As the Hot Stove continues keeping fans interested and writers employed, the latest of the big name free agent rumors comes from Los Angeles. Or is it Anaheim. Whatever...it's from the Angels.
Apparently the Angels have moved their attention to starting pitcher CC Sabathia, hoping to sign the hefty lefty to a multi-year deal while hedging the price for first baseman Mark Teixiera will fall between now and his Erin Andrews-broken Christmas Deadline.
With the crop of big bats in free agency being thin this year, and with those that are available being generally older and limited defensively, one would think the pricetag for Teixiera would potentially climb. He's young, plays very good defense, and can hit with anyone in baseball. His hometown team(s), the Orioles and Nationals, appear prepared to make him an offer to become the face of their franchises.
So, if the Angels plan backfires and they get Sabathia but no bat to play first, where does that leave the happy-to-spend leaders of the AL West?
Almost like clockwork, each of the past three or four years the Bulls and Blackhawks leave on their Circus Trip and the rumors of a Paul Konerko-to-Anaheim/Los Angeles trade arrive around Thanksgiving. This year's free agent class, coupled with Sox General Manager Kenny Williams' open desire for a faster, younger team, may provide the perfect storm for a deal to finally be consummated.
- B/R Ticket Guide
The player Williams has allegedly lusted for the past few years has been the versatile Chone Figgins. Looking at the Sox potential lineup, there are a number of places he could fit in right away. Third base is vacant, second base could use some help, and center field is a grab bag. While there are youngsters the Sox could potentially put into each of these slots, Figgins could lead off every day and play any of the three.
The deal couldn't be a one-for-one straight up exchange. Konerko's contract is too expensive, especially if the Angels add $20 million for Sabathia. Paulie's also is a 10-5 player, meaning he can veto anything. What the Sox would receive back from Anaheim is what could become interesting about this rumor.
The Sox are openly trying to get rid of Javier Vazquez. If he goes, the Sox would need another starting pitcher. While kids like Clayton Richard and Aaron Poreda might be ready, there's still the uncertainty surrounding the health and ability of Jose Contreras. A rotation with John Danks, Gavin Floyd and Mark Buehrle has a solid foundation. But the key to a good five man rotation is, you guessed it, FIVE men.
The Angels would, in theory, have the opposite problem. Adding Sabathia to a stable that already includes John Lackey, Ervin Santana, Jered Weaver and others would give the Halos a formidable rotation. There would be potential for a younger pitcher, perhaps from the Angels' system, to be involved in a deal for Konerko. The other possibility would be Weaver, who has underachieved and has a nice salary from his rookie contract signing bonus, could be included in the deal to purge payroll to make room for Konerko.
Who knows what's going on in between the ears of Kenny Williams. Maybe this year there might be some substance to the rumors of Konerko heading west.
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about 1 month ago
This rumor happens every year and the reason the trade never occurs is because the Angels like Figgens, and the White Sox like Konerko. There is no one on the Sox roster to replace Konerko at first. Figgens is a leadoff man, but in terms of position play the Sox have guys in CF, 3b, 2b that they think can play. Trading Konerko for Figgens would create a hole, and not fill out the roster. If it does happen it will include a furry of other moves for the sox....
about 1 month ago
Come on already, Konerko is not traded every year because he is not a very good player. At his best he was average, and now he is far from his best. Slow, high strike out poor defensive first baseman are a dime a dozen, why would any team give a player for Konerko?
from about 1 month ago
check his walks to strikeouts, its really very impressive for a guy hitting 30 plus home runs every year when he is healthy.... Almost 300 career homers, almost 300 career doubles, .491 career slugging, all by the age of 32... those are good numbers john... if he plays five more years you are talking about a 425-440 homer/double guy....
from about 1 month ago
And, Konerko is not a mediocre defensive first baseman. If they don't land Teixiera, Konerko would be better than any in-house option on a team with an all-Over 35 yrs old outfield
about 1 month ago
If can pull off this deal it would be great for the team. Paulie had a down year but we all know that he is way better then he played last year. But if the can make the deal have Figgins at second alexi at short and fields and the new Cuban kid play first and third. If not just let Gordon Beckham play second or short.
about 1 month ago
Also remember that either Jim Thome or Josh Fields could become a first baseman; there has also been a rumor that Jermaine Dye could move to first base to make room for A) Brian Anderson and Jerry Owens in the same OF and B) more speed on the roster by getting Dye's diminished range out of rightfield.
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