Rebuilding is no longer a word the White Sox want to be associated with, Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune reports. “We sit here on the one hand realizing that we have the prime of Chris Sale’s career ahead of us, the prime of Jose Abreu’s career ahead of us and wanting to make sure we’re in a position to capitalize and win within that window,” Hahn said. “We want to win, we want to win again quickly and we want to win again repeatedly in the coming years. … We still have work to do to continue that process.” At the same time, Hahn emphasized today that the team has to avoid the “dangerous allure to wanting to make a splash,” as Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports in the course of an interesting look at the team’s options.
Here’s the latest from the AL Central after a busy news day:
- The White Sox are currently focused on acquiring a right-handed starter, bullpen additions, and a left-handed hitter, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports on Twitter. While the club has in the past looked into dealing for backstops such as Jason Castro of the Astros and Yasmani Grandal of the Padres, that does not appear to be the priority at present, per Rosenthal. Nevertheless, Bruce Levine of 670thescore.com indicates on Twitter that the team does have present interest in Castro.
- Hahn said today that Chicago is interested in multiple relief acquisitions, as MLB.com’s Phil Rogers reports. “We don’t feel the need to go out and get a so-called proven closer,” said Hahn. “We certainly want to have multiple upgrades, and if some of those upgrades give us viable back-end options, that’s great.”
- Word is that the Royals will meet with the representatives of lefty Brett Anderson this week, Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star reports on Twitter. GM Dayton Moore declined to confirm or deny that or any other meetings. I picked Anderson to go to Kansas City in the MLBTR free agent prediction contest, and think he makes sense for a club that has some added cash to spend on an upside play.
- The Royals have told Raul Ibanez that they would be interested in employing him in a non-playing capacity, tweets McCullough. Ibanez, of course, is in the hunt for the Rays’ open managerial position, and perhaps it is still to early to rule out a return to an active roster as well.
- Victor Martinez is at the top of the Tigers’ list of priorities, writes Paul Hagen of MLB.com, as GM Dave Dombrowski made clear that the team will make every effort to re-sign the DH. The team is still interested in outgoing free agents Max Scherzer and Joba Chamberlain, per Dombrowski, but he said the club is sitting back while both assess their markets.
No reason to be interested in Joba, DD.
1. Will Scherzer’s pricetag drop enough for the Tigers to bite? Maybe…
All the way down to the level they already offered? Probably not…
But perhaps a “save face” +5% (v. last year’s offer) with a vesting if “top 5 in Cy Young” bonus like Verlander got.
2. No harm in signing Chamberlain to a small deal. He pitched well for a 1/2 season. He would just not be the 8th inning guy anymore.
If his pricetag drops below 6/150 or 7/175, I would rather get Price signed for that money. Can’t afford both and Price is the better option (Lefty,younger,better delivery, goes deeper into games, etc.) You also get the extra draft pick for Max’s QO. Give Porcello a 6/108+ deal and the SP is set for several years.
I agree with you. I am a bit surprised that they do not try to sign Price now. There is “ego value” in being the first choice (over Scherzer) I would think for Price.
Raul Ibanez should not be able to coach until he kicks his chewing habit. Its disgusting and a bad image to children. In my opinion.
While you’re entitled to your opinion, he’s entitled to his life. Professional athletes should not be viewed as role models and expecting them to be is just bad parenting. In my opinion
Chris Sale is in his prime right now because arm problems won’t be too far down the road with his violent delivery.
If anyone believes Dombrowski plans on Rondon being a force in the bullpen before July and “feels comfortable” with the Tigers relief situation then I will scan the sky for pigs flying. DD is like a duck on water slowing gliding along while he is kicking like crazy. He better get at least 1 solid Lefty from outside the organization and should get another Right Handed RP. I do believe V Mart is priority #1 and nothing happens till his future is decided.
Dombrowski has a full 8 months to figure out the bullpen. He believes the Tigers can be in the hunt, regardless of their bullpen, at the All Star Break. There is a lot of time to figure out bullpen without being trigger happy now.
It looks like they will not overpay for Miller. But let us see what happens.
Still, it would be a nice change if the bull pen had some depth from the start. The Twins are the only team in the division that is guaranteed to not be in the hunt next year. Too many games may be lost in the late innings (like last year) before they figure it out.