Remember long ago, when Joe Crede was the up and coming youngster who was projected to develop into the third base star for the White Sox? Robin Ventura, the grandslam hitting and Gold Glove winning team leader and mainstay @ third base, was gonna have to go. And why? Because Sox ownership was not going to pay Ventura top salary in his upcoming free agency year. The Sox had put a lot of time into Ventura, and he had developed into a total plus for the team. However, even though Crede was not yet ready to play in the bigs, Ventura was set loose. He went on to star in the N.L. (near MVP in 2000), play in the World Series with 2000 Mets), and approach Lou Gehrigs all time record for grandslams in a career (my favourite : the walk off that beat ex-Sox Goose Gossage and the Rangers in 1991).
Now, however, we seem to find ourselves in the exact same position. Crede has blossemed into the player that we hoped he would:a clutch and consistent hitter, a fielder always mentioned in the Gold Glove discussions, and a World Series star that who was one of the leaders of the 2005 Sox. But for several years, Sox fans have realised that Josh fields, the new 'up and coming youngster' would almost certainly replace Crede when his contract was up. And that means now.
Crede has been mentioned in several trade rumours, most notably with the Yankees and Angels. The trade roumours have been interesting. Freddy Garcia, who had a pretty good 2006, has been linked with both trades. The Yankee rumour has A Rod coming to Chicago, where he could resume his Gold Glove regular position of shortstop and Fields starting @ third. The Angel trade has E. Santanna replacing Garcia in the rotation and Chone Figgens playing a varitey of positions and using his speed on the basepaths. If Kenny Williams, the Sox G.M. feels these trades will make the Sox a better team, it's hard to argue with his overall success (despite the occasional Ritchie of trades=then again, would Josh Fogg really be in the Sox rotation now a days ??). If it makes baseball sense, yes do it.
However, if another 'White Flag' sale (however different that that deeply horrifying incident in 1997- the second worst/most disgraceful happening in baseball history after the 1919 Black Sox = jeeze, @ least the Sox hold the top two spots in SOME lists!!) is in the makings, please let it pass. Have Sox management noticed that success means even more attendence and tv ratings for the Sox ? Have they noticed that the increased coverage translates into interest from the marginal types who aren't normally baseball fans and made the Sox into the most compelling sports story in town these last two years? These marginal types can name every Sox Champion of 2005, like they can name the Super Bears and the Bulls of the 1990's. And yes, they may know the name Fields in five years. But cut loose productive team leaders who really do not have to go will mean disaster for the team in the future. Its fun to see 35,000 people @ comisky evey game, like the early and mid 90's. Lets keep it that way.
3 comments:
The sox are in trouble, if only for the reason that their division is fantastic. Thome looks old and will again be injured. Burlhe also looks used up. Primo needs to update key players not the Crede types. Primo also doesn't understand baseball econ 101. On a strictly ROI(return on investment) big frank was a steal. That's why Billy ball in Oakland got him. If you are going to play the econ game, play it the A's way-they wrote the book. If not, spend like the cubs are, because money does grow on trees.
From a Yanks' fan perspective: Crede is my favorite Sox position player and Freddy is my favorite pitcher (not saying he's the best but I just like his approach and demeanor) but I still do not think a trade for these two for ARod is likely. Last year was a "down" year for ARod but even so his offensive production was what you would guess Crede's ceiling would be. Crede is by far the better defensive third baseman however. It has been ARod's defense that has been my main gripe with him as a Yank (oh yeah, the stikeouts with a man at third and less than two outs instead of just shortening the swing and getting the man home with a fly come to mind too). Not sure ARod would automatically return to gold glove form if he went back to short for another club. But to the main point of your post I do think the Sox should keep Crede. You can never be too sentimental with players and a GM's #1 job is to make the team better. That is why I would understand saying goodbye to Pods. But Crede is different. I am guessing Sox fans see him as one of "their guys." That's important from a loyalty perspective and for getting fans in the park. Anyway good post and keep em coming Freak.
The Joe Crede situation can be summed up in two words: Scott Boras.
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