What’s not to like about Alex Rios?
He’s a solid hitter, with a mix of power and speed. He’s also a good fielder, with a rocket arm and at 28, in the prime of his career.
Oh, wait, I know what’s not to love. (That is, unless you’re Alex Rios)
$66,000,000.
That’s how much money is left on Rios’ contract, which runs for 5 1/2 more seasons. That’s a big chunk of change — especially for a player who has never hit 25 home runs, a player who has never driven in 90 runs and a player who has never had an on-base percentage of over .354.
Surely, no Major League team would make the same mistake that the Toronto Blue Jays made and pay a player approximately $12 million per season for a slightly-above average player. (His career OPS+ is 104).
Right?
Alex Rios: Chicago-bound? I don't think so.
Well, apparently that assumption is wrong — because a team recently claimed Rios off of waivers.
But which team?
If you believe Buster Olney, and MLB.com White Sox beat report Scott Merkin, it was those very same White Sox.
Not if you ask White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams, though.
Now I realize that GMs use misdirection and play virtually everything close to the vest — Williams does that more than perhaps anybody — but I am inclined to trust Williams on this one.
I say this for two reasons.
1. How can the White Sox afford this guy?
Owner Jerry Reinsdorf had to be convinced to sign off on the Jake Peavy trade due to a highly increased payroll — so I find it hard to believe Reinsdorf would once again add substantially to the payroll.
2. How would Rios fit into the lineup?
He’s more of a right fielder, and a man named Jermaine Dye — easily one of the five best right fielders in the game — plays there. Rios has never played left field before (Carlos Quentin is entrenched there, anyway) and the White Sox need Scott Podsednik to start in center field because of his leadoff skills.
Dye’s contract runs out after this season, yes, but Chicago appear to have a strong interest in an extension and seem to be too smart to vastly overpay for a player like Rios.
Heck, I’m probably wrong. But if I were a betting man (which, actually, I am), I would place a wager that it the San Francisco Giants were the ones who claimed Rios.
It makes perfect sense. They have a terrible offense and are in a heated pennant race for the NL Wild Card. They are desperate for offense and he could start in right field and be a middle-of-the-order bat for them instantly. The Giants could afford him. And they need him more than the White Sox do. Much, much more.
We’ll find out soon enough. I hope I’m wrong, though, because betting on that would be illegal in the state in which I reside.
