White Sox Proving Cautious With Spending
White Sox officials told CBSSports.com’s Danny Knobler that owner Jerry Reinsdorf presented a bleak economic picture at the start of the offseason and that the club is "comfortable going young."
GM Ken Williams elaborated on the point: "We have to be cautious, if for no other reason that so we don’t have to play all day games because we can’t afford the electricity. This is such a volatile time, and people are going to look at their discretionary spending."
It sounds like the Southsiders won’t be chasing any of the major free agents that are still on the market. Their biggest move this offseason was the signing of 35-year-old Bartolo Colon.
White Sox Rumors: Garland, Dye
Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald has some White Sox info this evening.
- White Sox GM Ken Williams considered attempting to re-sign Jon Garland, but decided against it due to money as well as the possible emergence of Jeff Marquez. Williams "would rather save that money for a possible in-season addition," says Gregor.
- Gregor has touted the idea of the Sox signing Ivan Rodriguez as a backup catcher. Gregor believes Williams does intend to add a veteran backup of some kind. Mark Gonzales, however, says any backup catcher addition would not seriously cut into A.J. Pierzynski’s playing time.
- Williams "shot down" speculation that Jermaine Dye could be traded, says Gregor. Gonzales adds details – Williams told Dye it was unlikely he’d be traded, but would never be willing to give a player 100% assurance.
Rosenthal On Manny, Garcia, Greinke
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has a new column…
- Rosenthal speculates that the Giants may not be the right fit for Manny Ramirez, given a challenging ballpark and questionable supporting cast of hitters. Rosenthal suggests a contract that might work for Manny and the Dodgers: two years with a third-year player option, with no-trade protection covering only the first two years.
- Many remaining free agents – Adam Dunn for example – may prefer a one-year deal because it will increase their options and allow them to re-enter the market after the season.
- The White Sox found the price for Freddy Garcia to be too high ($1.5MM plus $6.5MM in incentives). Rosenthal deems Oliver Perez a bad fit for the Sox in part because he’s a flyball pitcher. Also there’s the whole Scott Boras thing.
- Among the right-handed hitters the Phillies are mulling, Rosenthal feels that Nomar Garciaparra and Rich Aurilia make the most sense.
- The Angels may go to Spring Training with their current club.
- Zack Greinke received "very minor" no-trade protection in the first two years of his new deal, with seemingly no protection when his salary shoots up to $13.5MM in 2011.
Odds and Ends: Fogg, Jays, Red Sox, White Sox
Links for Friday…
- Corey Brock talked to agent Barry Axelrod about the slow-moving free agent market.
- The D’Backs still have Will Ohman and Joe Beimel on the radar, but Nick Piecoro believes they’d like to add a starter first.
- Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino doesn’t want the team’s dealings with Scott Boras for Mark Teixeira to affect other negotiations.
- Josh Fogg hopes to sign soon; possibilities may include the Rockies, Orioles, and Nationals.
- The Blue Jays are currently in talks with a Japanese pitcher.
- Nolan Ryan comments on the free agent market.
- Ed Wade explains his approach to waivers.
- Tony Massarotti projects an Opening Day payroll around $135MM for the Red Sox. Michael Silverman examines Boston’s options behind the plate.
- South Side Sox have the White Sox around $100MM for their Opening Day payroll.
- RotoAuthority lists the hitters projected to earn at least $10 in fantasy value in 2009.
Thome Down To Last Year Of Contract
Jim Thome told Scott Merkin of MLB.com Wednesday that he plans on playing beyond 2009. His contract with the White Sox, however, runs out at the conclusion of this season.
Thome claims to be in great shape and knocked 34 balls out of the park last year. His power would be welcome in most lineups.
"If this is my last year [in Chicago], I’m truly going to enjoy every minute of it — as I am going to enjoy this last phase of my career… Playing for [manager] Ozzie [Guillen] and with guys from Konerko to Dye to A.J., they are all proven winners. I’ve been given the chance to play in a great, winning organization."
Dewon Day Clears Waivers
According to Bill Chastain of MLB.com, right-hander Dewon Day cleared waivers earlier today and was outrighted by Tampa Bay to Triple-A Durham.
Day, 28, spent the 2008 season in the White Sox organization, posting a 6.61 ERA in 13 starts in Double-A Birmingham and a 4.56 ERA in 21 relief appearances in Triple-A Charlotte.
He was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox in October and then by the Rays on Friday. He has an invitation to Major League Camp in Spring Training.
Freddy Garcia Close To Finding A Team
Scot Gregor of the Arlington Daily Herald expects free agent pitcher Freddy Garcia to make a decision sometime this week.
The White Sox, Mets and Rangers appear to be the only serious suitors. Gregor provides some analysis on the White Sox’ interest:
"There has been some speculation that the White Sox are no longer interested in Garcia after they signed another injury-prone veteran Bartolo Colon last week. That’s not necessarily true. Given Colon’s physical troubles over the past three seasons, there is still plenty of interest in Garcia on the South Side. And even if Colon does manage to stay off the disabled list, they still need a No. 5 starter… If they get Garcia, that buys more time to develop promising left-hander Aaron Poreda."
White Sox Avoid Arb With Bobby Jenks
According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, the White Sox have avoided arbitration with closer Bobby Jenks by signing him for $5.6MM. It’s a record for a first-year arb closer, but Jonathan Papelbon figures to top it.
Rosenthal On Roberts, Hudson, Counsell
Let’s take a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal.
- The Orioles have their ears open Brian Roberts, whose trade value has diminished as he nears free agency. The White Sox can’t afford him, the Braves are reluctant to give up talent, and the Cubs didn’t discuss him in the Felix Pie talks. The Roberts market may improve once Orlando Hudson signs.
- Rosenthal’s source says the Michael Young–Jermaine Dye discussions did take place. If you read Dave van Dyck’s article, Ken Williams never specifically denied talks with the Rangers.
- Rosenthal believes that if the Cubs make another big move, it’ll be a Jake Peavy trade. They’re not in on Hudson.
- The Dodgers have roughly $50MM in payroll flexibility right now.
- The Giants may be looking at Manny Ramirez, but they’ve also looked in trades for hitters – "presumably" Prince Fielder or Corey Hart included. Those talks with the Brewers didn’t go far. The Giants may be willing to move Jonathan Sanchez, but the Jorge Cantu talks have stalled.
- So far the Dodgers and Russell Martin have only talked about a one-year deal.
- The Mariners are Brewers are eyeing Craig Counsell.
- The Ms "likely are willing" to trade Aaron Heilman.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Garcia, Perez, O-Dog
A few quick notes from FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal…
- The White Sox, Rangers and Mets have strong interest in Freddy Garcia. Rosenthal believes he would accept a minor league deal if a team gives him a chance to start.
- The Diamondbacks are not willing to pay the money that Oliver Perez desires.
- Rosenthal notes that few teams have openly expressed interest in free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson and believes he could fall to the Nationals if large market teams give way.