2:28pm: Feinsand tweets that the move won’t become official until tomorrow because the Sox are off today.
1:31pm: The White Sox have designated first baseman/designated hitter Yonder Alonso for assignment, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports (via Twitter). The team has yet to formally announce the move or a corresponding transaction.
The trade to bring Alonso to Chicago from Cleveland this offseason simply hasn’t panned out on any front for the White Sox. In 251 plate appearances, the 32-year-old slugger has struggled to a career-worst .178/.275/.301 batting line through 251 plate appearances with the South Siders. His acquisition was also portrayed as a potential means of swaying his brother-in-law, Manny Machado, to choose the ChiSox in free agency, but Machado ultimately went to San Diego, who topped the Sox’ reported offer by a hefty $50MM in guaranteed money.
Alonso is only two years removed from a breakout All-Star campaign in which he slashed .266/.365/.501 with a career-high 28 home runs. Alonso was one of the foremost examples of the “fly-ball revolution” that season, but this year’s 43.1 percent ground-ball rate is his highest mark since the 2016 season. His 37.7 percent fly-ball rate, meanwhile, is his lowest since that same year.
Alonso parlayed that breakout effort into a two-year, $16MM contract with the Indians. Viewed as a more cost-effective replacement for Carlos Santana (who they reacquired this winter), Alonso wasn’t able to replicate his 2017 production in Cleveland but still posted a respectable .250/.317/.421 line with 23 homers last year. The Indians spent much of the offseason working to shed salary and reduce payroll, though, and dealing Alonso to the division-rival White Sox was a part of those efforts.
Chicago will have a week to trade, outright or release Alonso, who is still owed about $5.13MM through season’s end (including the buyout on a 2020 option). That salary makes a release the most likely outcome. If Alonso is indeed cut loose, he’d become a free agent who can sign with any club and would only be owed the prorated portion of the league minimum through the remainder of the season. That sum would be subtracted from what the Sox still owe him.
WOW and to think Alonso was a on tear while with Oakland…
Yes and no. He dropped off significantly in the second half of that year.
Watching a .178 hitter nonchalantly jog into a double play yesterday was the final straw I guess.
Have any of the CWS off-season additions not been DFAd?
Finally. Wasted ab’s should have gone to Collins.
Or literally anyone younger.
Or literally anyone else.
And the thing that really drove me insane was Ricky constantly putting him in the top part of the order. So many LOB’s from this guy.
Not the guys on the front end of the DPs.
No one could have predicted such a wasted first half. It’s good that management realized it’s better to give those ABs to another player in the second half. I wish Alonzo well.
Exactly. Nobody rooted against him. We wanted the all-star from two years ago, not another Dunn/LaRoche. When you produce those numbers, it’s time to go.
A lot of people predicted that he would be a waste, if for no other reason than he was a limited defensive player (first base only) who duplicated what other younger players brought to the table. And he cost $8 million. Among the contracts given to Alonso, Jay, Santana and Nate Jones, the team could have made a much more competitive offer to Machado. This trade was a bust, and a bust the moment they lost the bid.
Bringing him in was part of. a feeble and naive attempt to lure Machado. Good luck to you, not your fault. But he did not try very hard to recruit Machado. In fact him and Jay both recommended San Diego to Machado.
Forget Machado, they could’ve signed literally anyone else
There’s only one way to restore the CHW quota for Cuban players…it’s Robert time
The White Sox might need to promote a middle infielder whose not on crutches first, at least for a little while…
Like Ryan Goins? The 2nd baseman is hitting .321 in Charlotte right now. Or Alcides Escobar hitting .289.
You or I might hit .289 with a solid SLG at AAA Charlotte, a ballpark comparable to any of those high altitude PCL stadiums.
Good move for the Sox. I wish him well, elsewhere.
PSA: The Padres’ contract offer to Machado was better than the White Sox’s
Was mad at the time. Now I’m relieved.
Why so?
Maybe because many White Sox fans would rather roll with Yoan Moncada at 3B, Tim Anderson at SS and Nick Madrigal at 2B going forward over Manny Machado.
Bryce Harper made more sense for the White Sox as a much needed high OPS lefty bat of the two elite FA’s from last offseason but the front office didn’t want to part with more dollars, the loss of their 2nd round June draft pick and $500k in international signing bonus dollars due to his QO. The White Sox owner isn’t particularly fond of Harper’s agent Scott Boras either.
@Show Me Your Tatis
That’s good to know. Better hope he doesn’t regress at an early age, say 30 or 31. He’s looking good now, didn’t look so good this year before the last Colorado trip a couple weeks back.
Sour grapes
@Show Me Your Grapes
Maybe it’s sour grapes right now, but we might be thanking you guys in a few years for stealing him from us, much like you’re thanking us for giving you Tatis a few years back.
1. Brb changing name to “Show Me Your Grapes”
2. Padres didn’t “steal” Machado from anyone. They outbid everyone.
@Show Me Your Grapes
OK, then change “stealing him from us” to “outbidding us for him”, it’s still the same outcome for my post.
Curious, why did you even bother with your initial post? Is it a weak attempt at trolling? It makes no sense to bring it up again.
Because I’m still having a hard time getting over all the people saying the White Sox’s offer was better (especially rallyshirt). And the people who said that Machado would not have signed with SD if they hadn’t signed Eric Hosmer the year before.
too busy barreling up to comment.
They said that in the above post…..
1. That wasn’t there when my first comment was posted.
2. Rosenthal, Hahn, Reinsdorf and several nobodies on the Internet said that the White Sox’s offer was better than the Padres’ despite the Padres offer coming with more guaranteed money.
Your 3B- $32mil. 2.3 fWAR
Our 3B- $575K. 2.5 fWAR
Well played pplama. I know I was the only one, but I was actually hoping for Harper more than Machado before the year, mostly because we needed a decent lefty bat and had confidence in Moncada. Having said that, glad now that we have neither as I truly believe Robert and Madrigal will fill the spots and there are other free agents (or some longer shots in the minors like Rutherford and Adolfo) who can cover RF in the future.
I don’t know if I’m on the Blake Rutherford bandwagon. I know he was a first round draft pick and all but watching him this season I just don’t know man. April and May were awful. I’m starting to think Steele Walker is going to be the better long term option.
2018 Your 3rd baseman hit .235/315
2018 Our 3rd baseman hit .297/367 37 Hrs 107rbis
I will go ahead and bet on Manny to have a better season.
Yah, those extra 3,000 plate appearances before 2018 probably made a little bit of a difference.
Thank God he went to the Padres. Payroll killer. Outside of Camden he’s just above average.
You just knew that 2017 All Star game appearance was a fluke and not a turning point for this dude.
Low risk move, didn’t work.
So if he is designated, is he going over “Yonder”?
LOL!
Alonso requested this. He really wants to go to San Diego and be Machado’s testicle caddy. Sox should have known better.
San Diego doesn’t want him
Of course they don’t want him. He isn’t going to San Diego to play for the Padres. He’s going to literally carry Machado’s left and right gonads.
Hopefully Jon Jay is next.
@Nick Stevens
They’re going to let him fail first, but if he eventually does, you’ll probably get your wish.
Castillo.
@fisk72
That’s actually what I’m hoping for too. Not sure if the Sox FO has the stones for that one also. One can hope.
Agreed. PED Castillo should be next.
Man, you really hate Jon Jay. What’d he do to hurt you so badly?
JJ batting .444!
Jon Jay is at least a decent pro. Solid defender and good OBP guy. Yonder has always been worthless.
Jon Jay sucks
Not even close to being a solid defender. Awful
he’s above average defensively and offensively, stop crying.
Yeah. I don’t have Jon Jay erections, but what’s the other options, Palka???
He’s above average for little league
I agree but who do you want to see from triple A
Palka???
Alcides Escobar???
At least Jay is not an embarrassment like Yonder.
Maybe Preller can make another wonderful trade like 1/2 year of Jon Jay for Jedd Gyorko
No. Jay is a solid player. He’s a veteran that knows how to play the game.
with this move, there go the white sox playoff chances
Uh… what?
Sarcasm!
hahahaha
It’s the right move, but I didn’t think the FO had the stones to do it, at least not this early. Nothing against Alonso personally, he seemed like a good clubhouse guy, he simply didn’t produce.
Hopefully this means Collins is staying up.
Holy crap. I didn’t think they’d actually do it. I think a parade is in order.
What? How are they gonna convince Manny Machado to sign there now? LMAO…
What did the Indians get in return for him?
The ability to keep all their pitchers due to the $8mil in salary relief.
Sounds like a pretty good long term move for the Sox then…
Alex Call – OF
Addition by subtraction…
@Polish Hammer
They might still have a shot at signing him 9 1/2 years from now, though they probably won’t want to at that point.
So glad the Indians were able to dump this guy in the off season
@Vizquel13
True, but it’s too bad you weren’t able to move Kluber in the offseason. You probably could’ve netted a nice return.
Alonzo es un gran jugador……(I have your vote now, right?)…….
no, because I’m an American and believe others have to learn my language.. that just annoys me.
There’s no such language as American.
That’s because it’s called Americano.
Aqui tenemos alguien hablando como un peñdejo pinche cabron.
I still don’t understand why they pulled Alonso there in the first place. They could just as easily had Daniel Palka or Zack Collins take up DH duties.
Because they didn’t give up much, had an open roster spot, and thought it might help them get Machado.
He didn’t take any time from Palka, who had a brutal start in RF for the Sox. And there was no way Collins was starting the year in the majors. I’m ecstatic they’re cutting bait thought.
It did cost them $8 million that could have been spent elsewhere, possibly on a more viable starting pitcher.
I don’t think Machado has any relatives and/or friends that are pitchers, so there goes that idea.
They gave Palka the opportunity but he went 1 for 32 and instead of winning the job he just ended up spraying fecal matter down his leg. They still have the hope of Collins staying at catcher so he needed the reps at triple A. Also you don’t want to rush a guy to the show that has nearly a 40% strike out rate at triple A. That said, I think now is a great time to see what you have in Collins – he won’t be worse than Yonder. He could have a good role moving forward backing up McCann and Abreu and grabbing a strong share of DH.
I’d like to see him in Colorado and have the Rockies wave goodbye to Mark Reynolds.
As a Sox fan, no you don’t.
As a Rox fan, yes I do. Especially since the Sox will be paying the majority of his salary. I saw him in San Diego for several years, I know he is not great, but he should be a decent veteran bench bat.
Mark Reynolds is the superior assest. It’s not even close. Reynolds has some miniscule value. Alonso is worthless.
Once machado signed Alonso was eventual dfa material
Palka coming back? He’s heating up in AAA
Looks like it. Not in tonight’s lineup.
Unfortunately he’s not good enough for MLB. Right on the cusp but just not good enough. Once he strikes out 40 times over the next 100 ABs he’ll fade back to triple A and will no longer be wasting space on our roster. If Ricky puts him in the 2 hole again I’m gonna kick Ricky right in his 2 hole.
I’m wearing sunglasses so that you can’t see the SHOCK on my face…lol…cracks me up that Sox fans are using this post as an opportunity to express relief for not signing Machado. Give me a break. Not going to even address all of the stupid comments, but will just let you all know that SD fans have been very pleased with his all-around game and everything about him since day one. And yeah, thanks for Tatis too. He’s good also.
Cool. Enjoy his overpaid behind. He’s not worth it now and the contract will only look worse as he ages. He’s a baller but he’s also a payroll killer. Good luck.
It’s a lot of money but it’s also part of a bigger picture that clearly you don’t really see. He is 26, not 30. He plays premium defense. They needed to land a player of his caliber to take the next steps the franchise hopes to take. They are not operating under previous limitations in terms of salary. There are lots of guys who do and will make $30 million per year during his career. NOBODY in SD is complaining about the money spent and ownership should be commended for it. But thanks for your concern, financial advice, and ability to predict the future. I hope to see your takes on other posts about $30 million outfielders who can’t play defense.
Funny how none of that started until a Padres troll came along.
@Wolverines2
Would I want a hitter with a .270-.280 BA, 30-35 HR, 85-100 RBI in my lineup? Sure. Would I pay $30MM per year over 10 years for that production? No, I’ll pass.
That’s where the relief comes in, especially seeing his production before the Colorado series a couple weeks back (.240 BA, 10 HR, 33 RBI, .726 OPS in 66 games). Keep in mind, he only plays in Colorado 3 series a year.
Granted, his numbers were going to dip going from Baltimore to SD, but I’d be a bit concerned looking down the road. Sure, he’s still hot right now, but there’s no way he keeps up those numbers. He’ll come back to Earth fairly soon.
Tatis is the one that will haunt Sox fans for years. Machado, not so much.
You are coming back with purely hitting numbers – which are actually quite good…there is more to the game than hitting. He has played stellar 3b AND SS. Are you looking at 2 and a half months of Mookie Betts and saying he doesn’t deserve a big contract? Will just have to disagree.
@Wolverines2
Sure his defense is good, but so are several other SS/3B. Don’t make him out to be the next Ozzie Smith or Brooks Robinson. Good power numbers and good defense doesn’t justify $30MM per year for 10 years, but that’s just me. You can have Machado and be happy, and I’ll gladly keep Moncada with similar offensive numbers and his vastly improved defense at 3B.
2 similar players at a $30MM per year difference. I like my pick, thank you very much. So you’re right, we’ll just have to disagree.
I wouldn’t want Betts @ 30mil a year. The only cats worth that are Trout and maybe Yelich. I prefer to not have those contracts that inevitably become like what Cabrera’s and Puljos’ are for their teams now. Much more intelligent to give team friendly speculative contracts like what the ChiSox did with Jimenez and Anderson. In trading Eaton, Quintana, and Sale the Sox were able to get value because those guys had team friendly deals. With bogus deals you end up having to give talent up just to dump the bad contract. Like how Seattle had to give away a good young closer and a ton of dough just to get out from under Cano. It is highly probable that the Machado and Harper deals age very similarly to the Puljos, Cabrera and Cano deals. No thanks.
No one expected that trade to work out. They did it because they for some reason manny machado would agree to lose 40% of his time there if not more.
Hmmm…perhaps the Tribe’s deep thinkers analyzed the transaction correctly during the off season. Give credit where credit is due.
Alonzo was mediocre, no analysis needed lol
For the record, he was only mediocre on his best days which were rare.
Credit is due for the moves they did make in the offseason, dumping Alonso was addition by subtraction, trading Gomes to open up the position for Perez and bring back a solid pitcher and OF prospect and turning EE into Santana.
Knew it
They brought him in to lure in manny. They don’t get manny and it was a matter of time.
Thank jeebus, now please for the love of Pete don’t try to sign Kendrys Morales
Time to call up Escobar too
He’s been playing well, showing hunger to get back to the show.
So they can’t DFA him on a day they aren’t playing? I guess they never watched Friday. That movie shows that you CAN get fired on your day off.
Machado will NOT be pleased to hear this.
How long will it be before Alonso returns to the Bay Area as a Giant?
You guys all seem to want to blame any Sox failures on a batter that didn’t produce. The biggest issue with this team is the fact it has maybe the worst starting staff from 2-5 I’ve ever seen! Every one keeps talking about all the great arms in the minors, especially Tommy John surgeons. Dylan cease now has an ERA of just short of 5. Heard the talking heads on Sports talk live saying crap like it’s now 2021 to become competitive, and say they’d rather win 75 games then pick up some major league pitching and try to win 85 this season. I see the name Garrett Cole mentioned a lot. Do you think he is gonna have any interest in coming to a team that wins only 75 games, especially with the same rotation it has now at the beginning of next year.
Hope they use the trade deadline to make this team better today so they can enticed better players tomorrow.
If the White Sox are the highest bidder for Cole, they will have a good chance to get him.
A gamble that did not pay off. Yonder should be able to find part time work elsewhere as a DH. Good luck Yonder. This will help younger players get more ABs. I’d say let’s recall Palka. And yes, the Sox number one priority should be starting pitchers.
I blame the infield shifts.
The White Sox will have a few transactions to announce on Friday including Tim Anderson’s IL stint and the promotion of a pitcher from AAA to start that evenings game versus the Twins.
Can the White Sox be done chasing after that 30 something left handed middle of ther order player now? Thome was good at the expense of base running ability and defense. Griffey, Dunn, LaRouche and Alsonso were all garbage.
The White Sox still have a need for a solid lefty bat to balance out their future batting order that looks to be heavily right-handed as we post. Zack Collins could help as a backup C and platoon DH but my best guess is that the White Sox will target a RF in free agency or a trade within the next year or so.
I remember when Cubsfan and Ryan were arguing about this guy. Ryan said he was a stud. Another case of him being wrong.
As a cubs fan id take a flyer on him. Even in his worst yrs he’s good enough to hit 266. He cost nothing. And hes do for a killer second half in order to reach that 266 batting avg.
You’re high or need to be. Cubs have no roster spot for a dude who can only play 1B. No DH (yet) for Cubs. His MLB days are over.