http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/askba/263003.html


Three quick takes on the notable transactions of this week . . .

A six-year contract for $52 million, bringing Boston's total outlay for
Daisuke Matsuzaka to $103.1 million, will look smart in the long run, even if
the Red Sox don't make an extra dime in Japan. And they'll make plenty of
extra dimes, as I've seen an estimate of $3 million per year by sports
economist Andrew Zimbalist and a Red Sox source told me that their business
guys think they can make $20 million—in 2007 alone.

With Jason Jennings a year away from free agency, I would have held onto
Jason Hirsh if I were the Astros. He'll be a better value over the next six
seasons than Jennings will. I don't understand why Houston had to give up
Willy Taveras and Taylor Buchholz as well, though I'm not a huge fan of
either.

The Jose Vidro deal that's supposed to go down today makes even less sense.
The Mariners are picking up $12 million of the $16 million remaining on
Vidro's contract the next two years, plus giving him a vesting option to
waive his no-trade clause. Getting rid of most of their financial obligation
to the declining Vidro should have been enough for the Nationals, but they
also get Chris Snelling and Emiliano Fruto out of the deal? Snelling
(constant injuries) and Fruto (general flakiness) have their drawbacks, but
I'd rather have either one of them than Vidro, even before the money gets
involved.



         Following the Freddy Garcia trade, where will Gio Gonzalez rank
         on the White Sox Top 30 in the Prospect Handbook?

         Richard Wambach
         St. Charles, Ill.


He'll rank No. 3, behind outfielder Ryan Sweeney and third baseman Josh
Fields. Gonzalez rejoined the White Sox after we ran that Top 10 in our
magazine but before our Phillies list was unveiled, so you'd have to buy the
Handbook to check out his scouting report.

Because it's the holiday season, however, I'll give you an early gift and
present the scouting report written by Chris Kline. Gonzalez would have rated
No. 2 on our Philadelphia Top 10.

Gio Gonzalez, lhp Born: Sept. 19, 1985. B-T: R-L. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 190.
Drafted: HS—Miami, 2004 (1st round supplemental). Signed by: Jose Ortega.

Background: The White Sox signed Gonzalez for $850,000 as the 38th overall
pick in the 2004 draft, and he might have gone even earlier had he not left
his high school team in a dispute over his brother's playing time. Chicago
packaged him with Aaron Rowand and minor league lefty Daniel Haigwood in the
Jim Thome trade following the 2005 season, then reacquired him 13 months
later. The Phillies sent him back, along with Gavin Floyd, in exchange for
Freddy Garcia. Gonzalez spent 2006 in Double-A as a 20-year-old, holding his
own despite erratic command at times.

Strengths: Gonzalez has a fundamentally sound delivery that he repeats well,
creating effortless 92-95 mph velocity with his fastball. His low-80s hammer
curveball always has been his go-to pitch, and he'll use it in any count. He
located his changeup better in 2006, and it shows flashes of being a third
plus pitch. Though there were questions about his durability, he pitched a
career-high 155 innings and added 16 more in the Arizona Fall League.

Weaknesses: Gonzalez will need better command with his fastball and more
consistency with his changeup to succeed at higher levels. He fell behind in
the count early and often in Double-A, leading to too many homers and walks.
He can get top-heavy in his delivery, which causes him to rush his lower half
and leave fastballs up in the zone.

The Future: The White Sox were delighted to get Gonzalez back. He has all the
makings of a legitimate No. 2 starter, but they have no reason to rush him.
He'll likely return to Double-A at the beginning of 2007.