Adam Dunn spared

Adam Dunn not in Sox lineup tomorrow. So he won't break MLB record for worst qualifying batting average.

— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) September 28, 2011

Kenny Williams offered to step down as Sox GM on multiple occasions

David Kaplan:

Williams was extremely candid during the sit down, telling us that he had offered to step down as Sox GM on multiple occasions and that he would “work within the organization if that was what chairman Jerry Reinsdorf felt was best for the franchise.”

However, Reinsdorf has committed to Williams to be the man to fix a team that woefully underachived this season.

“So much so that on a couple of separate occasions I went to Jerry Reinsdorf and I said, ‘Hey listen, If I’m the cog here in the machinery that’s a problem let’s talk about a transition thing because I love the organization, and I got value here and in the scouting world. I’d like to stick around a little bit. Put another banner up there, so if I’m the one here that is the cog that’s a problem let’s figure it out.’ It wasn’t so long ago that I did that again and also in that same conversation I said whether or not Ozzie is the decision I’m telling you straight to your face I can work with anyone, no matter what’s been said and what’s been done at this point. I can sit down here like men and work it out, and that opportunity didn’t come about.”

… Making sure I understood correctly, I asked: If Jerry said to you he’d make Rick Hahn the GM, you would’ve said fine if that’s what it took to get the Sox another title?

“With open arms, I’d welcome it,” Williams replied. “This isn’t easy. I think Jim (former Cubs GM Jim Hendry) just a few weeks ago said, he used the phrase all-consuming; there are only a couple of other people in this town that understood what he was talking about. When that time comes I’m more than willing that if I’m being ineffective, whether from a personnel standpoint or a manager standpoint, I’ll step aside and we’ll go out have a steak and smoke a cigar, it’s not a problem.”

Video at the link.

UPDATE: Here’s part 2 of the interview.

Scouting reports from Jonathan Mayo on RHP Jhan Marinez, and SS/2B Ozzie Martinez

Jonathan Mayo:

RHP Jhan Marinez:

When he’s healthy, Marinez has the kind of power stuff you want to see in the back of a bullpen. He was healthy enough in 2010 to start the year in Jupiter and end it in the big leagues, though an elbow issue ended his year in July. Along the way, he struck out 13.7 per nine in the Minors, thanks to an improved breaking ball to go with his fastball. If he can improve his command and stay healthy — big ifs — he could see some saves in the future. Shoulder soreness slowed him this spring, but he’s pitching in Double-A Jacksonville’s bullpen now.

SS/2B Ozzie Martinez:

The 2006 11th-round pick had a breakout 2010, going to the Futures Game, helping Jacksonville win a Southern League title, finishing third in the system with a .302 average and earning a callup to the big leagues. He makes consistent contact and is selective at the plate. He plays a solid shortstop, though he’s currently blocked by Hanley Ramirez. He’s already been called upon to help in a utility role this year.

Baseball America’s scouting reports are here.

Don Cooper to sign multi-year deal with the Sox [UPDATE]

Scott Merkin:

A contract extension for White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper figures to become official on Tuesday afternoon with the announcement of a new multi-year deal that will precede a two-game stint as manager in place of Ozzie Guillen.

Cooper is finishing his ninth full season and 10th overall as Chicago’s pitching coach, having begun the task on July 22, 2002. He has worked under managers Jerry Manuel and Guillen, and soon will be practicing his craft for a third — whomever is hired during the offseason to replace Guillen.

With Guillen released from his contract after Monday’s 4-3 victory over the Blue Jays to pursue other opportunities and bench coach Joey Cora apparently heading to the Marlins with Guillen, Cooper will run the show over the final two days of the 2011 season as the team’s interim manager.

CSN reports first base coach Harold Baines will get a multi-year deal too, but third base coach Jeff Cox and hitting coach Greg Walker won’t get new deals.

UPDATE: The extension is for 4 years:

Of Cooper, Williams said, “Well, the pitching has been as consistent over the last decade, and that’s a testament to our scouting department, to our player development department, to Don Cooper, directly in his direction. It’s something that’s well deserved and I’m happy, thrilled to know that he’s going to be on board here for the next four years.”

Nice!

Kenny Williams leaning towards Dave Martinez and not Sandy Alomar Jr. for manager? [UPDATE #2]

http://twitter.com/#!/CSNChi_Beatnik/status/118823914402086912

http://twitter.com/#!/CSNChi_Beatnik/status/118824057893433344

UPDATE:

Officially remove Buddy Bell from list of potential W Sox managers. He's happy in player development role per K Williams.

— Doug Padilla (@ESPNChiSox) September 27, 2011

UPDATE #2: More Ballantini:

Martinez has the toughness and pedigree to appeal to Williams. Likewise his mentorship under universally-admired mentor Joe Maddon and Tampa Bay’s success with maximizing roster potential. But reading the tea leaves of Williams’ pregame comments on Tuesday, where, unsolicited, he mentioned that his “clear choice” might not be hired by the World Series because his choice might be involved.

“We have to wait and see who the players are in the World Series and if there’s someone on a playoff team that I ultimately might want to talk to, it might have to drag a little bit.”

For those who feel Williams is leaning toward Sandy Alomar Jr., the Cleveland Indians are not in the playoffs; unless the GM is initiating heavy subterfuge and misdirection, he’s already told us that his top candidate is in playoff contention. …

And:

KW hinted that they won't be looking for a big ticket acquisition this winter

— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) September 27, 2011

Scouting reports from Baseball America on RHP Jhan Marinez, and SS/2B Ozzie Martinez

James Bailey:

First, RHP Jhan Marinez:

The top relief prospect in the Marlins organization entering the season, Marinez seemed poised to make the leap to Florida in 2011. Instead he spun his wheels in Double-A, though he did earn a berth in the Futures Game in July. The wiry, fast-armed righthander throws an explosive four-seam fastball that sits 92-96 mph and reaches as high as 98. He’ll also show a sinking two-seamer. Marinez flashes a solid-average to plus power slider on occasion, but it comes and goes, disappearing all too often. When it’s there he’s got the stuff to close games out. However tantalizing the stuff, he must exhibit better command and control of both pitches to succeed. Durability has been a concern in the past, though his 56 appearances were a career high this year.

And, SS/2B Ozzie Martinez:

The No. 5 prospect in the Marlins system coming into this season, Martinez broke out in 2010, batting .326 in 43 big league at-bats while filling in for shortstop Hanley Ramirez in September. When he’s right, he sprays line drives from gap to gap with a level swing. He showed strong hands and excellent hand-eye coordination last year, when he looked like a potential No. 2 hitter with doubles power. Martinez’s plate discipline took a hit this year and he never got going offensively and his confidence suffered. At times he fell into a pull mode, getting away from what made him successful earlier. Mentally he wasn’t the same player, both at bat and in the field, where his play at short went from steady to erratic. He has the skills to play second and third and could fill a utility role. The strong arm is still there, as are the rest of his tools, but he showed only occasional glimpses of the all-around game that had Florida so excited a year ago.

Those reports sound better than I hoped they would!

Ballantini’s new Sox manager odds

http://twitter.com/CSNChi_Beatnik/statuses/118754147200811008

Dave Martinez – Don Cooper – Sandy Alomar, Jr.

Don Cooper will be the Sox manager for the two remaining games

Don Cooper will serve as White Sox interim manager for final two games of the 2011 regular season

— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) September 27, 2011

The minor league pitcher in the compensation for releasing Ozzie Guillen from his contract will be Jhan Marinez

Sox get Double-A power arm Jahn Marinez in Guillen deal, joining infielder Ozzie Martinez

— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) September 27, 2011

RHP Jhan Marinez‘ stats:

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	Lev	Aff	W	L	W-L%	ERA	G	GS	GF	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	IBB	SO	HBP	BK	WP	BF	WHIP	H/9	HR/9	BB/9	SO/9	SO/BB
2006	17	Marlins	DOSL	FRk	FLA	2	1	.667	7.00	20	2	4	0	0	1	36.0	44	30	28	0	26		22	6	0	8	172	1.944	11.0	0.0	6.5	5.5	0.85
2007	18	2 Teams	2 Lgs	FRk-Rk	FLA	2	3	.400	5.47	8	5	0	0	0	0	26.1	19	22	16	1	23	0	29	3	0	9	126	1.595	6.5	0.3	7.9	9.9	1.26
2007	18	Marlins	GULF	Rk	FLA	0	0		10.80	3	0	0	0	0	0	3.1	5	5	4	0	4	0	4	1	0	1	19	2.700	13.5	0.0	10.8	10.8	1.00
2007	18	Marlins	DOSL	FRk	FLA	2	3	.400	4.70	5	5	0	0	0	0	23.0	14	17	12	1	19		25	2	0	8	107	1.435	5.5	0.4	7.4	9.8	1.32
2008	19	Marlins	GULF	Rk	FLA	1	1	.500	6.11	12	1	2	0	0	1	17.2	21	14	12	0	14	0	18	2	1	1	87	1.981	10.7	0.0	7.1	9.2	1.29
2009	20	Jupiter	FLOR	A+	FLA	1	1	.500	3.14	29	0	10	0	0	1	43.0	28	17	15	4	20	0	42	4	0	3	179	1.116	5.9	0.8	4.2	8.8	2.10
2010	21	2 Teams	2 Lgs	A+-AA	FLA	1	1	.500	1.71	36	1	25	0	0	10	42.0	21	9	8	2	21	1	64	1	0	8	162	1.000	4.5	0.4	4.5	13.7	3.05
2010	21	Jupiter	FLOR	A+	FLA	0	1	.000	1.42	21	1	14	0	0	4	25.1	12	4	4	1	14	1	44	1	0	6	99	1.026	4.3	0.4	5.0	15.6	3.14
2010	21	Jacksonville	SOUL	AA	FLA	1	0	1.000	2.16	15	0	11	0	0	6	16.2	9	5	4	1	7	0	20	0	0	2	63	0.960	4.9	0.5	3.8	10.8	2.86
2011	22	Jacksonville	SOUL	AA	FLA	3	8	.273	3.57	56	0	20	0	0	3	58.0	47	26	23	7	42	0	74	1	2	13	259	1.534	7.3	1.1	6.5	11.5	1.76
6 Seasons						10	15	.400	4.12	161	9	61	0	0	16	223.0	180	118	102	14	146	1	249	17	3	42	985	1.462	7.3	0.6	5.9	10.0	1.71
AA (2 seasons)				AA		4	8	.333	3.25	71	0	31	0	0	9	74.2	56	31	27	8	49	0	94	1	2	15	322	1.406	6.8	1.0	5.9	11.3	1.92
FRk (2 seasons)				FRk		4	4	.500	6.10	25	7	4	0	0	1	59.0	58	47	40	1	45		47	8	0	16	279	1.746	8.8	0.2	6.9	7.2	1.04
Rk (2 seasons)				Rk		1	1	.500	6.86	15	1	2	0	0	1	21.0	26	19	16	0	18	0	22	3	1	2	106	2.095	11.1	0.0	7.7	9.4	1.22
A+ (2 seasons)				A+		1	2	.333	2.50	50	1	24	0	0	5	68.1	40	21	19	5	34	1	86	5	0	9	278	1.083	5.3	0.7	4.5	11.3	2.53

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 9/27/2011.

John Sickels had this to say on his prospect review for Marinez:

10) Jhan Marinez, RHP, Grade C+:  4.27 ERA with 62/36 K/BB in 46 innings for Jacksonville, 42 hits. Outstanding K/IP ratio, strong stuff, too many walks.

The C+ grade is from the time he published his Marlins prospect list on back in January.

Compensation for Ozzie Guillen will be a minor-league pitcher and utility infielder Ozzie Martinez

Scott Merkin:

A source told MLB.com that the players coming to the White Sox figure to be utility infielder Ozzie Martinez and a Minor League pitcher, after Guillen was released from the one year remaining on his contract per his request to pursue other opportunities.

SS Ozzie Martinez‘ stats:

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	Lev	Aff	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB
2006	18	Marlins	GULF	Rk	FLA	49	194	171	21	45	4	1	1	21	7	4	19	21	.263	.335	.316	.651	54	4	0	3	1	0
2007	19	2 Teams	2 Lgs	A–A+	FLA	39	131	114	8	21	5	0	0	6	8	2	12	25	.184	.268	.228	.496	26	3	1	4	0	0
2007	19	Jamestown	NYPL	A-	FLA	38	130	114	8	21	5	0	0	6	8	2	11	25	.184	.262	.228	.490	26	3	1	4	0	0
2007	19	Jupiter	FLOR	A+	FLA	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0		1.000			0	0	0	0	0	0
2008	20	Greensboro	SALL	A	FLA	85	331	304	44	90	11	3	6	29	5	5	13	46	.296	.331	.411	.742	125	12	4	8	2	0
2009	21	Jupiter	FLOR	A+	FLA	130	485	433	54	110	16	5	1	45	16	4	41	51	.254	.323	.321	.644	139	15	4	5	2	0
2010	22	Jacksonville	SOUL	AA	FLA	130	587	516	90	156	28	4	5	54	13	9	49	64	.302	.372	.401	.773	207	10	9	11	2	0
2011	23	New Orleans	PCL	AAA	FLA	88	371	339	43	83	15	1	3	26	11	4	21	57	.245	.296	.322	.618	109	9	5	3	3	0
6 Seasons						521	2099	1877	260	505	79	14	16	181	60	28	155	264	.269	.331	.352	.682	660	53	23	34	10	0
A+ (2 seasons)				A+		131	486	433	54	110	16	5	1	45	16	4	42	51	.254	.324	.321	.645	139	15	4	5	2	0
A (1 season)				A		85	331	304	44	90	11	3	6	29	5	5	13	46	.296	.331	.411	.742	125	12	4	8	2	0
AA (1 season)				AA		130	587	516	90	156	28	4	5	54	13	9	49	64	.302	.372	.401	.773	207	10	9	11	2	0
Rk (1 season)				Rk		49	194	171	21	45	4	1	1	21	7	4	19	21	.263	.335	.316	.651	54	4	0	3	1	0
A- (1 season)				A-		38	130	114	8	21	5	0	0	6	8	2	11	25	.184	.262	.228	.490	26	3	1	4	0	0
AAA (1 season)				AAA		88	371	339	43	83	15	1	3	26	11	4	21	57	.245	.296	.322	.618	109	9	5	3	3	0

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 9/27/2011.

John Sickels gave Martinez C+ grade:

7) Osvaldo Martinez, SS, Grade C+:  .230/.286/.306 with 18 walks, 48 strikeouts in 278 at-bats for New Orleans. 3-for-20 in the majors. The bat is going to be a big problem, and he only ranked this high due to the weakness of the system. Baseball America had him fifth.

As I said earlier, could the minor league pitcher be 20-year old Class-A+ prospect LHP Chad James?

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	Lev	Aff	W	L	W-L%	ERA	G	GS	GF	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	IBB	SO	HBP	BK	WP	BF	WHIP	H/9	HR/9	BB/9	SO/9	SO/BB
2010	19	Greensboro	SALL	A	FLA	5	10	.333	5.12	24	24	0	0	0	0	114.1	116	70	65	3	65	0	105	5	0	18	513	1.583	9.1	0.2	5.1	8.3	1.62
2011	20	Jupiter	FLOR	A+	FLA	5	15	.250	3.80	27	27	0	0	0	0	149.1	173	77	63	12	51	0	124	2	0	10	650	1.500	10.4	0.7	3.1	7.5	2.43
2 Seasons						10	25	.286	4.37	51	51	0	0	0	0	263.2	289	147	128	15	116	0	229	7	0	28	1163	1.536	9.9	0.5	4.0	7.8	1.97

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 9/26/2011.

John Sickels had this to say for Chad James:

3) Chad James, LHP, Grade B-   3.89 ERA with 114/47 K/BB in 134 innings for High-A Jupiter, 155 hits, 3-15 record. He hasn’t been awful but is hittable. Young at 20.

Sickels’ grades are from last year. Comments are from his review.

Kenny Williams comments on Ozzie Guillen’s exit; Ozzie Guillen’s comments too (audio)

Mark Gonzales:

“Was it time for a change? I don’t think so. I guess things were accelerated. We had no intention of firing him. This was kind of acquiescing to some of his desires more than anything. It is what it is. I can’t, I don’t wish to expound on any of the peripherals to the degree that they become more of a story than they really are.”This is a case of a man making a business decision for himself and his family. And we respect it. We respected it enough to allow this to happen. Obviously we didn’t agree with the request for an extension and in answer to your question, yes, we’ve had I can’t tell you how much dialogue on the subject.”

ESPN has audio for Kenny Williams’ press conference (10:17) and Ozzie Guillen’s press conference (18:21).