White Sox Rumors

Rosenthal’s Latest: Hunter, Santana, Quentin

By Nat Boyle | May 25, 2008 at 9:36am CDT

It’s Sunday again, so we’ve got some tidbits from Ken Rosenthal’s Full Count video:

Torii Hunter was courted by the White Sox and Rangers before signing with the Angels this past offseason; however, according to Hunter, he had a meeting scheduled with the Dodgers to discuss taking the spot that Andruw Jones would come to occupy. The Angels signed him, preventing the meeting.
As we enter June, the sky is falling in Seattle…
Rosenthal doesn’t think there’s a lot of regret in the Yankee organization for not acquiring Johan Santana. One executive notes Santana’s throwing with increased effort this season yet without increased results.
In this piece, Rosenthal commends the White Sox for their deal for Carlos Quentin. Writes Rosenthal, "’I give Kenny credit — he was on Quentin for a while,’ Diamondbacks general manager Josh Byrnes said. ’He believed that the same Carlos Quentin would return now that his shoulder is fixed.’"

By Nat Boyle

Odds and Ends: Griffey, Baek, German, Wells

By Tim Dierkes | May 22, 2008 at 11:06am CDT

Here’s today’s link collection.

Hal McCoy seems fairly certain that Ken Griffey Jr. will play out the season with the Reds.
Dejan Kovacevic has heard that the Pirates are torn between Pedro Alvarez and Tim Beckham at #2.
Cha Seung Baek has been DFA’d, and this time he might be claimed. He could have a career as a fifth starter somewhere.
John Brattain explains why he feels teams are colluding against Barry Bonds.
The Rangers DFA’d reliever Franklyn German; Evan Grant explains why.
The Indians claimed reliever Oneli Perez from the White Sox. Baseball America says the six-fingered pitcher has attitude questions.
According to Buster Olney, David Wells is still waiting by the phone hoping for a team to call.
RotoAuthority examines Daniel Cabrera’s hot start.

White Sox Interested In Figgins?

By Tim Dierkes | May 22, 2008 at 8:20am CDT

THURSDAY: Angels GM Tony Reagins says he hasn’t talked to Williams and has no interest in trading Figgins at this time. It may be true that Figgins is on Williams’ wish list, but perhaps that’s where it ended.

WEDNESDAY: Joe Cowley lights up the rumor mill with some rumblings about the White Sox. His source says Kenny Williams is inquiring about leadoff hitters who can play second base, aside from the apparently overpriced Brian Roberts. Williams’ main target may be Chone Figgins; he called Figgins "an interesting name."

Figgins, 30, is hitting .306/.421/.355 in 145 plate appearances. He’s a free agent after the ’09 season. Despite Chicago’s interest, it’s hard to picture the first-place Angels parting with him. Figgins is expected to be activated from the disabled list today after a hamstring strain. The team’s other third basemen have not hit well in his absence.

I’m not sure how well he plays second these days, but Ryan Freel could fit as a Plan B. Freddy Sanchez, Cristian Guzman, Felipe Lopez, David Eckstein are other possibilities (pure speculation on my part).

One other note from Cowley – he’s heard whispers that the Angels will be making a push for Joe Crede this winter. Crede is pretty much the only credible free agent option at third base.

Odds and Ends: Wilder, Vlad, Jose Reyes

By Tim Dierkes | May 19, 2008 at 10:29am CDT

Time to round up some links.

The White Sox fired scouting director David Wilder and two scouts. Investigators are trying to determine if they skimmed bonuses designated for Latin American prospects.
I did a Q&A recently. I forgot, at the time, that Albert Pujols is actually younger than Chase Utley.
Imagine if Vladimir Guerrero had been paired with Barry Bonds.
Joel Sherman points out that Jose Reyes will be just 28 when his contract is up.
Roto Professor chats with prospect guy Jonathan Mayo.
Extension talks with Corey Hart have fizzled.

Seven Teams Have Monitored Freddy Garcia

By Tim Dierkes | May 16, 2008 at 3:57pm CDT

According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, at least seven clubs have monitored Freddy Garcia’s progress: the Mets, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, White Sox, Rangers, and Mariners. It wouldn’t be surprising if even more clubs show up to watch Garcia throw when he is able to audition. A midseason free agent has major appeal. The Indians are one additional club rumored to have interest.

Garcia remains a mystery – we don’t know when he’ll be ready, how much money he’ll want, or how effective he’ll be.

Odds and Ends: Hanley, Salcedo, Torrealba

By Tim Dierkes | May 16, 2008 at 10:16am CDT

Time to round ’em up…

Rob Neyer guesses B.J. Upton is the next to get a long-term deal from the Rays. Back on April 24th, Jayson Stark wrote that the Upton family "has its own ideas about the market value of both brothers."
Expect a Hanley Ramirez press conference today, or this weekend at the latest.
Tribe Report walks us through the Edward Salcedo confusion.
Yorvit Torrealba’s agent has filed a grievance against the Mets over their nearly-signed three-year deal.
Jon Heyman says nothing’s imminent with Ken Griffey Jr. Buster Olney wrote today that the Mariners are "not especially gung-ho" about trading for Junior.
The Indians DFA’d Jason Tyner.
A.J. Pierzynski attempts to dispel all those negative stories about his time with the Giants.

Jonathan Mayo Projects The Top Ten Picks

By Tim Dierkes | May 14, 2008 at 2:54pm CDT

MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo admits it’s too early, but still takes a stab at projecting the first ten picks of the June draft. Here’s what he’s come up with:

1. Rays – Buster Posey, C.
2. Pirates – Pedro Alvarez, 3B.
3. Royals – Eric Hosmer, 1B.
4. Orioles – Brian Matusz, LHP.
5. Giants – Tim Beckham, SS.
6. Marlins – Kyle Skipworth, C.
7. Reds – Aaron Crow, RHP.
8. White Sox – Gordon Beckham, SS.
9. Nationals – Justin Smoak, 1B.
10. Astros – Tanner Scheppers, RHP.

Interesting note from Mayo: he’s hearing that the Orioles are leaning toward a college player. Mayo has also heard buzz that the Marlins "have been all over Skipworth." Read Mayo’s column – it’s a nice blend of inside info and educated guesses. What do you think about this mock top ten?

Also, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune has some White Sox draft tidbits.

Odds and Ends: Jacque, Lee Hak-ju, Tavarez

By Tim Dierkes | May 14, 2008 at 8:51am CDT

Here’s today’s collection of links.

The Tigers weren’t able to trade Jacque Jones; he’ll become a free agent tomorrow. The Marlins are expected to make an offer.
The Cubs signed a Korean high school shortstop named Lee Hak-ju. Aaron Shinsano, who works for the Cubs as a scout, says the team believes he’d have been a first round pick in the states.
Giants owner Peter Magowan is expected to step down Friday.
Troy Renck says the Rox still want Julian Tavarez but won’t give up pitching prospect Brandon Hynick. Baseball America ranked Hynick eighth among Rockies prospects, they describe him as a command guy with a decent splitter. The Sox are talking to two or three teams about Tavarez.
Not a surprise, but Jon Garland isn’t likely to sign back with the White Sox.

Free Agent Stock Watch: Joe Crede

By Tim Dierkes | May 13, 2008 at 10:14pm CDT

White Sox third baseman Joe Crede hopes to stay in Chicago beyond 2008. He’s willing to have his agent, Scott Boras, negotiate in-season with the Sox – but only if the team approaches him. Crede will still listen to the Sox after the season, but he’ll be on the open market after the exclusive negotiation period expires.

Will the Sox offer Crede arbitration? The possibility that he accepts and they have him for ’09 seems a risk worth taking. Crede would probably be a Type B free agent, and he’d likely decline arbitration in hopes of a multiyear deal.

It’s a weak free agent market for third basemen. The closest guy to a regular besides Crede is Casey Blake, and he’s having a lousy year. Boras should ask for more than three years and $25MM, since that’s what Melvin Mora is earning. Mike Lowell’s three years and $37.5MM seems too much. The Indians, Twins, Angels, Brewers, Dodgers, and Giants could be suitors.

Odds and Ends: Jacque, Vizquel, Greinke

By Tim Dierkes | May 13, 2008 at 10:30am CDT

Today’s linkage…

An MLBTR chat will take place in this space at 2pm CST – get your questions ready!
I will also be hopping on ESPN-1580 (Columbia, MO) today at 4:20pm CST.
Jacque Jones prefers to play for the Marlins…I imagine he will end up there.
GM bloodlines courtesy of Batter’s Box.
Omar Vizquel wants to play in ’09, if he has a good offensive year in ’08.
The White Sox do not intend to overpay their 8th overall pick this June.
The Royals haven’t had any extension talks yet with Zack Greinke, who would become a free agent after the 2010 season. Greinke says he doesn’t know what he’s worth. The market says about $11MM over the 2009-10 seasons.
J.P. Ricciardi says he’s done tinkering with his offense.

« Previous Page

Load More Posts

Show all

Headlines

White Sox Rumors

Navigation

MLBTR INFO

Connect