SOX BLOG: Beckham moving to second base with trade done
Doing some Double Duty Radcliffe action today by covering the White Sox. GM Kenny Williams made it official today on a couple of fronts. He traded infielders Josh Fields and Chris Getz to the Royals for third baseman Mark Teahen and cash. The Sox also bought out the final year of right fielder Jermaine Dye’s contract for $950,000 instead of paying him $12 million for 2010.
What the trade means is that Teahen will take over at third base, and Gordon Beckham will move from third to second.
“I had a very good conversation with Gordon prior to pulling the trigger on this deal, and he’s all for it and ready to go," Kenny said. "He played second base in the Arizona Fall League a couple of years ago, and I have no doubts that he can handle the position. He actually has a better profile at the position, and this entire thing makes us better.”
In 144 games this year (99 starts at third), Teahen had a hitting line of .271/.325/.408 for an OPS of .734 and an OPS-plus of 94. Not spectacular, but maybe the hitter-friendly environs of the Cell will help.
Kenny said he spoke with Dye this morning and wouldn’t totally close the door on Dye possibly coming back. “I did play around with some deals that might create space or might create a fit for J.D. at this time," Kenny said. "It didn’t happen at this juncture, but I don’t think you can rule it out because it’s a long off-season. We just got started. Everyone knows I think the world of this guy.”
As far as free agency in general goes, Kenny said “money’s tight. Money’s tight all over the world, and certainly on the South Side. We know where the break-even numbers are. We’re going to spend whatever we have available.”
More later.
Good news is the Sox will be willing to shift the infield around, especially if A-Ram starts air mailing throws into the dugout.
Hmmm...I would like to see Alexi move back to second and Bacon at Short. Alexi seemed more comfortable over there and Bacon is a natural SS anyways.
Thanks to JD for everything he did since coming here. Maybe he comes back for alot less than the 12 mil.
...to fill with JD leaving.
The guy gave 100% every night, banging his face into the right field fence or into the turf to make a play.
We will miss him, production-wise and even more from a leadership role.
Wherever he ends up, hope it's a very happy landing for him and his family.
Class Act.