[Corsi Combover]

On BBTN, Gammons just said John McDonald was "on the Red Sox radar to back up Jed Lowrie." He said the Dodgers are also in pursuit.

Sounds like Theo just doesn't trust Cora these days.

This post has been edited by Corsi Combover: Jul 23 2008, 09:42 PM

[cwright]

B-R.com lists his weight as 5'11" and only 173 lbs. However, based on this picture ...



... I'm convinced we'd be acquiring the bloated carcass of Kirby Puckett to play the most important defensive position on the diamond.

apparently b-r didn't know people have to put both feet on the scale:

Sheesh. Feel free to skip a post-game spread or two, Juan.

[mabrowndog]

With a body like that, the only position he'd fill in Boston is Middle InCecilFielder.

[OCD SS]

Cora: .279/ .380/ .361
Uribe: .225/ .273/ .364

I'm going to guess there isn't a lot to this one.

[E5 Yaz]

Plobby

[Jack Sox]

If it's Cora for Uribe then I'm fine with it.

Good because it's happening later today.

[Smiling Joe Hesk...]

I just deleted a few things.

Although he can't divulge sources, Jack's got some team connections, so his opinions carry some credibility.