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Jon Garland For Brian Fuentes?

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As you know, Kenny Williams is looking for two relievers (one proven) for starter Jon Garland.  Part of the motivation is moving Garland’s $12MM salary in his last year before free agency.  You may also recall that the Rockies inquired on Mark Buehrle, Jose Contreras, and Garland this summer.  Talks stalled when the White Sox insisted on southpaw starter Franklin Morales or third baseman Ian Stewart.

According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the teams could re-engage in talks involving Garland.  The discussion would begin with lefty veteran reliever Brian Fuentes.  Renck believes Fuentes will make about $7MM in ’08, his last year before free agency.  So the White Sox would trim roughly $5MM from the payroll with such a move.  Perhaps Williams would ask for 23 year-old reliever Juan Morillo to complete the deal.  Morillo fits the "young reliever with closer potential" mold and was reportedly clocked at 104 mph a few years back (per Baseball America).

Kosuke Fukudome Targeted By White Sox, Giants?

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We’ve begun the Kosuke Fukudome Watch early here at MLBTR.  A lot of good info was revealed in our May 2nd interview with Mike Plugh.  A few months later Plugh wrote a more in-depth article about Fukudome at Baseball Prospectus.  Fukudome will be a free agent this winter and doesn’t require a posting fee.  The current estimate is $12-15MM annually over three or four seasons.  He’s currently recovering from elbow surgery but will be ready by spring.

There has been some confusion regarding Fukudome’s position.  While many have referred to him as a center fielder, Plugh told us he’s best in right field.  Plugh said Fukudome could handle center but his defense would be questionable there.  A return to the infield seems highly unlikely.

Fukudome’s position is an important question when it comes to the White Sox.  They’ve got Jermaine Dye locked in at right field, and there’s no where else for him to go.  They also want to try Josh Fields in left to leave room for Joe Crede at third.  Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune says Fukudome could be an option for the Sox in center if they don’t sign Torii Hunter.  Additionally, Susan Slusser tosses the Giants into the mix.  Apparently Dave Roberts and Randy Winn wouldn’t be considered obstacles.

A review of previous Fukudome rumors: Will Carroll said back in April that the Red Sox were eyeing him.  It seems the Sox would not have room for Fukudome though.  Rogers speculated in May that the Cubs could get involved.  Dan Graziano confirmed the Red Sox, Cubs, and White Sox while adding the Yankees to the list of suitors.

Could White Sox Sign Torii Hunter?

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The Twins came to Chicago on Friday, sparking another round of Torii Hunter speculation for the White Sox.  Hunter, of course, played it cool. He basically said he’d be honored if the Sox wanted him, and wouldn’t have a problem playing for one of the Twins’ biggest rivals.

Remember, though, that Hunter’s bare minimum contract is 5/75 and the White Sox are currently looking at $92MM+ committed for 2008.  Even a backloaded deal would take the Sox close to their payroll limit.  While moving Jon Garland for cheap young players is a distinct possibility, I’m not sure if the rotation can take the hit.  And no one’s taking on Jose Contreras’s contract.  Kenny Williams is in a bit of a pickle as his farm system could use a reload but the team has too many veterans to rebuild.  He could trade them all off but Sox fans would revolt.

Despite the salary concern, Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press names the Sox as Hunter’s leading suitor and crosses the Cardinals off the list.

White Sox May Shop Jon Garland

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The White Sox have shopped Jon Garland around in the past.  You may recall the failed deal with the Astros at the last Winter Meetings – the Sox were supposed to receive Jason Hirsh, Willy Taveras, and Taylor Buchholz.  There was even a press conference scheduled for that one.  Apparently the deal died when Kenny Williams demanded Hunter Pence as well.

Many teams have had discussions with the White Sox regarding Garland since then.  The Red Sox, Rockies, Braves, Yankees, Mariners, Dodgers, Mets, and Phillies all expressed interest.  The Braves reportedly offered Edgar Renteria and a top pitching prospect (pre-Teixeira trade) and were denied.

According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Garland is "without question that most likely starter to be moved" by Kenny Williams this winter.  He says Williams will shoot for at least two relievers, one proven.  Garland makes $12MM in 2008 before reaching free agency.  Garland’s got a 4.75 ERA this year; you have to wonder whether he’d be worth the price for an AL team.  And even in the NL, is he that much better than Josh Towers right now?

Off the cuff, here are some relievers I think the White Sox might pursue: Manny Corpas, Jonathan Broxton, Jeremy Accardo, Joaquin Benoit, Tony Pena, Jose Valverde, Brad Lidge, Chad Qualls, and Huston Street.  What are your predictions for fair Garland trades that could actually happen this winter?

White Sox May Deal Young Hurlers

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This winter, Kenny Williams may shop three hard-throwing, recently acquired White Sox pitchers.  Nick Masset, David Aardsma, and Andy Sisco have disappointed the Sox in their first seasons in the organization, and none earned September call-ups.  Aardsma and Masset are out of options, so the Sox will probably lose them if they fail to earn spots with the big club next spring.  Once a player is out of options he must clear waivers before he can be sent to the minors.

Masset will turn 26 next season.  He came over from Texas in the Brandon McCarthy trade.  The right has good command and can touch 96 on the gun.  Masset struggled as a reliever with the Sox, and has been working as a starter in Triple A since July.  He hasn’t impressed in that role either.

Aardsma was acquired from the Cubs in November for Neal Cotts, a trade that worked out for neither team.  Aardsma turns 26 in December; he’s posted massive strikeout rates at both Triple A and the Majors this year.  He was lights out for the Sox in April, whiffing 23 in 15.2 innings before it all fell apart.  He’s been closing for Charlotte.  I’m surprised the Sox soured on him so easily, especially after since they’ve fallen out of contention.

Sisco, a southpaw, will turn 25 in January.  He’s among the tallest men ever to take a big league mound at 6-9.  Like Masset, he failed in the Major League pen and was switched to starting this summer.  His control has been a problem so far.  "Wild Thing" came up in the Cubs’ system, gaining notoriety when he broke his left hand punching a clubhouse wall in anger in ’03.  The Royals pilfered him in the Rule 5 draft in December of ’04.  He made the jump from A ball to the bigs in ’05 and did a respectable job despite too many walks.  But he bombed in ’06 and the Royals saw fit to ship him to Chicago for Ross Gload.

Masset, Aardsma, and Sisco form an interesting albeit disappointing trio.  I imagine many teams will be willing to take a shot on them.

White Sox Targeting Eckstein

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According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, shortstop David Eckstein is the #1 target of the White Sox this offseason.  An Eckstein signing would then result in the team paying $300K to buy out Juan Uribe’s $5MM option for ’08. 

Eckstein signed a three-year, $10.25MM deal with the Cardinals after being non-tendered by the Angels in December of 2004.  He’ll be 33 heading into the ’08 season, and injuries have been increasing over the years.  Another three-year pact for $15-18MM would be fairly risky for the White Sox.  Especially for a player whose value is tied so closely to his batting average.

A coworker of mine, Mike, mentioned that the Sox might be trying to assemble an all-grinder type team.  They could conceivably have Eckstein, Darin Erstad, Jerry Owens, and Aaron Rowand in the lineup next year.

However, they won’t be signing Rowand if, as Cowley claims, he demands a contract similar to Torii Hunter’s.  Ken Rosenthal recently talked to an exec who set the floor for Hunter at 5/75, with 6/102 certainly within reach.  I imagine the White Sox will top out with an offer around 3/33, a little more than Eric Byrnes received.  I could be wrong though.   

White Sox Sign Mike Myers

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The White Sox signed 38 year-old lefty specialist Mike Myers on Sunday.  The signing is clearly focused on 2008, as Kenny Williams tacked on a $1.1MM club option for 2008.

Myers contends that he’s been done in by southpaws hitting singles off him.  The numbers bear that out, as he’s allowed 24 hits but just one home run in 18 innings against lefties.  He whiffed 18 in those 18 innings, so there is hope that the veteran can live on.

The Sox have Mike MacDougal ($1.95MM) and Matt Thornton ($0.875MM) under contract for the bullpen in 2008.  And of course Bobby Jenks and all kinds of rookies remain under the team’s control.  I actually thought the team’s bullpen would be a strength heading into this season.

Jermaine Dye Signs Contract Extension

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Another below-market deal for the White Sox – they’ve signed right fielder Jermaine Dye to a two-year, $22MM contract extension.  The deal also includes a mutual option at $12MM for 2010 with a $1MM buyout attached.  At one point it seemed Kenny Williams would surely unload both Mark Buehrle and Dye, but instead he’s extended the veterans.

It’s hard not to like the deal.  The free agent alternatives – guys like Kosuke Fukudome, Milton Bradley, maybe Geoff Jenkins – are not decidedly better.  Fukudome might be able to challenge Dye, but he’ll get a larger, riskier contract.

The main concern is that Dye’s contract covers his age 34-35 seasons, though the White Sox have a crack medical staff.  They probably won’t have an open DH spot until 2010, as Jim Thome’s $13MM option for ’09 is reasonable and has a $3MM buyout attached.  The White Sox have to hope Dye doesn’t follow the career path of top PECOTA comparable Dave Henderson. 

Looking at 2008, the White Sox have over $92MM committed if Joe Crede is retained. 

Rowand Linked To Nationals?

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This is a tenuous connection, but I’ll take what I can get.  MLB.com’s Bill Ladson notes that Aaron Rowand seems intrigued by the Nationals’ bright future and center field opening.  It’s possible the Nats could be in the mix for Rowand this winter.  It could just be a respectability type signing, which I think is what they were trying to accomplish with Dmitri Young and Ron Belliard.

When the White Sox were last in Philadelphia, speculation ran rampant that Rowand could come back to Chicago.  He admitted to having a soft spot for the team he came up with.  If the Sox are serious about improving center field in ’08, the main candidates seem to be Rowand, Torii Hunter, and Mike Cameron.

Keep in mind that the Phillies could definitely re-sign Rowand.  He’s a fan favorite and would be a solid sign at the Eric Byrnes price (three years, $30MM).  However, there have been no extension talks yet. 

Dodgers To Scout Contreras On Friday

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The White Sox will grant Jose Contreras a showcase start on Friday, in hopes of unloading some of the $20MM owed to him from 2008-09.  Contreras hasn’t started since he was bombed by the Yankees on July 31st.  According to Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Dodgers will be in attendance when Contreras goes Friday in Seattle.  The Mariners are actually a candidate to acquire him as well.

Contreras has thrown two consecutive scoreless relief appearances, and his last one lasted five innings against those same Mariners after Gavin Floyd was knocked around.  I’ve seen that attributed to Don Cooper’s recent tinkering, but can’t find a link to that story. 

As I mentioned before – it’s either going to have to be a bad contract swap or the Sox eating half of Contreras’s contract.  He’s cleared waivers, so he can be traded anywhere.  Here’s a list of others who have cleared waivers, but I don’t see a sensible fit.  I’m sure there are many more not on this list though.

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