JR: "We've already signed our free agent"
Bob Nightengale, USA Today, is one of a handful within the media to report that the White Sox will be one of many teams to stay away from free agency (which officially begins tonight @ Midnight, EST).
The Chicago White Sox, who acquired starter Jake Peavy and outfielder Alex Rios over the summer, are staying away from free agency, White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf says. They already are close to their 2010 budget, Reinsdorf says, particularly after adding $117.3 million worth of contracts in the two players.
"We signed our free agent already," Reinsdorf says. "His name is Jake Peavy."
SN's Take:
Reinsdorf's comments shouldn't come as a shock to anyone in tune with the White Sox financial situation. The Rios and Peavy transactions were as much about 2010 and beyond as they were about 2009.
I expect the 2010 off-season to be very similar to the 2004 off-season, an off-season that started during the 2004 seaon when the Sox made two significant transactions (Freddy Garcia & Jose Contreras). This in-season deal was done more for the future and ultimately gave Kenny the foundation necessary to allow him to focus his off-season on making the necessary trade(s) that provided him with the flexibility and resources to fill the remaining holes (ie, Carlos Lee trade which ultimately filled the leadoff hole and provided the club with the money for Hermansen, Iguchi, & AJP).
So Sox fans, sit back, hunker down, and hope Trader Kenny can pull off a deal or two that brings the club another trophy!!
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10 Comments
JimH. said:
Not to mention there's not a whole lot in this free agent class the White Sox like, certainly not at the opening prices. Maybe if prices come down in Jan. and early Feb. they'll add a guy but I don't blame them. Jason Bay turned down 4 yrs. $60M from the Red Sox, thinking he will do better on the open market. More power to him but there's a reason why so many teams are trying to get out from under huge contracts.
Jason Gage said:
I think the key is that the JR is saying, hey, we aren't going to make a big splash via FA, we already did that with Peavy (and Rios).
I expect the Sox to be active on the trade-front and I believe Kenny will be looking at any move which helps the team, whether the trade brings in talent that helps us now, or frees up salary to allow him to add pieces via FA or another trade which help the team.
If Konerko/Linebrink/Jenks all stay, than I expect the Sox to be very quiet, signing one or two guys from the list of guys that are available into January/February.
Jason Gage said:
Another thing with this Jim is that I see everyone talking about Thome coming back. I realize this is an option, but deep down inside I really hope he ends up going some-place else.
Thome is a classy guy and I'm not questioning his role in the clubhouse, but I really like the idea of having Dye and Thome elsewhere because I feel it will open up a leadership role for a young player or two to step into.
I believe Gordon Beckham will be that guy who emerges as the leader of the offense.
Jason Gage said:
Jim, I'm quite curious to see what happens in the Rule V portion of the draft. Rarely do contending teams pick up a player in the major league portion but the Sox have the roster space and it could be worth the minimal financial risk to claim a high-ceiling arm and see if he can stick in the back of the pen and turn into a nice piece.
Worse case you offer him back to the original club after spring or ultimately decide you like him and work out a trade (or get extra lucky and the team doesn't want to buy him back).
jrobin1434 said:
This is actually pretty interesting article considering the Sox still do have some work to do in some positions. I'm not saying go out and spend big money, actually the opposite, but who do you think is going to be in RF and DH Jason? Who do you think is going to win the fifth starters job; Garcia or Hudson? One name that I really love (if you can get him really cheap) is Erik Bedard. He is coming off surgery, and it looked like he was never comfortable in Seatle, except a couple starts this year. Just think if the Sox could get him cheap, and have him return to form half way through the season.
Jason Gage said:
Hey Jrobin, welcome aboard!!!! Good to see you here.
My take on RF and DH is that the Sox are going to sign one of a handful of guys that will be available at a bargain rate come January/February.
In the meantime, Kenny is going to do whatever he can to increase his flexibility ($$$) and that means he'll listen and explore trading Bobby Jenks, Paul Konerko, and Scott Linebrink.
I have a hard time believe he'll be able to come across deals that make sense for any of those guys and if thats the case the club will be hard-pressed to fill its remaining offensive holes with true-impact bats and instead we will see them potentially sign a DH like Thome/LaRoche/Delgado and see what Danks can do in the OF.
However, if Kenny can move Konerko (potentially even packaged with prospects), it would really free the Sox up with the resources (imo) to find some good players for the clubs remaining holes.
Either way, don't expect a star (unless it is Agon). With this rotation, the Sox only need an average offensive performance and good defense to go far, imo.
jrobin1434 said:
GOOD TO BE ABOARD! You pretty much just summed up what I was thinking, but you never know with the Kenny charm, he always seems to pull something out of the wood work.
Bobby Mac said:
Has anyone heard any news about the white sox picking up vlad or godzilla?
Jeff Buchanan said:
I haven't seen anything linking them to the Sox, and they would both be plan B for me at DH behind Nick Johnson. I think Nick Johnson would come much cheaper and he has that big OBP bat that we need, plus there's no risk of having him play the outfield.
Jason Gage said:
Their has been speculation as to whether the Sox will make a run at one of Matsui/Vladdy to be their DH but as of now I haven't read or heard anything saying it will happen immediately.
Kenny has been pretty on the record about how the team might wait a while before signing their DH.
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