Odds and Ends: Downs, Furcal, Saltalamacchia

I imagine that Furcal will be one of the more sought after free agents. He leads a weak FA class at a premium position and costs no draft picks. The Royals, Orioles, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Dodgers, and even the Giants are just a few teams that will show interest in the short stop. A 3-4 year deal isn't out of the question, but how much will he get paid? Orlando Cabrera and Edgar Renteria really round the market at this position. Will Furcal hold out to see how much these guys sign for first?

Scott Downs isn't just one of the most underrated Relievers in baseball I would put him in the top 3 middle relievers and likely the best 8th inning guy.

I didnt know that O-Cab and Renteria hate each other. An don a side note, who will take over 2B for the WSox when Alexei takes over at short?

"Scott Downs isn't just one of the most underrated Relievers in baseball I would put him in the top 3 middle relievers and likely THE BEST 8TH INNING GUY."
I would agree that Downs is underrated, but being the best 8th inning guy... NO WAY. Scot Shields is BY FAR followed by Carlos Marmol. Shields has been the most consistent since '05. Downs has only been good since last year.

"Juan Uribe would be with Crede/Fields taking over at 3rd."

I can't imagine that is the best the ChiSox can do. Christopher Getz makes more sense than Uribe.

downs has made himself better every year and he could become a lefty duchscherer. but then again, relievers are the maybe the least predictable from season to season.
like scot (give me a t) shields

So let me get this straight because Downs wasn't as good as Shields 3 years ago he's not as good as him right now?

Downs 2007 - 4-2 2.17 era 58 Innings 57-24 k/bb 15 runs allowed
Downs 2008 - 0-2 1.23 era 66 innings pitched 10 runs 56-23 k/bb

Shields 2007 4-5 3.86era 77 innings 36 runs 77-33 k/bb
Shields 2008 6-4 2.72era 53 IP
16 ER 53-24

Marmol 2007 5-1 1.43 era 69 IP 11 Runs 96-35 k/bb
Marmol 2008 2-3 2.58 76.2 IP 26 Runs 102-36

Well ok Shields likely shouldn't be in this conversation, and I'll stick with my statement. Marmol 37 runs allowed in 2 years Scott Downs 25 I will concede that Mamrol has pitched more innings but even that would still make it a coin flip.

relievers are also the hardest to be stats-geeked. marmol has minimal ERA's and WHIP's and XYZ's but he's got a big IOU
hanging over him. until he does otherwise - marmol will be the guy who was the d-backs' BITCH last year.
speaking of stats and d-backs, bunny-hug kyim had great number, didn't he.

"...speaking of stats and d-backs, bunny-hug kyim had great number, didn't he."

Yah he had 2 maybe 3 good years but look what happened to him after that, he isn't consistent!

"...Holds would include innings pitched..."

Actually if a reliever came in with the lead of 3 or less and a runner on base and faced just one batter and got him out, then was taken out of the game it would count as a hold even though he only pitched 1/3 of an inning. I'm not saying that's the case with Shields. Shields only pitches one inning, 2 is rare for him. The Angels don't need to throw him any longer because they have Arredondo, Franky and Speier, who is starting to come around. Downs does pitch more innings because he is used differently than Shields is. That's a managerial difference between Gaston and Scoscia. Neither way is better, just different.

"On top of that Downs was not the only setup man in Toronto last year because Casey Janssen was there also."

Why do you keep arguing with me as if I think Downs sucks? I never said that. I said he was underrated from the beginning of this thread. Downs is a solid reliever and I wish he was an Angel. He would fill a middle relief spot in the Angels bullpen and add another dangerous arm at the end of the game. Shields is just more consistent and has been his whole career. What's wrong with admitting that? Oh, and Shields wasn't the only set-up guy for the Angels either, nor is he this year. Last year he split time with Speier and this year he's splitting time with Arredondo. That's normal, most teams have 2 set-up men, they do it that way so one doesn't get burnt out.