Rios to White Sox? Not likely
A story that moved on ESPN.com late Friday night says the Toronto Blue Jays placed right fielder Alex Rios on waivers, according to sources.
The story also says the White Sox “are most likely the team awarded the claim on Rios,” but it has not been confirmed.
You never know what GM Kenny Williams is up to, but this sounds like a pretty wild rumor to me.
The White Sox' budget is already tight with the addition of Jake Peavy, and Rios still has six years remaining on a seven-year, $69.35 million contract he agreed to in April of last season.
This year, Rios is batting .261 with 12 HR, 58 RBI and a .315 on-base percentage.
Rios is 28 years old and he's going to bat about .280, hit 15-20 homers, drive in 80 and steal 20 or so bases.
He is a nice player, but not worth that kind of money.
Open up your instruction manual Greggy-poo. Oh you don't have it? No problem, I'll post it here -
Step 1 - Open mouth
Step 2 - Insert foot.
Never doubt the almighty Buster.
I would be stunned if Uncle Jerry approved Rios even if Kenny says go, at least until the offseason. Adding Rios adds another guy that isn't going to help you defensively...for five more years....and also adds big money to the payroll.
If in the offseason we see Thome, Dye and maybe even Quentin or Pods moved then perhaps we'll see Rios in a Sox uniform in 2010. But with the addition of Peavy it appears the Sox are lining up a 2010 and 2011 run through strong pitching which means defense has to follow. Your not going to have that with a Pods, Rios, Dye/Quentin outfield. Plus Rios, while a solid player, is not worth 10 million a year. They also have issues with Jenks that either way will cost them plenty and have to be kept front and center. If they keep him he'll soon hit the golden parachute. If he goes they'll have to give the parachute to someone else as no matter how good the starters are you can't win without a reliable closer or with a closer by committe. The Cubs are proving that this year.
Konerko is still solid at first base. He's also the leader of the team so he stays in my opinion. A Pauly, Beckham, Getz/Nix, Ramirez infield I can live with, especially if these guys stay at the same position next year. Need OF and catching help though....AJ won't last forever.
How good is Flowers projected to become? I've read (maybe on this site) about his defensive game and his hitting. Plus, he needs at least one more minor league season. Will Sox hang with AJ until then, or, perhaps, they determine Flowers isn't going to be good enough (read: acceptable) from the get go in the major leagues. So then at some point in time next year Kenny Williams looks (but does he make a move) for another catcher? I believe good starting catchers are a rare breed, so if any backstop is added, it would be a serviceable average rated catcher at best. Until AJ shows signs of wear and tear, he'll continue to be the #1 receiver behind the plate.
Konerko? Have to agree your assessment is likely correct, Stanley Cup post. Presently Thome has been sending balls long distance with a nice regularity; but his injury status/fragile body during each season makes you wonder if bat speed might slow down next season. He was getting beat by fastballs last Sept, and isn't as big a threat in the lineup now even considering his latest outburst. How Nix fits: a good athlete but not really a regular at the ss position. He is maybe a good bat and spare off the bench. It's one, maybe two OF positions we need to replace next year. And then, as you discuss, is Jenks coming back? The only sure thing seems to be their strength (they hope) is in their deep (hopefully consistently good) pitching next year.
If Toronto would eat some of the money owed to Rios I think he would be a good pick up, otherwise I would pass.
Soriano OF defense cannot be trusted in key late season games. Fukadome is good, not great defensively. His bat is ridiculous, especially for the guaranteed money he receives. Along with Soriano guaranteed money not even close to what he produces batting wise this year -- was McDonouggh part and parcel to that signing (?) -- maybe MOREOVER the treacherous domain that is Bradley in RF -- you have a three stooges approach for your OF to win games going into the stretch run.
Avoid such a comedy sketch (plan) for your team next year, Kenny Williams, by addressing your preresiquite for the OF position. Defense comes first. Having even one joke in Podsednik is a real gamble. Must put him in LF and he plays as long as his bat is alive. Personally I'd dump him, but I can understand some may like to gamble with his presence on the team -- his is a cheap contract, after all.
If pitching must be your team strength next year, you have to put good defense in CF. That and, if possible, another bat in RF if Dye goes to DH. I don't know if Quentin could adjust well to RF, but he has a good enough arm to play that position. Of course then you have to find a LF, unless you really want to go with Pods. Pos would be best used as an extra player in my humble opinion.
Hey 6628 poster, I'm a baseball fan and I enjoy watching both Chicago teams....looks like you have controversy with the line up no matter Cubs, White Sox, or Blackhawks. Guess you could say that about each sports team in each major league city. Of course, the turnover ratio in NBA rosters and their especially ridiculous salaries is a farce. Wait, baseball players make so much money too..guess it's just that I'm not really a basketball fan. Due to the violent nature of the game and injuries, at least I can understand roster turnover in the NFL.
Aging sluggers and defensive meltdown?
The former will be addressed in the off season. Perhaps they add a new bat. Perhaps Ramirez and Quentin have big year in 2010. The defensive miscues this year can be corrected, but Podsednik seeing considerable OF time is maybe as much a hinderance as a help to the team's overall success. And that is, if his bat really is good for an entire season. He isn't going to steal a ton of bases, not when he has concerns about his groin or other injuries as realistically occurring throughout the season.
The plan looks to be to win with quality pitching. That is K Williamss smart approach, and really the best approach, given the team's composition. Better hope a Danks can produce a more consistent season. Injuries are always a wild card each team has to factor in, so what can we expect out of Peavy? And is Jenks going to become too expensive for Reinsdorf's liking? I mean, if you have a distaste for an investment going bad on you, tieing up so much money on a pitcher's arm is understandably tough to stomach. Know this, however: money spent on the farm system -- as in good talent evaluation and good coaching -- can be the backbone of a productive farm system. That means you develop a strong core on the major league level, which allows you to strongly consider trades and free agents. A strong farm system is also why you may have optimism some arms come along in the next couple of years -- we traded a highly desirable commodity-- two LEFT-HANDED arms -- but neither showed the ability now to replace anyone in the starting rotation. Of course, Porada is young and is expected to develop into more than a one pitch hurler. Richard has an average fastball, so how good will he ever become -- 4th/5th SP or long relief?
Well, Thome would be logical man out/retire and too much money for what he would give you if his bat speed slows down. Dye to DH? Konerko dealt? Moving to a team capable of some small ball means moving majority of your slow plodders. It could happen. It could also happen that the team's only strength season 2010 is the pitching staff.
It sure would help out if Peavy and Beckham are strong contributors next year. That is obvious and nothing more needs be said on that.
All this talk about next year...what about this year....sorry, but inconsistent pitching even if Peavy returns, and unreliable defense even after Nix moves out of ss position..can't have this and expect to win consistently.
gosox10...he said it isn't confirmed...just reporting what ESPN put out. "Cool it" GO SOX need nx two from Injun's !