southsider2k5 Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,2605527.story By Mark Gonzales Tribune reporter 11:02 a.m. CST, November 29, 2012 The clock is ticking as the Chicago White Sox must decide by Friday night whether to tender contracts to their remaining unsigned players currently under control. The biggest questions involve pitcher Philip Humber and infielder Dan Johnson, who could make more than a combined $2 million if tendered contracts. They would become free agents if not offered contracts. Given the fact that the Sox could commit at least $8 million to Dayan Viciedo, Gordon Beckham and Alejandro De Aza, it would be tough to see them tendering contacts to Humber and Johnson unless they clear some salary space. The Sox have 10 players under contract at $89.95 million for a 2013 payroll not expected to exceed much more than $100 million for 2013. The Sox already are set on the right side of their rotation with Jake Peavy and Gavin Floyd, with Andre Rienzo possibly getting a shot at the No. 5 spot if he doesn’t receive an audition as a long reliever. Johnson hit three home runs on the final game of the regular season, but he could be perceived as a luxury since the Sox already have Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn as first basemen/designated hitters. General manager Rick Hahn said earlier this month that Johnson isn’t being considered for the third base position. The Sox’s 40-man roster is currently filled, but they could create space by not tendering contracts to unsigned players. In winter league news, left-hander Hector Santiago has struck out 17 in 16 innings for Carolina of the Puerto Rican Winter League. Santiago has a 1.13 ERA in three starts. Also, manager Julio Vinas could move from Class-A Kannapolis to Double-A Birmingham, according to three sources. Vinas would take over for Bobby Maganalles, who would shift to Adavanced Rookie-Bristol. Gary Ward will become the hitting coach at Birmingham. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justBLAZE Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 Rienzo for the 5th spot? Cya later Gavin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted November 29, 2012 Author Share Posted November 29, 2012 eghan Montemurro @M_Montemurro Hahn declined to reveal if Sox will tender Humber or Dan Johnson, tho he's talked to their agents. Sox have til tom. night to make decision. Mark Gonzales @MDGonzales Hahn: no direct talks with Humber and Dan Johnson on whether to tender or non-tender. He has talked to their agents. Scott Merkin @scottmerkin Humber a likely White Sox non-tender candidate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWSpalehoseCWS Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 Too bad for Humber. I bet if you told him after throwing that perfecto he'd be DFA in the offseason he would have thought you were crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago White Sox Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 While I'd like to keep Johnson for his left-handed bat, we obviously can't if we go with a four man bench like we typically have under KW in recent years. And personally I don't think a 5 man bench is needed in the AL. It will be interesting to see how Hahn handles the bench and if he possibly goes with five guys. Honestly, I never thought KW did a great job putting together a bench outside of a few specific years. Maybe Hahn will give it more thought and look for players with specific skillsets that complement the rest of the team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Nov 29, 2012 -> 07:12 PM) While I'd like to keep Johnson for his left-handed bat, we obviously can't if we go with a four man bench like we typically have under KW in recent years. And personally I don't think a 5 man bench is needed in the AL. It will be interesting to see how Hahn handles the bench and if he possibly goes with five guys. Honestly, I never thought KW did a great job putting together a bench outside of a few specific years. Maybe Hahn will give it more thought and look for players with specific skillsets that complement the rest of the team. Depends on what he does with the bullpen. If he keeps Thornton, Crain, and maybe adds another veteran, then he might have more confidence going with a 6 man pen, particularly if there's no young guy in the rotation. If the 5th starter is whichever rookie wins the job in ST, which isn't necessarily a bad option with what our system has right now...and the bullpen is made up of all the guys who were rookies last year, maybe even with one of the other veterans removed, then I want that extra reliever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justBLAZE Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Scot Gregor predicts Humber will be non-tendered and they will offer a contract to Dan Johnson. Gregor also expects Sox to remain quiet for now and pick up a catcher and 3B down the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabiness42 Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Scot Gregor predicts Humber will be non-tendered and they will offer a contract to Dan Johnson. Gregor also expects Sox to remain quiet for now and pick up a catcher and 3B down the road. Only way it makes sense to give Johnson a roster spot is if Paulie or Dunn is being traded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Nov 30, 2012 -> 06:48 AM) Only way it makes sense to give Johnson a roster spot is if Paulie or Dunn is being traded. Depends on who your other bench guys are. Assuming you carry Johnson and a backup C, with a 4 man bench, you have two guys to cover the OF and skill IF positions. If one of them is a guy like Lillibridge, then all you reall need is a CF backup and you're set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted November 30, 2012 Author Share Posted November 30, 2012 QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 30, 2012 -> 08:13 AM) Depends on who your other bench guys are. Assuming you carry Johnson and a backup C, with a 4 man bench, you have two guys to cover the OF and skill IF positions. If one of them is a guy like Lillibridge, then all you reall need is a CF backup and you're set. FWIW, Lilli is a FA again, as he refused assignment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 30, 2012 -> 09:13 AM) Depends on who your other bench guys are. Assuming you carry Johnson and a backup C, with a 4 man bench, you have two guys to cover the OF and skill IF positions. If one of them is a guy like Lillibridge, then all you reall need is a CF backup and you're set. Although...that's still somewhat of a weakness, unless both of your other backups can cover the OF and middle infield positions. You can get days where both your SS and 2b are hurt and then all of a sudden you're playing a guy there who has never played there before. It might only cost a game or two, but that can be pretty big, and it only makes sense if the other backup you're carrying is worth an extra win or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago White Sox Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 30, 2012 -> 08:13 AM) Depends on who your other bench guys are. Assuming you carry Johnson and a backup C, with a 4 man bench, you have two guys to cover the OF and skill IF positions. If one of them is a guy like Lillibridge, then all you reall need is a CF backup and you're set. We already signed Wise for next year, so bringing back Johnson would only leave a reserve infielder and backup catcher left to find if we go with a 4 man bench. And quite frankly, in a perfect world our reserve infielder and backup catcher should be left-handed. That probably doesn't happen, but if it did, we'd have an all left-handed bench which is certainly not ideal. Regardless, Johnson just doesn't seem flexible enough to be part of a 4 man bench IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Nov 30, 2012 -> 09:37 AM) We already signed Wise for next year, so bringing back Johnson would only leave a reserve infielder and backup catcher left to find if we go with a 4 man bench. And quite frankly, in a perfect world our reserve infielder and backup catcher should be left-handed. That probably doesn't happen, but if it did, we'd have an all left-handed bench which is certainly not ideal. Regardless, Johnson just doesn't seem flexible enough to be part of a 4 man bench IMO. If Tyler Flowers is the starting catcher, the Sox just have to find a LH hitting backup, I don't care how they do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago White Sox Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 30, 2012 -> 08:41 AM) If Tyler Flowers is the starting catcher, the Sox just have to find a LH hitting backup, I don't care how they do it. I agree with you 100%. I just don't know what's out there at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Chappas Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Don't know how in fits into things but I loved Dan Johnson's approach at the plate. Especially late in games. I would like to seem him get a PH 5th outfielder spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny Lucy's Avocado Farm Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 (edited) QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 30, 2012 -> 09:41 AM) If Tyler Flowers is the starting catcher, the Sox just have to find a LH hitting backup, I don't care how they do it. Brian Schnieder? http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/schnebr01.shtml He's a free agent, but was hinting at retirement. ANy available backup C that hits lefthanded likely wont be any better against RHP than Flowers, if they are any good at all. So might as well he a righthanded hitting C that can hit decently against RHP *shrug* Edited November 30, 2012 by Jillian Michaels' Abs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fathom Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 George Kottaras would be a good fit, but he's arb-eligible with the A's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago White Sox Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Dan Johnson non-tendered per the Score. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flavum Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Anthony Carter as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago White Sox Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 (edited) Humber claimed on waivers by Astros per the Score. Edited November 30, 2012 by Chicago White Sox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago White Sox Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 The 40 man roster is now at 37. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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