White Sox Outfielder Rios Claimed Off Waivers [UPDATE]
By Benjy Lipsman in News on Aug 9, 2013 5:40PM
Update: The White Sox worked out a trade of Rios to the Rangers this afternoon, in exchange for a player to be named later and cash considerations.
White Sox outfielder Alex Rios was claimed off waivers yesterday by the Texas Rangers, meaning his days on the South Side could be numbered. Placing players on waivers is a common practice once the non-waiver trade deadline passes at the end of July. After a player clears, he may then be traded to any team through the end of August. However, if a team makes a waivers claim, the player may only be dealt to that organization.
White Sox GM Rick Hahn now has 72 hours to work a trade with the Rangers, release Rios for no compensation, or pull him back and keep the outfielder. The Rangers are looking for help following Nelson Cruz's suspension related to the Biogenesis scandal. But with the waiver claim limiting the White Sox' leverage, they may not get enough in return to warrant trading Rios. Of course, the team may be happy enough to simply get out from under the remaining balance of Rios' contract and let him walk for nothing.
That's exactly how the White Sox landed Rios in the first place, when Hahn's predecessor Kenny Williams put in a claim for Rios when he was with the Toronto Blue Jays during the 2009 season. We've always believed the claim was defensive in nature, to keep Rios from landing in Detroit. And the Sox weren't expecting to have Toronto simply turn over the outfielder. When the Sox claimed him, his contract had six years remaining on a seven-year, $69.35 million. He has rarely shown talent consistent with his large pay check. Phil Rogers thinks the Sox should do the exact thing Toronto did, and simply hand him over to Texas. The remaining year-plus of his contract (plus team option with buyout for 2015) means he is owed at least $17.5 million. Were the White Sox suddenly off the hook for that amount, it would free up additional cash to rebuild during the offseason.
Tthe White Sox have already removed Jake Peavy's eight-figure deal off their books and the injured Gavin Floyd will be a free agent at the end of the year. Paul Konerko contract expires at season's end and he may retire. Moving Rios would mean that the Sox can cut four contracts of at least $9.5 million from their books.
Sending Rios to Texas would also open up a spot for the team to call up recently acquired Avisail Garcia for an extended tryout at the Big League level. Expect to see lots of new faces take the field for the Sox in coming weeks, as they evaluate their minor league talent ahead of this winter's free agency.