After adding Todd Frazier, Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago wonders if the White Sox will grab another big bat off of the free agent market. Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes are potential targets for Chicago, but Alex Gordon makes the most sense for the White Sox, in Levine’s estimation. The club has payroll limitations to deal with, but Levine has some ideas for how it can squeeze in a $20MM/year outfielder with some creative accounting.
Here’s more out of the AL Central:
- In their talks with the Indians regarding Frazier, the Reds did not waver from their requests for Bradley Zimmer, Clint Frazier, and multiple other pieces from the Tribe’s farm system, according to Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com (on Twitter).  As a result, some people in baseball circles are surprised about the Reds’ haul in the trade relative to their asking prices elsewhere (link).  In Wednesday’s three-way trade involving the White Sox, the Reds acquired infielders Jose Peraza and Brandon Dixon plus outfielder Scott Schebler from the Dodgers.
- Tigers GM Al Avila told 105.1 FM in Detroit that the team’s payroll situation would be “pretty ugly” with another big signing, according to Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press (on Twitter).  Avila ruled out a run at top-of-the-market outfielders like Yoenis Cespedes at last week’s Winter Meetings, but Fenech recently noted that owner Mike Ilitch made no such claim.  In theory, Cespedes’ reps at Roc Nation Sports could try and pitch directly to Ilitch, as Scott Boras reportedly did with Prince Fielder four years ago.
- Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago (on Twitter) doesn’t see the White Sox winding up with a high-profile free agent. Â The White Sox won’t rule anything out, he says, but they would prefer to make a trade or sign a lower-level free agent who does not require draft pick compensation to his former team.
The only thing that would make sense for the Tigers is to trade a Kinsler to the Dodgers or Angels or someone and then take that money to grab a Cespedes, Gordon or Upton. Too much money tied up in Miggy, Verlander, VMart, Kinsler, Sanchez and wanting to extend Martinez. 2nd base is prolly the easiest hole for them to fill within.
Nobody’s taking Kinslers contract. Even if the Tigers picked up 2/3 of the contract to move him, they will now have to spend on a second baseman.
Texas took Fielder’s contract. If you find the right partner any player can be traded. He would easily be worth more on the open market. Moving him would create a hole on the roster. VMart is by far the toughest contract to trade.
You said that as if Kinsler was a bad player tied to a huge contract. He had a 4.2 WAR season, he has an above average glove and he;s only owed 2/$30 million (which includes a $5 mil buyout for the 3rd season). That makes him one of the better 2b in the game. Why would his contract be an issue where the Tigers would have to eat any of it? If a lesser in Asdrubal Cabrera can get an average base of $8.5 mil a year then I think an average of $12 mil per (assuming the team picked up the 3rd year option) seems about right.
Kinsler is easily one of the best second baseman in the American League and is worth quite a bit. Trading him would create another hole, regardless is you signed another free agent.
The Reds are schizophrenic. They asked for all of that from the Indians but settled on Peraza? I was critical of the Indians for not acquiring Frazier, but if that was the Reds asking requirement, then the Tribe did the right thing.
I wonder if the proximity of the two teams was an issue for the Reds? Maybe they wanted more from Cleveland considering they’re neighbors? Silly reason but plausible.
Talked to a few of buddies who are Reds fans and they said they feel the same way. Hard to see a fan favorite stay in state and play a few hours away.
That may be part of it, though they’ve traded with each other before. I think part of it may have been the Reds trying to fleece Antionetti and Chernof, new president of baseball operations and new GM
What a joke the Reds are. Asking for Zimmer, Frazier, and more then accepting a deal for a package headlined by a guy far worse than both. This Front Office is a disgrace.
that’s because the asking price of frazier and zimmer was insane. indians walked away from the table, reds got desperate and took whatever they could.
They need all three guys to pan out for this deal not to look bad 3-4 years down the road. It already looks bad, and I’m not even a big Frazier fan.
Sox would likely go after Cespedes because he would not cost the Sox a pick whereas Gordon would, same with Upton if I am not mistaken.
I’m OK with that!
I’d love for the Sox to get Cespedes but IMO I think it’s unlikely. He wants a long term deal and Jerry usually doesn’t like giving out contracts like that.
Abreu, Cespedes, and re-sign Ramirez for the Cuban Connection.
I’m gonna put a big no on Cespedes. I’d much rather see them go big on Upton. Never been a big fan of Gordon either.
The White Sox’s first pick is protected (10th). I doubt they would miss out on a top tier free agent for a second round pick.
I’ll add to this by saying that they’re also getting a low 30s (potentially high 20s) pick from Samardzija signing with the Giants.
And the Sox have made it clear they do to want to cough up any pick to get FAs, but Cespedes does not cost them a pick I believe, which makes him far more attractive. I like Gordon, but not if it will give a rival a draft pick; not for a guy pushing 32. Upton is intriguing, 26 dingers last season playing half of his games in a very pitcher friendly park in SD. I could see the Sox giving up a second rounder for him