Category: Hot Stove

Latest Sox trade nets Swish

The Cubs had solved their outfield situation with the acquisition of Kosuke Fukudome but it was up in the air what the Sox were going to do about their outfileld problem… until today. 

The White Sox sent three prospects to the Oakland A’s for the services of outfielder Nick Swisher.  The three prospects are pitchers Gio Gonzalez and Fautino De Los Santos and outfielder Ryan Sweeney. 

I have always liked Swisher.  To me, his style is a throwback to generation ago.  On a good day, he reminds me of Jeff Burroughs (before he sorta petered out) and on his bad days he’s like a Rob Deer.  He has potential for power though last year he only mustered 22 dingers.  One plus for Nick… he’s not afraid to take a walk. 

By the way, switch-hitting Swisher is a Big Ten alum.  He hails from Ohio State.  Don’t hold it against him, Illini fans.

If I were a Sox fan, I might be a little concerned about letting Gio Gonzalez go.  The White Sox acquired Gio in the Freddie Garcia trade with the Phils.  Back then, I heard that Gonzalez was the real deal just that needed some time.  Since then, he’s been tearing up AA and only getting better.  Maybe some Sox fans might want to chime in with their opinion on that. 

Does this put the Sox back on the right track for 08?  Well, it’s a good start.  Just don’t give up the farm.

Padres take chance on Prior

The San Diego Padres have signed local product Mark Prior to a one-year contract worth $1 million plus incentives. 

Sure, I’d love to say that the Padres are crazy for signing the oft-injured right-hander who hasn’t given the Cubs any good output since 2003 but in reality the deal looks solid for both parties involved. 

One million dollars is chump change and the Padres won’t miss that.  If the incentives factor in (I don’t think the details are out) and they have to pony up, well, then Prior must have done something right.  Money aside, the most valuable thing that the Pads are giving up is a roster spot.  Assuming, they are lucky enough to use him. 

From Prior’s perspective, San Diego is the place to go.  He’s going to his boyhood home.  He pitched at University of San Diego High School.  Also, he’s going to pitch along with the best including former teammate Greg Maddux not to mention 2007 Cy Young unam Jake Peavy. 

That all said, I  don’t foresee another breakout year by him. The percentages are too much against him.  It’s said that he won’t be ready till May.  My bet is that it will be later than that. 

By the way, Baseball Musings’ David Pinto wrote an article for The Sporting News on the Prior acquisition by the Padres putting a historical spin on the signing.

Alexei Ramírez comes to the Southside

The White Sox signed Cuban infielder/outfielder Alexei Ramirez to a four year $4.75 million dollar deal. Alexei’s natural position is SS, but that’s Orlando Cabrera’s spot. Ramirez can also play 2B & CF, both positions are wide open. He had 20 homers to lead Cuba in that category before going to the Dominican Republic. This guy is not a base stealer and cannot be considered as a leadoff candidate. He’s no Fukadome, but still a good signing.

Haren’s a Fan

The concept of the baseball player as a baseball fan has always intrigued me.  A lot of players choose not to follow baseball news even to point that they don’t keep up with what the pundits are saying about them.  I don’t necessarily blame them.  Some in the sports media can be jerks, let’s face it. 

That said, it’s obvious from Danny Haren’s press conference in Arizona that he is quite a fan of the game and that’s refreshing to see.  Not only does he love the game but he follows it quite closely.

You can hear his press conference courtesy of MLB.com. 

Prior Interest

markprior

(Photo:Simmons/News)

While the Cubs may have given up on Mark Prior (not a difficult decision, but an “unfortunate” one, Hendry says) other teams might be willing to take the bait.  As many as twelve teams have expressed some sort of interest in the oft-injured, once-phenom. 

The Houston Astros have made an undisclosed offer.  In addition, the Nationals, Cardinals, Padres and even the Yankees and Mets have shown interest. 

I think this shows the state of good quality pitching in the majors.  Prior isn’t even throwing yet and probably won’t be ready for prime time till May. 

Prior, Cubs part ways

The Chicago Cubs released Mark Prior today.   Prior, who was eligible for arbitration, now becomes a free agent.  Talks with the Cubs have been stalled lately mostly over the option for a second year. 

I’ll be honest, I’ve never been a huge Mark Prior fan.  Throughout his five and half years (and 42 wins) here, the Cubs have marketed him to us as someone for us to rely on.  When I look at him, I see a pitcher who came into this league with tremendous potential but only had one solid (maybe two, if you want to call 27 starts and 11 wins solid) season.

So I’m not crying too many tears for Prior though I wish him the best of luck.  In hindsight, I wish the Cubs would have taken advantage of his market value… when he had market value. 

Rowand to Giants: What now, Sox?

It’s been reported that Aaron Rowand has been signed by the San Francisco Giants.  It is believed to be a five year contract worth $90 million.  White Sox fans can cross him off their Christmas list to Santa Claus cuz he’s headed West. 

The South Side Sox has a (pre-Rowand deal) article suggesting a few ideas for what the Sox could do about their predicament in centerfield. 

"Hello Mike Cameron? Ryan Sweeney? Alexei Ramirez? Corey Patterson? Kenny Lofton? Jerry Owens? Brian Anderson?"

We talked about this during our last show and resident Sox fan CLuke seemed to think that of all the possibilities,  Rowand was the favorite among White Sox fans. 

What happens now that he is no longer available? From the comments at South Side Sox, it looks like fans are looking toward Jerry Owens.

Hot Stove APBA-Style

We’re not done with our season in our Illowa APBA League but seeing that the MLB campaign is over, that doesn’t prevent our trading from commencing. 

After recording Show #35 of Baseball Zealot Radio, Todd and I got talking and we ended up making a trade.  A real blockbuster I tell ya.  I sent Juan Uribe to him for Ray Durham.  Ironically, the subject of Uribe came up during the show and Todd went on a rant about how he would never want him on the Pirates.  Guess he fits ok on his Three Rivers Gamblers, eh?

To be fair, Uribe would only be playing 10-15 games for Todd.  Same for Durham who is backing up Orlando Hudson for me. 

I got thinking about it and I realized that this is the second time that Durham has been involved in a trade with Todd after recording a BZR show.  Last winter, we traded Durham for a draft pick. 

I emailed Todd back and told him that if you take out the Durham factor, this is kinda like me trading him Uribe for a draft pick. 

Maybe he likes Uribe more than he thinks.