National Baseball Report

Jim Thome not returning to White Sox

Jim Thome was notified by Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen that the club would not sign him according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune.  Guillen said that he would not be able to give Thome enough at-bats in 2010 to sign him.  Guillen thought he would only be able to play Thome in one or two games a week.  Guillen said the club might consider signing Thome during the season if he is available and the club needs a left-handed power hitter.  Thome has previously been told he has a job with the club after his playing career is over.

Several players avoid arbitration

The number of players avoiding arbitration continues to grow rapidly.  Below are the players who we have not mentioned in previous posts:

• The Florida Marlins signed Dan Uggla, Anibal Sanchez and Reynel Pinto.
• The Cincinnai Reds signed Jared Burton.
• The Chicago White Sox signed Tony Pena.
• The Texas Rangers signed C.J. Wilson.
• The New York Yankees signed Chad Gaudin and Boone Logan.

White Sox sign Jenks and Quentin

The Chicago White Sox signed closer Bobby Jenks and outfielder Carlos Quentin according to ESPNChicago.com.  Jenks signed a one-year, $7.5 million contract.  Jenks was 3-4 with a 3.71 ERA, a 1.28 WHIP and 29 saves in 35 opportunities.  Quentin signed a one-year, $3.2 million contract.  Quentin hit .236 with 21 home runs, 56 RBI and a .779 OPS in 351 at-bats.

White Sox sign Ramon Castro

The Chicago White Sox signed catcher Ramon Castro to a one-year, $1 million contract according to Yahoo! Sports.  The contract incldues $800,000 for 2010 with a $1.2 million option for 2011 and a $200,000 buyout.  The White Sox acquired Castro in a trde with the New York Mets in 2009.  Castro hit .219 in 155 at-bats between New York and Chicago in 2009.

Pirates contact Kevin Gregg and Octavio Dotel

The Pittsburgh Pirates have contacted Kevin Gregg and Octavio Dotel according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  Both players are among just a few potential closers on the market this offseason.

Gregg was 5-6 with a 4.72 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP for the Chicago Cubs in 2009.  Dotel was 3-3 with a 3.32 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP for the Chicago White Sox.

Athletics close to signing Coco Crisp

The OaklandAthletics are close to signing center fielder Coco Crisp to a one-year contract worth between $4.5 million to $5 million.  Crisp hit .228 with 30 runs, 13 stolen bases and a .714 OPS in just 180 at-bats in 2009 for the Kansas City Royals.  Crisp had surgery on both shoulders and the Royals decided against picking up the club option for 2010.  San Diego and both Chicago teams were also thought to be interested in Crisp.

White Sox claim Freddy Dolsi off waivers

The Chicago White Sox claimed pitcher Freddy Dolsi off waivers from the Detroit Tigers.  Dolsi was put on waivers by the Tigers last week when the club needed to make room for the players they received in the Curtis Granderson trade.  Dolsi was 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP in 10.2 innings pitched for the Tigers in 2009.

White Sox acquire Juan Pierre

The Chicago White Sox acquired outfielder Juan Pierre from the Los Angeles Dodgers for minor league pitcher John Ely and relief pitcher Jon Link along with cash.  Pierre hit .308 with 57 runs, 30 stolen bases and a .757 OPS for the Dodgers in 380 at-bats in 2009.  Pierre has seen his playing time reduced in his last two seasons with the Dodgers ever since they acquired Manny Ramirez.

"They already have a good team in place, and they have been accustomed to winning over the last four or five years," Pierre said. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity of getting back on the field on a regular basis. I'm excited to get the opportunity to play again."

The White Sox will pay just $3 million of Pierre's 2010 salary and $5 million of his 2011 salary.  The Dodgers will pay the remaining $10.5 million.

White Sox non-tender Carrasco

The Chicago White Sox non-tendered relief pitcher D.J. Carrasco.  Carrasco was 5-1 with a 3.76 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP for the White Sox in 2009.  The White Sox and Carrasco were several hundred thousand dollars apart.  This was Carrasco's first opportunity to go to arbitration.

White Sox sign J.J. Putz

The Chicago White Sox signed relief pitcher J.J. Putz to a one-year, $3 million contract with $3 million in incentives based on games finished.  General Manager Ken Williams said Putz is expected to be the setup man for closer Bobby Jenks.

"Obviously, Bobby [Jenks] is the closer, and then we have Matt Thornton, who can do a little bit of both, and now you have J.J. who also can do that, and everyone else fills in behind them," Williams said. "With the starters we have, starting in the sixth or seventh inning through the ninth, we have guys who can close games out.

Putz was 1-4 with a 5.22 ERA with the New York Mets in 2009.  His best season was with the Seattle Mariners in 2007 when he was 6-1 with a 1.38 ERA and 40 saves.