Chicago White Sox Rumors

The 2008 and 2009 drafts were unusually stocked in terms of the quality and quantity of available college bats.  Draft picks from the past two classes including Buster Posey,  Justin Smoak, Pedro Alvarez from 2008 and Dustin Ackley from 2009 all ranked in the Top 20 Aggregate professional prospect rankings.  Gordon Beckham, from 2008, doesn't even qualify as a prospect anymore as he figures to get significant playing time at the major league level for the White Sox this year. 

The 2010 class does not project as well, but Zack Cox and Bryce Brentz remain two bats that are safe picks in the first round.  The issue is the rest of the class.  While Cox and Brentz seem likely to go in the first round, where is the rest of the safe, college bat draft picks that teams who are unsure of high school pitching can rely on? 

"It gives teams more option, more safe options," an NL special assistant said. "We all know how risky it is historically to deal with high school pitching and that college hitters are the best bet. It makes it a tough decision when there aren't enough legit (college hitters) to consider."

Zack Cox figures to be one of a handful of college bats taken early this draft

Both Cox and Brentz figure to be Top 10 draft picks, but still some questions remain about their professional future.  For one, Cox is a draft eligible sophomore, which means he has the ability to return to college for his junior year if he does not like the offer he is getting from whatever team drafts him. 

As for Brentz, he hit 465/535/930 with 28 home runs and 19 doubles in 2009.  One special assistant of a team picking in the Top 10 said "we've already had conversations about this kid and our scouts love him. We're a little afraid he won't be available when we pick. That should tell you something."

The Rule 5 Draft was held today.  Here are the first round picks. Draft picks are listed by the team making the selection, player name and the team he was selected from.

As a reminder, players selected in the Rule 5 draft must remain on the 25-man roster the entire subsequent season or they are returned to the team from which they were taken.

1. New York Yankees* (from Washington): Jamie Hoffmann, Dodgers
2. Pittsburgh: John Raynor, Marlins
3. Texas^ (from Baltimore): Benjamin Snyder, Giants
4. Kansas City: Edgar Osuna, Braves
5. Cleveland: Hector Ambriz, Diamondbacks
6. Arizona: Zach Kroenke, Yankees
7. New York Mets: Carlos Monasterios, Phillies
8. Florida# (from Houston): Jorge Jiminez, Red Sox
9. San Diego: pass
10. Oakland: Bobby Cassevah, Angels
11. Toronto: Zech Zinicola, Nationals
12. Chicago White Sox: pass
13. Milwaukee: Chuck Lofgren, Indians
14. Chicago Cubs: Mike Parisi, Cardinals
15. Tampa Bay: Armando Zerpa, Red Sox
16. Seattle: Kanekoa Texeira, Yankees
17. Texas: pass
18. Florida: pass
19. San Francisco: Steve Johnson, Orioles
20. St. Louis: Ben Jukich, Reds
21. Colorado: pass
22. Philadelphia: Ken Herndon, Angels
23. Los Angeles Dodgers: pass
24. Boston: pass
25. Los Angeles Angels: pass
26. New York Yankees: pass

* Acquired from Nationals as part of Brian Bruney trade
^ Acquired from Baltimore as part of Kevin Millwood trade
# Acquired from Houston as part of Matt Lindstrom trade

The Tigers, Twins, Braves and Reds did not have picks because their 40 man roster was full.

The number 1 pick of the 2009 Rule 5 Draft, Jamie Hoffmann will now play all of 2010 on the Yankees 25-man roster

The Tigers payroll was over $115M in 2009 and despite a competitive playoff run to the very end of the season, the team is looking to pare down its payroll for 2010 and moving Miguel Cabrera could save the team a lot of money.  Detroit has already openly shopped outfielder Curtis Granderson ($23.75M left on his contract from 2010-2012) and pitcher Edwin Jackson (arbitration eligible and due for a big raise) and not recieved too many bites.  Cabrera's contract blows away that of Granderson and Jackson, as he's set to make the following in each year of his deal: 10:$20M, 11:$20M, 12:$21M, 13:$21M, 14:$22M, 15:$22M. 

Despite being owed $126M over the next six years, there will still be interest in Cabrera because of his immense productivity.  Some potentially interested teams include:

Red Sox: David Ortiz and Mike Lowell come off the books after 2010 and if the Red Sox can convince the Tigers to give them some financial relief in 2010, the money might work out.

Angels: When Cabrera was traded from Florida to Detroit, the Angels were heavily involved in the bidding and would be happy to take Cabrera now, two years later.

Mets: With Carlos Delgado's likely departure, the Mets have a hole at first base that Cabrera could fill.

White Sox: Similar to the Red Sox, the White Sox remove Paul Konerko from the books after 2010 and Cabrera would fill in nicely.

Giants: They are in desperate need of offense, but already have two big contracts in Barry Zito and Aaron Rowand and would need to put Pablo Sandoval somewhere.

Mariners: Resigning Felix Hernandez is their priority, but Cabrera would be a big addition to their anemic offense.

Braves: Much like the Giants, they could really use the offensive help, but may lack the financial flexilibity to bring on Cabrera.  Moving Derek Lowe or Javier Vazquez would allieviabe some financial constraints.

Financial reasons will force the Tigers to try and move Miguel Cabrera this off season

A number of Rays rumors to look at in Joe Smith's article from the St. Petersburg Times.

• The Rays would like to sign star outfielder Carl Crawford to a long term extension.  Crawford will likely make about $11.5M in 2010 with escalators and could command quite a bit on the open market.  There's word in the article that the Mets and Braves have expressed interest in acquiring Crawford if the Rays look to move him, however it is likely that almost every team in baseball would be interested.
• BJ Upton is rumored to be available and the Rangers and White Sox have already inquired.
• Smith feels like the Rays will be interested in signing Kevin Gregg or JJ Putz this off season.
• Gregg Zaun is currently a free agent, but the team might look to bring him back and try the Zaun/Dioner Navarro platoon that worked in 2009.

Carl Crawford will command a lot in a trade if the Rays are unable to extend him

In a move that is largely financially motivated - similar to the Marlins trading of Jeremy Hermida to the Red Sox - the Royals have sent outfielder/third baseman Mark Teahen to the White Sox for second baseman Chris Getz and third baseman Josh Fields, espn.com is reporting.

Much like with Jeremy Hermida, Teahen is a player who is entering arbitration and expected to make close to $5M. Because the combined salaries of Getz and Fields was less than $1M, the Royals have given the White Sox some cash considerations in the deal, though no figures have been disclosed.

Though Teahen can play both the outfield and third base, he prefers third base and will be slotted there by the White Sox. This will allow them to move rising star Gordon Beckham over to second base to fill in for the departed Getz.

The White Sox hope Mark Teahen can provide an offensive spark in 2010

The Chicago White Sox have declined their portion of Jermaine Dye's $12M 2010 option, espn.com is reporting. Dye's 2010 option was a mutual option, requiring both sides to pick up the option for it to kick in. While Dye did pick up the option, the White Sox have declined it, paying $1M to dye in the process. Dye now becomes an unrestricted free agent, who is eligible to sign with any team, including a possible re-signing with the White Sox.

Dye, 35, signed a two-year, $22 million extension late in the 2007 season. This year, Dye batted .250 with 27 home runs and 81 RBI in 141 games. Dye is considered a Type A free agent, meaning that if a team signs Dye for 2010, they will have to give up their #1 draft pick in the 2010 MLB Draft.

Jermaine Dye's decreased production in 2009 may have cost him a $12M contract in 2010

Below is a list of middle relievers that are eligible for free agency for the 2010 season, their age, current team, current contract and whether the player falls into a Type A or Type B free agent compensation status.

Free agent catchers
Free agent first basemen
Free agent second basemen
Free agent third basemen
Free agent shortstops
Free agent left fielders
Free agent center fielders
Free agent right fielders
Free agent starting pitchers
Free agent closers

Luis Ayala, 32, Marlins - 09:$1.3M
Danys Baez, 32, Orioles - 07:$4M, 08:$4.5M, 09:$5.5M
Joe Beimel, 32, Rockies - 09:$2M (Type B)
Joaquin Benoit, 32, Rangers - 08:$2M, 09:$3.5M
Rafael Betancourt, 35, Rockies - 08:$2.05M, 09:$3.35M, 10:$5.4M club option (Type A)
Chad Bradford, 35, Rays - 07:$3M, 08:$3.5M, 09:$3.5M
Doug Brocail, 43, Astros - 09:$2.5M (Type B)
Kiko Calero, 35, Marlins - 09:$500K (Type B)
Buddy Carlyle, 32, Braves - 09:$425K
Chad Cordero, 28, Mariners - 09:$750K
Elmer Dessens, 38, Mets - 09:$600K
R.A. Dickey, 35, Twins - 09:$525K
Brendan Donnelly, 38, Marlins - 09:$950K
Octavio Dotel, 36, White Sox - 08:$5M, 09:$6M (Type A)
Alan Embree, 40, Rockies - 09:$2M
Kelvim Escobar, 33, Angels - 07:$8.5M, 08:$9M, 09:$9.5M
Scott Eyre, 38, Phillies - 09:$2M (Type B)
Eric Gagne, 34, Brewers - 09:minor league contract
Geoff Geary, 33, Astros - 09:$1.7M
Dan Giese, 33, Athletics - 09:$422K
Edgar Gonzalez, 27, Padres - 09:$407K
Tom Gordon, 42, Diamondbacks - 09:$500K
John Grabow, 31, Cubs - 09:$2.3M (Type A)
Jason Grilli, 33, Rangers - 09:$800K
Eddie Guardado, 39, Rangers - 09:$1M
LaTroy Hawkins, 37, Astros - 09:$3.5M (Type A)
Mark Hendrickson, 36, Orioles - 09:$1.5M
Matt Herges, 40, Rockies - 09:minor league contract
Bobby Howry, 36, Giants - 09:$2.75M (Type B)
Jason Isringhausen, 37, Rays - 09:$750K
Masa Kobayashi, 36, Indians - 08:$3M, 09:$3M
Shane Loux, 30, Angels - 09:$405K
Brandon Lyon, 30, Tigers - 09:$4.25M (Type B)
Ron Mahay, 39, Twins - 08:$4M, 09:$4M
Gary Majewski, 30, Phillies - 09:minor league contract
Guillermo Mota, 36, Dodgers - 09:$2.35M (Type B)
Joe Nelson, 35, Rays - 09:$1.3M
Will Ohman, 31, Dodgers - 09:$1.35M (Type B)
Darren Oliver, 39, Angles - 09:$3.665M (Type A)
Chan Ho Park, 37, Phillies - 09:$2.5M (Type B)
Tony Pena Jr., 29, Royals - 09:$425K
Joel Peralta, 34, Rockies - 09:$640K
Troy Percival, 40, Rays - 08:$4M, 09:$4.445M
Scott Proctor, 33, Marlins - 09:$750K
JJ Putz, 33, Mets - 07:$2.2M, 08:$3.4M, 09:$5M
Horacio Ramirez, 30, Nationals - 09:$1.8M
Juan Rincon, 31, Rockies - 09:$750K
Glendon Rusch, 35, Rockies - 09:$750K
Takashi Saito, 40, Red Sox - 09:$4M, 10:$4M club option
Duaner Sanchez, 30, Padres - 09:$1.6875M
Scott Schoeneweis, 36, Diamondbacks - 07:$3.6M, 08:$3.6M, 09:$3.6M
Rudy Seanez, 41, Angels - 09:minor league contract
Brian Shouse, 41, Rays - 09:$1.55M (Type B)
Justin Speier, 36, Angels - 07:$3.75M, 08:$4.25M, 09:$4.75M
Russ Springer, 41, Rays - 09:$3.3M (Type B)
Ken Takahashi, 41, Mets - 09:minor league contract
Jack Taschner, 32, Phillies - 09:$835K
Julian Tavarez, 37, Nationals - 09:$500K
Ron Villone, 40, Nationals - 09:minor league contract
Luis Vizcaino, 35, Indians - 08:$3.5M, 09:$3.5M
Jamie Walker, 38, Orioles - 07:$3M, 08:$4.5M, 09:$4.5M
David Weathers, 40, Brewers - 09:$3.5M (Type B)
Jamey Wright, 35, Royals - 09:$800K
Yasuhiko Yabuta, 37, Royals - 08:$2.5M, 09:$3M
Tyler Yates, 32, Pirates - 09:$1.3M

Below is a list of starting pitchers that are eligible for free agency for the 2010 season, their age, current team, current contract and whether the player falls into a Type A or Type B free agent compensation status.

Free agent catchers
Free agent first basemen
Free agent second basemen
Free agent third basemen
Free agent shortstops
Free agent left fielders
Free agent center fielders
Free agent right fielders
Free agent middle relievers
Free agent closers

Brandon Backe, 32, Astros - 09:$1.55M
Miguel Batista, 39, Mariners - 07:$5.5M, 08:$9M, 09:$9M
Erik Bedard, 31, Mariners - 09:$7.75M (Type B)
Kris Benson, 34, Rangers - 09:$750K
Daniel Cabrera, 29, Diamondbacks - 09:$2.6M
Chris Capuano, 31, Brewers - 09:minor league contract
Aroldis Chapman, 22, No Team - No professional contracts
Bartolo Colon, 37, White Sox - 09:$1M
Jose Contreras, 38, Rockies - 07:$9M, 08:$10M, 09:$10M
Doug Davis, 34, Diamondbacks - 07:$5.5M, 08:$7.75M, 09:$8.75M (Type B)
Justin Duchscherer, 32, Athletics - (Type B)
Adam Eaton, 32, Rockies - 07:$6.875M, 08:$7.635M, 09:$8.5M, 10:$9M mutual option ($0.5M buyout)
Josh Fogg, 33, Rockies - 09:minor league contract
Jon Garland, 30, Dodgers - 09:$6.25M, 10:$10M mutual option ($2.5M buyout if club declines, $1M buyout if player declines) (Type B)
Tom Glavine, 44, Braves - 09:$1M
Mike Hampton, 37, Astros - 09:$2M
Rich Harden, 28, Cubs - 05:$0.5M, 06:$1M, 07:$2M 08:$4.5M, 09:$7M (Type B)
Mark Hendrickson, 36, Orioles - 09:$1.5M
Livan Hernandez, 35, Nationals - 09:minor league contract
Shawn Hill, 29, Nationals - 09:$775K
Jason Jennings, 31, Rangers - 09:$800K
Randy Johnson, 46, Giants - 09:$8M (Type B)
John Lackey, 31, Angels - 06:$3.01M, 07:$5.5M, 08:$7M, 09:$9M (Type A)
Cliff Lee, 31, Phillies - 06:$0.75M, 07:$2.75M, 08:$3.75M, 09:$5.75M, 10:$8M club option ($1M buyout) (Type A)
Braden Looper, 35, Brewers - 09:$4.75M, 10:$6.5M option ($1M buyout) (Type B)
Rodrigo Lopez, 34, Phillies - 09:minor league contract
Jason Marquis, 31, Rockies - 07:$4.75M, 08:$6.375M, 09:$9.875M (Type B)
Brett Myers, 29, Phillies - 07:$5M, 08:$8.5M, 09:$12M
Vicente Padilla, 32, Dodgers - 07:$9M, 08:$11M, 09:$12M (Type B)
Carl Pavano, 34, Twins - 09:$1.5M (Type B)
Brad Penny, 32, Giants - 09:$5M
Odalis Perez, 33, Nationals - 09:$850K
Andy Pettitte, 38, Yankees - 09:$5.5M (Type B)
Joel Pineiro, 31, Cardinals - 08:$5M, 09:$7.5M (Type B)
Sidney Ponson, 33, Royals - 09:$600K
Mark Prior, 28, Padres - 09:minor league contract
Horacio Ramirez, 30, Nationals - 09:$1.8M
Jason Schmidt, 37, Dodgers - 07:$12.5M, 08:$12M, 09:$12M
Ben Sheets, 31, No Team - 05:$4.5M, 06:$8.5M, 07:$10M, 08:$11M
John Smoltz, 43, Cardinals - 09:$400K
Brett Tomko, 37, Athletics - 09:minor league contract
Tim Wakefield, 43, Red Sox - 09:$4M, 10:$4M club option (Type B)
Jarrod Washburn, 35, Tigers - 06:$7.45M, 07:$9.85M, 08:$9.85M, 09:$10.35M
Todd Wellemeyer, 31, Cardinals - 09:$4.05M
Kip Wells, 33, Reds - 09:$500K
Randy Wolf, 33, Dodgers - 09:$5M (Type A)

Below is a list of right fielders that are eligible for free agency for the 2010 season, their age, current team, current contract and whether the player falls into a Type A or Type B free agent compensation status.

Free agent catchers
Free agent first basemen
Free agent second basemen
Free agent third basemen
Free agent shortstops
Free agent left fielders
Free agent center fielders
Free agent starting pitchers
Free agent middle relievers
Free agent closers

Jermaine Dye, 36, White Sox - 08:$9.5M, 09:$11.5M (Type A)
Brian Giles, 39, Padres - 06-08:$9M annually, 09:$9M club option ($3M buyout) (Type B)
Vladimir Guerrero, 34, Angels - 04:$10M, 05:$11.5M, 06:$12.5M, 07:$13.5M, 08:$14.5M, 09:$15M club option ($3M buyout) (Type A)
Eric Hinske, 32, Yankees - 09:$1.5M
Geoff Jenkins, 35, Phillies - 08:$5M, 09:$6.75M, 10:$7.5M mutual option ($1.25M buyout)
Gabe Kapler, 34, Rays - Signed a one year, $1.05M contract for 2010
Austin Kearns, 30, Nationals - 07:$3.5M, 08:$5M, 09:$8M
Jason Michaels, 34, Astros - 09:$750K
Xavier Nady, 31, Yankees - 09:$56.55M (Type B)
Randy Winn, 36, Giants - 07:$4M, 08:$8M, 09:$8.25M (Type B)

Bobby Abreu while playing with the Venezulan National Team

Below is a list of center fielders that are eligible for free agency for the 2010 season, their age, current team, current contract and whether the player falls into a Type A or Type B free agent compensation status.

Free agent catchers
Free agent first basemen
Free agent second basemen
Free agent third basemen
Free agent shortstops
Free agent left fielders
Free agent right fielders
Free agent starting pitchers
Free agent middle relievers
Free agent closers

Rick Ankiel, 30, Cardinals - 09:$2.825M
Rocco Baldelli, 28, Red Sox - 09:$500K
Marlon Byrd, 32, Rangers - 09:$3.06M (Type B)
Mike Cameron, 37, Brewers - 08:$5M, 09:$10M club option ($0.75M buyout) (Type B)
Endy Chavez, 32, Mariners - 08:$1.8M, 09:$2.05M
Coco Crisp, 30, Royals - 07:$3.5M, 08:$4.75M, 09:$5.75M
Darin Erstad, 36, Astros - 09:$1.75M
Ryan Freel, 34, Orioles - 08:$3M, 09:$4M
Reed Johnson, 33, Cubs - 09:$3M
Andruw Jones, 33, Rangers - 09:$500K
Gabe Kapler, 34, Rays - Signed a one year, $1.05M contract for 2010
Mark Kotsay, 34, White Sox - 09:$1.5M
Corey Patterson, 30, Brewers - 09:minor league contract
Scott Podsednik, 34, White Sox - 09:minor league contract
DeWayne Wise, 32, White Sox - 09:$550K

Rick Ankiel of the St. Louis Cardinals