Post by chisox100 on Oct 30, 2008 16:09:09 GMT -5
CHICAGO -- The White Sox began their post-World Series reshaping with an eye toward 2009 and beyond by announcing one expected move and a second that was a bit more surprising.
As expected, the team declined a $16 million option held on Ken Griffey Jr. for the 2009 season. Griffey receives a $4 million buyout, split between the White Sox and the Reds.
But declining the $2.25 million club option on Toby Hall leaves the White Sox temporarily in search of a backup catcher. A.J. Pierzynski and Minor Leaguer Cole Armstrong stand as the only two backstops on the White Sox 40-man roster.
Hall, who recently turned 33, was thought to be in the White Sox plans after hitting .260 in 41 games and 127 at-bats. Factoring in Pierzynski's durability, Hall seemed to be a perfect fit for his particular role, with White Sox pitchers compiling a 3.68 ERA when he was behind the plate. Hall also hit .377 against left-handed pitchers.
There's a chance Hall could be brought back at a lesser amount, but the abbreviated Griffey era on the South Side appears to have come to an end. Griffey batted .260 with three home runs and 18 RBIs in 41 games for the White Sox after being acquired at the non-waiver Trade Deadline from Cincinnati in exchange for pitcher Nick Masset and infielder Danny Richar.
After the Rays eliminated the White Sox in the Division Series round of competition, Griffey spoke of how much he enjoyed his time with Chicago. The White Sox felt the same way about the outfielder with 611 career home runs, but Griffey does not appear to be an everyday center fielder at this point of his career and the South Siders already have a designated hitter in-house in Jim Thome.
Shortstop Orlando Cabrera, third baseman Joe Crede, infielder Juan Uribe and relief pitcher Horacio Ramirez all figure to join Griffey and Hall in free agency from the White Sox. Closer Bobby Jenks and outfielder Dewayne Wise both are arbitration eligible.
In another move announced Thursday, the White Sox signed free-agent infielder Jayson Nix to a one-year deal. Nix, 26, hit .303 with 17 home runs and 51 RBIs in 67 games for Triple-A Colorado Springs in 2008. He opened the season as the Rockies' starting second baseman, but lost his job to Clint Barmes after hitting .125 in 56 at-bats.
Nix was a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team that won the bronze medal in Beijing. He suffered a laceration above his left eye on Aug. 14 and missed five games before starting the bronze-medal game against Japan. Nix, a Colorado sandwich pick (44th overall) in the 2001 First-Year Player Draft, falls in the same basic category as Carlos Quentin, where a change of scenery could help him flourish
As expected, the team declined a $16 million option held on Ken Griffey Jr. for the 2009 season. Griffey receives a $4 million buyout, split between the White Sox and the Reds.
But declining the $2.25 million club option on Toby Hall leaves the White Sox temporarily in search of a backup catcher. A.J. Pierzynski and Minor Leaguer Cole Armstrong stand as the only two backstops on the White Sox 40-man roster.
Hall, who recently turned 33, was thought to be in the White Sox plans after hitting .260 in 41 games and 127 at-bats. Factoring in Pierzynski's durability, Hall seemed to be a perfect fit for his particular role, with White Sox pitchers compiling a 3.68 ERA when he was behind the plate. Hall also hit .377 against left-handed pitchers.
There's a chance Hall could be brought back at a lesser amount, but the abbreviated Griffey era on the South Side appears to have come to an end. Griffey batted .260 with three home runs and 18 RBIs in 41 games for the White Sox after being acquired at the non-waiver Trade Deadline from Cincinnati in exchange for pitcher Nick Masset and infielder Danny Richar.
After the Rays eliminated the White Sox in the Division Series round of competition, Griffey spoke of how much he enjoyed his time with Chicago. The White Sox felt the same way about the outfielder with 611 career home runs, but Griffey does not appear to be an everyday center fielder at this point of his career and the South Siders already have a designated hitter in-house in Jim Thome.
Shortstop Orlando Cabrera, third baseman Joe Crede, infielder Juan Uribe and relief pitcher Horacio Ramirez all figure to join Griffey and Hall in free agency from the White Sox. Closer Bobby Jenks and outfielder Dewayne Wise both are arbitration eligible.
In another move announced Thursday, the White Sox signed free-agent infielder Jayson Nix to a one-year deal. Nix, 26, hit .303 with 17 home runs and 51 RBIs in 67 games for Triple-A Colorado Springs in 2008. He opened the season as the Rockies' starting second baseman, but lost his job to Clint Barmes after hitting .125 in 56 at-bats.
Nix was a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team that won the bronze medal in Beijing. He suffered a laceration above his left eye on Aug. 14 and missed five games before starting the bronze-medal game against Japan. Nix, a Colorado sandwich pick (44th overall) in the 2001 First-Year Player Draft, falls in the same basic category as Carlos Quentin, where a change of scenery could help him flourish
I think the minor league system thinks this guy Cole Armstrong is the real deal because Toby Hall was a great backup and clubhouse guy. Im not sad to see Griffey go but this guy Jayson Nix gives me a feeling like the one I got when they signed Alexei Ramirez, maybe he could be great. Or I would atleast settle for solid.
