White Sox look to shake up team; Mets a match?
Views13246Comments9Posted by: Jon Heyman12:43 PM ET 11.28 Share
The White Sox should be one of the more interesting teams this winter, as they appear to be one contending team taking offers on some of their better players, including outfielder Jermaine Dye, closer Bobby Jenks and pitcher Javier Vazquez. Sox GM Ken Williams has historically been the most aggressive GM, and word is that he and manager Ozzie Guillen would like to make the team younger and faster.

The Mets are a team that could use all three of those Sox players. However, talks with the South Siders have been slow. While the White Sox presumably have some interest in the Mets' top four prospects -- outfielder Fernandez Martinez and pitchers Jon Niese, Bobby Parnell and Eddie Kunz -- teams that have dealt with the Mets say the team from Queens is clutching tightly to them, leading to speculation they are more likely to fill their needs via free agency. While Jenks and Dye would help any team, the Mets don't appear to covet Vazquez, an innings eater who is drawing interest from other National League clubs.

The Reds have shown an interest in Dye, and the report in WCKY in Cincinnati that a deal of hard-throwing pitching prospect Homer Bailey and another prospect for Dye was discussed has not been denied. Bailey's stock has to be down, but the Sox are one team that seems to be able to harness the talents of hard throwers (see Jenks and Matt Thornton).

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Sox do need to reload their minor leagues and if they feel that the older guys they got aren't going to get it done in the next year or two, they should see what they could get for them. Dye, Vasquez, Thome and Konerko could be valuable to somebody who needs to fill a hole or two. I don't know if any of them could lead a team to a title, and that's what the Sox would need from them.

Sorry to disappoint you, but if what I saw & read on ESPNEWS tonight is accurate, Bobby Jenks isn't relocating to Queens, NY. Not only does White Sox pitching coach, the Jerry Lawler-looking Don Cooper feel Jenks is staying put, but there's word that one of the big free agent prizes of the offseason will soon be taken. ESPN's Peter Gammons reports tonight that the Mets are confident they'll sign record-breaking closer Frankie Rodriguez to a three-year deal now that the Anaheim Angels have all but broken off talks with the guy who saved 62 of their games this past season. Gammons also reports that there NOT one other team in the market for "K-Rod's" services.

Makes sense to deal Dye, as he's an older player, but still has value and CAN be traded. Konerko has a no-trade and Thome really has no great value, even if they could trade him, as his contract is too rich, for the numbers he produces these days. The White Sox are rebuilding, with Ramirez and Viciedo. Guys who make big coin and are older, it makes sense to deal. It's gonna take a few years for them to get rid of the old, slow, base-cloggers. But by the time they are all gone the younger players should be playing well and there will be lots more money to spend. I expect Kenny to be spending very little this off season and trying to dump as many high priced, older players as he can. If they can get a box of baseballs for Vasquez, Kenny should make the deal, just to be rid of that contract.

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Dye and Vazquez make some good coin. This is the reason they are being traded. Yes, other reasons exist and part of the bigger picture, but the primary reason these players are being moved is that they make too much money for this team to afford. Similar to Carlos Lee being moved, I expect Kenny to try and find a speedy RF who he hopes to get a year or 2 out of.

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They have shed nearly 25 million from the payroll with the loss of Cabrera, Swisher, Crede and Uribe. They are not looking to dump salaries.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
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I would hate to see Dye go. The guy can't run anymore, but still plays a solid RF and of the big 3 (Thome, Konerko, Dye) he is without question the most consistent hitter.

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I agree. Kenny is simply looking to get younger. This is an older team that probably won't get any better as-is. The White Sox have a nice top of the rotation with Buerhle, Denks, and Floyd, but the lineup is old/slow, and the bullpen is a disaster. The minor league system is slowly coming back, but that will take time. If he can trim payroll and, at the same time, get younger players on the verge of the majors, this team will be better off.

I'd love to move Thome or Konerko, but we are probably stuck with both. Dye has the most value, and now's the time to move him - while he is coming off a good year, and before he breaks down.

Vazquez isn't being overpaid though. He still is going to give you 200 innings, and be amongst the lead leaders in strikeouts. He isn't a #1 or #2, but on a good team, is a really nice #4 starter.

Agreed - Kenny is rebuilding right in front of our eyes. I'm sure he wants/expects to win in 2009, but it's going to be done with a younger group.

Agreed, and I understand the reasoning behind it. Thome will not be moved, but Konerko probably could be, and I would think there are a handful of teams he would waive his no trade clause to play for.

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Kyle Loshe signed a 4yr/$41 mil deal then Dempster signed a 4yr/$52 mil deal. After a couple more free agent goofs sign ridiculous contracts Javy's 2yr/$23 mil is going to look pretty good to some GM's who missed out. The fact that Kenny didn't back load his contract makes Javy even more of a value. If Kenny decides to move him he will get a very nice return.

I think Konerko is stuck here. He's making $12 million for 2 more seasons, and is coming off 2 straight subpar years. I've heard he would allow a trade to West Coast teams like the Angels....Arizona would probably work as well.

Agreed. A team like Milwaukee wouldn't surprise me if they lose both Sabathia and Sheets.

I would want Konerko traded first if I was a sox fan but as far as Dye...Kenny "Steve Harvey" Williams has a real good record of selling high on guys. Dye is obviously on the decline due to age and you got a hell of a lot out of the guy (WSMVP). It may be time to sell.

I would prefer trading all 3 of those guys, but that's not going to happen. Dye is the most productive, and has the best contract remaining of the three. Time for him to go.

How is he 'obviously' on the decline?? He'll only be 35 next season and he hit .292 34 HR's 96 RBI and an .885 OPS. Dye has at least 3 more highly productive seasons in him. I understood wanting to trade him before they traded Swisher but now I see NO reason to do it.

Well as you said Hes 35. 35 yr olds who arent on Elk Semen steroid cocktails dont usually get better.

No one is expecting him to 'get better'. What he needs to do is keep producing like he has during his 4 seasons with the Sox and I think he'll be able to do that for at least a few more seasons.

I disagree.

Talk to me about this 'salary dump' stuff after the offseason.

White Sox fans were seen on the ledge of tall buildings after they missed out on Torii Hunter and 'the grinder' Aaron Rowand last year. in hindsight... get yer asses back in the building.

We've discussed this Jim. Sox fans would have been correct in being on the ledge over Hunter. He would have made all the difference in the world last year.

But I do agree, you have to let a KW off season play out until the very end before you analyze it.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

+1. Sometimes, you even have to let part of the season play out before you analyze...case and point, the 2008 Sox.

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