Some rumours, as the Brits would say...

by Stealfirstbase on Sep 15, 2006 8:16 PM CDT Comment 1 comment

These are all taken from the FOXsports rumor page. Copy and paste is a wonderful thing.

Discuss what looks good for 2007:

White Sox general manager Ken Williams said that last fall he asked Philadelphia's Pat Gillick for either designated hitter Jim Thome or Ryan Howard, who leads the major leagues with 56 home runs and 139 RBIs. "I'll take either one," Williams said. "Which one do you want? You can't play both." The Phillies gave the Sox about $23 million as part of a multiplayer trade for Thome, who has hit 39 home runs and stabilized the middle of the Sox batting order.

A's slugger Frank Thomas was hitting .178 and had only seven home runs through May 20. But by hitting .320 with 29 homers and 78 RBIs in 88 games since then, Thomas has stepped forward as the leading hitter for an Oakland team that is putting on its usual second-half kick.

The White Sox have more than $99 million committed to 12 players for 2007 if they pick up the options on pitcher Mark Buehrle, right fielder Jermaine Dye and second baseman Tadahito Iguchi. That nearly equals the Sox's entire payroll for 2006.

The Los Angeles Angels' Chone Figgins also has haunted the White Sox, but several scouts have questioned his .325 on-base percentage, outfield skills and endurance to produce on a consistent basis.

The White Sox could settle for free agent Julio Lugo, who has been relegated to a reserve role with the Dodgers.

Left fielder Scott Podsednik is arbitration eligible, and the Sox would like to get some compensation in the likely event Podsednik doesn't return. The Cubs' Juan Pierre ($5.75 million) is a free agent, but Brian Anderson's strong arm makes him a better fit in center field. A cheaper free-agent option could be San Diego's Dave Roberts ($2.25 million), who could handle the leadoff duties for one season until Owens is ready. Texas' Gary Matthews Jr. is experiencing a breakout year and could command a high price despite not having a long run of success. Boston's Coco Crisp is a notorious Sox killer who is completing the first year of a three-year, $15.5 million contract. But Anderson is better suited to play center.

GM Ken Williams always has aimed high and the White Sox could try for Texas' Michael Young, especially after owner Tom Hicks put the majority of the blame on the players for their decline. Young is a favorite of Guillen, though he doesn't possess blazing speed, and his $3.5 million salary for 2007 is a big bargain. It's probably too good for Texas to move.

Trading Freddy Garcia ($10 million) and/or Javier Vazquez ($12.5 million) would provide financial relief. Each would be very attractive to a team seeking a starter to bolster their 2007 playoff hopes. With Florida possessing a surplus of pitching, the White Sox could aim for Florida left-hander Dontrelle Willis ($4.35 million in 2006) or attempt to land one of the Marlins' youngsters. The Sox have scouted the Los Angeles Dodgers' farm system thoroughly but weren't able to make a deal before the All-Star break.

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