White Sox manager Robin Ventura has officially named Addison Reed the team's ninth-inning man.
Reed saved his fourth game in as many tries last Friday and already has 17 strikeouts in just 13 1/3 innings this year. He's the most talented pitcher in the Chicago bullpen and should develop into the team's long-term closer. Scoop him up in all fantasy formats.
Addison Reed came undone in a non-save situation in Sunday's 9-1 loss to the Royals, allowing six runs on two hits and three walks while recording just one out.
So much for Reed's shot at closing. The runs allowed were Chicago's hard-throwing young righty's first of the season, but have almost certainly set him back in his race for saves with Matt Thornton and Hector Santiago. Reed should be able to put himself back in the mix if he strings together 2-3 scoreless outings, however.
White Sox manager Robin Ventura plans to split save chances between Addison Reed, Matt Thornton and Hector Santiago.
That sound you hear is fantasy owners groaning. It appeared that the White Sox had settled on Chris Sale as their closer, but the situation is a mess again now that the young left-hander has been moved back to the starting rotation. We still think Reed is the best bet of the bunch, but Ventura will make decisions based on matchups for now.
The White Sox have removed Chris Sale from the rotation and placed him in the closer's role.
Sale has a slightly tender elbow, so the Sox are taking him off a starter's workload. They are, however, emphasizing that he's not "hurt." Sale will be available to close beginning Monday, meaning Hector Santiago and Matt Thornton are out as save candidates. Sale was impressive as a starter this season, going 3-1 with a 2.81 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in his five outings. The Sox say the move has been made to preserve his career.
White Sox manager Robin Ventura indicated after Wednesday's game that Hector Santiago was still his closer.
Santiago blew his second save of the season Wednesday in six chances, and his ERA is up to 8.53. It sounds like he'll be out there again for the next save chance, though, despite Addison Reed (0.00 ERA, 10 strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings) and Matt Thornton (0.93 ERA, eight strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings) proving to be dominant in the early going. We don't anticipate Santiago's reign lasting much longer.
Hector Santiago earned his first major league save in Saturday's victory over the Rangers.
And Matt Thornton was used as his setup man, so it looks like the roles in the Chicago bullpen have finally been decided. Santiago posted a dominant 0.82 ERA this spring and didn't allow a hit or issue a walk Saturday in Arlington, Texas. He's never been thought of as a great relief prospect, but any pitcher in line for save opportunities carries fantasy value. And the 24-year-old now needs to be added in all eligible leagues.
Hector Santiago closed out Tuesday's win over the Astros by tossing a scoreless inning.
Auditioning for the closer job, perhaps? Santiago didn't exactly impress, giving up an infield single, a walk and a hard single to load the bases, but he was able to catch a line drive and double off Brian Bogusevic at first base to end the game. The 24-year-old southpaw has only thrown 5 1/3 innings in the big leagues, but he has become a dark horse for the closer role by posting a 0.82 ERA and 13/6 over 11 innings this spring. Matt Thornton, Jesse Crain and Addison Reed are also being considered for the job. White Sox manager Robin Ventura has yet to give an indication where he's leaning, so we might have to wait until the first save opportunity to find out.
White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper said Tuesday that the closer role will likely be decided during spring training.
"It’s going to be wide open," said Cooper. "It’s too early. We don’t know. We’ve got to sit down and talk about it. In spring training, we’ll see how it shapes up. I’m a big believer in this: that they’ll show you." Sergio Santos was traded to the Blue Jays and Chris Sale is expected to move to the starting rotation, which leaves Matt Thornton, Jesse Crain and Addison Reed as the most likely possibilities for the gig. The 23-year-old Reed, who earned a September call-up last year after posting a 1.26 ERA and 111/14 K/BB ratio in 78 1/3 innings between four stops in the minors, might be the best bet in the long run.
White Sox GM Ken Williams does not envision any future moves ''on the immediate horizon,'' according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com
"We'll continue to have dialogue,'' Williams said in a recent interview. ''Absent of that, I would rather take our chances. I don't want to make a deal that's not in our best interest. Let the chips fall where they may." The White Sox are expected to go forward with Quentin, Gavin Floyd, and Matt Thornton, among other veterans that have been rumored to be available this offseason. Floyd has a $9.5 million option for 2013, while Thornton is scheduled to make $5.5 million next season.
Sat, Dec 31, 2011 11:51:00 AM
Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston reports that the Red Sox have discussed John Danks and Gavin Floyd with the White Sox.
Danks is set to make around $7-8 million in his final year of arbitration. Meanwhile, Floyd is due $7 million next season and his contract includes a very reasonable $9.5 million club option for 2013. With the White Sox beginning a rebuilding effort, Boston has also been mentioned as a possible landing spot for outfielder Carlos Quentin and reliever Matt Thornton.
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 03:41:00 PM
White Sox general manager Ken Williams said in a radio interview Saturday that he's only looking for major-league ready players this offseason.
"What we have to do is weigh whatever they're offering up against our chances for the next season," Williams said. "If we're going to move our valuable pieces, it's going to be for major league-ready talent as they can grow with this nice nucleus in place." Quentin would appear to offer the most trade value coming off a season that saw him hit 254/.340/.499 to go along with 77 RBI over 118 games. Other possible trade possiblities include pitchers John Danks, Gavin Floyd and Matt Thornton.
Sat, Oct 22, 2011 04:03:00 PM
The Chicago Tribune's Mark Gonzales believes Carlos Quentin, Matt Thornton, Gavin Floyd and John Danks are all candidates to be traded by the White Sox this offseason.
Of course not all four will be traded, but at least one is likely to be moved after the Sox seemed to get old in a hurry in 2011. Coming off a typically solid season that saw him hit .254/.340/.499 to go along with 55 extra-base hits and 77 RBI in 118 games, Quentin could prove to be surprisingly valuable on the trade market with power becoming a far rarer commodity in recent seasons.
Mon, Oct 3, 2011 11:32:00 PM
USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports that the Red Sox are "pushing hard" for the White Sox' Carlos Quentin and Matt Thornton.
Nightengale cautions, however, that the White Sox would "have to be overwhelmed with prospects" in order to do a deal, which is no surprise given that they're still very much in the AL Central race. Quentin has been linked to several teams, while the Yankees and Rangers are also interested in Thornton.
Sat, Jul 30, 2011 12:37:00 PM
White Sox general manager Ken Williams said prior to Monday's game that he could opt to "turn over the entire roster" if the team continues to fade in the American League Central.
"On one hand, you can look toward potentially adding (players)," explained Williams. "We'd have to add creatively because of the financial situation right now. And on the other hand, maybe this is the most opportune time to turn over the entire roster and get some young, exciting players in here and go that route." Williams said he has deals in place to blow up the roster, but added that no trades were imminent. We've heard Matt Thornton, Edwin Jackson and Carlos Quentin pop up in trade rumors recently, though Williams said reports of a deal that would send Thornton and/or Jackson to the Cardinals for center fielder Colby Rasmus are "incorrect."
Tue, Jul 26, 2011 12:12:00 AM
Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Cardinals and White Sox are discussing a trade involving Colby Rasmus.
Strauss writes that negotiations with White Sox GM Kenny Williams "have accelerated in recent days," and he mentions Edwin Jackson and Matt Thornton, as well as minor league talent, as possibilities to head to St. Louis. The Nationals and Rays are also still interested in Rasmus, though it appears the White Sox might be a better fit. The Cardinals have consistently said Rasmus was not available, but it's been clear all along that he was for the right price.
Sun, Jul 24, 2011 11:52:00 AM
Sergio Santos struck out the only batter he faced Friday to record his 19th save of the season.
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, as he's done lately, let Matt Thornton face the lefties/switch-hitters before handing it over to Santos to retire the right-handed hitting Matt LaPorta. It's disappointing for Santos owners that it appears to be a committee of sorts, but the right-hander should still see most of the save chances going forward.
Fri, Jul 22, 2011 10:50:00 PM
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen let Matt Thornton and Sergio Santos split the ninth inning of Monday's 5-2 win, keeping a potential save off the books.
With Santos struggling lately and Thornton in a groove, it appeared Thornton would finish the inning after recording the first two outs. Guillen has gone through several closer options this season, and based on recent ninth inning performances, there's good reason for him to re-evaluate the position.
Tue, Jul 19, 2011 05:29:00 AM
Sergio Santos was shaky Sunday against the Athletics but managed to close the door for his 12th save.
Santos yielded a leadoff single, walked Scott Sizemore with one out and then gave up an RBI single with two outs. He then nearly blew the save, but Coco Crisp was called out on a questionable play at first base to end the inning. Considering Santos has given up eight earned runs in his last three outings, owners should be on high alert. Matt Thornton would likely get his job back if Santos is removed.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 06:42:00 PM
