sox source: more movement to come—
Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) July 29, 2011
UPDATE:
Keep your eyes on KW; the payroll trim of E Jack City/Teahen deal means it's more likely #WhiteSox ADD payroll than cut in next deal—
Brett Ballantini (@CSNChi_Beatnik) July 29, 2011
With the Tigers’ loss to the Angels Thursday, the White Sox head into the weekend just three games out of first place in the American League Central.
Could they really trade Carlos Quentin, who is second on the team in both home runs and RBI? Perhaps so, if the return is high enough. And with the Braves and Phillies both seriously interested, according to sources, the return may well be high enough.
The Braves are desperate to add an outfield bat, and the word Thursday was that they were making a big push for Quentin. The Phillies’ wish list, according to Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia, is topped by Hunter Pence, Quentin and Mike Adams. Many people still doubt that Pence will be traded, and people are starting to doubt that the Padres will move Adams, as well. …
As for Quentin, reports on Thursday have the Atlanta Braves seriously interested, with the White Sox having thoroughly scouted the young talent available in return. Dayan Viciedo would be the logical replacement for Quentin, but a sore thumb has kept Viciedo out of action for Triple-A Charlotte since he was pulled in the sixth inning of last Saturday’s game. …
And some Carlos Quentin tweets:
Braves and Phils both very interested in Quentin, and it appears Sox would consider moving him even tho just 3 games out. #tradedeadline—
(@DKnobler) July 28, 2011
Among scouts/execs seems momentum now #Whitesox Quentin will be dealt and team I hear as frontrunner most is #Braves—
Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 28, 2011
Despite reports Wednesday that the Phillies are turning their attention to Carlos Quentin in the wake of their lack of progress on the Hunter Pence front, an NL executive who had spoken with both teams said: “I can’t see that working.” Nevertheless, there has been increasing evidence the White Sox are talking to several teams about Quentin, one of which is believed to be Atlanta. “They would move him,” said an executive of one team that has been in touch with the White Sox. “I wouldn’t say they’re bound and determined to move him. But would they? Absolutely.” Another name we were told the White Sox have dangled, just to see what happened: Adam Dunn.
Source: Braves "hot" for Quentin – and #WhiteSox love ATL's young arms. One holdup… MORE #tradedeadline #MLB—
Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 28, 2011
…the condition of Viciedo's thumb at AAA. Would replace Quentin for #WhiteSox. Hasn't played since Saturday. #Braves #tradedeadline #MLB—
Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 28, 2011
Red Sox continue to look at starting pitchers, but as of now they're telling teams that focus is a RH hitting OF. #tradedeadline—
(@DKnobler) July 28, 2011
Red Sox would almost certainly try for Quentin, if White Sox make him available. #tradedeadline—
(@DKnobler) July 28, 2011
UPDATE:
#mlb The #Phillies loved what they saw scouting #White Sox OF Carlos Quentin 3 days in Chicago, but Sox remain in race, plan to keep him—
Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 28, 2011
The White Sox do not figure to become outright sellers, not when they’re only 3 1/2 games out of first place in the AL Central. But owner Jerry Reinsdorf wants to trim payroll, according to a major-league source.
So, while the White Sox aren’t about to dust off their dreaded “white flag,” Williams could seek to make deals that lower the payroll while keeping the team competitive for a post-season run.
The Sox went “all-in” this season, increasing their Opening Day payroll to a club-record $127.7 million, the fifth-highest in the majors. However, the team ranks only 19th in home attendance, and their average is down more than 2,000 from a year ago, dropping from 27,091 to 24,647.
Those numbers hint at financial pressure, and the White Sox possibly could move two players – right-hander Edwin Jackson ($8.35 million) and right fielder Carlos Quentin ($5.05 million) without greatly compromising their chances. …
Other White Sox trade links:
UPDATE: Kenny’s answer to Rosenthal’s report:
“We should just get to the Trade Deadline and where we are, what we do, what we may do, all these questions will be answered,” Williams said. “And let’s go from there. We’ll see how we do this week.”When asked if there were any untouchables on his roster, Williams smiled and reiterated, “Let’s see how we do this week.”
ESPN:
A major league source said Monday that the Yankees have interest in White Sox left-hander Matt Thornton if Williams starts making moves. Thornton was also said to be of interest to the St. Louis Cardinals in a report on the St. Louis Post Dispatch.
and Gonzales @ CT:
A major league source said the Cardinals remain interested in [Edwin] Jackson, and [Colby] Rasmus is receiving interest from two American League East teams.
UPDATE: Other White Sox links: Mike looks at the Edwin Jackson/Matt Thornton for Colby Rasmus trade rumor, James recaps the past week and comments on many more things, J.J. looks at some spring training game-worn jerseys, and Brett Ballantini calculates the Sox player values for the past 10 days.
Q: On the Colby Rasmus rumors:
A: “I’m not going to get into who we’re talking to or what sort of deals are out there for us, but that, as reported, is incorrect. Here’s the deal: you can virtually speak to most of the teams with impact players at any given time where there’s any kind of trade talk, and you can put us in a room because we are constantly, aggressively asking how we can acquire an impact player to help our situation. It’s easy to get it wrong, too. Generally, the things you’re hearing in public too loudly, don’t usually happen for us. Seems like the things that we’re able to get done, we get done and make the announcement.”
Brett Ballantini tweets the translation:
Ken Williams translation key: When KW adds the “as reported” into his denials, the mettle of the rumor is true.
Maybe the Thornton part is incorrect? 
UPDATE: Video from CSN (1:46).
Publicly insistent that they are not seeking a destination for center fielder Colby Rasmus, the Cardinals have made the struggling 24-year-old talent available for the right deal with the Chicago White Sox, according to several sources familiar with the situation.
… Negotiations with White Sox general manager Kenny Williams have accelerated in recent days, according to sources, with the Sox able to dangle pending free agent pitcher Edwin Jackson or high-salary lefthanded reliever Matt Thornton.
Talks also hinge on minor-league or cost-controlled talent the White Sox could include in a deal and, according to a source, a third team may be sought to facilitate a trade.
Dammit Kenny. That’s too much. Rasmus had a good year last year due to a high-BABIP. He hit .276/.361/.498/.859 with a .356 BABIP. He had the 7th highest BABIP-xBABIP difference in baseball (chart)! This year when his BABIP is down to a normal .286, his batting line is down to .241/.327/.402/.730. And why give away Thornton too and weaken the bullpen? When Chris Sale goes to the rotation next year, the bullpen will be 2 lefties down. And I don’t see any good, not even adequate, lefties in the minors (starters or relievers).
UPDATE: Oh, I forgot Hector Santiago and his new screwball. He MIGHT be an option.
BTW,
For what it's worth, Kenny Williams has long been a fan of Colby Rasmus and Edwin Jackson's value is at a season-high.—
Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) July 24, 2011
MLBTR transcribes Ken Rosenthal’s latest video:
Don’t be surprised as to see the White Sox end up as sellers, says Rosenthal. They’ve got six starters as it is, so Edwin Jackson could be moved without harming the rotation much. Carlos Quentin could be dealt as well, and be replaced by Dayan Viciedo. Controlled through 2012, Quentin would become one of the hottest chips on the market.
BTW, the “White Sox and Red Sox have done a lot of scouting of one another over the last week,” tweets the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo.
It is clear that good relievers like Heath Bell, Mike Adams and Leo Nunez can be had, and it is a relievers’ market. It is also a market in which a half-dozen teams are looking for right-handed-hitting outfielders, but while the Mets wisely approach the deadline trying to figure how much of Carlos Beltran‘s money to take to get one or two legitimate prospects, the Rockies have essentially backed off moving Ryan Spilborghs, and the Cubs have told suitors they want to hold onto Jeff Baker, that right-handed bat market consists of Conor Jackson, Josh Willingham, Reed Johnson, Lastings Milledge and Jeff Francoeur. The Dodgers would like to shed salary, but they are so crippled there isn’t much to shed other than Kuroda and the valuable Jamey Carroll; they’re trying to pare Triple-A payroll. Oakland will move the veteran bats and a reliever or two. Seattle won’t have a fire sale, and they’re not likely to get much for Erik Bedard. Kansas City will do some paring.
Mixing a 96 mph fastball with a sharp-breaking slider against a free-swinging lineup, Jackson needed only 101 pitches to throw his first complete game since his no-hitter at Tampa Bay on June 25, 2010, when he threw 149 pitches while pitching for the Diamondacks.
Pitching before several scouts that included representatives from the Cardinals, Brewers and Red Sox, Jackson earned 18 outs on grounders and needed only two strikeouts.
Other White Sox links: J.J. recaps today’s game, James recaps yesterday’s game, and Alex Rios is trying to find out where to put his hands.
There were requests for 17 scouts tickets for the Rockies game against Milwaukee, in which [Ubaldo] Jimenez started, well above normal. Among teams with interest are Detroit, Atlanta, Cincinnati, the New York Yankees, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Chicago White Sox and Cleveland.
Two Braves scouts watched the Sox in Minnesota on June 15-16 and in Colorado on June 29-30, and Phillies representatives have watched the Sox throughout this season, including last week against the Royals. …
Will Kenny get an offer good enough to make him trade Carlos Quentin?
For prospect lists and scouting reports go to the ‘2011 MLB Prospect Rankings.’
Other White Sox links: James shows us how to fix tweak the White Sox, J.J. explains the problems with trading Carlos Quentin, Steve Slowinski at Fangraph compiles his 2011 All-Flub team and 3 Sox players are in, Kenwo grades the Sox players, and Nick Shepkowski at WSCR says the prospects of a Sox second half run don’t look good.
The White Sox are fielding calls on Edwin Jackson. In this market he may be the best out there as far as starting pitchers.
Hey, maybe Kenny will get Dan Hudson back!
UPDATE: J.J. and James give us their thoughts on the subject. J.J. more specifically on the problems with this particular rumor and James more generally on the problems with White Sox roster rigidity.
Remember the Brandon Beachy-Carlos Quentin trade rumors? Well, MLB’s Mark Bowman says it’s not Carlos Quentin the Braves are after:
Like many Major League clubs, the White Sox seem interested in the Braves’ wealth of young pitching talent. But those fans hoping this means outfielder Carlos Quentin could be headed to Atlanta should be prepared for disappointment.
White Sox advance scout Bill Scherrer was at Turner Field for this past weekend’s series against the Orioles and he stuck around for this week’s series against the Rockies. Given the White Sox and Orioles will not meet again until Aug. 8, Scherrer has likely focused most of his attention toward the Braves’ pitchers.
While the Braves might be in the market for an outfielder, their primary focus will likely not be aimed toward corner outfielders like Quentin. Instead they will continue to evaluate what Jordan Schafer can provide in the leadoff spot and determine whether they need to increase their efforts to find a proven leadoff hitter like the White Sox have in Juan Pierre.
Pierre has batted .261 with a .322 on-base percentage and been successful with just 12 of his 22 stolen base attempts. In other words, he hasn’t been the same guy who was successful with 68 of 86 stolen base attempts last year. But since May 1, he has hit .270 with a .340 on-base percentage and been successful with seven of his 10 stolen base attempts.
With Brandon Beachy, Mike Minor, Julio Teheran and Randall Delgado, the Braves are loaded with the non-arbitration-eligible, Major League-ready arms the White Sox are seeking.
Take him. Take him immediately! Of course, we won’t be getting a pitcher in return for Juan Pierre. Much less one with about 1 year of MLB service time and outstanding numbers. A couple slabs of barbeque ribs will be enough for the return.
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