SI.com’s Jon Heyman reports the White Sox will part ways with Ken Griffey Jr. The article questions the pick-up of Griffey in the first place (vanity move?). The Sox are in the market for speed to balance out the lumbering power hitters, Heyman points out.
The No-Go Sox, a solid team without speed, would love to become multidimensional by acquiring more players who can run. Jerry Owens is their one true speed guy, but he hasn’t shown the ability to consistently reach base.
The Sox have also signed former Rockies second baseman Jayson Nix. Nix, 26, was the Rockies opening day second baseman. He struggled early and was sent to AAA where he rebounded. Nix may compete with Chris Getz for the job if the Sox don’t bring in a Orlando Hudson or Brian Roberts.
The Rockies’ opening day second baseman has agreed to a deal with the Chicago White Sox, according to contract details received by The Denver Post.
With Kazuo Matsui lost as a free agent to the Houston Astros, Nix won the position in spring training, edging out Clint Barmes and Marcus Giles. Nix, however, got off to a slow start offensively and was designated for assignment at the end of April.
He rebounded in Triple-A and was eventually chosen for Team USA in the Beijing Olympics. He was injured in China, hit in the left eye on a bunt attempt against Cuba.
Nix, 26, was the 44th overall selection in the 2001 draft. Nix will make $400,000 if on the White Sox’s major league roster
October 29th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Competing with Danny Richar? Maybe if he was in Cincinnati. The dingbat quality of this quote should lead one to question the veracity of Heymann’s analysis.
October 30th, 2008 at 1:16 am
That part wasn’t Heyman actually. It was from the Denver post,(explains it) it has since been corrected.