JUNE 16: The White Sox announced today that they’ve requested waivers for the purpose of granting Latos his unconditional release. Assuming no team claims the remainder of his salary, he’ll officially be a free agent once he clears in 48 hours.
JUNE 9: The White Sox have designated right-hander Mat Latos for assignment, according to Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago (Twitter link). Hayes tweets that Latos’ roster spot will go to 2013 second-round pick Tyler Danish — a 21-year-old right-hander with a 4.42 ERA, 5.6 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9 in 75 1/3 innings (12 starts) for Double-A Birmingham this season.
Latos, 28, has been in the Chicago rotation since Opening Day after signing a one-year, $3MM contract this offseason. However, after a brilliant start to his 2016 campaign, he’s fallen into a prolonged slump, thus prompting today’s DFA. Over his first four starts to the season, Latos worked to a pristine 0.74 ERA in 24 1/3 innings. That production, though, was propped up by a clearly unsustainable .167 BABIP and 97 percent strand rate. Beyond that, Latos was sporting a meager 13-to-7 K/BB ratio through that four start run while displaying the lowest average fastball velocity of his career.
Regression for Latos wasn’t exactly difficult to see, though the extent of his decline was nonetheless fairly surprising. Dating back to April 30, Latos has a 7.25 ERA with nearly as many walks (18) as strikeouts (19). His deteriorated heater and diminished ability to miss bats (which are likely related) rendered Latos ineffective for much of the 2015 season, and that looks to have carried over into the 2016 campaign as well.
The Sox will have 10 days to trade Latos, outright him or release him, though even if he clears outright waivers he’d be able to reject an outright assignment and retain the remainder of his $3MM salary (approximately $1.89MM) in favor of testing the waters of free agency.
As for Danish, he entered the season ranked as Baseball America’s No. 9 prospect in the White Sox’ system. Danish was the youngest pitcher in the Double-A Southern League last season and, per BA, has the best changeup in Chicago’s minor league system. BA added that he gets “ferocious” sink on his fastball and projects as a back-of-the-rotation arm that can generate plenty of ground-balls.
Okay, WHAT.
Yes
I guess his attitude isnt worth keeping around if hes not performing. Sox may continue free falling and end up shipping out Sale for a haul
lol, Sale is a White Sox for life, get out of town with that nonsense….
They will continue to be terrible then. But at least Sale will still be there for you fans!
I’m not even a White Sox fan, just a guy with common sense. I suggest you obtain some.
I concur @just another fan
Hey! I’m the obnoxious one on MLBTR! That’s my role, brah!!!!
For life. Until the trade deadline.
He wants to win the White Sox are not winning this year or next their system stinks = trade him to a contender for assets.
I predict Sale becomes a Pirate. They have some incredible young RHPs, but not young LHPs. Enter Chris Sale. It will be like when they traded for Zane Smith, except better and they’ll actually win. Maybe?
You are so extremely wrong with everything its almost not worth responding. I’ll just inform you that Pittsburgh are notoriously cheap, and have a sensational farm system with young cheap players. They will not be bringing on anyone expensive like Sale. They will bring up their young cheap players and win a lot. Sale will be on the White Sox until his late 30’s at the earliest. The end.
Maybe but not for long they can’t afford him
Sale’s contract maxes out at $13 million a year. That’s the same they pay Liriano. Pittsburgh could easily afford him.
Actually, if the ChiSox were willing to trade Sale for a haul, the Pirates might actually make sense, since the contract isn’t a bad one and is actually a bargain. Pittsburgh has shown increasing willingness to spend on players – McCutchen’s on a 51+ MM deal, Marte is signed for 31+ MM, Polanco 35+ MM, Liriano 39 MM, Cervelli 31 MM, Josh Harrison 27+ MM, Kang 11 MM, and Melancon 10~ MM with another year of arb. Considering all the cost-certainty and how cheap Freese & Jaso are (think they make 7 MM combined), how cheap Cole still is and the fact that Niese is reasonable, I’d say there could be some room to add both this year and going forward if the reward is improving their rotation tremendously. They have a lot of prospects that could be appealing, too – Glasnow and Taillon are very appealing, and they’ve also got Hansen, Kingham, Austin Meadows, Reese McGuire and Josh Bell. That’s a lot of prospect capital to draw from, and they’ve also got appealing players they *could* deal from on the MLB roster. The Dodgers (Urias, de Leon, etc.), Rangers (Brinson, Gall0), Cubs (Almora, Contreras) and especially Red Sox (Benintendi, Moncada) have headliners that could work to get a deal done and could easily absorb the contract. His contract is so good that any team with incredible prospects could trade for him if Chicago wanted to sell. In fact, I think Sale may have more trade value than virtually everybody in baseball due to his performance and guaranteed salaries locked in.
Sooo yea basically everyone agrees Sale could potentially be discussed as a trade piece off a bad team. I don’t really understand why u are so bent on denying that. Huge value could be brought back for him. I’ve seen Cardinal ppl list him for Reyes, etc.
The Pirates could EASILY afford Sale. They have enough prospects they could include 1 top RHP (Taillon, Kingham, Glasnow, Kuhl) and backfill the rest of the deal with good but not great prospects. If the White Sox want more than 1 top prospect, lol, move on. They probably will.
The guy saying Sale will be a White Sox until his late 30s….LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL.
Cards would have to trade a lot more than just Alex Reyes. Any team trading for Sale better be prepared to give up 3-4 legitimate MLB contributors/potential stars. If I’m Chicago, I ask for Diaz, Piscotty, 1-2 solid prospects and two of Wacha/Martinez/Reyes as a starting point. Sale is a pitcher with 1000 innings of 2.88 ERA ball in a hitter;s park over his career, a 28.0% career K rate, 6.0% BB rate, and has finally showed he can be a positive contact manager if given even a decent defense. His contract essentially boils down to what the Pirates are paying Liriano over the next three years (3/38 vs. Liriano’s 3/39), plus the rest of this year’s 9~ MM salary, which is probably around 6 MM. So you get 3.5 years of Sale for 44 MM, plus the right to negotiate with Sale on an extension after ’19, and also the right to offer Sale a QO or whatever the equivalent is in the next CBA.
Maybe I’m taking bait from a troll – haven’t been around lately – but Glasnow, Taillon and Meadows are all highly regarded, and I’ve seen various very positive reviews on Bell, Kingham, Hansen and McGuire over the years. They were all considered future contributors when I saw prospect lists over the winter, with especially Glasnow and Meadows great prospects. If Pittsburgh was willing to include someone off their big-league roster too – and they have several *excellent* contracts locked in to deal from – then I think a deal could be reached, if Chicago is even willing to sell.
Agreed its just starts with Reyes. Cards would be willing to give up a ton for a few prime years at a reasonable price. I see them as a more likely fit than the Pirates actually. Pirates could get a deal done no doubt but i think they would balk at the asking price
In what universe is Chris Sale expensive?
Any deal for Sale would need way more than 1 of taillon, kingham, glasnow, kuhl plus filler. Sale’s contract alone makes him incredibly valuable.
I’m a aCub/ White Sox fan trust the Sox won’t trade Sales period!
That is hilarious. Talk about over valuing one player and completely undervaluing all of the other ones.
That guy was also completely convinced the A’s were going to be very competitive this year.
The Pirates could get Sale for Kuhl, Heredia, and filler. The filler might be 4, 5, 6 guys but not top guys. If the White Sox aren’t licking their chops at that deal, they are idiots. Kuhl could very likely end up being the best pitcher in their entire system.
If Sale isn’t a Pirate at the trade deadline he will be a true Sox. A Boston Red Sox. They also have the ammunition to get him. 1 top prospect, 1-2 good prospects, 3-5 filler players.
Looking at Pirates roster… Jeff Locke and Nicasio could be in on the Sale package. No positions players from the current roster. If the White Sox insist on an MLB position player, offer Sean Rodriguez, David Freese or Matt Joyce. They would all be superstars on the White Sox lol
Bwaaaaa! Honestly one of the most bizarre posts i have seen in my 10+ years here. In fact i had to log in just to reply to this nonsense. Let me get this straight. You are suggesting in order to get Chris Sale the Cards would need to give up Reyes, Piscotty, Martinez/Wacha, DiazPLUS two more top prospects. Dude you are not supposed to DRINK the bong water. What a completely assinine post. I wouldn’t give up Piscotty straight up for Sale. Don’t get me wrong Sale is a VERY nice pitcher but is also an injury waiting to happen. The Cards are not going to give away their team for this guy, closet Sox fan. Talk about over valuing ones player and under valuing another teams. Not trying to be rude but my man your proposal is just insane.
Lol IF they decide to trade Sale, it’s not going to be for 1 stud and a bunch of “good but not great” prospects. It’ll take at least a couple great prospects and THEN good but not great prospects.
Sale is a great pitcher no doubt, but Taillon and Glasnow have the potential to be just about as good… add in Kuhl, Tarpley, Brault and Kingham who all have good potential as well.. it probably isn’t worth it to the pirates unless the Sox got some relief help they could send along as well and are willing to sell a bit cheap, which i doubt they would.
a deal with the braves for Tehran and Viz would be much better for the Pirates because it fills two holes for longer and cheaper.
However given Sale’s contract, He is one of the few i would consider including Taillon or Glasnow in a deal…. If i where a GM.. and i’m not.. but its fun to pretend 😉
As a white sox fan I would certainly entertain offers for sale. Pirates do make a lot of sense, considering there surplus of prospects I’d gladly take 4 top prospects for sale. If a team won’t part with 4 to 5 prospects for sale I’d hang on to him. Glasnow, taillon, meadows, and bell all look like key future pieces.
@ravenslastplace sale will require minimum top 3 prospects from a team with a good system. His abilities and contract are unreal. Couldn’t disagree more
No the Pirates couldn’t get sale for the mentioned prospects, would require 2 of 3 meadows,glasnow, or taillon.
Talk about overvaluing….”u wouldn’t trade piscotty for sale straight up” talk about drinking the bong water. If your not taking acid weekly then I don’t know where that Swiss cheese brain of yours legitimately wouldn’t make that swap straight up.
Any trade for Sale would have to include, Williams, Hahn, and Ventura!!!! In fact, if anyone’s willing to take these three
Boneheads, they can have Quintana also. Just get rid of those three!
Lol maybe the dumbest comment I’ve read in this entire thread, and that’s saying a LOT. Wouldn’t give up Piscotty straight up for Sale. That might be the biggest homer comment I’ve ever read, or you have no idea when it comes to player value.
If sale is made available, which he should be, then keep your eye on Boston.
I don’t think he is a lifer after he called out the front office, calling them liars, over the the whole LaRoche fiasco.
He’s not a White Sox for life…. But he’s not getting traded this year. They aren’t giving up yet. They have a good team and could easily trade for a few solid players and make a run for it.
Wow, he must be really that bad a guy to be around because there’s no way Shields is better than him right now.
Shields is running a 5.06 ERA/4.97 FIP/4.25 xFIP/4.44 SIERA. Certainly not very good, with the 19.7% K rate and 9.7% BB rate, the worst walk rate of his career and worst K-BB differential (10%) of his career. It’s a testament to how bad Latos has been that Shields has been better. Latos has a superficially better ERA (4.62) but not by much and has a worse FIP (5.51), xFIP (5.38), and SIERA (5.47), the latter two by a full run in each. Latos is also fanning just 12..1% of the batters he’s faced, while walking almost the same amount as Shields, 9.4% to Shields’ 9.7%. Latos has almost as many walks as strikeouts so far. Latos is essentially cooked, and Shields is actually the better pitcher, despite how poorly he’s performed.
Shut up with your advanced stats man….
Had to come eventually. Everything said his strong start was a mirage – and as expected, the wheels fell off.
Even still, he’s way better than James Shields is this season – he’s also been as effective as Rodon has (although Rodon has the K’s).
Neither of those statements are factual. He’s been pretty terrible since his hot start
I expected a move to the bullpen, but this is very surprising
The guy would have gone ballistic if they tried that. Cut ties with an attitude problem and wash your hands
Why? This makes no sense
I thought they’d give him another couple of weeks. Our depth isn’t exactly astounding right now. Miguel Gonzalez has been the better pitcher though and Latos in the bullpen doesn’t inspire confidence. Anthony Ranaudo likely moves up to 6th/spot starter status. I’d be very nervous if I were Jimmy Rollins right now. Tim Anderson is coming.
Oops, I guess they’re using Danish in the long-relief/spot starter role. Thought they were just adding him to the 40 man.
Latos is a head case and he has lost his fast ball. His future might take him to Japan for a few weeks.
Cause they got Justin Morneou
Cleveland has the Browns and Chicago has the Sox
Hahn does a good job- go Sox and Kenny Williams also is good
Hahaha
They blow!
I like Hahn and Williams, too, but my feelings towards them continue to slide everyday they keep Ventura as the manager.
Remember when the Chi Sox were to be in the WS vs the Cubs back in Apr….LOL
Latos was great for a month. Fell down on his face and I hope he can get back up and gain some of his velocity back.
Angels and any team with pitching needs should take a flier if he costs next to nothing.
Side note:
I could envision him in a Cards jersey.
Beane might try and flip him.
Is he worth the headache?
Sox should bring back Edwin Jackson to pair with Shields.
WHY?
He can’t locate his fastball. Hangs too many sliders. And is too wild. Good stuff. His potential days are over. He is what is he. He’s been released by the Cubs, Braves, and Marlins ALL in the past season and a half.
Sucks
Tyler Danish is younger than Drake LaRoche
Oakland needs a starter this weekend, right? lol
Red Sox should pick him up use him in the bullpen
I’m terrified that this will happen, mostly because I think they’d be stupid enough to slot him as a starter.
I am a huge Red Sox fan. If they use him as a starter I will stop being a fan
Sale is junk
Haha. I have no stake in any AL teams really, but I feel you’d consider him one of the 4 or 5 best pitchers in baseball (which he is) if he played for the Yankees
“I’m an idiot” – NYY42
If the sox traded Sale they are getting a huge haul 4-6 players in return. Highly rated prospects or players that can play at the major league level. Look at what the Braves just got back for Shelby Miller lol
I mean Most fans that actually watch baseball knows that was a terrible trade to begin with
For Shelby Miller. It still wouldn’t get Sale.
Wonder where the guy is that was telling us Latos was the Sox Ace.
Phillies?
White Sox need to fire Ventura they need a new voice or a old friend that wasnt lay back and scared to tell them when they suck OZZIE GUILLEN !!!
Trade sale to the Jays for 6 ice cold budweisers and George Poulis. Throw in Gibby and Fire Ventura, then re-sign him as a pitcher to replace Sale, then start throwing Lawrie in the three spot. #ChampionshipFormula
If we are gonna trade sale, I say we offer him to the Cubs and raid their system. Scwarber, contreras, and baez sounds like a good start. Pirates would not be bad and dodgers are stacked too. Really I would hate to see him go though. He is arguably top 5pitcher in all of baseball and under a team friendly contract. Quintana is someone who should be traded if we are talking about trading someone. Just bc he is not sale.
The Cubs would love sale, but they won’t give up that much. A package starting with Baez/soler with 2 top tier minor league prospects should move the needle.