:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52263921/usa_today_9370177.0.jpeg)
Because they were on the verge of losing their third baseman and closer, the Los Angeles Dodgers were a popular potential trading partner for the White Sox.
Because the Dodgers ended up retaining both Justin Turner (four years, $64 million) and Kenley Jansen (five years, $80 million), it stands to reason that they don’t have much of a need for Todd Frazier and (probably) David Robertson, too. Given the inflated salaries for closers — Turner received roughly the same contract as Mark Melancon, the market’s third-best closer — Robertson’s two-year, $25 million obligation doesn’t seem all that remarkable.
For the third time this winter, the Nationals look like a more willing partner for the Sox. They made a hard run at Jansen, reportedly offering five years at more money (albeit with no opt-out after the third year and some deferred salary in the final year).
Chelsea Janes at the Washington Post laid out Mike Rizzo’s options after the Jansen rejection:
Even so, the Nationals still have choices. Former Royals closer Greg Holland is still available — and at a relatively low cost because he missed last season with injury. The Nationals had not had serious discussions with Holland’s representatives as of Sunday, according to a person familiar with the situation, but the expectation around the industry is that they were waiting for the Jansen domino to fall before moving on another closer. Rays closer Alex Colome could be available, too, but would likely come at a high prospect price. White Sox closer David Robertson might also be available, but if the Nationals considered him a top-tier option, he likely would already be on their roster, given the number of discussions Rizzo and White Sox General Manager Rick Hahn had over the past few weeks. Less-heralded options like former Diamondbacks closer Brad Ziegler is also available.
Terrerobytes
John Danks will try to sustain his career in the place former White Sox attempt to sustain their careers. The Braves signed him to a minor-league deal with $1.5 million if he makes it back to the majors. Seeking out Tyler Flowers isn’t a bad idea, as Danks might have been more reliant on extra strikes than anybody, but Danks also dealt with further diminished velocity on top of his previous problems in 2016.
Now that neither player is on the White Sox, Eaton shed a little bit of light on Chris Sale’s knife escapades. He claims that he came away from it with perhaps the rarest of memorabilia:
"I think I may have the only one that didn't get cut up. I secretly yanked mine down when he wasn't looking, and as of right now I think - besides the coaches; the coaches are one thing - but I want to know for sure that I'm the only player that didn't get his cut up."
Brian Bilek’s interview with the White Sox’ director of amateur scouting is worth your time, as they spend plenty of time discussing the new guys. For instance, about Dane Dunning, who has been overshadowed by Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez:
Dane was in a hard role there because he could never get in routine with his side days and all that but he never complained. He just kept asking coach O’Sullivan and the coaches at Florida for the ball. We even called them late [Wednesday] morning just to get their opinions one more time. They were adamant on the kid on and off the field. The change-up is still a bit of a development but that’s because he didn’t really have to throw it much.
As you might expect, our friends down in North Carolina are licking their chops.
The official language:
The policy, obtained by The Associated Press, prohibits teams from "requiring, coercing or encouraging" players to engage in activities that include "dressing up as women or wearing costumes that may be offensive to individuals based on their race, sex, nationality, age, sexual orientation, gender identify or other characteristic."
As you might expect, some players aren’t handling this change well, but any loss in short-term amusement is offset with long-term benefits like improving conditions for, say, MLB’s first openly gay player, whenever that happens. It doesn’t prevent veterans from pressing rookies into getting coffee in uniforms, wearing onesies, using duckling paraphernalia or anything else that signifies their junior status, which is supposed to be the point of it all. But I can’t say I really understand the appeal in perpetuating hazing, so the less of it the better, as far as I’m concerned.