Mark Kotsay Rumors
White Sox Notes: Beckham, Jones, Designated Hitter
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen addressed some of the team's needs before heading off to Indianapolis, and MLB.com's Scott Merkin has the goods..
- Guillen would like to find an upgrade over Gordan Beckham in the leadoff spot. However, Guillen went out of his way to say that he is a "good RBI man" and added that he would like to move him down to sixth or seventh in the lineup.
- Andruw Jones could be an everyday outfielder for the ChiSox if (and, as Merkin notes, "that's a big if") he reports to Spring Training in shape.
- Guillen seems to like the flexibility that comes with not having a true designated hitter. The way he sees it, he can use Jones, Omar Vizquel, Mark Kotsay, Paul Konerko or Mark Teahen in the spot when neccessary, and shift them around as he sees fit.
- Freddy Garcia is working to get himself in position to be the club's fifth starter. The 33-year-old posted a 4.34 ERA in nine starts with the White Sox last season.
White Sox Re-Sign Mark Kotsay
Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun Times reports that the White Sox have announced that Mark Kotsay was given a one year, $1.5MM contract to return to the team in 2010. It's essentially the same contract he signed with Boston last January.
Kotsay, acquired from the Red Sox just before the trade deadline, hit .292/.349/.434 in 127 plate appearances with the Pale Hose. He played mostly first base for Chicago, but also saw action in all three outfield spots.
Ozzie Hopes To Have Kotsay Back
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen would like to have outfielder/first baseman Mark Kotsay back for the 2010 season, according to MLB.com's Jesse Temple. Kotsay had positive words about a possible return, but admitted, "It's just kind of early to speculate on what lies ahead."
Kotsay, 34 in December, has a .264/.312/.384 line in 139 plate appearances for the Red Sox and White Sox this year. He can play first base and all three outfield positions. Kotsay has performed better since coming to Chicago (with cash) for Brian Anderson on July 28th. He dealt with shoulder, back, and calf injuries with the Red Sox before being designated for assignment four days prior to the trade. He'd signed a $1.5MM free agent deal with Boston on January 8th.
Odds & Ends: Red Sox, Cubs, Free Agents
Some links to mull over during game time:
- Matthew Pouliot at NBC Sports notes that three upcoming free agents did not have pleasant days.
- Dave Cameron at Fangraphs thinks the Red Sox got a break in that Billy Wagner requested they don't exercise his 2010 option.
- Mark Kotsay holds no grudges against the Red Sox after being dealt to the White Sox earlier this year, reports Kevin McNamara at the Providence Journal.
- Steve Rosenbloom at the Chicago Tribune thinks that if the Cubs seek out a new president, former Cubs broadcaster and current White Sox announcer Steve Stone should be considered for the post.
Red Sox Acquire Brian Anderson For Mark Kotsay
2:08pm: MLB.com's Noah Coslov says the White Sox received Mark Kotsay and cash from the Red Sox for Anderson. A Red Sox press release says Anderson will be assigned to Triple A Pawtucket. The 27 year-old voiced his desire for a trade last Thursday to MLB.com's Scott Merkin. He has a .225/.288/.364 line in 862 career plate appearances (and here's a look at his glovework; the biggest sample is 966 innings in '06).
Kotsay was designated for assignment by Boston on Friday. The 33 year-old hit .257/.291/.324 in 79 plate appearances for the Red Sox; he'd re-signed in January for $1.5MM plus incentives. He was hobbled by calf and back injuries.
1:59pm: The Red Sox acquired Brian Anderson from the White Sox, according to David Lefort of the Boston Globe. It's unclear what the Red Sox gave up or where they'll assign Anderson, who had been playing in the minors for the White Sox.
Tim Dierkes contributed to this post.
Odds & Ends: Garko, Kotsay, Holliday, Tigers
Congratulations to Rickey Henderson, Jim Rice, and the late Joe Gordon on their inductions into baseball's Hall of Fame today. The Red Sox were rumored to be looking for a righthanded bat that can play the outfield earlier today, maybe Rickey's still got something left in the tank. Anyway, here's some links...
- Terry Pluto of The Cleveland Plain Dealer says he has "a sense the Indians are working on a deal for Ryan Garko." He also notes that Andy Marte is eligible for minor league free agency after the season.
- Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle says the A's won't pursue Mark Kotsay, who was recently designated for assignment.
- Over at FoxSports.com, Tracy Ringolsby says that Cardinals GM John Mozeliak played the waiting game and won when it comes to acquiring Matt Holliday.
- Bless You Boys ran down all the names linked to the Tigers recently.
Red Sox DFA Mark Kotsay
3:55pm: Mike Petraglia of WEEI.com says Kotsay was designated for assignment, not waived. This gives the Red Sox ten days to make their next move.
2:17pm: The Red Sox put Mark Kotsay on waivers to make room for the recently-acquired Adam LaRoche, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. If no team claims Kotsay within 48 hours, the Red Sox can release him or assign him to the minor leagues. The 33-year-old has an OPS of .615 in 27 games at first base and as an outfielder.
Odds and Ends: Kotsay, Redding
Links for Thursday...
- RotoAuthority ranks the catchers for fantasy baseball.
- Dave Cameron reminds us that talented minor leaguers often have delayed success in the bigs.
- MLB.com's Mychael Urban talked to Mark Kotsay, who did not enjoy the free agent experience.
- MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone transcribes a Tim Redding MLB Network interview, where it was revealed that the Rockies, Pirates, and Orioles had interest before the pitcher signed with the Mets.
Kotsay Signing Official, Aardsma Designated
7:38pm: The AP has the details: Kotsay makes a base salary of $1.5MM, but he gets $200K if he makes 300 plate appearances and an additional $200K for every 50 times up after that, up to 500 plate appearances. He could make up to $1MM on top of his base salary.
3:59pm: According to Art Martone of the Providence Journal, the Red Sox announced the Mark Kotsay signing today. He gets a one-year deal. The Sox also designated reliever David Aardsma for assignment.
Red Sox Sign Mark Kotsay
According to Sean McAdam and Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald, the Red Sox reached an agreement with outfielder Mark Kotsay on a one-year deal worth $1.5MM plus incentives. Kotsay will back up Kevin Youkilis at first base and complement Rocco Baldelli as an extra outfielder.
Kotsay was one of few viable options at center field among free agents this year, but he still could not find a regular job.
|
|
