Monday, July 24, 2006
White Sox Make Move, Eye Soriano
Last season, Chicago White Sox General Manager Ken Williams stood pat at the trading deadline. His patience led to the Sox' first World Series title in over 80 years.
This season, Williams is shaking things up for Chicago's quest for two in a row, as the White Sox made one move Monday and are reportedly close to acquiring possibly the best hitter on the trading block.
The White Sox traded with the Kansas City Royals Monday for relief pitcher Mike MacDougal in exchange for minor league pitchers Tyler Lumsden and Daniel Cortes.
MacDougal was activated off the 60-day disabled list following the All-Star break after missing the first half of the season with a strained right shoulder.
In four games for the Royals this year, the 29-year-old right-hander had allowed two hits in four scoreless innings with one save. He has 50 career saves with a record of 10-14 and a 3.88 earned run average in six seasons. MacDougal will likely become the setup man for White Sox closer Bobby Jenks.
In addition, ESPN's Tim Kurkjian reported that the White Sox are "extremely close" to making a deal with the Washington Nationals for outfielder Alfonso Soriano. The Nationals reportedly have interest in White Sox pitcher Brandon McCarthy.
Soriano joined Washington last offseason in a trade from Texas, and the Nationals shifted him from second base to left field. Soriano is batting .288 with 31 homers, 62 RBI and 25 steals.
Soriano, who is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the season, said Sunday he wanted to remain in Washington but doubted he and the Nationals could agree to a contract extension before the deadline.
The five-time All-Star said he spoke with incoming Nationals president Stan Kasten on Thursday, but they did not discuss contract details. Soriano added that he does not think his agent, Diego Bentz, has discussed numbers with the Nationals either.
The main thing keeping Soriano from resigning with the Nationals is a no-trade clause. Soriano wants one included in his contract, but Kasten said that he refused to included them in other contracts that he has negotiated in recent years as an executive with the Atlanta Braves, Hawks and Thrashers.
This season, Williams is shaking things up for Chicago's quest for two in a row, as the White Sox made one move Monday and are reportedly close to acquiring possibly the best hitter on the trading block.
The White Sox traded with the Kansas City Royals Monday for relief pitcher Mike MacDougal in exchange for minor league pitchers Tyler Lumsden and Daniel Cortes.
MacDougal was activated off the 60-day disabled list following the All-Star break after missing the first half of the season with a strained right shoulder.
In four games for the Royals this year, the 29-year-old right-hander had allowed two hits in four scoreless innings with one save. He has 50 career saves with a record of 10-14 and a 3.88 earned run average in six seasons. MacDougal will likely become the setup man for White Sox closer Bobby Jenks.
In addition, ESPN's Tim Kurkjian reported that the White Sox are "extremely close" to making a deal with the Washington Nationals for outfielder Alfonso Soriano. The Nationals reportedly have interest in White Sox pitcher Brandon McCarthy.
Soriano joined Washington last offseason in a trade from Texas, and the Nationals shifted him from second base to left field. Soriano is batting .288 with 31 homers, 62 RBI and 25 steals.
Soriano, who is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the season, said Sunday he wanted to remain in Washington but doubted he and the Nationals could agree to a contract extension before the deadline.
The five-time All-Star said he spoke with incoming Nationals president Stan Kasten on Thursday, but they did not discuss contract details. Soriano added that he does not think his agent, Diego Bentz, has discussed numbers with the Nationals either.
The main thing keeping Soriano from resigning with the Nationals is a no-trade clause. Soriano wants one included in his contract, but Kasten said that he refused to included them in other contracts that he has negotiated in recent years as an executive with the Atlanta Braves, Hawks and Thrashers.
# posted by Bevo @ 7:39 PM 
