White Sox Rumors

Zduriencik Looking For Offense

By Tim Dierkes | May 4, 2010 at 10:22am CDT

On Saturday, Jason Churchill of Prospect Insider looked at a bunch of potentially players who could help the Mariners' anemic offense. Ms GM Jack Zduriencik talked to the AP about the situation yesterday:

"I've made a tremendous amount of phone calls. I continue to make phone calls. I've made several phone calls in the last three or four days. But it's like hunting season. It's not hunting season right now. Nobody's selling."

White Sox GM Kenny Williams said something similar to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times:

"I don't think anyone is really prepared to make any deals. And any interest expressed in any players out there who are impact guys has been done for quite some time. There really isn't much substance to anything at this stage of the season. Another 30 games, and you'll start to see talk pick up."

It's true that we shouldn't expect many big trades in May. I'm not sure why the Orioles and Royals wouldn't be willing to sell, but maybe they'd prefer to let the market develop.

The Mariners might be able to improve the offense by replacing Ken Griffey Jr. His .527 OPS is among the worst in baseball, but he's only had 63 plate appearances. Zduriencik says Griffey still has some time to find his way out of the slump: "You wait and see. You hope he gets on track. It's early. If he continues [to struggle] we will have to have some discussions with that."

Odds & Ends: Harper, Escobar, Vazquez, Gordon

By Tim Dierkes | May 3, 2010 at 9:19pm CDT

Links for Monday, as Joe Blanton makes his 2010 debut…

Washington GM Mike Rizzo scouted Bryce Harper in person for the first time, and he and scouting director Kris Kline came away confident in Harper's makeup, according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.
Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com takes an in-depth look at the Pirates' arms throughout the organization.
The Chicago Tribune's Mark Gonzales writes that GM Ken Williams is exercising patience when it comes to trading, despite the White Sox' slow start.
Kelvim Escobar will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn capsule in the front of his right shoulder, tweets MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. Escobar signed a one-year deal with the Mets this winter for $1.25MM.
Joe Pawlikowski of River Ave. Blues looks at the pitchers the Yankees were considering over Javier Vazquez, noting that they've all had concerns as well. The Yankees will delay Vazquez's sixth start until a week from today against the Tigers. John Harper of the New York Daily News wonders if the Yanks should ship Vazquez to the Mets.
Joe Posnanski questions the Royals' decision to demote Alex Gordon. Gordon will play left field and first base in the minors, tweets Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports points out the Tigers' collection of young talent.
Steve Dilbeck of the L.A. Times wonders what's happened to George Sherrill. The 33-year-old lefty has allowed 12 hits and 11 walks in nine innings so far. Given his $4.5MM salary this year, Sherrill is a prime candidate to be non-tendered after the season.
RotoAuthority notes that while Vazquez and Ben Sheets have been brutal so far, they could still have fantasy value this year.

Odds & Ends: Red Sox, Howard, Francisco, Mendoza

By Tim Dierkes | April 30, 2010 at 5:28pm CDT

Links to check out as we await Cliff Lee's Mariners debut…

BoSox manager Terry Francona says that the upcoming player move to make room on the roster for Daisuke Matsuzaka will almost certainly involve a pitcher, tweets Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald.
If you play fantasy baseball, be sure to follow our @closernews feed on Twitter. We've got instant news on all closer situations, enabling you to conquer the save category.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports takes a behind-the-scenes look at the Ryan Howard extension negotiations, speaking to Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. and Howard's agent, Casey Close.
In an MLB.com mailbag, T.R. Sullivan suggests that Frank Francisco could be a prime trade candidate in July, particularly if the Rangers are slipping from playoff contention.
Luis Mendoza cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Omaha, tweets Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star. Mendoza was designated for assignment by the Royals last week.
GM Jim Hendry says prospect Starlin Castro will join the Cubs at some point this season, but he won't say how soon, according to ESPNChicago. A source told Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago earlier in the week that Castro's promotion could be right around the corner.
ESPN.com's Rob Neyer doesn't think the White Sox have any need for Jermaine Dye. We heard earlier today that Dye believes he'd be a fit for the South Siders.
Talking to Tom Krasovic of AOL FanHouse, Brewers outfielder Jody Gerut explained why the Padres should retain Adrian Gonzalez.
Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez answered questions from Denver Post readers, explaining that "it's a really bad feeling when you get traded" and he'd like to sign a contract "for a few years." Gonzalez is not arbitration-eligible until after the 2011 season, and he's represented by Scott Boras.
The Yankees are not typically inclined to sign young players to long-term deals. It makes sense to maintain flexibility, as they did going year-to-year with Chien-Ming Wang. On the other hand, Joel Sherman of the New York Post points out that Robinson Cano's extension has worked out quite well. Will the Yankees exercise his $14MM club option for 2012, or choose the $2MM buyout?
Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald believes that the future of the Red Sox catching position points more toward Adalberto Ibarra than Victor Martinez.

Dye Thinks He Could Help White Sox

By Tim Dierkes | April 30, 2010 at 9:54am CDT

The White Sox rank 11th in the American League with four runs scored per game. Their .309 OBP ranks 12th; their .390 SLG places 9th. Like most teams, the Sox have several players hitting above their ability (Paul Konerko, Andruw Jones), and several players below (Juan Pierre, Gordon Beckham, Alexei Ramirez, Carlos Quentin, A.J. Pierzynski). The Sox projected to have a below-average offense from the start, but if they just wait it out they'll improve on the current output.

Pierre has been particularly disappointing, as has the team's production from their DH rotation. Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times believes free agent Jermaine Dye could help, and Dye agrees. He wants to do more than just DH, potentially helping at outfield and first base. Dye also clarified recent rumors, saying the Cubs' $3MM offer wasn't formal and he spoke last to the Brewers. He added, "I'm not going to a bad team, and I'm not playing for $1.5 million."

It doesn't make sense for the Sox to bid much more than that, so money would be one issue. Manager Ozzie Guillen isn't sure where he'd put Dye, and thinks the player might need a month to be ready (Dye says two weeks). Whether or not there's a fit with the White Sox, Guillen wants to see Dye come back and play for a big league team.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Howard, Prince, Konerko

By Mike Axisa | April 29, 2010 at 9:13pm CDT

On this date five years ago, Roger Clemens and Greg Maddux faced off in the first matchup of 300-game winners since Don Sutton and Steve Carlton in 1987. Maddux's Cubs topped Clemens' Astros by the score of 3-2.

Let's look at what's being written around the blogosphere, with a heavy dose of Ryan Howard contract reactions…

Crashburn Alley breaks down the massive contract the Phillies gave their first baseman.
More Hardball comes up with a few reasons to dislike the deal.
Sports Are Involved… takes a look at the price of greatness.
Disciples of Uecker examines what Howard's deal means for Prince Fielder.
The Pale Hose Pariah wonders if the White Sox should look to sign Paul Konerko to an extension.
1 Blue Jays Way interviewed Jays' prospect Zach Stewart, part of last summer's Scott Rolen trade.
The Baseball Opinion reviews the trade that sent Ben Zobrist from the Astros to Tampa Bay.
Camden Depot looks at the trade value of draft picks, not that MLB allows such things.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here.

Morosi On Washburn, Tigers, Vernon Wells

By Tim Dierkes | April 28, 2010 at 3:15pm CDT

A few links from Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports…

MLBTR's Luke Adams summed up the latest on the unsigned starting pitchers yesterday, looking at the latest on Jarrod Washburn, Pedro Martinez, Braden Looper, and John Smoltz. Washburn told Morosi that neither the Dodgers nor the White Sox have shown interest so far. The Sox have gotten ugly performances from Jake Peavy, Gavin Floyd, and Freddy Garcia, while Dan Hudson has been knocked around in Triple A his last two times out.
Morosi talked to Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski, who said the team isn't looking to sign a free agent hitter despite Carlos Guillen's hamstring strain.
Morosi chatted with Vernon Wells, who said, "I have no plans on going anywhere" in response to a question about his ability to opt out of his contract after the 2011 season. I doubt Wells' agent at Legacy Sports would recommend abandoning four years and $86MM.
Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston, in reference to Lyle Overbay, said it wouldn't be right to bury a player who's headed toward free agency.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Garza, Pierzynski, Padres

By Mike Axisa | April 23, 2010 at 3:59pm CDT

Eleven years ago today, Fernando Tatis became the first and only player in baseball history to hit two grand slams in one inning. Amazingly, both came off Chan Ho Park, who allowed 11 runs while recording eight outs. Tatis went on to hit .298/.404/.553 with 34 homeruns for the Cardinals that season, easily the best of the big league career.

Here are a handful of links from around the blogosphere…

Maddon's Mission wonders if the Rays' handling of Matt Garza tells us about their plans for him in the future.
The Pale Hose Pariah concludes that A.J. Pierzynski is worth a grade-B position player prospect for a couple of grade-C pitching prospects in a trade.
Pittsburgh Lumber Co. notes that Lastings Milledge has shown improved on-field maturity since joining the Pirates.
The Friarhood says the Padres recent winning streak puts any trade talks on hold.
And Counting makes the case for Carlos Zambrano and Alfonso Soriano being underpaid.
Capitol Avenue Club visualizes the Braves' proverbial five-year plan.
Around The Basepath thinks an worldwide draft is a great idea.
Crashburn Alley takes stock of the Phillies' roster.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here.

Odds & Ends: Zobrist, Pierzynski, Lowe, Padres

By Mike Axisa | April 23, 2010 at 2:14pm CDT

Links for Friday…

Ben Zobrist said signing his extension was a "no-brainer," according to Marc Topkin of The St. Petersburg Times.
Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com tweets that he doesn't see A.J. Pierzynski as a good fit for the Red Sox because he's not a good thrower. Pierzynski has thrown out just 24% of base stealers in his career. Earlier today we learned that the White Sox were gauging their catcher's value.
Joel Sherman of The New York Post mentions that while the Oliver Perez signing hasn't worked out for the Mets, their second choice was Derek Lowe, who isn't looking all that hot either.
The Padres have improved their team by building a speedy club better suited for their ballpark, says Scott Miller of CBSSports.com.
Mike Rutsey of The Toronto Sun says the Blue Jays should replace the struggling Lyle Overbay with Brett Wallace.
SI.com's Tom Verducci notes the increased diversity that has developed within the game in recent years. In the same piece, he notes that several clubs have increased their scouting of Yu Darvish in case his team decides to post him after the season.

White Sox Gauging Pierzynski’s Value

By Luke Adams 2 | April 23, 2010 at 11:23am CDT

White Sox GM Ken Williams has called around attempting to gauge A.J. Pierzynski's trade value, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. Cowley's source says that Williams "didn't like what he heard."

Pierzynski's possible future with the White Sox has been well-documented, with the backstop himself discussing the issue earlier this week. At the time, Williams said that he has yet to explore any possible trades involving Pierzynski, adding that the team wouldn't rush into any decisions involving the 33-year-old.

Pierzynski will achieve 10-and-5 rights in June, meaning he'd have the power to veto any trade that the club worked out involving him after that point. Cowley suggests that if the Sox continue to play sub-.500 ball over the next couple months, Pierzynski may not last that long in a Chicago uniform: "Why would Reinsdorf want to pay for a Pierzynski on a fifth-place team when he can have a cheaper Tyler Flowers?"

Stark On Padres, Jose Guillen, Derrek Lee

By Tim Dierkes | April 22, 2010 at 2:04pm CDT

ESPN's Jayson Stark kicks off today's column with a look at which teams' starts he considers reality and illusion. Beyond that, a look at his hot stove rumblings…

One club official who "felt out" the Padres over the winter believes they'll hold on to their top players if they're in contention in July. As Stark says, the market would look a lot worse without Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell.
Stark names six sluggers who "might be in play" this summer: Josh Hamilton, Adam Dunn, Adam LaRoche, Rick Ankiel, Paul Konerko, and Manny Ramirez. Hamilton and Manny are longer shots, but they'd certainly get the hot stove burning.
As for Jose Guillen – executives Stark talked to just aren't interested, despite his .377/.406/.738 start.
In search of new stadiums, where could the Rays and A's legitimately threaten to move? Stark and his sources run through ideas and can't find a viable city.
A friend of Cal Ripken's tells Stark "there's a lot of mutual respect" between Ripken and Orioles owner Peter Angelos. Ripken seeks a difference-making job, rather than just a title. It doesn't necessarily have to be with the Orioles.
The Cubs told Derrek Lee's agent Casey Close they'd prefer to let the season play out before talking extension. Lee discussed the situation during Spring Training.
Stark's sources consider Brett Anderson's four-year, $12.5MM deal a very team-friendly contract. To the A's credit, most young pitchers are not willing to give two club options. Playing devil's advocate – did the potential cost savings justify committing four years to Anderson after just one year of service? You can find multiple clubs that do not share Oakland's enthusiasm for locking up good young pitchers.

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