November 01, 2007
Remember Albert Belle
Mark Gonzales notes the decision the White Sox make on Juan Uribe will dictate the team's off-season moves:
Uribe struck out 112 times and had a .284 on-base percentage in 2007, which doesn't mesh with the Sox's stated desire to have their hitters get on base with more frequency and work counts. Uribe was batting .216 at the end of August before a late surge lifted his average to .234.
But picking up Uribe's option would give the Sox some cost certainty heading into an off-season in which they must acquire at least one productive hitter for the top of the order, an experienced reliever and at least a backup shortstop.
Twins center fielder Torii Hunter is a marquee free agent the Sox may pursue, although he could command a salary that exceeds that of any player in franchise history.
There's another player with a good OBA that works the count, and that's Alex Rodriguez. The White Sox could replace Uribe or Crede with A-Rod and greatly improve the team. Reinsdorf once set the baseball world a twitter when he signed Albert Belle to a $55 million, five-year contract, so there is precedent for having the highest paid player in baseball on his team.
Correction: Sorry, wrong Uribe.
I didn't know Jose Uribe was still playing. I guess it's easy to confuse them since both are horrible SS with OPS+ of 75 and 80.
A-Rod & Ozzie Guillen? After what Ozzie said about him before the WBC?
Dodgers fans would happily give up Juan Pierre.