Will White Sox Call for K-Rod?
Way back in the early days of this past December, I suggested that the Chicago White Sox could have interest in Francisco Rodriguez. The reaction was mixed — in terms of how realistic such a trade might be.
Yesterday, Christina Kharl made the exact same suggestion on the ESPN SweetSpot:
The White Sox lost another squeaker Wednesday with their second extra-inning loss to the A’s. It marked their fifth blown save in the bottom of the eighth inning or later, and the fourth blown save on the season for Matt Thornton … After the game, manager Ozzie Guillen was every bit as combustible as his closers, exploding with an announcement of the obvious: “I don’t have any closer.”
Clearly, the ChiSox are desperate for a closer. Kharl goes on to say:
… perhaps the best fit will involve the Sox living up to their season motto — “All In” — and making a deal for a short-time veteran who could use the change of scenery.
So the time is now for Williams to call Sandy Alderson, start talking about Francisco Rodriguez, and see how much money the Sox can get the Mets to eat while making it happen.
It’s a match made in heaven, don’t you think? The White Sox get the closer they desperately need, K-Rod goes to a team with a chance to compete at a level above AAA, and the Mets shed the stress and worry of that $17.5M option vesting.
What do you think? If White Sox GM Ken Williams made the call to YOU, would you trade K-Rod right now?
Truth be told, I do enjoy him as a ball-player, in terms of tools — Baseball IQ? That’s a completely different story.
However – the 2 side-stories going on right now:
A) Reyes’ walk-year; and
B) The Mets Overall Struggles (on or off-field, take your pick) –
….don’t give me a fuzzy-feeling – on either front – about him being back past this year.
It’s not “doom and gloom” – it’s the reality of competition.
A talented ballplayer should always be looking to play for a winner, and there’s always going to be MAJOR competition on an open market for a premium free agent.
I don’t see either developing for the Mets anytime soon.
We’ll see what happens, but I wouldn’t plan on the Mets shelling out a 7-year type deal for Reyes….and I think he can get something similar, quite easily from a team in need of a SS. There are plenty out there.
As far as “Francis” is concerned, I recall cringing anytime his name was brought up around here – way back in the day….might have been as soon as Wagner got hurt.
Never wanted him, ever – and felt the need to spend like we spent on him would be careless….he wanted “at least 5-years, $75MM” initially, and we got him on “a bargain!!” — HA….
K-Rod’s the exact type of closer that tells you….no team EVER needs to spend $17.5MM for their services. Let alone, one that may be fighting for 4th place in their division.
Pawn him off, the sooner the better.
Reyes and Pelfrey to the Giants for Bumgardner
Tron to the Yanks
Wright to the Orioles
Bay to the Angels or Tigers
Santana to the Yanks (when healthy and after CC opts out)
Sandy will have to eat some salary and may have to wait til next season on some of these guys in order to sell high but the potential haul back could be incredible.
As to the fire sale talk, fine, but as someone noted, you have to get SOMETHING BACK. Just stripping a car for parts won’t do you much good. The Pirates must be great now with all those first round draft picks, right? So, I’m all for some of the trades, but when you get down to Wright, you need someone back.
If not, you keep him. Reyes is a harder case. The question is what are you going to get? Who’s going to be your SS? Is he any better? What starter will you get instead for the money? Relievers?
Yeah, we should think like that, since the future begins now. Still, they also need to start playing smart. Tampa played smart before winning.
It’s their team after all, not ours.
Fine. Two things. First, many around here want a fire sale to start from scratch etc. They aren’t looking at it from the Wilpons end. For them, I say, you need to do it half-way smart. Second, the same applies to the Wilpons, though of course their needs are somewhat different.
More than one team is likely to want some of these players. Some teams will offer more than one thing that fiscally will be not really too different. So even a fiscal fire sale is a matter of judgment. It’s like the $10M they had to spend. They could have not used a 1/10 of it for Scott Hairston.
Where are the posts re Wally Backman?
Don’t get me wrong, he’s still a great player, but from 2005-2008 he was one of the most valuable players in baseball. He played terrific defense (even if he didn’t really deserve his gold gloves) and was a fantastic hitter; he could hit 30 homers, steal 30 bases, get on base almost 40% of the time… struck out a moderate amount but not a ton. He was in my opinion Top 5 MVP material year after year.
Since 2009, though, he’s dropped out of that category. He’s a great player, but instead of being in the Top 5 players in baseball, he might not even be in the Top 3 players at his position. His defense has fallen apart, and he can’t simultaneously get on base and hit for power. He can do one or the other, but he hasn’t been able to put the complete package back together.
I’d hate to see him go, but I’m starting to question whether I consider him, or anyone on the Mets, untouchable.
Why do the Mets need an “elite” closer now or a right fielder playing every 3 days? It’d be in Beltran’s interest to move to the American League, too. He could play the odd day in centerfield.
p.s. keep Reyes.
sorry some of the comments above are bizarre. Our old friend Isuzu called for this TWO yrs ago but really NOW IS THE TIME!!
1. Sandy alderson: Who is he? Ans- the anti-Omar
his forte IS rebuilds…check his resume
2. expiring contracts:
Luis, Ollie (gone),
Reyes – replacement hitting ..300 at AAA
DW- replacement currently playing 2nd base at Citi, Lutz not far behind
CB- Replacements at AAA (Capt Kirk, Fmart)
Krod might as well be an expiring contract
Paulino looks like a cancelled contract…
Rotation: Gee pitches today, Jenry has a 0.000ERA at AAA (!!!!!). Young and Niese and RA fill out the rotation
PS: Trading Reyes, DW, Krod and Pelfrey will net a contending team. See Alderson resume.
Are you seriously suggesting Brad Emaus is a replacement for David Wright? I just damn near choked on my lunch reading that….