Would White Sox Acquire Lieber?

Phil Rogers throws out the possibility in today's column, suggesting the White Sox trade for Aaron Rowand and Jon Lieber.  Mike MacDougal would probably be involved in such a deal.

After trading away several starters, one would not expect the White Sox to be in the market for starting pitching.  Kenny Williams is unpredictable though.  And it is true that the Sox scouted Carl Pavano's last start.  It would be interesting to see Liebs return to Chicago, but for the Sox to send their starter surplus to Philly only to get it back seems unlikely.

Rogers thinks the Mets, Cards, Astros, Braves, and Giants would all be nice fits for Lieber.  Not sure whether the Phils would want to help the Mets or Braves improve their pitching staffs, however.

Comments

[ballyb11]

This is absolutely the DUMBEST proposition that Phil Rogers has come up with this spring. I used to respect his opinion, but with the grief he's given Kenny Williams this off season and now THIS, I'm not sure where he's coming from.

[ae]

yeah, I don't think that trade theory would make sense for either side...either the Phils get left with holes, or the White Sox give up too much talent.

[philswinitall]

Lieber and Rowand for MacDougal and Fields. Please god let this happen. Fields at third would make the Phillies infield the best in the entire universe.

[beauhoopman]

Fields has been, arguably, the most impressive hitter in sox camp. If Kenny made this move, there would be a mutiny, and I would seize power as Sox GM.

[ae]

I would love to get Fields in a Lieber/Rowand trade too, but it's never going to happen.

[eka12]

Rogers must be smoking crack. Why would the Sox trade Fields when he will probably be the starting 3B next year? Crede is represented by Boras, whom the Sox (and many others) don't like to deal with. If Crede walks,what do the Sox do at 3B? Plus Leibs isn't exactly a difference maker at 37 (I think) - why would the Sox need him?

at this point, I think Gillick is just grabbing the dice and chucking hoping to land on 6.... Would there really be that much interest stirred up about A-Row and Lieber that Fields and MacDougal would be packaged out together ??? Think of the bounty that tandem could warrant with an open bidding. They could fetch alot more than Lieber and Rowand.

[ae]

to be fair to Gillick, this trade is apparently entirely the creation of a Chicago columnist. I don't think Gillick has talked about any more White Sox deals since the Garcia trade.

and I don't know how much Williams puts stock in the chemistry idea, but Guillen obviously does. and if you're willing to take a chance on Erstand, Rowand probably looks like Joe D.

[Megastahr]

There seems to be speculation that the astros would be a good fit to get lieber. I dont see it happening because he is owed 7.5 mil and the astros will defintely not eat that. Also, the trade is suppose to be ensberg for lieber. That would be absolutely retarded instead of us having a wicked 3 man...wed give the phillies a wicked 4 man...it would be absolutely retarded.

However, the phillies are in desperate need of a RF and we happen to have quite a few to spare. If we could make a deal to send Lane or Scott to get lieber and maybe a prospect...and phillies would still have to eat a little salary...would it even be worth it? or possible?

[ae]

a one year commitment of $7.5M isn't unreasonable for around 200 innings at a 4.5 ERA.

and no way the Phillies eat salary *and* throw in a prospect to trade Lieber, unless they're getting something much better than Lane/Scott back.

[JerseyMetFan]

I wouldn't mind seeing Lieber in a Mets uni, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what they would offer for him. They could use an OFer, but I doubt they want Green or Johnson. They could also use BP help, but again, who to send? Obviously not Wagner, Heilman, or Sanchez. I'd be hesitant to deal Padilla or Joe Smith, who is kicking ass this spring.

[xxxJamesxxx]

Smith can't be traded till June.

The constant devaluing of Lieber is funny. Joe Sheehan actually stepped up the other day and finally pointed out that Lieber has been league average or a tick above since his TJ surgery, and that league average pitchers make $10M in this market. Lieber isn't "overpaid", and the Phillies shouldn't be eating any of his salary or throwing in quality prospects to get someone to take him.

Teams are just trying to lowball Gillick, because he's shown a willingness to give in (Abreu deal) and take less than what he wanted. If he doesn't blink, he should get a nice return on Lieber by April 1. Remember, the Phillies traded Tejeda for Dellucci last year the day before the season opened.

[philswinitall]

Rios is never coming to philly unless myers or hamels goes to toronto. Hell will freeze over before that happens, but i have to think that if the white sox want Lieber and Rowand, Fields has to be included. Gillick realizes that the bullpen is a weakness, but they have prospects who could do the job. He needs that third baseman of the future, Fields is that man

[plh903]

"I used to respect his opinion"

Rogers? Ouch.