According to Ken Rosenthal Jon Lester is going to make a decision between the Giants and the Cubs later today. But, that’s not the biggest news in Chicago today. The White Sox have stolen the Cubs’ thunder with the acquisition of Yankees’ closer David Robertson and an impending trade for A’s starter Jeff Samardzija.
Bob Nightengale first reported the Robertson signing earlier on Monday. The White Sox will pay Robertson $46 million for four years. They will take on the last year of Samardzija’s contract in exchange for infielder Marcus Semien, RHP Chris Bassitt, and a third undisclosed player. Samardzija will make between $9-10 million in 2015, and will break the bank with his next contract.
The White Sox, true to form under the front-office leadership of Ken Williams, are making a play for the present. Rumors around Chicago are that owner Jerry Reinsdorf, who is not getting any younger at 79, is impatient for one more title run.
Robertson fills a huge hole in the backend of the Chicago bullpen; and Samardzija gives the White Sox a much need right-handed starter in the rotation. With the previous signing of Zach Duke the White Sox have gone a long way to improve a pen that posted a 4.28 ERA in 2014.
The White Sox have several major questions to answer before they can punch their ticket to the 2015 playoffs. Dayan Viciedo is a major defensive liability in left field. An outfield of Viciedo, Adam Eaton, and Avisail Garcia is not a convincing case for post-season fortunes.
The Sox rotation now boasts ace Chris Sale, a solid Jose Quintana, and Samardzija. Hector Noesi will probably fill a fourth spot, and the fifth spot is anybody’s guess at the moment. The biggest question marks left for the 2015 White Sox remain at second base and catcher.
Perhaps the most intriguing White Sox news this week has been the rumor of Ken Williams sniffing around the expected vacancy at the top of the Blue Jays organization. In the midst of all the roster juggling Williams has made no secret of his interest in taking over as CEO if and when the Jays depose Paul Beeston. Jerry Reinsdorf has denied permission for Williams to talk to Toronto. This has created a swirl of confusion regarding Williams’ status with the Sox. Regardless of the Toronto outcome, Williams has once again shown his riverboat gambler hand at the Winter Meetings.
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