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Big League Stew

Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:09 pm EDT

Oops?! White Sox make $60-million waiver claim on Alex Rios

By David Brown

Kenny, what did you do?

Kenny Williams (above right) has pulled off some surprising moves since becoming Chicago's general manager, but this one raises the eyebrows to their highest possible point on the forehead. 

The White Sox acquired two-time All-Star outfielder Alex Rios(notes) on Monday on waivers from the Blue Jays, a transaction the Chicago Tribune calls "shocking" because of his price tag.

Rios is owed $59.7 million from 2010-2014 — the key reason the Jays exposed him to waivers in the first place — and he will crowd a White Sox outfield that already has Jermaine Dye(notes), Carlos Quentin(notes) and Scott Podsednik(notes). And if you're asking "What about DH?" don't look there, either, Jim Thome(notes) fans.

The other reason the move is shocking is because most of the 40-man rosters around the majors pass through waivers during the season. Players usually go unclaimed, or claimed then pulled back, or claimed then traded to the team that claimed 'em.

The White Sox claimed Rios and are stuck because the Jays just let him go. J.P. Ricciardi didn't allow Roy Halladay(notes) to escape, but Rios? You, you go ahead.

Rios is batting .264 with 14 homers, 62 RBIs and 19 stolen bases in 108 games. Rios also has a .317 on-base and a .427 slugging percentage — both of which also are well below his career averages.

An All-Star in 2006 and 2007 (when he started for the AL), Rios also has had an off-year away from the field as this embarrassing episode showed.

He's an above-average right fielder on defense and probably would be an average center fielder if given a chance there. But is he worth $9 million a season for all that? And where will he play this season? Ozzie Guillen, do your thing.

The White Sox, while usually one of the bigger spenders in the majors, recently added Jake Peavy's(notes) $56-million tag to their payroll, and he has yet to throw a pitch for them. Now Rios. Ken Williams the gambler is at it again, with Jerry Reinsdorf's money.

Will this be considered a job-saving shrewd move by Ricciardi? Is it the beginning of the end for Williams, who brought a World Series trophy to the White Sox in '05?

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375 Comments

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  1. bennyc8604
    1. Posted by bennyc8604 Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:24 pm EDT

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    Another interesting play by JP. While it's unfortunate the Jays get nothing in return the hopeful emergence of Travis Snider in the next couple years makes this move okay by me! Aside from the fact I pay Rogers $200 a month for my cell phone and I now have a suspicion none of that is going towards fielding a competitor in the East.... Someone please follow through on what Teddy's dream was before he passed! he wanted a contender dammit!
  2. sam spade
    2. Posted by sam spade Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:27 pm EDT

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    Oh! I sorry this is a great trade for the White Sox. Posednik was out of the league and will go to the bench. the incident with Toronto fans shows that he and they need a divorce. So it's a great move to get an All star for any team. A young one at that.
  3. dblasko3
    3. Posted by dblasko3 Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:33 pm EDT

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    rios under achieved in toronto...believe me that won't happen with kenny and ozzie as his boss. I expect the 5 tool talent to emerge for the white sox until 2014....love this move for this year and beyond.
  4. Qbert
    4. Posted by Qbert Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:33 pm EDT

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    Love this pick up. He immediately becomes the best center fielder the sox have had in 10 year and he is locked up for many years to come. And don't give me that Arron rowand crap either...... So he breaks his face running into a wall... Rios will jump over the wall
  5. Matt
    5. Posted by Matt Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:38 pm EDT

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    Teddy wanted Jays fans to buy up his products... he wasn't even a baseball fan
    this is a bad idea... get a mid-level prospect or SOMETHING
    since snider's been on a tear of late, he's getting the call... right? (I just picked him up in my keeper pool!)
  6. keithsmith33
    6. Posted by keithsmith33 Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:39 pm EDT

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    I don't know about this move but I have to believe Kenny Williams knows what he's doing
  7. Josh H
    7. Posted by Josh H Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:40 pm EDT

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    I think that it is a good trade for sox, Pods will be a role player, and Rios will go to Center. It boosts our lineup. It is just weird that the Sox are spending money like this. God I love Pods, but Rios is a total upgrade from Scotty Pods. Next year we need to go get Juan Pierre/
  8. Kilo
    8. Posted by Kilo Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:42 pm EDT

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    I like the move. Alex is young and can play well in Chicago. Go Sox!!!
  9. Rob Iracane
    9. Posted by Rob Iracane Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:42 pm EDT

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    Brownie, do you really think Scott Podsednik is long for this world? He's gone daddy gone with the dawning of the Alex Rios Era.
  10. Sox Apologist
    10. Posted by Sox Apologist Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:47 pm EDT

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    The Sox have a history of picking up guys with a lot of unrealized potential, but usually it is pitchers and usually they are bargains. The move is both insurance and a move for the future. I think it is a big risk, but I like it. It improves the defense and his numbers should go up a bit at the cell.
  11. Anrkist
    11. Posted by Anrkist Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:49 pm EDT

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    I'd buy that for a dollar!
  12. Jason
    12. Posted by Jason Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:56 pm EDT

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    Love, love, LOVE this for the Sox. Yes, the salary is hard to swallow but with some big contracts expiring at season's end we can take the hit. Pods was a band aid and nothing more...love the guy but his upside is limited. Make no mistake about it though, this was a move for the future more than a move this season. Rios is only 28, has a ton of upside and with Ozzie on his ass may actually show some discipline. Add his defense into the mix and we're moving in the right direction. Obviously having Thome, Konerko, AJ, Dye clog up the base paths wasn't working. We get younger, faster and better defensively...all without giving up a thing in return. Once again, great job Kenny!!!
  13. BD1234534523
    13. Posted by BD1234534523 Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:57 pm EDT

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    Oops?? What does that mean?? Why should Sox fans care about the salary of a player? Fans aren't paying for the salaries directly, these moves sell tickets, makes the Sox the team to beat in the AL Central and shows Sox fans that the organization is about winning. I'd rather see my team make moves instead of sitting back being complacent.
  14. theonlybeldin
    14. Posted by theonlybeldin Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:02 pm EDT

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    Pods has been a huge table setter for the Sox this season, filling the lead-off role that was vacated ... by him after the 2007 season.
    This will allow the Sox to platoon outfielders (who can all hit, which Wise can't) for the stretch run, spelling both Dye and Quentin, especially for the 20-game stretch without an off day starting next week.
  15. bigceiling@...
    15. Posted by bigceiling@... Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:03 pm EDT

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    Wow, where does this guy fit! so long Scotty beam your self up!
  16. Buck N
    16. Posted by Buck N Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:13 pm EDT

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    and to think the Giants offered Lincecum for Rios a few years ago.
  17. SouthSideNate
    17. Posted by SouthSideNate Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:14 pm EDT

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    Look how much the cubs paid for Fukedome! He also wants to play center. This is a steal. The sad part is JD is gone next season. He was the biggest unsung hero in MLB history..He has been the only constant since '05. We will miss you '05 WS MVP!
  18. The Dibbers
    18. Posted by The Dibbers Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:15 pm EDT

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    You are obviously not too bright. The end of the Ricciardi era is much closer than the end of the Williams era.
  19. SouthSideNate
    19. Posted by SouthSideNate Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:16 pm EDT

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    Look how much the cubs paid for Fukedome! He also wants to play center. This is a steal. The sad part is JD is gone next season. He was the biggest unsung hero in MLB history..He has been the only constant since '05. We will miss you '05 WS MVP!
  20. D
    20. Posted by D Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:24 pm EDT

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    Increase in salary for this year but Contreras, Dye & Thome are free agents after this year. That's at least 30 million & guys that are in their mid to late 30s being replaced by Peavy & Rios who are in their 20s.
    Great Job Kenny!
  21. OG Warrior Fan
    21. Posted by OG Warrior Fan Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:25 pm EDT

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    Are you kidding me? No question Podsednik is benched for Rios. They want power hitters, and Rios can steal bases. Better BP for the fans now!
  22. Sammy
    22. Posted by Sammy Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:33 pm EDT

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    What were you thinking kenny????
  23. Nate
    23. Posted by Nate Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:36 pm EDT

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    Rios is the bomb.
  24. D B
    24. Posted by D B Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:36 pm EDT

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    I say deal J. Thome. Sure he hits some home runs, but Rios can do better overall than Thome.
  25. Czheck
    25. Posted by Czheck Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:36 pm EDT

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    oops? you mean hooray? i was mad at KW for not making these moves before but now we are makin some baller moves i mean come on jake peavy who the cubs wanted and alex rios we only need figgins and another good OF and a 5th starter and we are on our way to glory

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