White Sox make 2-year offer to RHRP Kerry Wood? [UPDATE #3]

Kaplan & Mitchell @ CT:

We hear from very good baseball sources that the White Sox have made a two-year offer to free agent pitcher Kerry Wood.

Wood played 10 years with the Cubs and pitched last season for the Yankees, who reportedly are interested in bringing him back.

Wood has said he does not want to play on the South Side, so this could be interesting.

Wood is a Type-B free agent but he was not offered arbitration.

I wonder if/how the Jesse Crain signing changes the Sox offer.

UPDATE: Now the 3rd paragraph reads:

Wood has said he does not want to play on the South Side, so it’s probably moot for him because the offer likely will evaporate if the club signs the Twins’ Jesse Crain as expected.

UPDATE #2: Now Cowley tweets:

Don’t look now, but Cowley might have been wrong for ripping on the Tribsters – K. Wood indeed might also be on his way said a source.

UPDATE #3: Maybe not says Cowley’s latest tweet:

Talks with Kid K are back and forth – source said sounded good for a bit, but not so good now. KW is using Jedi mind tricks as we speak.

UPDATE #4: Seems like Wood is going to the other team in Chicago.

Addison Reed scouting report

FutureSox:

He usually sits in the low 90s as a starter, but his slider is his best pitch. Reed’s slider is considered a plus pitch while his changeup is an average offering. …

Fangraphs Fantasy on Adam Dunn

Axisa:

… I suppose the real issue with Dunn is his increasingly declining walk rate. After topping out at 18.7 BB% in 2008, he “dropped off” to 17.4% in 2009 and then to 11.9% in 2010, the worse mark in his career. Unsurprisingly, Dunn swung at more and more pitches out of the strike zone during that time, topping out at a career high 28.5%. That combined with a career worst 13.8% swing-and-miss rate can lead to a lot of pitcher’s counts, a problem for any batter. It could just be a fluke, because his walk rate did improve in the second half of this season…

White Sox sign RHRP Brian Bruney

Merkin:

Brian Bruney and the White Sox agreed to a Minor League contract and the right-handed reliever received a non-roster invitation to Spring Training as part of the deal.

… Donny Lucy also re-signed via a Minor League deal with the White Sox and received a non-roster invite to Spring Training.

White Sox consider trading young farm system players for bullpen help?

Levine @ ESPN:

The free-agent price for a good middle reliever is $5 million per season. At this point, the White Sox are considering trading some of their young farm system types to acquire what they need in the bullpen.

It’s also possible that they could put infielder Dayan Viciedo and catcher Tyler Flowers in the mix to acquire some help as well. Both Viciedo and Flowers are still viewed as future starters and might only be used in a bigger trade for impact players.

Young farm system types? I take it that means prospects like Jared Mitchell, Eduardo Escobar, Trayce Thompson, Jacob Petricka… BTW, here are the Organization Depth Charts from B-R: Batting, Pitching.

White Sox interested in Miguel Olivo

Morosi @ YB:

Free-agent catcher Miguel Olivo has drawn varying levels of interest from the Rangers, White Sox and Blue Jays, a major-league source told FOXSports.com. The Red Sox could also get involved if they are unable to re-sign Victor Martinez.

J.J. explains (#3) how the Olivo interest and John Buck’s Florida deal means A.J. Pierzynski will likely be offered arbitration.

Did Kenny Williams found a hidden nickel?

Merkin @ CWS:

The White Sox still are lacking in proven bullpen arms behind Matt Thornton, Chris Sale, Pena and Sergio Santos, and if 2007′s relief debacle proved anything, it would be how they need another two reliable relievers to help make ’11 an elite campaign.

With Williams having stated how the payroll is tapped out as of the end of the Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., a trade becomes the only option available. On Saturday, though, Williams presented a small hint how that spending increase might possibly extend into the free agent bullpen pool including plus-arms such as Kerry Wood, Jesse Crain and Matt Guerrier, to name a few examples.

“I’m encouraged by the excitement from our fans,” said Williams, who reiterated how he is not looking for a pure closer as much as a versatile late-inning type like the role J.J. Putz held in 2010. “Perhaps if that excitement manifests itself into turning out to more ticket sales, perhaps that might free up some more cash to do something.

“I’ll listen to anyone,” added Williams of trade possibilities. “But I said it right there up on the podium [for the Konerko signing], how I’m not really motivated to take anything away from what the Major League roster looks like, from what the everyday roster looks like.”

Kenny, also, says he isn’t looking to trade Carlos Quentin:

“I did not have one single conversation about Quentin at the Winter Meetings,” Williams told MLB.com on Saturday afternoon. “I have not had any discussions with anyone about Carlos since the General Managers Meetings, and it could never have been described as we were shopping him.

“That’s incorrect. I fielded some phone calls, but that was it. I’ve not had a single conversation about Carlos, and I don’t plan to. I’ll listen, but I’m not terribly interested.”

… One other problem in exploring a trade for Quentin is finding a natural right-field replacement. Jordan Danks seems to be the next internal option, with his defense more than Major League-ready but his offense not quite there. When asked if there was anyone in the organization who could take over for Quentin if he was hypothetically traded, Williams simply responded, “No.”

Despite finishing with 110 hits and a .243 average in 2010, Quentin produced 87 RBIs and scored 73 runs. He also featured a .342 on-base percentage, down from his .394 finish in 2008, but up from .323 in an injury-plagued 2009.

“Carlos Quentin is going to have a big year,” Williams said. “He has big talent, and even in a down year average-wise, he is very valuable.

“No matter what his average is, he picks it up with on-base percentage. Then, if he has a good year, it becomes a great year.

“He plays hard and has the ability to set the tone for a game with a hard slide into second base or taking first to third aggressively. There’s much more to Carlos’ overall game than just hitting for average.”

The problem with the slide Kenny is Carlos will not play for a week after it.

UPDATE: Reifert says the ticket dept. phones are off the hook:

White Sox spokesman Scott Reifert said that while individual tickets aren’t on sale, season ticketholders responded positively.

“Phones are ringing off the hook to the point that the sales department canceled its holiday party tonight to stay late and field all of the calls,” he said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

Smells Like Mascot: With Love From Mr Reinsdorf

Carl’s latest:

http://www.smellslikemascot.com/2010/12/with-love-from-mr-reinsdorf.html

Chris Sale on his university days and his new career (video)

(Click the image to play the video or use the links to the video and the article below)

Video: http://www.naplesnews.com/videos/detail/fgcu-dinner-diamond-chris-sale (2:31)

Download: http://video.naplesnews.com/videos/remote/2010/12/fgcu_dod_sale1.mov

Photo gallery: http://www.naplesnews.com/photos/galleries/2010/jun/05/right-stuff-fgcus-chris-sale/

Caldwell @ NaplesNews:

At Sunday night’s fundraiser for Florida Gulf Coast University’s athletics programs in Alico Arena, former Eagles ace Chris Sale tightly clutched the tiny left hand of longtime sweetheart and fiancee’ Brianne Aron.

Sale wore a simple sportscoat and khakis on his 6-foot-6, 170-pound frame. Instead of a tie, he sported a gold chain around his neck, the same one that dangled under his chin while racking up an 11-0 record with a 2.01 ERA and first-team All-America honors as an FGCU junior in his final collegiate season.

Major-league fame and money don’t seem to have changed the lethal lefty a bit. The 21-year-old Lakeland native who was taken by the White Sox with the 13th pick last June before going 2-1 as a Chicago reliever, rents a house in Bonita Springs, still spits out a Southern twang and tosses out “sirs and ma’ams” with regularity, just as parents Allen and Marla taught him. He still dotes on toddler son Rylan, and loves to hang with his old FGCU coaches and teammates.

Sale, who was on the cover of last week’s Baseball America, was the first of his draft class to be called up (Aug. 4) and, by all accounts, exceeded Chicago’s great expectations for him. In 21 appearances covering 23.1 innings, Sale had a 1.93 ERA, four saves and 32 strikeouts against just 10 walks.

The three-quarter release hurler upped his velocity from 98 to over 100 mph. That’s led to rave reviews from reporters and columnists for Chicago’s Tribune and Sun-Times as well as from White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen (who originally referred to Sale as “the skinny kid”), pitching coach Don Cooper and general manager Ken Williams. …

White Sox are trying to trade Carlos Quentin [UPDATE #2]

Cowley @ CST tweets:

Multiple sources confirmed that the Sox are actively looking to trade [Carlos] Quentin for a package w/bullpen help, but “are asking a lot so far.”

MLBTR says the “are asking a lot so far” thing could mean that the Sox are just “gauging the market at this point.”

UPDATE: Kenny says not so fast:

Ken Williams emphatically denied Saturday that any trade talk was ongoing involving White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin for a relief pitcher, and the general manager sought to dispel any rumors that it would happen.

… “Three teams asked about him (at the winter meetings) and I have not had one single conversation with anyone since. We’ll add to our relief pitching without (trading) him.” Williams admitted he needs one or two relievers to round out his team and that a trade could happen soon, but said it will not involve subtracting from his current lineup.

UPDATE #2: Cowley says not so fast himself:

Scout just confirmed that KW is hoping Quentin can land him “a Carlos Lee-type return.” Lee was traded for [Scott] Podsednik and [Luis] Vizcaino in 2004.

and if Quentin isn’t desired by others:

If the deal is not there will then explore moving [Dayan] Viciedo or [Mark] Teahen, but know that the return won’t be as much.

Will there be another update?  You bet!

How would Adam Dunn’s stats look if he was playing for the Sox?

I saw on Fangraphs’ Adrian Gonzales article that “B-R has a feature that allows us to adjust a hitter’s offensive production for run environment (runs/game), league (AL or NL), and park,” and I thought why not use the same tool on Adam Dunn? Here are the results (each year is adjusted to that year’s run environment as in the Fangraphs article):

Year	Age	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	HBP	SF	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	RC	Gact
2001	21	66	291	247	55	67	18	1	19	44	4	40	74	4	0	.271	.381	.583	.964	55	66
2002	22	158	708	551	89	149	31	2	29	75	21	144	170	10	3	.270	.428	.492	.920	114	158
2003	23	116	499	396	80	97	14	1	32	65	10	87	126	12	4	.245	.393	.528	.921	79	116
2004	24	161	712	586	118	169	38	0	52	114	7	121	195	5	0	.288	.414	.619	1.033	148	161
2005	25	160	705	560	117	151	39	2	45	111	4	129	168	14	2	.270	.417	.588	1.005	134	160
2006	26	160	703	572	103	142	26	0	43	96	8	121	194	7	3	.248	.384	.519	.903	113	160
2007	27	152	646	530	106	146	28	2	42	110	10	107	165	5	4	.275	.399	.574	.973	122	152
2008	28	158	676	529	84	134	25	0	44	107	2	134	164	8	5	.253	.408	.550	.958	118	158
2009	29	159	700	564	91	164	33	0	43	118	0	130	177	4	2	.291	.426	.578	1.004	137	159
2010	30	158	666	570	92	157	38	2	42	113	0	83	199	9	4	.275	.374	.570	.944	119	158

Here are Adam Dunn’s actual stats:

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	RC
2001	21	CIN	NL	66	286	244	54	64	18	1	19	43	4	2	38	74	.262	.371	.578	.948	136	54
2002	22	CIN	NL	158	676	535	84	133	28	2	26	71	19	9	128	170	.249	.400	.454	.854	121	107
2003	23	CIN	NL	116	469	381	70	82	12	1	27	57	8	2	74	126	.215	.354	.465	.819	116	69
2004	24	CIN	NL	161	681	568	105	151	34	0	46	102	6	1	108	195	.266	.388	.569	.956	146	132
2005	25	CIN	NL	160	671	543	107	134	35	2	40	101	4	2	114	168	.247	.387	.540	.927	140	122
2006	26	CIN	NL	160	683	561	99	131	24	0	40	92	7	0	112	194	.234	.365	.490	.855	114	109
2007	27	CIN	NL	152	632	522	101	138	27	2	40	106	9	2	101	165	.264	.386	.554	.940	136	117
2008	28	TOT	NL	158	651	517	79	122	23	0	40	100	2	1	122	164	.236	.386	.513	.898	130	111
2008	28	CIN	NL	114	464	373	58	87	14	0	32	74	1	1	80	120	.233	.373	.528	.901	132	80
2008	28	ARI	NL	44	187	144	21	35	9	0	8	26	1	0	42	44	.243	.417	.472	.889	126	31
2009	29	WSN	NL	159	668	546	81	146	29	0	38	105	0	1	116	177	.267	.398	.529	.928	144	122
2010	30	WSN	NL	158	648	558	85	145	36	2	38	103	0	1	77	199	.260	.356	.536	.892	138	109
10 Seasons				1448	6065	4975	865	1246	266	10	354	880	59	21	990	1632	.250	.381	.521	.902	133	1052
162 Game Avg.				162	679	557	97	139	30	1	40	98	7	2	111	183	.250	.381	.521	.902	133	118

And here is a more detailed explanation of how the ‘neutralized batting’ tool works:

New White Sox ad campaign: We’re all in

Kenny Williams’ bullpen plan

Padilla @ ESPN:

“We have to go into a holding pattern right now just for a minute and try to be as creative as possible on the trade front. The free agent front is a little expensive for us right now so we have to try another way. That’s all right. We’ve done it before.”

… “[Sale] will prepare this offseason to start, because we drafted him to start. We want him to stay on his same regimen he’s used to, so he comes in the same kind of condition and he’s the same guy you guys saw the last time you saw him pitch. And then we will go from there.”

… “It’s a little bit of bob and weaving, but there will be clarity soon. The fortunate thing is it’s two relief spots and really we can close with either Sale or [left-hander Matt] Thornton. We are not looking for a closer. It’s just getting to the closer.”

… “We’ll take a look at a third left-hander, a situational guy, somebody who can get [Twins lefties Justin] Morneau and [Joe] Mauer out. Then another right-hander. It will come together. We just have to make sure it’s the right fit, the right pieces. But we are little bit limited right now.”

White Sox re-sign Paul Konerko to a 3-year, $37.5 million contract

Nightengale @ USAT:

The Chicago White Sox, who nearly lost first baseman Paul Konerko to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday and had already plans to acquire another first baseman, reached a three-year, $37.5 million agreement with the slugger, USA TODAY reported Wednesday. The deal was later confirmed by the White Sox, and Konerko will receive $12 million in 2011 and 2012 and $13.5 million in 2013. The White Sox said the final year will be paid out at $6.5 million in 2013 and $1 million a year from 2014-2020.

Konerko chose to return to the White Sox over the Arizona Diamondbacks, who offered a three-year contract for $30 million, the Diamondbacks said. Konerko grew up in Scottsdale, Ariz., but also has a close relationship with White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf and in the end chose to return to the club he’s played for since 1999.

UPDATE: Press release here.

And BP has Kenny’s comments on the defferred money:

“What we need to do next is figure out a way to pay for all of this. We’ve certainly ramped it up here recently and have been very aggressive, and I think that at this point — as I’ve stated before — I feel comfortable and confident in the everyday lineup and the defense that we’re going to put out there, as well as the starting rotation and the back four guys in the bullpen. But I think we’ve got to augment that just a bit to make ourselves as strong as possible and contend for the division. So we’ve got some work cut out for us and are at a point where we need to get a little creative, because we’re about tapped out right now. We need to either get creative or we need to get a flood at the ticket counter pretty quickly.”

“Paul Konerko has some good teammates, because one of the things that helped us to get this done was Adam Dunn coming in and caring more about winning than the last dollar — certainly dollars this year — because he was more than accommodating in [deferring] some of his money back to the latter part of his deal. A.J. Pierzynski did the same thing, and the rest came together through, literally, our marketing department and accounting people pulling together as many revenue sources as possible. This is something that you have to do when you’re in our situation, and we just thought that we had to capitalize on it. Fortunately we were dealing with a player who really wanted to be here in Chicago and finish his career here.”

Video of Kenny’s comments here (3:23). And a larger version (9:14).

White Sox interested in RHRP Jeremy Accardo

Morosi @ FS tweets:

Rays and White Sox are showing interest in [Jeremy] Accardo. Intriguing buy-low for pen.

Accardo was non-tendered by the Blue Jays.