Alex Rios Rumors
By Zach Links [October 4, 2009 at 6:30pm CST]
Recently, the South Side of Chicago has been identified as a logical destination for Angels third baseman Chone Figgins as he heads into free agency. However, manager Ozzie Guillen doesn't envision the 31-year-old utility player fitting into the White Sox' budget, reports Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. Cowley says that in 2010 high-priced pick-up Alex Rios will take over in center field and Carlos Quentin will move from left to right in place of Jermaine Dye, whose $12MM option is not likely to be picked up. This leaves one spot open, which could be solved by signing Figgins or...
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By Mike Axisa [September 14, 2009 at 8:38pm CST]
A couple more links as the day winds down... According to Mark Gonzales of The Chicago Tribune, one scout called Alex Rios "a teaser," and that he's the kind of the guy that "can get you fired." Kenny Williams sure hopes that's not the case. Jason Churchill of Prospect Insider explains why the Mariners should go after J.J. Hardy. Something tells me we'll see quite a few more posts like this. Jason Knapp, one of the prospects the Indians acquired for Cliff Lee, will have arthroscopic surgery on his throwing shoulder to remove "loose bodies," according to MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince....
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By Nat Boyle [August 30, 2009 at 12:08pm CST]
John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus brings us his latest from around the leagues: When they come off the DL, Francisco Liriano and Glen Perkins will be used in relief. So, the Twins are hoping to add a starter who can pitch in the playoffs. This means they have until tomorrow at midnight to do so. The Yankees would like to re-sign Johnny Damon to a one year deal and give Austin Jackson a second year to develop at Triple-A, while pursuing Matt Holliday and Jason Bay in the offseason. The Marlins and Giants are frontrunners to land Brad Penny. The...
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By Cork Gaines [August 14, 2009 at 1:45pm CST]
On this date two years ago, the Yankees and Padres failed to reach an agreement on a trade for Kei Igawa after San Diego claimed the pitcher on waivers. The Yankees also chose not to let Igawa go to the Padres for just the waiver claim. Since then Igawa has made two starts for the Yankees and has spent the entire '09 season in Triple-A. With several teams active in the waiver market this season, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere... Around the Majors takes a look at how the deadline deals have worked...
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [August 13, 2009 at 1:05pm CST]
ESPN.com's Jayson Stark adds the Astros to the list of teams interested in John Smoltz. Here are the rest of his rumors: The Cubs could look for another bat and another starter, but it depends on how healthy Aramis Ramirez, Ted Lilly and Carlos Zambrano are. Stark points out that Aaron Harang's 2011 club option becomes a more expensive $14MM mutual option if he's traded. The Reds haven't seemed willing to take on cash in a trade involving Harang or rotation-mate Bronson Arroyo. The Yanks don't appear to have interest in either Reds starter, or John Smoltz, for that matter....
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [August 12, 2009 at 4:19pm CST]
Some afternoon links... Jason Jennings of 99.9 The Fan reports that Donavan Tate left the UNC football program and appears likely to sign with the Padres. The Orioles expect to know within two days whether they'll sign second rounder Michal Givens, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. The Mets expect to sign their top pick, Steven Matz, according to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News. The lefty could command a seven figure bonus. Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle says the Astros could bring Miguel Tejada back next year, though they haven't decided what they'll do....
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [August 12, 2009 at 12:36pm CST]
Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Blue Jays asked for a player currently on the White Sox in exchange for Alex Rios before asking for a prospect and eventually settling for salary relief. Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi didn't get MLB talent back for his right fielder, but executives around the league say they understand the thought process behind the trade. Here are the rest of Heyman's rumors: One GM says Rios would be a good gamble at $30-35MM, but the $60MM remaining on his deal is too much. White Sox GM Kenny WIlliams says he's fully confident that Jake Peavy...
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [August 11, 2009 at 11:12am CST]
ESPN.com's Buster Olney suggests that Alex Rios would sign a deal worth $20MM over two years or $30MM over three if he were a free agent right now. That means the White Sox are paying more than market value for their new outfielder, but clubs can't often acquire talented players in their prime. Here are the rest of Olney's rumors: The White Sox are better equipped to win this year and, even though they took on lots of money, they didn't give up a single player to acquire Rios. Some talent evaluators are convinced the Rays will listen to offers...
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [August 11, 2009 at 9:49am CST]
More reactions to the biggest deal we've seen this August... ESPN.com's Keith Law says the White Sox can afford Alex Rios since they have a hole in center field, salaries coming off the books and a deep enough system to afford the price of "no players." Joel Sherman of the New York Post says the White Sox are making risky, fascinating moves. Danny Knobler of CBS Sports doubts the Blue Jays can win next year, even with Roy Halladay around. It takes a special team to win in the AL East and Knobler suggests the Jays don't have enough talent....
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By Eddie Schmid [August 10, 2009 at 9:35pm CST]
The world's had a few hours to digest the Rios trade and a few have made their judgments. Let's check it out, with more likely on the way: Mark Gonzales at the Chicago Tribune talked to Jermaine Dye, who called the move "a shock" and doesn't know what the future holds for him. Ken Rosenthal at FOX Sports says the White Sox have managed their payroll well enough in order to take on a contract as big as Rios's. Joe Cowley at the Chicago Sun-Times has an in-depth piece on the deal. Apparently Sox GM Kenny Williams had tried to...
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