Jayson Nix Rumors
Indians Claim Jayson Nix
The Indians claimed Jayson Nix off of waivers from the White Sox, according to the White Sox (via Twitter). The claim comes a week after the White Sox designated Nix for assignment.
Nix flashed power and speed in limited playing time last year, hitting 12 homers and stealing ten bases in 12 attempts. The utilityman posted a .716 OPS a year ago, but his 2010 mark has fallen to .513 in 57 plate appearances. Nix has been as versatile as ever this year, playing second, third, short and right, but he hasn't replicated the power or speed he flashed in 2009.
Rockies In No Rush To Acquire Infielders
The Rockies are interested in Ty Wigginton and will monitor the market for infielders, but they will wait to see if the club remains in contention before dealing for infield help. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that for now, the Rockies will rely on Clint Barmes and Jonathan Herrera while Troy Tulowitzki's broken wrist heals. If the Rockies remain in contention after they play seven consecutive series against winning teams, they could pursue infield help.
If the 37-33 Rockies are contending in mid-July, Rosenthal suggests Wigginton and Dan Uggla as possible targets. Other infielders such as Adam Kennedy, Akinori Iwamura, Jayson Nix and Ryan Theriot could also draw interest from GM Dan O'Dowd and the rest of the Rockies front office. But at least for now, the team is in wait-and-see mode.
Rosenthal On Yankees, Oswalt, White Sox, Beltre
The Yankees are not actively looking for a utility infielder, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Rosenthal names Willie Bloomquist, John McDonald and Jayson Nix as options the Yanks could consider should they decide that they want more experience than Kevin Russo and Ramiro Pena can offer. Here are the rest of Rosenthal's rumors:
- Adrian Beltre will almost certainly reject his player option after the season and re-enter free agency. He has been one of the game's best players this year, rating characteristically well on defense (according to UZR) and hitting .336/.371/.528.
- The Mariners won't necessarily get a first round pick in next year's draft if they hold onto Cliff Lee. First of all, a losing team could sign Lee (the first 15 picks are protected). Secondly, a team could sign Lee and a free agent who ranks higher under the Elias system. That would mean the Mariners get a supplementary rounder and a second rounder.
- If the Rangers are sold before the winter, they could be a potential landing spot for Carl Crawford, one executive suggested.
- Rosenthal hears that Astros owner Drayton McLane is not against the idea of trading Roy Oswalt to Texas, though the Rangers' ability to take on payroll and the pitcher's no-trade clause could prevent a deal from going through.
- The Marlins inquired on Matt Thornton back when the White Sox were sellers. Now, the White Sox would not consider dealing the left-hander.
- If White Sox GM Kenny Williams becomes a buyer, he may pursue a left-handed bat.
- The Mariners want major league or major league-ready hitters for Cliff Lee, but the Dodgers' best prospects are a few years away from the majors.
- The Rockies are interested in Ty Wigginton, according to Rosenthal's colleague, Tracy Ringolsby.
- The Rays will look for impact players at the trade deadline.
White Sox Designate Jayson Nix For Assignment
Jayson Nix has been designated for assignment by the White Sox, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times (via Twitter). The move clears a spot on the roster for the 21-year-old Dayan Viciedo, who Baseball America ranked as the 61st-best prospect in baseball before 2009.
Nix displayed some power for the Sox in 2009, homering 12 times in 290 plate appearances. His performance this year has been disappointing though, as he hit just .163/.268/.245 in 57 big league plate appearances. In a second tweet, Cowley adds that Nix would like another shot at the majors, but if he clears waivers, his first choice would be to remain a White Sox.
White Sox May Be Finished With Offseason Shopping
MLB.com's Scott Merkin reports that White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen seems satisfied to stand pat with the current composition of his roster, a decision that would leave Chicago without the everyday DH that seemed to be the club's top priority this winter.
Guillen tells Merkin that he likes the idea of using several different players (such as Andruw Jones, Paul Konerko, Mark Kotsay, Jayson Nix, or even Omar Vizquel) as a designated hitter depending on matchups or, in Konerko's case, to rest him without taking him out of the lineup altogether.
Chicago GM Kenny Williams doesn't sound entirely convinced with this plan, but seems to be willing to acquisece to Guillen on this front. Williams told Merkin, "I don't want to do anything that conflicts with what my manager wants....Regardless if I think there might be a need for another left-handed bat in middle of the lineup, he's the one in there, and I fully support how he sees the situation fitting and piecing it together."
It's not like the Southsiders haven't been active this offseason --- they acquired Mark Teahen and Juan Pierre in trades and signed Jones, Vizquel and J.J. Putz. But given all of the high-profile designated hitter options on the market this winter, it's safe to say that White Sox fans were counting on a bit more than just Jones and Vizquel as DH upgrades. Do you think that Williams should, in fact, look to acquire that left-handed bat or do you agree with Guillen and think the Sox roster is fine as it is?
White Sox Done With Free Agent Market
An AP report posted at ESPN.com says the White Sox are not expecting to sign any more free agents.
This means the White Sox will go with one of either Chris Getz, Brent Lillibridge or Jayson Nix at second base in 2009, as 2008 second baseman Alexei Ramirez moves to shortstop.
White Sox Sign Jayson Nix
According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the White Sox signed second baseman Jayson Nix. Nix, 26, hit .303/.373/.591 in Triple A this year. The Sox are uncertain about their starter at second base next year, and this is a nice low-risk pickup.
Ringolsby's Latest: Fuentes, Atkins, Holliday
Let's take a look at the latest column from Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News.
- Rockies "closer of the future" Casey Weathers will miss the '09 season due to elbow surgery. However, the Rox are still not likely to re-sign Brian Fuentes. Joel Sherman expects Fuentes to sign for three years, $36-39MM. Brad Lidge signed for three years, $37.5MM in July, but that was not on the open market. The Mets will be in on Fuentes.
- The Rockies are expected to trade one of Garrett Atkins or Matt Holliday this winter. The Phillies will inquire on both (they tried to acquire Holliday this summer). Ringolsby says the Red Sox have discussed Holliday internally and considers the Angels a match for Atkins. The Red Sox, however, are set at the corners with Jason Bay and J.D. Drew.
- Brothers Jayson and Laynce Nix are both free agents. Jayson, 26, hit .303/.373/.591 in Triple A. Laynce, 28, hit .284/.348/.539. Jayson plays second base, Laynce plays outfield.
Rockies Release Nix For Olympics
Jayson Nix was designated for assignment by the Rockies on Saturday. If Nix clears waivers, and he should, then he will be rejoining Team USA in Beijing.
According to Thomas Harding of MLB.com, USA Baseball talked with Rockies Assistant GM Bill Geivett about acquiring Nix. The 25 year old second baseman failed to hold onto the starting job in Colorado this season, but he's still young and has met success in the past with Team USA. Writes Harding:
"It was with Team USA that Nix has had his highest baseball moment. In the 2007 International Baseball Federation World Cup in Taipei City, Taiwan, Nix went 12-for-31 with six extra-base hits to lead the U.S. to the gold medal and the earn tournament's most valuable player honors."
Rockies Designate Jayson Nix
According to Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post, the Rockies have designatd second baseman Jayson Nix for assignment. So, he can be had cheaply or for nothing.
Nix, 25, was a long shot to have the bat for regular duty this year after posting a .793 OPS in his second Colorado Springs stint in '07. He is a skilled defensive player though. He was the last pick of the first round of the '01 amateur draft (just six after David Wright, and ahead of Dan Haren!). The hindsight game isn't fair but I like to play anyway.
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