Kenny Williams Rumors

In a move that had been widely speculated about for the past few days, the Chicago White Sox claimed Alex Rios off of waivers today and the Blue Jays let him go without compensation. 

Once the White Sox had claimed Rios, the Blue Jays had three options.  First, they could pull him off of waivers and no transaction would take place.  Second, they could negotiate a trade with the White Sox and receive some compensation for Rios.  Third, they could simply let Rios go to the White Sox.

The Jays chose the third option because this allowed them to rid themselves of Rios' massive contract.  Rios is owed $63.2M from 2010 through 2014 along with a $13.5M club option or $1M buyout for 2015.  The White Sox will also pay the $1.9M remaining on Rios' 2009 payment.

Jermaine Dye called the move "a shock."  There's now speculation as to what Dye's roll will be in the White Sox crowded outfield.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports feels that the Jays have managed their payroll to be able to add a contract like Rios'.

White Sox GM Kenny Williams had attempted to acquire Rios before the deadline as well.

Plenty of news, rumor and commentary links to pass along

• Troy Glaus could be a decent option for a team looking for a first base or DH.  He does not figure to have a spot on the Cardinals.
• The Phillies need pitching, but is much available?  Not really.
• Giants general manager Brian Sabean has a "narrow list" of players he's interested - primarily right handed bats - but concedes that he's unlikely to get anything done until closer to the deadline.
• Trading Juan Pierre for Jarrod Washburn would not work for the Mariners because of Pierre's contract.  The Dodgers could make it work however.
• Brewers general manager Doug Melvin does not want to continue to trade prospects for pitching.
• The Cubs have signed their first round pick, Brett Jackson.
• Peter Schmuck of The Baltimore Sun suggests a few moves for the Orioles.
• The White Sox will not be sellers at the trade deadline according to general manager Kenny Williams.

We had a number of sons and relatives selected in the draft this past week.

• Carlos Beltran's cousin, Reymond Fuentes, was picked by the Red Sox.
• Boston also took Carl Yastrzemski's grandson, Michael Yastrzemski.
• Dodgers owner Frank McCourt's son, Gavin McCourt was picked up by the Red Sox.  However, Scott Boras, will not represent him.
• The Orioles selected Mike Flacco the brother of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.
• Robert Amaro, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro was drafted by the Phillies.
• The Cubs grabbed Joey Jocketty, the son of Reds general manager Walt Jocketty.
• The Tigers added another Porcello: Rick's brother Jake Porcello.
• Muhammad Ali's son, Asaad Ali, was taken by the Angels in the 40th round.
• The White Sox drafted general manager Kenny Williams son, Tyler Williams and Harold Baines Jr.
  

For picks 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20 and 27-32 click on the links.

7:49pm With the 21st pick of the 2009 MLB Draft the Houston Astros select Jiovanni Mier.  The Twins are on the clock.

7:51pm Baseball Rumor Mill Best Available: Jared Mitchell, Tanner Scheppers, Kyle Gibson

7:53pm It's getting difficult to predict picks here because the draft has been a bit jumbled.  My guess is the Twins take Scheppers.  He's been playing in Minnesota for the last year anyway.

7:54pm With the 22nd pick of the 2009 MLB Draft the Minnesota Twins select Kyle Gibson.  The Chicago White Sox are on the clock.

7:55pm I love this pick.  Everyone knows about the stress fracture in his right arm which affected his end of season performance, but so long as the injury is not serious long term, they're getting a Top 10, maybe Top 5 pick at #21.

7:56pm What will be interesting going forward is seeing where Jared Mitchell goes.  He's been splitting time between baseball and football at LSU and I love the athleticism which is why I have him as my best available player.  However, it's obviously a pure upside pick.

7:57pm The White Sox have been rumored to be interested in position players, I wonder if they'd be excited by Mitchell's upside.  He seems like general manager Kenny Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen's type of player.

7:58pm With the 23rd pick of the 2009 MLB Draft the Chicago White Sox select Jared Mitchell.  The Angels are now on the clock for two picks.

7:59pm It's no surprise that I like this pick.  Harold Reynolds informs us that Kenny Williams played two sports in college as well.  The pick makes even more sense.

8:01pm Baseball Rumor Mill Best Available: Tanner Scheppers, Rex Brothers, Wil Myers.

8:03pm With the 24th pick of the 2009 MLB Draft the Los Angeles Angels select Randal Grichuk.  The Angels remain on the clock.

8:04pm Everyone knows that the Angels love high school players so where the player came from is not much of a surprise.  What is a surprise is that they passed up guys like Everett Williams, Mike Trout and Reymond Fuentes.

8:05pm I like Tyler Skaggs or Garrett Gould with this next pick for the Angels.

8:08pm With the 25th pick of the 2009 MLB Draft, the Los Angeles Angels select Mike Trout.  The Milwaukee Brewers are now on the clock.

8:09pm Fun scene at the draft with Trout in attendance.  I think this is going to be the future of the draft in years to come as it gains steam.  Harold Reyonlds tells us that they asked every player in the country to come to the draft and Trout was the only one who said yes.  I have a feeling that's going to change with the face time Trout just got.

8:13pm With the 26th pick of the 2009 MLB Draft, the Milwaukee Brewers select Eric Arnett.  The Mariners are on the clock.

Jake Peavy has enacted his no trade clause and rejected a deal that would have sent him to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for four players. "As of right now, this is the best place for us to be. We made that decision for the time being," Peavy said before Thursday night's game against San Francisco. The deal would have sent Peavy to Chicago and prospects Clayton Richard and Aaron Poreda and two other prospects to San Diego.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports says that he would not have gone to the White Sox either.

For a recap of Peavy's press conference, click here.

White Sox general manager Kenny Williams is undeterred by Peavy's rejection and says that the club will continue to compete to win a championship.

Let's look through Jon Heyman's latest post:

• Heyman quotes a GM as believing that players never leave money on the table to take a smaller offer.  This seems to be in reference to the wildly held belief that CC Sabathia will ultimately accept the highest offer, likely from the Yankees.
• The Orioles are still interested in Manny Ramirez.  Why is anyone's guess, however...
• Trade talks involving Russell Martin do not seem to have much merit.
• White Sox general manager, Kenny Williams, is listening to offers for Bobby Jenks and is also rumored to have suitors for Javier Vazquez and Paul Konerko.

Buster Olney of espn.com broke down the possible free agent destinations for second baseman Orlando Hudson:

• The Mets are assumed to be looking to get rid of Luis Castillo this off season. If Castillo departs, Hudson would fit into the Mets open second base position nicely. Beyond his on-field abilities, Hudson figures to be a great clubhouse presence with younger stars like Jose Reyes and would help bare the media burden with David Wright and Carlos Beltran.
• The White Sox are rumored to be moving Alexi Ramirez to shortstop to replace the departing Orlando Cabrera and Hudson would be a great fit to replace Ramirez at second base. Hudson also fills an expressed need of general manager Kenny Williams: improve teams athleticism and reduce dependence on home runs.
• The Indians could move Asdrubal Cabrera to shortstop and Jhonny Peralta to third to make room for Hudson.
• If the Angels feel that Howie Kendrick is not getting it done at second base, Los Angeles could be a destination for Hudson.
• The Cubs tried to acquire Brian Roberts last winter, but lacked the prospects to get it done.  Signing Hudson would get them a second baseman like Roberts, but without having to trade anyone.
• The Adam Kennedy era in St. Louis is over.  Hudson would be a good replacement for a team looking to spend money.
• The Reds could consider moving Brandon Phillips to shortstop and signing Hudson to play second.
• If the Yankees trade Robinson Cano they're expected to make a run at Hudson to replace him. 
• The Diamondbacks are expected to look at other less expensive alternatives at second base. 

Here's a look at some odds and ends:

• David O'Brien takes a look into whether the Braves could trade for Jake Peavy. Yesterday we evaluated the Red Sox and Yankees chances at acquiring Peavy.
• The White Sox led baseball in 2008 in terms % of runs scored on home runs. General manager Kenny Williams does not want that to be a trend and will look to balance the lineup for 2009.
• Either Orlando Cabrera or Nick Swisher (or both) will not be back in 2009.
• Rick Peterson is being considered for the Pirates pitching coach position.
• Mike Mussina is still debating what his plans are for 2009.
• The Astros are not expected to make a lot of noise during the 2009 off season.
• Josh Bard was cut by the Padres.
• Curt Schilling is considering returning to the baseball for the second half of 2009.

Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman gives us his thoughts on how the options for some high priced big names will play out.

• The Mets have to pick up the option on Carlos Delgado ($16M vesting, $12M club)
• Jason Giambi gets bought out by the Yankeees for $5M ($21M option)
• White Sox general manager Kenny Williams lets Ken Griffey Jr. go for $4M ($16M option)
• Picking up Vladimir Guerrero for $15M is an easy call
• While $14M for Garrett Anderson is too much ($3M buyout)
• Is it even worth discussing whether the Yankees will buy out Carl Pavano for $1.95M ($13M option)
• Edgar Renteria didn't hate Boston, he hates the American League. Tigers easily buy him out for $3M ($12M option)
• Injury concerns are strong, but for $12M the Braves bring John Smoltz back.
• Mike Cameron has his 25-game drug suspension behing him and for $10M for 2009, the Brewers will have him back ($750K buyout)
• At $9M per year, the Angeles would surely keep John Lackey around indefinitely, if they could ($500K buyout)
• Much like Smolty, injuries are a concern with Brad Penny, but the Dodgers keep the pitcher for $9.25M ($2M buyout)
• Carl Crawford, despite his injury, is an easy call at $8.25M for 2009. Especially with a $2.5M buyout.

Buster Olney of espn.com incorrectly reported that the period to claim Jarrod Washburn off of waivers would end yesterday.  He is now saying that the deadline is today and the Yankees are not expected to claim the righty.

Mark Gonzalez extrapolates from White Sox general manager Kenny Williams that Washburn would not work out in Chicago and will not be claimed.  Seems like a pretty decent assumption to make as well as an accurate analysis of Washburn's pitching in US Cellular Field.