[Mark Gonzales]: 12:02 pm: Ken Griffey Jr. is one of only six players to hit at least 600 home runs and has been named to 13 All-Star teams. But the Sox are banking the 38-year-old Griffey has enough production left to help them to the post-season. The Whte Sox acquisition of the Cincinnati slugger is moving closer to reality. FOXSports.com, which first reported the trade, and Associated Press are reporting that Griffey approved the deal and it's now in the hands of the Commissioner's office. The Reds apparently have agreed to pick up a substantial portion of Griffey's salary. He will earn $12.5 million this season, with a $16.5 million team option and $4 million buyout. It's rare that the Commissioner's Office rejects deals involving more than $1 million exchanged. CBSSports.com is reporting that Cincinnati would pay the remaining $4 million due on Griffey's contract this season. A scouting source said the Sox will move reliever Nick Masset and second baseman Danny Richar to the Reds for Griffey and an undisclosed amount of cash. Masset and Richar are on the 40-man roster. The source added that the Griffey deal was fueled by the struggles of Paul Konerko, who is batting .214 and has only three extra base hits since coming off the disabled list July 8. Konerko has a full no-trade clause.
WGN-TV says Griffey will play center, I don't know how accurate is this.
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Jim and Jeeves take a deeper look on Griffey.
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It's official. Here's the press release.