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The Barry Zito Market

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First, let’s start with the White Sox.  Multiple emailers have told me that SNY’s baseball insider Seth Everett reported yesterday that he thinks Chicago might join the Barry Zito chase.  I can’t vouch for this report as I didn’t see it myself.  Regardless, the rumor is making the rounds.  Here’s why I think it would be highly unlikely:

1. While no team loves Scott Boras, the White Sox have a particular distaste for him.
2. Jerry Reinsdorf has a policy: no contracts over three years for pitchers.  That came into effect after they signed Jaime Navarro for four years (he was awful).
3. It doesn’t fit in with Kenny Williams’s apparent plan at all.

Meanwhile, Jon Daniels is "not terribly encouraged" of the Rangers’ chances at signing Zito, mentioned on the heels of his Brandon McCarthy acquisition.

The New York Daily News reports that the Mets have not yet made an official offer.  It appears that the Mariners and Giants are still involved.

New Evidence In Juan Uribe Case?

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It appears that Listin Diario, the oldest daily newspaper of the Dominican Republic, indicated earlier this week that White Sox shortstop Juan Uribe may not be out of the woods on attempted murder charges.  The original article seems to have vanished, but a decent English translation can be found here.

In late November it seemed like Uribe was going to be cleared of the shooting.  However, the prosecution is promising new evidence that Uribe was involved.  It certainly seems possible that the Sox will enter 2007 with Alex Cintron at shortstop.

Hat tip to Southside Sox for the story.

Rangers Acquire Brandon McCarthy For Danks And Masset

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In a quite unexpected move, the White Sox have traded starter Brandon McCarthy to Texas for top prospects John Danks and Nick Masset.

The Sox were interested in Masset at least a month ago, considering trading Brian Anderson to the Rangers.  Masset, a righthander, will turn 25 in May.  Baseball America ranked him eighth among Ranger prospects.  He had Tommy John surgery as a senior in high school, which could be viewed as a positive (given that his new tendon/ligament doesn't have a lifetime of wear and tear on it).  Masset converted to relief this year and was able to dial his fastball into the high 90s.  He could be yet another hard thrower in Chicago's explosive bullpen in 2007.

Danks, a southpaw, turns 22 in April.  He was the Rangers' best prospect according to BA.  He throws three solid pitches and has pitched well in the minors despite being young for his levels.  He'll compete for the fifth spot in Chicago's rotation.  He's the prize of the deal.

While B-Mac has 150 innings of Major League experience, it'd be tough to argue that he's worth as much as Danks and Masset combined.  The 23 year-old was confined to the bullpen in 2006 because the Sox had no openings in the rotation. With groundball rates around 37%, McCarthy doesn't seem particularly suited for Ameriquest.  He'll still be a valuable commodity if he can find a way to keep the ball in the yard.  You can view my RotoAuthority projection of McCarthy as a Ranger here.

No one thought Kenny Williams would trade McCarthy, but it looks like he got an offer he couldn't refuse.  You have to admire that he has a plan and he's sticking to it.

Alex Rios On The Block

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ESPN’s Buster Olney reports in his blog that the Blue Jays are willing to trade right fielder Alex Rios, who turns 26 in February.  The Blue Jays are in search of one more quality starter to pair with Roy Halladay, A.J. Burnett, Gustavo Chacin, and perhaps Casey Janssen or Shaun Marcum.  It’s a necessity in the AL East.

Back in 2004, Baseball America ranked Rios sixth among all prospects, between Rickie Weeks and Kaz Matsui.  Rios earned a promotion to Toronto without mastering Triple A, and his growth kind of stagnated for two years.  He played some center field while Vernon Wells was out, and also served as the leadoff hitter for a while.

Before the breakout, many teams tried to pry Rios away.  The Nats talked about a Rios for Nick Johnson deal in December of 2004.  You can bet Jim Bowden would love him in CF, but doesn’t have the goods for a trade.  In the winter of ’05, the Rangers were offering Kevin Mench for Rios while the Nats countered with Brad Wilkerson.

The much-awaited breakout happened this year, as Rios mashed at .330/.383/.585 for 270 ABs leading up to his June 29th leg injury (staph infection).  He returned on July 28th and hit .261/.297/.411 thereafter.  It was an ugly couple of months but he did bounce back in September.

Some projections for ’07:

Ron Shandler: .293/.337/.500
Bill James: .286/.336/.442

On his glovework, The Fielding Bible wrote:

"Rios is an excellent defender, a five-tool player with outstanding range and speed and a strong, accurate arm suited for right field.  The Jays would love to switch him to center field where he is a better offensive fit, but they have a Gold Glover in Vernon Wells entrenched there."

With Ichiro now in center, Rios may be baseball’s best defensive RF. 

Olney mentions a few trade possibilities: to the Dodgers for Brad Penny, to the A’s for Joe Blanton, or to the Mets for a package of young guys.  Olney didn’t bring up the White Sox, but there could be an excellent fit.  The Sox could use Rios in center in 2007, and perhaps shift him back to right in ’08 if Jermaine Dye leaves.

White Sox Sign Toby Hall

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According to a press release from the White Sox, the team has signed free agent catcher Toby Hall to a two-year, $3.65MM deal.  There’s a $2.25MM club option for 2009.

Hall turned 31 this year; he hit well after a trade to the Dodgers after a June 27th trade from the Devil Rays.  Hall didn’t like being a backup and requested a trade in July.  Today’s signing indicates that he just couldn’t find full-time work anywhere, since A.J. Pierzynski plays a good 135 games a year.

Hall is a solid defender and his right-handed stick complements A.J. well.  He’s got a high-contact hitting style but little power or ability to draw walks.  Hence, the lack of interest in him as a starter.

White Sox Acquire Sisco For Gload

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Baseball Digest Daily reports that the White Sox have acquired reliever Andy Sisco for first baseman/outfielder Ross Gload.

Seems like a big win for the Sox.  Sisco, a big lefty, turns 24 in January.  Since jumping from A ball to the Majors in ’05 as a Rule 5 pick from the Cubs, Sisco has been in over his head.  The White Sox could fix him up as a lights out reliever like they did with Matt Thornton, or else switch him back to starting.

How does Gload help the Royals?  He’ll turn 31 next season and the club has absolutely no room for another 1B/OF.  Shouldn’t Dayton Moore be stockpiling young arms instead of guys like Gload?

Relief Is On The Way

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Couple of reliever signings occurred today.

The Cards inked righty Russ Springer to a one-year deal for $1.75MM.  Can’t complain about that one in a world where Mike Stanton got two years.  The Devil Rays may have to focus on David Riske now.

Meanwhile, the White Sox locked down Mike MacDougal for three years and $6.45MM with a club option for 2010.  The idea here is to buy out his arbitration years and perhaps first year of free agency.  If healthy, he provides a viable alternative should Bobby Jenks be unable to pitch the ninth inning.

Astros’ Options Remain Wide Open

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One way or another, Tim Purpura is going to acquire a decent starting pitcher. 

The Houston Chronicle reports that Purpura is still in touch with the White Sox, but has a host of other active scenarios as well.  In the article, Purpura goes to great lengths to confirm that starter Taylor Buchholz is healthy without actually confirming that he could be involved in a trade.  It remains possible that the Astros trade for Jon Garland.

They won’t, however, acquire both Garland and Andy Pettitte.  The Astros still have a one-year, $12MM offer out there.  The Yankees have already blown that away, even offering to add a second year.  It seems clear that Pettitte will only stay in Houston for geographical reasons.  Richard Justice

Check out Jose de Jesus Ortiz’s take on the whole Garland thing yesterday.  He initially reported the deal was close, based on info from Astros President Tal Smith.

Troy Renck of the Denver Post suggests that the Astros could take another run at Jason Jennings, perhaps offering Jason Hirsh, Willy Taveras, and Dan Wheeler.  As I said earlier, that far outweighs Freddy Garcia’s price and they are comparable pitchers.

Astros/White Sox Jon Garland Confusion

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UPDATES AT BOTTOM.

Now this is a shocker.  The Houston Chronicle reports that the Astros are set to announce a trade for Jon Garland. The righty turned 27 in September.  He makes $10MM in ’07 and $12MM in ’08.

Jose De Jesus Ortiz mentions that the buzz is that Willy Taveras and Taylor Buchholz may be involved.

Can you believe it?  In two days Kenny Williams has sent away 40% of his rotation.  While I find the Garcia bounty reasonable, it doesn’t seem to be the best possible return.  Same here, if it’s really Buchholz/Taveras.

There will be all sorts of competition in spring as the Sox try to get younger in the rotation with Gavin Floyd, Brandon McCarthy, Taylor Buchholz, and Charlie Haeger.

UPDATES:  Ken Rosenthal reports that Jason Hirsh is in the deal too.  Ahhhh, MUCH better.  Kenny Williams says no deal is close, however.

Ken Davidoff of Newsday reports that the teams are leaving Orlando without a deal in place yet.

Jayson Stark notes that a Taveras/Buchholz package wouldn’t cut it.

Jon Heyman at SI.com says the deal has fallen through because Buchholz failed his physical. 

Buchholz himself says he did not fail a physical, though.  He didn’t even take one.  Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle says the talks have stalled or even died nonetheless.

Scott Miller of CBS Sportsline reports that the deal appears "more dead than alive."  Kenny Williams is disturbed by the way the media has handled this.  Williams tells MLB.com, "we’ve got nothing going on."

Phillies Trade For Freddy Garcia

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Ken Rosenthal reports that the Phillies have acquired starter Freddy Garcia for pitchers Gavin Floyd and Gio Gonzalez.  Apparently the Sox wanted Gio back.

Now Pat Gillick has the surplus of starters, with Brett Myers, Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer, Jon Lieber, Adam Eaton, and Garcia all under contract.  Speculation is that Liebs will be dealt for an outfielder.

MLB.com reported today that the Phils are looking at various deals with the Brewers, possibly involving outfielders or bullpen help.

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