With little room in budget, don't count on Sox buying big bat
November 6, 2009, 1:22 PM
By: Bruce Levine
The White Sox's offseason got off to a blistering start with the acquisition of Mark Teahen from the Kansas City Royals and the termination of Jermaine Dye's contract. The new White Sox infield will feature Teahen at third base, Alexei Ramirez at shortstop, Gordon Beckham at second and veteran Paul Konerko, who is entering the last season of his five-year contract at first base.
With a projected payroll of $100 million, the White Sox already have committed $95 million next season. In a conference call on Thursday, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams said going out and buying a high-profile free agent really doesn't fit into the budget. Williams said he will have a conversation with former White Sox designated hitter Jim Thome about his plans for 2010. A short-term commitment to Thome certainly isn't out of the question, considering the Peoria, Ill., native still makes his offseason home in the Chicago area.
A hometown discount scaling down the $10 million the White Sox paid him last year will be a must in order for Thome to return. The White Sox also have interest in World Series most valuable player Hideki Matsui. It is unknown if the free agent will return to the New York Yankees next season and what his salary demands will be.
Williams also said that talks with Scott Podsednik's agent makes Williams believe that Podsednik's return most likely won't happen. Sources said that Podsednik is looking for a multi-year deal at a price the White Sox apparently aren't willing to pay right now.
Dye and Williams are very close friends, and although Williams wasn't ruling out the chance of a return, it appears to be a long shot at this point.
The White Sox's objectives for the rest of the offseason are to upgrade the bullpen, find a leadoff man and obtain a left-handed bat. Young outfielder Jordan Danks, hitting .380 in the Arizona Fall League, may get a shot as the third outfielder depending on how the team looks going into spring training. Danks is considered the best defensive outfielder in the organization.
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