The White Sox have outrighted catcher Kevan Smith to Triple-A, per a club announcement. He has already cleared waivers, it seems, as the organization says he’ll be a non-roster invitee. The move leaves the club with a free spot on its 40-man roster.
Smith, 28, earned his first brief call-up to the majors in 2016 after an injury to Alex Avila opened an opportunity. But he never really got much of a chance, as he was sidelined with back issues and ultimately saw action in just seven MLB contests.
Though he never rated as a top prospect, Smith has shown his share of promise. He put up .800+ OPS offensive years in 2013 (at High-A) and 2014 (at Double-A). But he owns a less exciting .245/.315/.380 batting line in his 565 Triple-A plate appearances over the past two seasons.
Are there any hot, legitimate rumors on the Sox right now? This puts the 40 man roster down to 39,. Unless I am missing something there would be no reason to do this unless some kind of move is near, right?
Agreed
I heard they were trading shields for pujols and to offset the money LA was throwing in trout
Have you been talking to Dave Stewart?
From what I’ve read it was just timing. 4 days before ST is a good time to sneak a C through waivers. Sox may need that roster spot with so many ST battles in OF, DH and ‘Pen.
i haven’t heard anything since the last one of washington offering a glove on a chair for david robertson
As far I know the White Sox do not have a left handed backup 1st baseman or a DH unless it’s going to be Melky?
Frazier is backup 1B. DH will be a mix of guys to get more looks (as of now).
Matt Weiters??
I certainly hope not
They probably figured now was a good time to sneak him through waivers as opposed to the end of spring training when a team might have an injury and need the depth.
I was hoping we signed Travis Wood. He’d be a great bridge between now and potential holes we create trading starters or relievers as the new guys develop. plus he builds value as a potential starter. Trading partners haven’t been willing to give mlb ready talent. less likely at trade deadline.
Yeah I thought Wood would be a good signing if they were to trade Quintana but that is looking less likely right now.
Maybe to pick up Alvarez or Howard. That’s the Sox way. Unfortunately that makes them even thinner at catcher. Just seems this “rebuild” has started and stopped with Sale and Eaton even though Hahn had expressed desire to do it as quick as they can.
I get not moving Q yet. He is such a valuable asset that I understanding being firm with what the expectations are for a return on trading him. I also get the market is not that great to trade guys like Frazier or Melky right now. But I am surprised Robertson is still on the team. I know his contract is not that good but the Sox could eat some of that in order to facilitate a deal.
To reference someone else’s comment… I am sceptical of “sneaking him through waivers” as (a) its not like other teams aren’t paying attention and (b) he is not that valuable so who cares?
One would think that left-handed hitting power options to fill the DH/1B void like Pedro Alvarez, Ryan Howard or even Justin Morneau all should be available on minor league deals with an invite to spring training at this point. This move, especially being at the catcher position might very well mean the White Sox are having conversation with Scott Boras involving Matt Wieters.
Yeah, not buying the “sneak him through waivers” excuse. Injury-prone 28-year-old catching prospects aren’t exactly a hot commodity. And that’s not even mentioning his mediocre offensive performance. As seemingly dumb and counterproductive as it might seem, I wouldn’t rule out a Wieters deal given the current market conditions. With a solid first half, he could be good trade bait or they can keep him as a stop gap until Collins is ready. I could be 100% wrong, but it’s not crazy if the price is right. It’s not like it hasn’t been talked about by multiple outlets.
I don’t remember, have the Sox ever signed a Scott Boras client?
Rodon in a Boras client. I know it is a guy they drafted, but they still had to sign him.
And Crede and Viciedo.
Despite a contentious history with Scott Boras concerning draft picks, the White Sox nonetheless selected his client Carlos Rodon with the #3 overall pick in the 2014 June Rule 4 Draft, agreeing to terms on a contract that included a signing bonus of $6,582,000, the largest ever given to a selection in franchise history. It was also the largest signing bonus in that year’s draft class and more than $700,000 above slot value.
The open 40 man roster spot could be for a free agent signing (Wieters, Alvarez, Travis Wood) or a potential trade where two of the players received are currently on the other teams 40 man roster.
Hopefully, it is not for Geo Soto, Cody Asche or Peter Bourjos to fill at the end of spring training.
My guess is that Melky & Frazier get dealt; both in the last year of their contracts then Robertson goes at or before the deadline to a contender in need of reliever. If they make it their goal to move those guys 1st. They should have enough talent on the farm to hold onto the Jose’s whose contracts are great for All-star caliber players. When they got those guys like Sale, Eaton, Q, Abreu to sign those team-friendly contracts I doubt they wanted other teams to reap the rewards.
I hear A.J. Is in the mix for an invite to ST. He’d be a better choice at C than Soto