The White Sox are nearing a deal with free agent lefty Scott Downs, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Downs is represented by agent Greg Landry of CAA Sports.
The 37-year-old Downs posted a 2.49 ERA with 7.7 K/9, 3.9 BB/9 and a 64.3 percent ground-ball rate in 43 1/3 innings between the Angels and Braves in 2013. This past season represented the final year of a three-year, $15MM pact between the Angels and Downs. The Halos traded him to Atlanta in July in exchange for right-hander Cory Rasmus.
Ugh, after all these great moves for the future, Hahn goes out and picks up this old guy. He’s still effective but is not here for the future and is going to take a roster spot they could be using to develop young guys. For every Matt Davidson, Adam Eaton move, he makes a Konerko, Scott Downs move. Pointless.
Pointless because the options at LH reliever in the farm system are limited at best?
The White Sox aren’t going anywhere for a year or two, so why waste a spot on someone as old as Downs? It’s time to start developing, and keeping guys on the 25-man roster like Konerko and Downs is slowing the process.
Develop who? Go through the farm system and get back to me
Put Donnie Veal back in there. He did well in 2012 and started to come around towards the end of 13. Downs is just a waste of money and a roster spot.
Rick Hahn and his scouts have more than likely evaluated Donnie Veal and this was their solution. This buys them more time to seek out a longer term solution.
At a 1 year deal? if a player is at AA doesn’t mean they are ready for the show. if you bounce them up and they dont perform you hit their confidence, everyday playing time, and the ability to relax and work on improving.
I don’t think the White Sox want to become to Houston Astros and literally make every move with an eye for the future and no vision of the present. The team has lost enough of its fanbase already. It needs to win some games now, too.
You want an entire team of AAA relievers? Check out Charolette then. You need a bit of both.
Developing someone is exactly that… developing them. Throwing them in the fire too early can ruin a player. its happened before. Downs on a 1 year deal for next to nothing is no big deal. Downs makes the team a little more competitive for a year. Dont rush players through the system.
The Sox have really no left-handed relievers that are ready to be everyday MLB pitchers. At this point, I think Donnie Veal is still slotted to be in Chicago, that should tell you where we are. So unless Hahn completely loses his mind and signs Downs to say, a 12-year contract, this is a silly comment, you still need guys to pitch in the Majors, the Sox have no viable internal options, so signing a veteran to a short deal is a good move; Downs will help keep pitchers in the minors so they can get additional seasoning at appropriate levels, maybe mentor the younger kids who are in the Majors, and hopefully be traded for a young player at the deadline if the Sox are not competitive again next season.
We have a winner. Its really Donnie Veal and thats it. He had huge control issues last year. When you faced him it was an automatic walk. Hahn can continue to throw that out there just because the team might not make the playoffs.
I’m not sure how the market is for young lefties out there but surely there has got to be someone young that could be had for the same price as Downs.
Why do you think Scott Downs has made as much money as he has? Because the market is flooded with young LH relievers? Why do you think Boone Logan got a huge contract?
Nice. I really like this move. My guess is Hahn will score him cheap now and deal him at the deadline for more prospects. I hope that is the case.
This Would be a good pick up for the Sox
Perfect move. This guy has good stuff, they desparately needed a lefty. He isn’t blocking anyone.
Giving $4M to a 38-year-old LOOGY is considered a “perfect move?”