White Sox Designate Jayson Nix For Assignment
Jayson Nix has been designated for assignment by the White Sox, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times (via Twitter). The move clears a spot on the roster for the 21-year-old Dayan Viciedo, who Baseball America ranked as the 61st-best prospect in baseball before 2009.
Nix displayed some power for the Sox in 2009, homering 12 times in 290 plate appearances. His performance this year has been disappointing though, as he hit just .163/.268/.245 in 57 big league plate appearances. In a second tweet, Cowley adds that Nix would like another shot at the majors, but if he clears waivers, his first choice would be to remain a White Sox.
White Sox May Be Finished With Offseason Shopping
MLB.com's Scott Merkin reports that White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen seems satisfied to stand pat with the current composition of his roster, a decision that would leave Chicago without the everyday DH that seemed to be the club's top priority this winter.
Guillen tells Merkin that he likes the idea of using several different players (such as Andruw Jones, Paul Konerko, Mark Kotsay, Jayson Nix, or even Omar Vizquel) as a designated hitter depending on matchups or, in Konerko's case, to rest him without taking him out of the lineup altogether.
Chicago GM Kenny Williams doesn't sound entirely convinced with this plan, but seems to be willing to acquisece to Guillen on this front. Williams told Merkin, "I don't want to do anything that conflicts with what my manager wants….Regardless if I think there might be a need for another left-handed bat in middle of the lineup, he's the one in there, and I fully support how he sees the situation fitting and piecing it together."
It's not like the Southsiders haven't been active this offseason — they acquired Mark Teahen and Juan Pierre in trades and signed Jones, Vizquel and J.J. Putz. But given all of the high-profile designated hitter options on the market this winter, it's safe to say that White Sox fans were counting on a bit more than just Jones and Vizquel as DH upgrades. Do you think that Williams should, in fact, look to acquire that left-handed bat or do you agree with Guillen and think the Sox roster is fine as it is?
White Sox Done With Free Agent Market
An AP report posted at ESPN.com says the White Sox are not expecting to sign any more free agents.
This means the White Sox will go with one of either Chris Getz, Brent Lillibridge or Jayson Nix at second base in 2009, as 2008 second baseman Alexei Ramirez moves to shortstop.
White Sox Sign Jayson Nix
According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the White Sox signed second baseman Jayson Nix. Nix, 26, hit .303/.373/.591 in Triple A this year. The Sox are uncertain about their starter at second base next year, and this is a nice low-risk pickup.
Ringolsby’s Latest: Fuentes, Atkins, Holliday
Let’s take a look at the latest column from Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News.
- Rockies "closer of the future" Casey Weathers will miss the ’09 season due to elbow surgery. However, the Rox are still not likely to re-sign Brian Fuentes. Joel Sherman expects Fuentes to sign for three years, $36-39MM. Brad Lidge signed for three years, $37.5MM in July, but that was not on the open market. The Mets will be in on Fuentes.
- The Rockies are expected to trade one of Garrett Atkins or Matt Holliday this winter. The Phillies will inquire on both (they tried to acquire Holliday this summer). Ringolsby says the Red Sox have discussed Holliday internally and considers the Angels a match for Atkins. The Red Sox, however, are set at the corners with Jason Bay and J.D. Drew.
- Brothers Jayson and Laynce Nix are both free agents. Jayson, 26, hit .303/.373/.591 in Triple A. Laynce, 28, hit .284/.348/.539. Jayson plays second base, Laynce plays outfield.
Rockies Release Nix For Olympics
Jayson Nix was designated for assignment by the Rockies on Saturday. If Nix clears waivers, and he should, then he will be rejoining Team USA in Beijing.
According to Thomas Harding of MLB.com, USA Baseball talked with Rockies Assistant GM Bill Geivett about acquiring Nix. The 25 year old second baseman failed to hold onto the starting job in Colorado this season, but he’s still young and has met success in the past with Team USA. Writes Harding:
"It was with Team USA that Nix has had his highest baseball moment. In the 2007 International Baseball Federation World Cup in Taipei City, Taiwan, Nix went 12-for-31 with six extra-base hits to lead the U.S. to the gold medal and the earn tournament’s most valuable player honors."
Rockies Designate Jayson Nix
According to Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post, the Rockies have designatd second baseman Jayson Nix for assignment. So, he can be had cheaply or for nothing.
Nix, 25, was a long shot to have the bat for regular duty this year after posting a .793 OPS in his second Colorado Springs stint in ’07. He is a skilled defensive player though. He was the last pick of the first round of the ’01 amateur draft (just six after David Wright, and ahead of Dan Haren!). The hindsight game isn’t fair but I like to play anyway.