Arbitration is Riske business

by The Cheat on Dec 1, 2006 12:09 AM CST in White Sox News

Riske unlikely to be offered arbitration by Friday deadline

If Kenny is truly appalled by the salaries that free agents are getting, he'd offer Riske arbitration in a heartbeat, knowing full well that Riske would get more than the likely $2.5M he'd earn at arbitration from some other team. The worst that can happen is Riske accepts arbitration, and ends up as the highest paid member of the Sox bullpen to pitch the lowest leverage innings. He'd still be tradeable in June for something of value since seemingly all the mediocre teams in contention are looking for bullpen help at the deadline.

Kenny can't offer Hermanson because of his lingering back injury and the knowledge that he'd also earn at least $2.5M. The Sox already paid him $500K to go away.

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Kenny must offer RIske arbitration

Whether or not Riske actually ends part of the White Sox bullpen for a couple of months or a couple of seasons is immaterial at this point in time. What matters is that KW and the White Sox use the rules in place to protect their assets and put themselves in the best position possible for the future.

Riske will remain a tradable commodity (even if only for a good prospect) if the White Sox hold on to him or the White Sox will get a draft pick if he signs somewhere else. Both theses situations are definitely in the White Sox best interest. Restricted free agaents are often harder to move, i.e., less attractive to sign, then unrestricted free agents but that doesn't mean that the White Sox should just walk away from Riske.

It is not like that the White Sox currently have a bunch of young stud minor league players that they need to create roster space for ... not offering Riske arbitration just makes no sense.

by Jim in Maine on Dec 1, 2006 5:41 AM CST reply actions

I think the budget is a problem

For all the tough talk about not needing to move a starter, all the Sox actions and inactions reek of payroll constraints. This is a typical penny-wise and pound-foolish action which is something I hoped would be in the past. They're acting like a small payroll team.

by hitlesswonder on Dec 1, 2006 8:30 AM CST reply actions

Agree hitless

The mentality of Chi Sox have to change. (I think it has to a certain extent). We are a big money ball club now.

Hell even BP's Between the numbers gives the Sox five years to capitalize on the WS win.

Riske should be offered abritration.

by Tdogg on Dec 1, 2006 10:07 AM CST up reply actions

So guess who's back...

Disdaining the high-priced free agent market, the White Sox re-signed left fielder Scott Podsednik to a one year, $2.9 million contract.

tribune article

by jd23 on Dec 1, 2006 11:37 AM CST reply actions

my thoughts can't be shared in polite company

by larry on Dec 1, 2006 11:38 AM CST up reply actions

any chance he'll be dealt?

Someone, Bavasi, ANYONE has got to like those SB numbers, right? Right?

by asinwreck on Dec 1, 2006 11:42 AM CST up reply actions

I sure hope so

HEY THIS IS JI
JIM THOME
THE PEORIA POUNDER

by The Wizard on Dec 1, 2006 11:44 AM CST up reply actions

oh noooooooooooooo

someone tell me that he's gonna be traded or I'm gonna go bury my head in a snow bank.

thanks for ruining my day, jd23

by Air Raid Siren Stan on Dec 1, 2006 11:46 AM CST up reply actions

i'll

help you bury your head in the snow bank

by jd23 on Dec 1, 2006 11:47 AM CST up reply actions

you

just lost the car for the weekend, wise guy.

by Air Raid Siren Stan on Dec 1, 2006 11:48 AM CST up reply actions

Fook

Since when is this "polite company"?

I really like the "avoiding arbitration" part - like we were scared spitless of getting to the table.

by winningugly on Dec 1, 2006 12:30 PM CST up reply actions

from sox.com

( here http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20061201&co ntent_id=1748683&vkey=pr_cws&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws)

by Air Raid Siren Stan on Dec 1, 2006 11:54 AM CST reply actions

oops

here

by Air Raid Siren Stan on Dec 1, 2006 11:57 AM CST reply actions

Arrgh!!

I can't believe Pods and Alomar are actually going to be back. The two weakest positions on the team. Two positions that would be relatively (to the market) cheap to upgrade (backup C and a LF).

Passing on the chance to pick up draft picks because they might have to pay Riske $2M? Not to mention Riske is probably better than Aardsma anyway...

This is ridiculous.

by hitlesswonder on Dec 1, 2006 11:59 AM CST reply actions

Riske Business

Can someone please explain this one to me?

Has Kenny been hitting the spiked egg nog at the office xmas party too hard?

by Air Raid Siren Stan on Dec 1, 2006 12:04 PM CST up reply actions

Alomar is not coming back !

who said that ?

by White Sox Randy on Dec 1, 2006 12:28 PM CST up reply actions

I don't get it.

Riske, aven at 2 million, has much more positive value then Pods at 3 million. Riske will probably be a league average reliever for 2 million. Pods on the other hand will continue to be one of the worst LF's in all of baseball and now he's getting paid 2.9 million to do it.

At least they didn't give him a two year deal. Still, this is beyond frustrating. LF should be one of the easier positions to upgrade as anyone with two arms and two feet can do an adequate job out there. Instead we are stuck with another year of Pods.

There is no way he will justify his salary this year and I don't have any clue what Kenny Williams is thinking.

by madvillian on Dec 1, 2006 12:33 PM CST reply actions