A.J. Pierzynski Extended Through 2010
A.J. Pierzynski had his contract extended yesterday. He’s already signed for next season, but is now slated to make $12.5MM over ’09-’10. That’s a fair price, nothing special, and say what you will about Pierzynski’s decline in numbers this year (.309 OBP), I think he’s Ozzie Guillen’s kind of guy.
If for some reason you’ve never read about the Pierzysnki for Liriano, Nathan, and Bonser deal, I recommend a perusal of Tim’s full breakdown. It’s a good read.
Posted by: Nat Boyle
White Sox To Keep Mike Myers?
UPDATE: Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald is now reporting that Kenny Williams may have indicated Mike Myers (and Ryan Bukvich) are the two spots in the bullpen he will be addressing in the offseason. The article indicates that the White Sox won’t be as busy this offseason as some may think.
Mark Gonzales reports Mike Myers might indeed have a role in the White Sox bullpen next season, and no, it won’t be sketch comedy or terrorizing Jamie Lee Curtis.
When the Red Sox let Myers walk and I watched the Yankees pick him up as a lefty specialist to negate what had become known as the David Ortiz Factor, as a Sox fan one thought came to mind: "Whoops!" In his first attempt to get Ortiz out, Big Papi promptly took him deep. Ortiz spent 2006-2007 going 5 for 15 with a homer and 6 RBIs against the lefty specialist. The Yankees designated him for assignment in August. Despite a 2.66 ERA, lefties were hitting .301 off him. The White Sox picked him up and things got worse. Myers’ ERA rose from 2.84 to 4.41 in 6 weeks.
Still, they’re expected to pick up the sidearmer’s $1.1MM option for 2008. Pitching coach Don Cooper is confident they have made adjustments to get Myers back on track. Says Cooper, "Every club would like to have three lefties in the bullpen. We have that ability to have three lefties every day, at least two, especially in our division where we have a lot of good-hitting lefties and guys who switch-hit."
Update on Garland: Phillies Scouting
We said a few weeks back that the White Sox May Shop Jon Garland and that Garland knows it. The White Sox are seeking 2 relievers. As Tim noted, the Red Sox, Rockies, Braves, Yankees, Mariners, Dodgers, Mets, and Phillies have all shown interest. Well, it starts here: Paul Hagen recently caught wind of the Phillies scouting the tall right hander during his complete game shutout of the Royals last Wednesday.
Garland is due $12MM in the final year of his contract. The Phillies will be waving goodbye to Jon Lieber and flop Freddy Garcia, opening up $17MM and the (incredible) need for a quality starter in a rotation comprised of Cole Hamels, Kyle Kendrick, Adam Eaton, and the indefatigable Jamie Moyer.
As Tim noted, the ChiSox tried to shop him last offseason to the Astros, but the deal unraveled just before the scheduled press conference. The bad news for GM Kenny Williams: Garland went on to make ’07 his worst season in recent memory going 9-13 with a 4.23 ERA. Good news for Kenny Williams: The man finished strong, flat out dominating in September by posting a 1.38 ERA over 39.1 IP, and going over 200 Innings for the 4th straight year.
Still, judging from your comments, MLBTR readers aren’t too high on Mr. Garland. Are the Phillies?
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Posted by: Nat Boyle
Garland Expects To Be Traded
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times has some quotes from 28 year-old White Sox starter Jon Garland. Basically, Garland expects to be traded this winter. Cowley also pokes fun at Garland’s laid-back attitude, which seems to be a sore spot in Chicago.
If nothing else, Garland is consistent. He’s never been seriously injured. His strikeout rates are usually around 4.8 per nine each year. He typically has good control. The most random part of his stat line is hits allowed, as you would expect. A hit-lucky year in ’05 had some thinking he could be an ace. That performance helped him snag his three year, $29MM contract.
Garland will make $12MM in ’08 in the last year of the deal. I’m not sure that the White Sox can afford the hit to their staff, but they probably need to take some chances if they are to win next year. Garland can help fill holes while clearing a nice chunk of payroll. Last we heard, Kenny Williams would seek two relievers in return at the least. Among teams with recent interest: the Red Sox, Rockies, Braves, Yankees, Mariners, Dodgers, Mets, and Phillies.
Jon Garland For Brian Fuentes?
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?
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?
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
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
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
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.