The future of Rios
The White Sox probably cannot get Halladay unless they part with Gordon Beckham, who appeals to the Jays as a shortstop. But another Jays player, right fielder Alex Rios, long has intrigued the Sox, sources say.

The teams have not recently discussed Rios, but the idea could become more attractive to the Sox if left fielder Carlos Quentin fails to make an adequate recovery from plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

Rios, 27, would play center for the Sox under that scenario, with Scott Podsednik remaining in left. True, Rios is guaranteed approximately $60 million from 2010 to '14. But the Jays could assume some of that burden to receive better prospects — and the White Sox are on the verge of gaining financial flexibility.

Designated hitter Jim Thome ($13 million), right fielder Jermaine Dye ($11.5 million) and right-hander Jose Contreras ($10 million) are in the final years of their contracts, and first baseman Paul Konerko ($12 million) has one year remaining.


Alex Rios' huge contract may not scare the White Sox. (Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)

Rios is a gifted defender, and his offensive numbers profile better in center than in right. He has a full no-trade clause through next season, and the Jays are reluctant to sell low on him.

If Rios remains with the Jays, he eventually figures to swap positions with center fielder Vernon Wells. Advanced metrics show that Wells' defense is in sharp decline.

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If the Sox trade Beckham, they are idiots.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

I blame the fans for not filling the seats and giving the Sox money for these big name guys.

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Yes,........Unless they win the 2009 World Series.

With or without Beckham, I really don't see that happening.

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They can't trade Beckham. Josh Fields at 3B again is NOT an option. If they can't get a deal done with Poreda/Richard/Jordan Danks then oh well.

How many more years does Halladay project to be a #1 starter?

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I ate a lot of humble pie when I counted out the Bears getting Jay Cutler. This time, I'm reasonably sure that Roy Halladay won't be coming to the White Sox. The Cardinals & Phillies are believed to be leading contenders for the Toronto righthander and both teams may have the young prospects the Blue Jays want in return. The Sox don't have nearly the prospects the Jays are looking for, and Gordon Beckham is NOT an option.

In order to take on $60 million in contract for a good but not great ballplayer? No way.

If the Jays don't eat half of that contract they get a low level prospect. If they do, the can have some pedestrian prospect like Fields. Either way, this is a salary dump for the Jays and I would not be looking to give in to them.

By the way, how does KW have money for an $11 million OF and not for a $14 million pitcher? I say something big is in the works.

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And men have lost their reason.

Sorry, I was talking about Halladay. I wouldn't trade Beckham for Halladay. It defeats the purpose if you have to include key pieces of your team. If they can't get it done with kids then move on to the next starter. I wouldn't touch Rios with a 10 foot pole. He doesn't have the fire or passion.

I think Kenny will make a move too.

I think that given the favorable conversion rate, Beckham would probably only make 1 error per game in Canada as opposed to the 2 per game he makes in the US.

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That's the big problem with a Hallday trade. I don't doubt that Williams can pull off a trade, but I doubt Halladay is going to stick around on a 3 year deal (maybe 4) when he's getting 5 on the open market. So, the Sox, in all probability, would have to move 3 or 4 top prospects for a guy who will be here for 1 season, and a few months.

Halladay will go to red Sox. They have some great yong talent ready to go. Bucholtz for example.

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BigFan, I'm not so sure about that, considering that the Red Sox and Blue Jays are in the same division in the American League East. With the exception of the Pittsburgh Pirates, I don't think teams usually deal from within. Then again, Boston does have some players on in the minors who could be wearing a big league uniform sooner rather than later...

Beckham is a special talent, as a hitter. But his fielding skills, whether at SS (in the minors) or at 3B, are not real good. I could see where they might consider a move, but if he were on my team, I would rather try to find a position he can play well. Maybe like Braun, he could be switched to LF. Or maybe in time his defense will improve enough. But that team has too many players that are below average on defense. When you look at that left side of the infield, between Beckham and Ramirez....

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Go Cubs!!!!

I wouldn't worry too much about Beckham's defense. He seems to be athletic enough where he can improve his defensive skills. Plus playing an unfamiliar position doesn't help.

Ventura was a hack his first year with the sox, then became a gold glover. Mark Grace made a considerable amount of errors his first year, then became a gold glove caliber first baseman.

Jesus, Bigfan. You really are a fucking idiot. The reason that Halladay is on the market is that the BJs are out of the race. The reason that they are out of the race is that they cannot compete with the Red Sox and Yankees. Do you really think that they are going to trade one of the best pitchers in the game to the Red Sox, thus exacerbating their predicament? Maybe you should forget about forecasting baseball trades and just stick to making up stories about celebrities that you hang out with.