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Thursday, August.08, 2013

You almost have to be bitter about the Sox recently sweeping the New York Yankees. While it was fun to do, and booing A – Rod was right up the Southsiders alley, this team just put itself too many wins away from the Astros from the 1st overall pick in 2014. They should extremely active in the August Trade Market – and perhaps the offseason. It is time for the rebuild to commence!  Chicago enters play today at 43 – 69, tied with the Marlins for the 2nd worst record in the MLB.  This was a team that was within a week of playing in the Post Season in 2012.  A major shakeup is needed in going forward.

1st part by Brian Madsen (MLB Reports White Sox Correspondent Follow @brianm731

It was all but certain that the White Sox were going to be sellers come the trade deadline in 2013.

The question was, were they selling everybody? Well, they didn’t trade everybody, but they still traded more players than they have during a season in recent memory.

And, there could be more to come during the August waiver period.

Matt Thornton was the first to go, traded to the Boston Red Sox for the young Brandon Jacobs. A staple in the White Sox bullpen since 2006, Thornton was a quality reliever for quite a while.

And he has fit in just fine in the Boston bullpen, accumulating a 2.70 ERA since his acquisition.

The second chip to fall was the still-DLed Jesse Crain. Crain was sent to the Tampa Bay Rays in a very unique “player-to-be-named” scenario.

Crain was named to the All-Star team despite being on the DL. Unable to participate due to injury, Crain still made the trip to New York for All-Star weekend.The man’s numbers this year have been superb. He’s posted a 0.74 ERA in 36 2/3 innings. Assuming Crain’s health returns this season, he could be a key addition to Tampa’s already quality bullpen. Depending on his health going forward, the Sox will be able to select from a certain pool of players from Tampa’s farm system to complete the trade. The Canadian has been a solid contributor to the Sox pen for 3 years, but none being as good as 2013.

State of the White Sox:

(By MLB Reports Writer Jordan Gluck) Follow @jgluck777

Kenny Williams got promoted during the offseason & Rick Hahn became the official GM which means he will be the one to have to take out the mop and clean up Kenny’s mess.

The team has the second worst record in the majors currently with a .384 winning percentage and arguably the worst farm system in the majors.

This will not be a fast project for Rick Hahn to complete – but if the cards are played right the entire franchise can successfully be turned around.

Peavy was 58-33 between the years of 2004 – 2007 and lead the NL in ERA for the 2004 and 2007 years. Peavy won the NL CY Young in 2007 for the Padres. The Sox never saw that pitcher, as he went 36 – 29. with a 4.00 ERA in 4 injury – riddled years with Chicago. He was traded as part of a 3 way trade during the Deadline last week.

First look at the major league roster & what pieces they can or should move:

Dunn was Comeback Player of The Year for 2012 – when he clubbed 41 HRs. He started this season abysmally – but has turned it around. Month by Month OPS: APR (.617). MAY (.650), JUNE (.996), JULY (.966), incredibly he is making great contact (only SO 56 times in his last 58 games – that is outstanding for him). He could really help a team despite hit $20 MIL Salary left on his salary for 2013 ($5 MIL approx – and ($15 MIL in 2014).

Adam Dunn – 15M next season  Can be a good DH boost for a contender & depending on salary eaten will determine the quality of prospect returned.

Alex Rios – 13M next season plus club option for the 2015. Can be moved in August and should return an above average prospect or two depending on $ eaten.

Alexei Ramirez– 9.5M, 10M a quality shortstop that can bring back some real pieces I think it would be really stupid not to move him soon.

Alejandro De Aza– controlled through arbitration through 2015.

Jeff Keppinger– 4M, 4.5M nice utility piece.

Pitchers:

Team Management thought enough of Sale after his 1st year as a Starter – to have him earn 850 K in 2013, $3.5 MIL in 2014, $6.0 MIL in 2015, $9.15 MIL in 2016, $12 MIL in 2017 and two straight Team Options in 2018 ($12.5 MIL) + 2019 ($13.5 MIL) or a Buyout. This team NEEDS franchise players because Pauly is hanging them Up soon & Chris Sale is the only big piece & he should move.  The reason is because the team will not be competitive for 3 – 4 years in all likelihood.  You only do the deal if you fetch some unreal talent (i.e. St. Louis Oscar Taveras + 2 other prospects).

Chris Sale–  3.5M, 6M, 9M, 12M plus 2 club options. The real crown jewel of the group. He can return some serious talent that can speed up the rebuild.

John Danks– 15.75M per year through 2016. Big contract for an average pitcher.

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Jose Quintana– controlled through 2018. A young productive & affordable piece like this can return a boatload of talent but not someone they need to rush to trade.

Addison Reed– FA in 2018. Depends on the Reliever market to move him.

Major league Pieces they should build around:

Avisail Garcia made his Major League Debut during the last part of the Regular Season in 2012. The man hit for a 3 Slash Line of (.319/.373/.692) in 47 AB and played a role in the Tigers World Series Berth of 2012 . Garcia had 5 Hits and 3 RBI during 11 AB in the 2012 ALCS versus the New York Yankees. He will be part of the White Sox’s plan for a number of seasons going forward.

Avisail Garcia
Gordon Beckham
Dayan Viciedo
Andre Rienzo
Chris Sale (Or his trade return)

The farm system is near the bottom due to the lack of spending internationally & the lack of picks and execution although they just signed Adolfo Zapata for 1.6 million but he is just 16.

Courtney Hawkins has work to do and will most likely be a corner OF type with .250 & 30HR.

Erik Johnson is a player I really like & I think he can be a #3 starter.

Trayce Thompson can become a decent corner OF but nothing special at all.

Other than that they have Tim Anderson who I think was a terrible 1st rd pick, Tyler Danish, Carlos Sanchez, Scott Snodgress, Keon Barnum, & other mid- low end prospects.

Ultimately this team is looking at about 3 years of top 5 picks and the best way to rebuild this team is to trade away the high price players ( Danks, Rios, Dunn, Alexei) and eat some of their salary in exchange for better prospects.

Trade Chris Sale in the offseason for a large bounty & spend on the international market & draft.

Once thing this club doesn’t have is long term crippling contracts like Albert Pujols or Arod for example & if they play their cards right should be able to extend their players or/and sign big free agents when the time is right.

Paul Konerko is into the last  year of a contract. At 37, Konerko is having his absolute worst year as a pro.  He has a 3 Slash of .241/.305/.658 – with 8 HRs and 38 RBI in 315 AB.  He is still 25 Round-Trippers short of Frank Thomas for the ALL-Time Franchise Lead (448). Will he reach the ‘BIG HURT’ in the future? Will the club offer him another contract past 2013?  Up until this season, Konerko had not slowed down that much, and there was some thought – if he could have put together 3 more good years, that he might have an outside chance at the Baseball Hall of Fame.  He is the active leader for HRs hit for one club (423 – CWS).

*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com or their partners.***

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