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Odds and Ends: Bay, Roberts, Cliff Lee

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And here we have some random links I’ve collected over the past day or so.

Juan Uribe Headed Out?

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Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times believes the White Sox plan to shake things up today by getting rid of one or two players.  Most likely to go is infielder Juan Uribe.  Uribe makes $4.5MM this year, so he’d become part of the growing list of players who were paid to go away.  He was placed on waivers in March but no one wanted to pay his salary.  South Side Sox isn’t jazzed with the idea of replacing him at second base with Alexei Ramirez.

Uribe, 29, has a career line of .252/.293/.424.  His once-stellar defense has become a source of frustration.  The Orioles are one team that might consider him, as they did last winter.

Jerry Owens Blocked By Carlos Quentin’s Surprising Start

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One of the most pressing needs the White Sox addressed this off-season was finding a permanent center fielder, a position that has given the ChiSox headaches ever since they traded Aaaron Rowand to the Phillies in the Jim Thome deal.

By trading for Nick Swisher and Carlos Quentin, as well as with the emergence of rookie Jerry Owens and Brian Anderson’s patently familiar story (highly touted White Sox outfield prospect who doesn’t pan out), White Sox GM Kenny Williams hoped to have that issue put to rest.

The Sox were hoping to give Owens a shot in the outfield this year, but after a strong April (leading his team in four offensive categories), Quentin has effectively blocked what should have been Owens’ season to shine. (Owens did start the year at Triple-A due to injury).

The problem is the Sox offense is not hitting much, with nine of their last home runs being solo jobs (a trend that was common place last year) and even though management knows Owens could be a spark plug, Manager Ozzie Guillen doesn’t want to recall Owens to have him sit on the bench. Unless Quentin cools off, the status quo calls for an uncomfortable log jam in the ChiSox outfield.

Alejandro Leal writes for UmpBump.com. You can reach him here

Teams Scouting Griffey, Dunn

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If the Reds slip out of contention in May, Walt Jocketty might begin to field offers for corner outfielders Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn.  Both are paid well and have at least some control over trade destinations.  According to MLB.com’s Jim Molony, "a few teams are having their scouts keep an eye" on the pair in case they become available.

The standard speculation for Griffey is that he could be traded back to Seattle after he gets his 600th home run with the Reds.  Junior might be a nice boost in right field for the Ms if Wladimir Balentien needs time to adjust.  I doubt the Mariners would give up Jeff Clement for Griffey though.  There’s been some Chicago speculation, never mind that both the Cubs and Sox are set at the corner outfield positions.

Dunn would help the Padres, who are last in baseball in both OBP and SLG.  The Jays, Mets, or Indians could also make sense.

Konerko Granted 10-and-5 Rights

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Today marks Paul Konerko’s tenth year of big league service time.  Happy anniversary Paul!  Konerko’s spent more than the last five seasons with the White Sox; as a result, he’s a 10-and-5 player.  He can now veto any trade, and sees himself staying in Chicago at least for the length of his current deal (through 2010). 

There were some rumblings in the winter that the Angels might make a play for Konerko, but Kenny Williams denied any trade discussions.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Crede, Lofton, Millwood, Dunn

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Ken Rosenthal has a new Full Count video up; let’s discuss.

  • Despite his .268/.330/.537 start, the White Sox would still entertain trading Joe Crede if it’d help the big league team.  This is a change from their apparent springtime willingness to deal him for prospects.  The most likely desire would be pitching, if the Sox can find a suitor.
  • Jake Peavy put on his GM hat, suggesting the Padres sign Kenny Lofton.  Rosenthal likes the idea, but notes that Kevin Towers will first turn to his farm system.  I discussed some future trade candidates for San Diego in my latest video mailbag.
  • Rosenthal suggests Kevin Millwood’s contract will be an obstacle in trading him.  He earns $8.5MM this year, $11MM in ’09, and a fairly achievable $12MM vesting option for ’10.  Plus there’s a limited no-trade clause.
  • Walt Jocketty’s biggest test this year might be deciding whether to trade Ken Griffey Jr. and/or Adam Dunn.  They both have no-trade clauses to deal with; even after June 15th Dunn’s includes most high-revenue teams.

Odds And Ends: Crede, Morris, Thomas

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Just a couple of lingering posts in my browser this morning.

  • It looks like Joe Crede is sticking by Scott Boras’s side as he enters free agency after this season. I can’t blame him. It’s one thing for a superstar like A-Rod or an established veteran like Kenny Rogers to do what they want. But Crede certainly benefits from being repped by Boras.
  • If Pirates GM Neal Huntington has plans to ditch Matt Morris, he’s not tipping his hand. The 33-year-old righty has been downright horrible since coming over to Pittsburgh, a gaffe made by who else by Dave Littlefield.
  • While Tim mentioned yesterday that Jon Daniels is leaning away from Frank Thomas, Manager Ron Washington is enticed. "I’ll take him in a heartbeat. Once he reaches 100 at-bats, he really does start hacking."

Posted by Joe Pawlikowski.

Odds and Ends: Lugo, Murton, Scherzer

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A handful of random links…

Odds and Ends: Pavano, Lima, Sabathia

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Today’s link collection contains a trio of awesome pitchers.  Enjoy.

Orlando Cabrera Contracts Talks Will Wait

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According to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune, the White Sox will not have further contract discussions with shortstop Orlando Cabrera until after the season.  While an extension is still possible at that time, the chances seem to decrease as he reaches the cusp of free agency.  Often when a guy is that close, he’ll then say he wants to explore the market.

Cabrera makes $9MM this year, with the Angels paying $1.5MM.  It’s a solid price for the Sox, but Cabrera has to be looking for three years and at least $20MM.  He’ll turn 34 in November, so it’d be a risky move.  Alexei Ramirez is the only viable replacement in the organization, but he’s no sure thing.  Kenny Williams could consider other free agent shortstops, of which there are a handful of decent options.

Gonzales’ article also has one line about the Sox waiting until season’s end to consider an extension for Joe Crede.  An extension would surprise me, but I could see them sticking with him all year.

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