White Sox Have Targeted Colby Rasmus
By Mike Axisa [October 30 at 8:38am CST]
Kenny Williams is certainly no stranger to blockbuster trades, and a source tells Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times that the White Sox general manager has targeted Cardinals outfielder Colby Rasmus. Williams is said to be willing to part with Carlos Quentin to acquire the young center fielder.

"It was obvious that [the Cardinals] were paying extra attention to Quentin at the end of the season, so this might have been something that was already talked about,'' says Cowley's source.

The 24-year-old Rasmus reportedly demanded a trade earlier this summer after which his rift with manager Tony LaRussa was made public, though he later denied that claim. GM John Mozeliak has said repeatedly that he will not trade his youngest regular, but you have to assume that he'd at least listen to any offers made. Rasmus hit .276/.361/.498 with 23 homers in 534 plate appearances this year, and UZR likes his defense: +2.6 over the last two seasons.

Quentin, 28, hit .243/.342/.479 in 527 plate appearances this year, though he missed a big chunk of the 2009 season with plantar fasciitis and is an awful defensive player (-40.6 UZR over the last three years). The salaries don't line up here, which would be one hurdle if the two clubs do pursue a deal. Rasmus is still a year away from arbitration eligibility (four years from free agency) while Quentin earned $3.2MM in 2010, his first year of arb eligibility (two years from free agency).

If Williams makes a run at Rasmus, he's going to have plenty of competition. Earlier this month we heard that several teams, including the Braves, Blue Jays, and Diamondbacks have interest in acquiring Alabama's high school single season homerun record holder. Ben Nicholson-Smith recently put together a list of potential trade destinations for Rasmus, though more than 57% of MLBTR readers would not trade him based on last month's poll.

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Nice Guys Finish Last

Thank you,and have a nice day !

Love it. Not only is it a HUGE upgrade in defense Rasmus would add a left handed power bat to the middle of the order. Get it done, Kenny!

Rasmus is gonna be one of the best hitters in baseball. LaRussa is gonna regret this one.

yeah right. Quentin for Rasmus! Please.

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Proud to be UNVERIFIED.

They have no reason to trade a talent that is this young. Drinky Tony is there for 1 more year while Rasmus could be there for a decade.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

The Cards very well may trade Rasmus, but I don't think they will want Quentin in return or him.

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

That's just crazy talk.. you don't trade a young, power hitting glove guy at a premium position that is cost controlled for at least several seasons. Certainly not for a DH type who is 4 years older and making more $$. If they want to throw Danks (not Jordan) in the deal you might have a discussion.

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1926-1931-1934-1942-1944-1946-1964-1967-1982-2006-2011

Unless the best player and best manager in baseball happen to be with the same team and they hate his fucking guts.

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