Over the next few days we'll be taking a look at teams off to rough starts, speculating on who they could make available if they don't right the ship. We're not writing these teams off; they've played less than 10% of the season.
The White Sox are in a rut, already five games back of the Twins in the AL Central. Should they go into sell mode in two or three months, they could save millions and add farm system depth while still fielding a competitive 2011 club. A few trade possibilities:
- Paul Konerko has been with the Sox since before Kenny Williams was in charge, and Williams is the fifth longest-tenured GM in the game. Moving Konerko would relieve part of his $12MM salary, though Williams will need his first baseman's approval. The Sox are unlikely to offer arbitration to Konerko after the season, so the marginal cost of draft picks shouldn't be a consideration.
- Bobby Jenks is up to $7.5MM this year, with one last arbitration raise coming in 2011. He could be dealt if the Sox deem Matt Thornton worthy of closing in '11.
- A.J. Pierzynski should achieve 10-and-5 status in mid-June, at which point the White Sox would need his approval for a trade. The Sox could potentially hand the keys over to Tyler Flowers if they trade Pierzynski.
- Scott Linebrink has looked good in his last three appearances, but it'd be tough to find a taker for a contract that pays him $5MM this year and $5.5MM in '11. Partial salary relief could be possible, given the demand for relievers during the summer.
- J.J. Putz is on a much more agreeable contract, with a $3MM base salary. In his first five appearances he's whiffed ten batters and walked none in 5.3 innings. His velocity is down a tick, but his groundball rate is up. Putz's incentives include another $250K if he reaches 70 games and big rewards beginning at 40 games finished. Given his contract and experience, Putz could be one of the summer's most coveted relievers.
- Five veterans, paid $1.5MM or less, would make good midseason trade bait: Andruw Jones, Freddy Garcia, Mark Kotsay, Omar Vizquel, and Ramon Castro.
I’m still confused why the Mets didn’t re-sign Putz. They seemingly could have declined his option, and just re-signed him to a lower contract. Bah.
A lot of people were down on Putz a few months ago. He just didn’t look remotely healthy at any point in 2009, and even this season his velocity is still down.
After sitting 94-97 for years, he’s now at 91-95, depending far more on his splitter than ever before. He looks a lot better now than last year, but I wouldn’t get too bent out of shape for losing him.
The Ryoto Igarashi signing was really nice and Mejia is a beast even if we all know that the Mets are royally screwing up by not letting him start. Takahashi could end up being pretty good, Feliciano is a solid middle relief guy, and Escobar could be a big help late in the season if he’s healthy.
I still can’t get over the fact that the Mets added NOBODY to their rotation over the winter.
thats what happens when omar is your GM..i mean come on the guy traded Cliff Lee+Sizemore+and Brandon Phillips for bartolo colon. all he wanted this off season was jason bay and he probably over paid for him
if only johan could go every day…and you know what if you asked him to he probably would
I agree that Putz was technically a “risk,” but Escobar was an even bigger risk. I liked that he snagged Escobar, but I assumed it would have been a minor league deal.
Oh, for sure. But it’s worth noting that Escobar seemed healthier early in the offseason, while Putz seemed less healthy before a nice spring, and Escobar/Igarashi combined makes roughly what Putz will in 2010.
I just wish the Mets had signed Jon Garland. His control has been a little wacky so far in 2010, but in general, he could have been extremely helpful for our rotation.
I understand not going after Lackey because of the years and money, but considering the Padres signed Garland to a one year, $4.7 million contract, the Lackey-reasoning doesn’t apply–and furthermore, makes you wonder, “What was Omar thinking?”
I really hope they don’t sell, well part of me does. The other part wants new management and a new approach.
Kenny never sells.
It’s too bad. He could really clean up and begin to re-build what’s become a pretty barren farm system. But I agree, barring a complete collapse this year, I don’t see it happening.
I like the article, this is a good one tim. Its juts funny because you pointed out that the clubs have only played less than 10%. But i could see if they are way out of it come august keeny does a fire sale there are plenty of guys in hte minors who could step in for the rest of the season. PK and AJ i think would be the best to be moved just becuase they are at the end of their deals and could help contenders. Jenks could simply need a change of scenery to come back to form and he could land a pretty good haul if there is an injury. Putz I dont think is going anywhere and stands ina good place to be extended by the sox if he keeps this up. Allowing competition for Thornton to close or set up cant go wrong either way. Along with Putz probably not going anywhere and/or getting extended I think Jones also is not going anywhere(although he could be a huge steal for a team if he keeps going at the pace he is at) but he is cheap and could easily get an extension from Kenny…Kenny has wanted Jones for a long time, and finally has him so I dont think he is going anywhere…
The guys that would get the biggest hauls are Gordon, the 4 pitchers, thornton, maybe alexi but those guys are not going anywhere…Same with Peavy and Rios if they return to form they could get huge hauls but they are locked up with huge contract so they are not going anywhere
I think the Sox would be foolish not to listen for offers for Jones and Putz as well as Konerko, AJ, Jenks, and Freddy Garcia. They could all bring back something useful if they are out of it by June. I agree the the Sox have guys ready to step in. You have Hudson to replace Garcia, Flowers to replace AJ, and Jordan Danks to come in and play OF and bump Pierre or Quentin or somebody to DH. I think all of those moves have the potential to be upgrades this year as well as in the future. They have a chance to hold on to some core young guys and solid starting pitching to rebuild around. If it turns out this slow start is for real, then I hope they don’t miss that opportunity. And if it means trading guys they like such as Jones or Putz for someone to help them over the next few years then they shouldn’t hesitate to do that, in my opinion.
Good luck with an August firesale…
chill out there twins fan its very very early in the season give it a few weeks and everything will be back to normal with the twins and chisox fighting for first and the tigers annoying both teams….give jon rauch time to realize he is not joe nathan…
.also to the point from crunchy i agree kenny would not be smart if he didnt listen to calls for all his player but rios, peavy, buehrle, carlos and gordon..but kenny isnt that type of Gm. He is the type that calles people about players and he should not listen to calls about putz and jones..
those two are very low cost players they type that we need to keep. Trading them wouldnt help all that much plus if they continue how they are now into the entire season and into next season they should get extended they will be pieces we need to compete in the futire
My point was the trade deadline is July 31. An August firesale, which you elude to, requires players to clear waivers.
chill out there twins fan its very very early in the season give it a few weeks and everything will be back to normal with the twins and chisox fighting for first and the tigers annoying both teams….give jon rauch time to realize he is not joe nathan…
.also to the point from crunchy i agree kenny would not be smart if he didnt listen to calls for all his player but rios, peavy, buehrle, carlos and gordon..but kenny isnt that type of Gm. He is the type that calles people about players and he should not listen to calls about putz and jones..
those two are very low cost players they type that we need to keep. Trading them wouldnt help all that much plus if they continue how they are now into the entire season and into next season they should get extended they will be pieces we need to compete in the futire
Good luck with an August firesale…
The Sox aren’t going to trade Beckham, Danks or Floyd if they have a fire sale. Those guys are all young, and those are the guys you build around. Maybe Peavy, Ramirez or Buehrle, but I doubt them too. If they keep the staff in tact, they could easily compete next year with just a couple signings, or guys coming up.
sorry i should have edited that i meant to say those guys would get the biggest hauls but are not going anywhere….peavy+rios+buehrle are not going any where peavy and rios along with alexi and gordon are the pieces we are building around for the future.
I think you’re wrong about Buehrle. If they do become sellers Buehrle could get a couple nice prospects. With all the rumors about him wanting to play for other teams and not wanting to resign with the Sox he could be gone. A proven pitcher like him would help a contender big time down the stretch.
Where are people hearing that Buehrle wants to play for other teams and not resign with the Sox? I keep reading this (stupid) rumor on this site in the comments, but never anywhere else.
I’ve heard he may retire when his contract is up, and that he would like to play for the Cardinals. Not sure why people are under the impression he hates the White Sox now…
It’s not other teams (plural) he wants to play for, just the Cardinals. He’s said on multiple occassions that he wants to play for his hometown team at some point in his career. He doesn’t hate the White Sox.
yeah..only one of three things will happen with buehrle. 1- he resigns with the sox…2 he signs with the cards(the only other team he wants to play for due to it being his home town team) 3- he retires(most likely he said recently he wants to spend time with his family and watch his kids grow up). He wont get traded he is a hero in this city I know its not a reason but i doubt it happens plus he has 10-5 right so he would have to ok it and There are still years left(1.5 or 2 yrs) on his contract
He’s said that once from what I can remember, it just keeps getting brought up every offseason/trade deadline. He has said he’d like to finish his career with the White Sox if possible.
I’d get rid of Bobby, AJ, Freddy, Possibly Kotsay and Castro. But I’d keep Paulie Jones and Putz, like JW said I can see the sox extending Paulie, Jones, and Putz.
i doubt they extend paulie with all the other first basemen out there next winter i doubt it maybe if he comes back on the super cheap and if fine with DHin most of the time but if jones keeps up with the .300 avg and 3-4 hrs ever few weeks..if jones finishes the season with a .300 avg and 25-30 hrs he should get the extension before PK and he would be the primary Dh and 4th out fielder swaping around with carlos
I know it’s only 13 games in, but the Sox look like they are in trouble. They can’t score any runs. DH by committee is looking like worse of an idea every day
Doesn’t really matter if you have DH by committee if no one else in the line-up can hit either.
DH by committee is very quickly turning into Jones DH and rotating every few days with the other out fielders to give every ones legs a break.
DH by committee is very quickly turning into Jones DH and rotating every few days with the other out fielders to give every ones legs a break.
“Five veterans, paid $1.5MM or less, would make good midseason trade bait: … Mark Kotsay”
Why would anyone want Kotsay?
The others listed I could understand in certain situations, but Kotsay is worthless
To be fair, Kotsay has been traded several times over the past few years. Veteran fourth outfielders / backup first basemen are valuable but small pieces to contenders just don’t expect to get much but filler for him.
Kotsay ONLY has value when he’s used as a defensive sub or when he’s starting in place of an actual starter, maybe once a week… maybe.
His bat is terrible and he hasn’t been able to locate pitches well at all; he looks lost. He’s not been the only one, but putting him in the lineup in place of Jones is ridiculous. The fact that Omar pinch ran for him is ridiculous.
What’s more ridiculous/sad?
That Omar pinch ran for Kotsay OR when Ozzie didn’t pinch hit Jones (or even Nix) when Vizquel was up to bat 2 days ago with runners on and 2 outs?
What’s more ridiculous/sad?
That Omar pinch ran for Kotsay OR when Ozzie didn’t pinch hit Jones (or even Nix) when Vizquel was up to bat 2 days ago with runners on and 2 outs?
Kotsay ONLY has value when he’s used as a defensive sub or when he’s starting in place of an actual starter, maybe once a week… maybe.
His bat is terrible and he hasn’t been able to locate pitches well at all; he looks lost. He’s not been the only one, but putting him in the lineup in place of Jones is ridiculous. The fact that Omar pinch ran for him is ridiculous.
But he has since proven he can no longer hit or field anymore. Boston had DFA’ed him KW dealt for him last year. And Boston had got him after he cleared waivers with the Braves, only because it was after the trade deadline and they had to put Drew on the DL. Kenny is probably the only one who would really trade for him at this point, but Williams cant trade with himself.
the only value Kotsay has is as Ozzies friend, thats the only reason he is on the chisox..him and freddy are only on the team becuase they are either friends with ozzie or in freddys case married to his sister
the only value Kotsay has is as Ozzies friend, thats the only reason he is on the chisox..him and freddy are only on the team becuase they are either friends with ozzie or in freddys case married to his sister
But he has since proven he can no longer hit or field anymore. Boston had DFA’ed him KW dealt for him last year. And Boston had got him after he cleared waivers with the Braves, only because it was after the trade deadline and they had to put Drew on the DL. Kenny is probably the only one who would really trade for him at this point, but Williams cant trade with himself.
So Juan Pierre isn’t movable?
probably is due to the fact that the dodgers are picking up 10 million dollars of his contract…I could see him getting moved back to the NL then maybe he could be had by someone but only if Danks is ready or long long long shot mitchel is ready
Mitchell won’t be ready this year. He got hurt during spring training and is out for the year.
Mitchell is hurt and won’t be ready until next year.
probably is due to the fact that the dodgers are picking up 10 million dollars of his contract…I could see him getting moved back to the NL then maybe he could be had by someone but only if Danks is ready or long long long shot mitchel is ready
So Juan Pierre isn’t movable?
Can we also trade Ozzie Guillen along with Kotsay and Vizquel? I hear that those three can’t live without each other.
We actually can.
Can we also trade Ozzie Guillen along with Kotsay and Vizquel? I hear that those three can’t live without each other.
As a Sox fan myself…wow, there are a lot of really dumb Sox fans on here. Some of you need to get a clue, or two (maybe three?).
how are we dumb? dont just try to burn people please back it up with something
how are we dumb? dont just try to burn people please back it up with something
I know this is about the sox becoming sellers but what about buyers…I know its weird and a stretch but what about mike napoli? a power hitting catcher would be a nice spark for the whitesox…and he is very unhappy in LA with his lack of play time
I know this is about the sox becoming sellers but what about buyers…I know its weird and a stretch but what about mike napoli? a power hitting catcher would be a nice spark for the whitesox…and he is very unhappy in LA with his lack of play time