Kenny Takes A (Salary) Dump
The Chicago White Sox are not rebuilding-they are refinancing. That's probably the only way to describe the trade of outfielder Carlos Quentin to San Diego for two less than stellar prospects.The trade wipes $8 million off the books for the 2012 season. Kenny still has some other payroll he could shed including starter Gavin Floyd and set up man Matt Thornton. It is doubtful that he trade these pieces this early.
Quentin became expendable for two reasons, the first being the emergence of the Cuban Sandwich. The Sandwich has done all he can do in triple A and needed a position for 2012. Most agreed it would be right field and with Alejandro D'Aza scheduled to take over left field, the only opening was in right field.
The second reason Quentin was dangeled to another team is that his contract expires at the end of the season. So, for the Padres, he becomes a rental, and should he have a good year, most likely will re-sign. The only problem for them is that the phrase "if he can stay healthy" always comes right after Quentin's name. He is notorious for being on the DL.
What did the Sox get in return? Two minor league pitchers, Simon Castro, a right-hander, and Pedro Hernandez, a left-hander. Both have some ability, but both smacked the wall hard when assigned to triple A last year. Maybe in Charlotte they will thrive, given the high altitude and jumping balls in Tuscon, but don't look for either of these guys any day soon.
The Padres, who have an excellent farm system, had many more attractive players, but it becomes quite obvious here that in order to get the Padres to absorb Quentin's salary, the list became smaller. Kenny can crow all he wants about how Castro is like Jose Contreras, but unless the Sox can fix him in triple A, he'll wind up like most Sox pitching prospects, trade bait or released within three years.
Kenny also says the dumping of Quentin's salary "opens new financial doors." That could mean the White Sox will aggressively pursue Cuban refugee Yoenis Cespedes. Given the Cuban contingent on the White Sox already, they are hoping to convince Cespedes that the White Sox would be the best opportunity for him to succeed. Of course we know with the foreign players, you never know how they will work out. The Cuban Missile has done fine, the Cuban Sandwich looks to be promising, so the Sox success rate with Cubans has been fairly high.
How the trading of Carlos Quentin translates to the Sox success in 2012 is unknown. But one thing is for certain: It is doubtful the Cuban Sandwich will spend as much time on the DL. This wasn't a horrible trade, it was just one that lacked a high yield.
Just for the heck of it, here's what I said when the Sox acquired Q. Okay, so I'm not always right.
Posted by Chip Ramsey at 1/1/2012 8:28 AM 
Categories: Chicago White Sox, Baseball
Tags: Kenny Williams Q Cuban Sandwich Cuban Missile Jose Contreras Wizard of De Aza
Categories: Chicago White Sox, Baseball
Tags: Kenny Williams Q Cuban Sandwich Cuban Missile Jose Contreras Wizard of De Aza
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