With the general managers and owners meeting in Orlando, there are a lot of links to blast through. So let's start by sifting through the rumors flying around during the overlapping day, from most important to least important.
*Gavin Floyd is on the block, which seems reasonable. He's a good guy to dangle - there's nothing wrong with his contract and peripherals, but his tendency to start slow doesn't suit the Sox, who already have enough guys who take forever to get going. You gotta give up something to get something, and Floyd would definitely be something.
The Colorado Rockies have inquired about him according to the Denver Post's Troy Renck, and the Sox asked about third baseman Ian Stewart, who is a decent player but doesn't really fit the Sox's needs as they stand right now. He does bring some left-handed power, but the rest of his offensive game is unremarkable, and his defense is only so-so.
If the Sox trade Floyd, it will have to be for somebody more certified, since Jake Peavy won't be ready to go by Opening Day. He's only set to make $5 million, so the salary relief wouldn't be enough to add an elite performance elsewhere.
*Carlos Quentin has caught the eye of Phillies GM Ruben Amaro, who is looking for an outfielder to replace Jayson Werth. ESPN's Jayson Stark says they have done "extensive groundwork on a potential deal." That would help explain how the Sox could justify a hotter pursuit of Hideki Matsui or Adam Dunn, although they would still need to find somebody who could play the right field for at least 120 games.
Although Quentin seems to be a better DH candidate, it's worth noting that Amaro signed Raul Ibanez, who established a defensive reputation so storied and rich in Seattle that he still has a section of commemorative .gifs at Lookout Landing. These two are still my favorites:
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*The White Sox are also among teams with "varying levels of interest" in Miguel Olivo. Which makes sense, although taking action before Nov. 23 would add yet another layer of intrigue onto the A.J. Pierzynski arbitration debate. Pierzynski's contract wouldn't be guaranteed, but cutting him afterward could get hairy.
*The Arizona Diamondbacks aren't going to block Brandon Allen so Paul Konerko can sleep in his own bed.
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In other news:
*The Sun-Times' Gordon Wittenmyer talked to Jerry Reinsdorf, who said that he did talk to the Marlins about a trade for Ozzie Guillen. The White Sox requested a player who the Marlins would never deal, but the Sun-Times buried that part a little bit:
'The Marlins asked for permission to talk to Ozzie, and we told them we'd let Ozzie go if they gave us a particular player,'' Reinsdorf told the Sun-Times. ''But we knew they couldn't give us the player.''
Sources told the Sun-Times the player was touted young slugger Mike Stanton, but Reinsdorf said it wasn't Stanton. He declined to identify the player, but speculation points to first baseman Logan Morrison.
Considering the Sun-Times declared Stanton's involvement in two stories while no other sources could corroborate it, this is a slightly bigger "oops" than they're letting on. That can't be held against Wittenmyer, though, as he wasn't involved in either previous story.
*Phil Rogers rues the Jake Peavy and Edwin Jackson trades, already calling the Jackson trade "a disaster." That's a gross overstatement at this moment, and I don't even like the trade.
Rogers says Hudson outperformed Jackson, but the Hudson that pitched in Arizona was nowhere to be seen in Chicago. He worked skittishly (11 walks over 15 2/3 innings) and only had two pitches -- not a great combination for the league with the DH. Put them both in an AL pennant race, and I think Jackson beats Hudson easily, based on what Hudson showed against the competition.
And while I'd rather have the cost-effective Hudson, Jackson's fun to watch when he's throwing 98 in the eighth inning. That kind of power pitching is exceedingly rare for a Sox starter. I have the feeling Jackson is going to be worth more than what he's being paid in 2011, and if the Sox choose to trade Floyd, the return for him could go a ways to make up for what was lost with Hudson.
It's easy to mourn for Hudson, but try to enjoy Jackson. He's pure brawn, and he's as good a bet as any Sox starter to pull his weight.
*Charlotte Knights fans can welcome the additions of relief pitcher Brian Bruney and third baseman Dallas McPherson. Bruney experienced some success with the Yankees, but lost all command last season with the Nationals. He's a possible rehab project, and a step up from the Ryan Bukviches and Ryan Brauns in the AAAA world. McPherson is like Brad Eldred, if you remember him.
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We interrupt this Reading Room...:
*I never dreamed I would enjoy being in a Tim Kurkjian-Jon Miller sandwich, but there you have it. I'm part of ESPN.com's "panel of experts," 73 strong, voting on MLB awards for the site. Orel Hershiser is honored to be my peer, I'm sure.
*On the Sox Machine Facebook page, I asked about the best White Sox gift you've received for a potential Black Friday post, and I'd like you to add your answer if you have a good one. Thank you for your time.
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More White Sox reading material:
*Brett Ballantini throws some "bizarre ideas" against the wall for the 2011 roster, including an outfield shift and a six-man rotation. He also put Victor Martinez at the center of his own offseason plan.
*Ken Rosenthal wonders if the White Sox might take the same path the 2010 Tigers did -- shed some salary but remain on the fringe of competitiveness, and wait to reload in the 2011-12 offseason. I'm not against it, as Kenny Williams did it pretty well in 2007. I'd just hope he'd offer a slightly more watchable product this time.
*FanGraphs now offers "pace" to its Pitch f/x offerings. For instance, Peavy ramped it up under Don Cooper, and Floyd has also worked faster since joining the White Sox. I'm guessing he'll always be in the 20s since he can't hold runners as easily as the rest of the staff.
*J.J. offers his reactions to the first day of the meetings. I want to hear more about his preference in keeping Floyd over John Danks.
*White Sox Observer puts two reviews -- Jayson Nix and Brent Lillibridge -- into one post.
*Mike at White Sox Mix wants the sock patch back.
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Arizona Fall League:
- Surprise 13, Peoria 3
- Eduardo Escobar went 0-for-5 with an RBI.
- Jason Bour had a single over two at-bats.
- Anthony Carter struck out one in a 1-2-3 inning.
- Henry Mabee allowed a solo homer and a walk over 1 2/3 innings, striking out one.
