Mark Teahen makes a diving stop at third. (MCT)
By Mark Gonzales
Update: Questions surround Teahen deal.
Phil Rogers' take: Teahen's arrival could open door for Konerko's departure
The New York Daily News is reporting that the White Sox have acquired left-handed hitter Mark Teahen from Kansas City for infielders Josh Fields and Chris Getz.
Teahen, who is arbitration eligible, batted 271 with 12 home runs and 50 RBIs. The Daily News said Teahen could play right field, which would signal the end of Jermaine Dye's five-year tenure with the Sox.
The Sox are expected to give Dye a $1 million buyout. Teahen, who earned $3.575 million last season, made one error in 32 games in right field last season.
Getz said Thursday morning that he hadn't been contacted by the Sox or
Royals, but was aware of the report. Getz said he is nearly recovered
from the sports hernia operation he underwent on Oct. 2. Getz, 26,
batted .261 as the Sox's starting second baseman.
"I'm pretty close to being able to get back to baseball activity," Getz said. "We're approaching the six-week period (for full recovery)."
A message was left with Fields, who met with general manager Ken Williams in July to discuss a possible trade to receive more playing time. Fields batted .222 in 79 games and lost his starting third base job to Gordon Beckham.
Teahen told the Kansas City Star he hasn't been informed of a trade.
''We're in discussions with a lot of clubs about a lot of things,'' Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "There is nothing to announce yet, and we won't comment [about trade rumors] until there is something to announce."
If the trade is finalized, Jayson Nix could take over the starting second base duties unless the Sox seek an upgrade with the 15-day free agent filing period starting Thursday.
There also is the possibility that Teahen could take over at third base, with rookie sensation Gordon Beckham moving to second base. Teahen could maintain the third base position until Brent Morel is ready for the majors in 2012 or sooner.
The Sox did confirm the signing of first baseman-outfielder Mark Kotsay to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.
"I'm pretty close to being able to get back to baseball activity," Getz said. "We're approaching the six-week period (for full recovery)."
A message was left with Fields, who met with general manager Ken Williams in July to discuss a possible trade to receive more playing time. Fields batted .222 in 79 games and lost his starting third base job to Gordon Beckham.
Teahen told the Kansas City Star he hasn't been informed of a trade.
''We're in discussions with a lot of clubs about a lot of things,'' Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "There is nothing to announce yet, and we won't comment [about trade rumors] until there is something to announce."
If the trade is finalized, Jayson Nix could take over the starting second base duties unless the Sox seek an upgrade with the 15-day free agent filing period starting Thursday.
There also is the possibility that Teahen could take over at third base, with rookie sensation Gordon Beckham moving to second base. Teahen could maintain the third base position until Brent Morel is ready for the majors in 2012 or sooner.
The Sox did confirm the signing of first baseman-outfielder Mark Kotsay to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.
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I don't hate this trade.
I don't think Teahen is an every day third baseman on a contender. He strikes me more as the super utility type Ozzie is fond of (Geoff Blum, Rob MacKowiak, et al.) It wouldn't surprise me to see them going after Felipe Lopez either.
The AL Central doesn't seem to have anyone very good at third base. Brandon Inge? Whoever Minnesota sat so they could play Crede? Alex Gordon? So maybe Dayan Viciedo gets a longer look.
Who cares? Better to read about the good old days at chicagobaseballmuseum.org.
Justing sitting back at looking at the deal, I'd say the Sox got the much better of things. Small market teams like KC and Pittsburgh are relegated to the rear of the bus in this day and age of sallaries, etc. It's a variation of the '50's when KC (owned by Arnold short then) was nothing more than a farm team for the damned Yankees. They needed a player and, voila, KC came through.
it's 5:28 in chicago right now, still zero confirmation of this trade by the royals. so what's the deal?
You question Kenny? Wait til we see what the full picture is at the start of next season. I'd love to see Ramirez back at 2nd. Let Beckham play where he's played all his life and Teahen can play a lot of different spots and bats from the left side. This is only the first move of the off season. I liked Getz, but he can't hit like Ramirez and he's a butcher at short.
One definition of insanity is trying something the same way over and over and still failing. Another definition is the Kansas City Royals, who have let the likes of Carlos Beltran and Johnny Damon get away with nothing to show for it. If this is true about Teahen, we are not happy.
This trade, if it happens is all about flexibility. Getz cannot be a full tiem second basemen unless he can also fill the role of lead off hitter in the lineup. He's a nice player, but doesn't fit that role. This allows them to move Beckham to second, if needed and approach the open market for a player at third OR second. Figgins, O.Hudson, Uggla, and many othernames are out there. Quite a few would be better lead off hitters. In addition, they have a few players in the minors who need to fit in, Viciedo,etc. In the intwerim, Teahen is a left handed bat with who can fill in at third, outfield, and even second in a pinch. This does not mean Nix is taking over at second. It means they had too many "NIX's in the Mixes"
Actually with all the ballyhoo attached to this story it appears to be another stupid rumor from a NY paper.... Im surprised the yankmes were not involved in this rumor as well...
So, until KW comes out and confirms I think this is a pipe dream concocted by KC fans that wish they had Getz and Fields for Teahan... Or Hawk's dream, since he has a huge mancrush on Teahan for whatever reason.
For Greg H:
You think the Sox will make Beckham work yet another position? Wouldn't it be easier to just move Ramirez back to 2B and Beckham to SS? I would rather see Beckham work on his hitting in ST.
For tom:
Fields no longer had a future with the Sox. Getz was a nice player but replaceable.
Dumb trade...You trade cheap young talent, for expensive & older average talent.Crazy
Actually, the Marlins have been there twice in the last 15 years. 1997 and 2003, and are again on the verge of bieng competitive with clever picks, good prospects scouting and trades. Other smaller market, low payroll teams like the Astros and Rockies have made it there too in the recent past.
I realize your point, but what it comes down to is the moves that the organization makes and the competence of the organization from the top to bottom. Lets take your Royals for example. Why wait until Damon, Dye and Beltran are free agents and let them walk, and take your chance on a potential low level draft pick? Why not do what the Marlins did with Beckett and trade them for young solid prospects? Or do what the Padres did, and ship Peavey off for at least 1 really good outstanding prospect and a potential stud?
Why, with a relatively decent core of prospects and players on the Royals right now(Grienke, Gordon, DeJesus, Olivo, Butler,Kaaihue) and a year and a couple of smart moves away from contending, are the Royals moving Teahan for two prospects that have proven futile in the White Sox organization for years? It's like they are giving Teahan away and getting nothing in return.
The Pirates have operated in this manner time and time again giving Ramirez,Lofton, Wilson, Oliver Perez,Gorzellany,Grabow,Bay and Benson away for nothing. And the Reds for years concentrated solely on the development of hitters while ignoring pitching prospects. Eventually they ended up with a glut of hitters, but no pitchers that had an era below 4.
Money can help you, but it doesn't guarantee success. How many billions of dollars have the Yankees spent in the last 8 years trying to get to the World Series? In that span, at least 5 small market teams have since made it there spending a lot less money.
Sorry to see Getz go. Thought he had potential. Pretty good rookie year despite injury--.261 BA, 25 of 27 stolen bases--in only 107 games. Pretty good fielder. Nix is not as good in the field, does not steal as well, and hit only .224. OBP not good. Teahan is just average.
Someone actually suggested Pods could play RF. He obviously hasn't seen Pods throw. Still Pods, Quentin and Rios could easily be the outfield; Quentin can play RF and Pods LF. I believe that Beckham would move to second base if anywhere, not SS, but I bet they don't want him to go anywhere. Still, Teahen could indeed hold 3B for Morel. Everyone is holding down an outfield spot for Jordan Danks, a year or so away I think. We've forgotten CJ Retherford, a top prospect who had an excellent year, at 2B. Nix could hold 2nd for him. So far, I see lot's of options and good depth. I think that's what Kenny Williams has in mind. Economics being what they seem to be, the Sox need a few key guys to perform well. There won't be any big money help beyond having Peavy for a whole season, which is a lot of help. We'll see what Kenny does with the bullpen. With the signing of Kotsay, I think the phrase for the day is 'so far, so good.'
What's wrong with this story?
Well, to start with, Chicago's Sports Authority (or whatever the Trib is trying to peddle as a tag-line these days), just might be getting scooped by the NY papers on a story right in its own back yard.
More importantly, though, is the fact that there is absolutely zero -- at this point -- confirmation. It is all complete and unadulterated rumor based on a story out of NY. This of course doesn't mean that a deal hasn't been done, but for crying out loud, can we at least a shred of journalistic integrity for a change?
Errors! Guess i shouldnt have been making fun of him.
Playing Viciedo anywhere other than 1b is a dumb move. That guy can make 30 erros at DH!
Johnny Damon CANNOT play RF. He may have the worst OF arm in the majors.
Detroilet is not a small market team and they were just in the WS in 2006.
please no more players from the royals.
I never realized that Chris Getz had so many relatives.
For Bannerman22 - Your point is well taken that some small market franchises have performed better than other small market franchises. That is true. But the playing field in major league baseball isn't close to level. I hope everybody will take a moment to let me make this case. I won't bore you with a third note. This is it!
In the past 15 World Series, let's take the four "successful" small market teams you mentioned...although Detroit's payroll certainly dwarfs the rest of them. I don't know if they are really a small market team.
Twins appearances in the World Series - 0
Devil Rays appearances in the World Series - 1
Marlins appearances in the World Series - 1
Tigers appearances in the World Series - 0
In the last fifteen years, four small market teams (I know that definition is a little arbitrary but what are ya gonna do?) have appeared in the World Series...4 out of 30 chances. The Yankees appeared in 7 by themselves, and we haven't even considered Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, Anaheim, etc.
Being a large market, big money team means you can admit your mistakes and buy another player, which the Yankees regularly do. Being a small market team means you play your mistakes and, when you do manage to develop a star, lose him as soon as he hits free agency.
For several years, both center fielders in NYC were developed by the Kansas City Royals: Johnny Damon and Carlos Beltran. Think KC might have done a little better over the last decade with an outfield of Johnny Damon, Carlos Beltran and Jermaine Dye, whom they also lost to free agency? I think so too. The Royals are a joke but major league baseball has done it to them and all the other small market teams. We know it and we live with it but let's not play the game of saying the playing field is level. MLB is patently unfair.
Final example, in the last 15 NFL Super Bowls, five have been won by small market teams and 12 small market teams have played in the Super Bowl (including some repeat appearances). Major league baseball is not fair. Big money and big markets rule major league baseball. One key reason the Yankees win is because they can buy players. Let me set the rules and I'll win too. What kind of victory is that?
Thanks for reading! I still love baseball but it's got a real problem and I hope they fix it before they kill the small markets.
Dumb move.
That's not simply because of losing Getz 25 for 27 steals, the base rate in the league and the possibility of 40-50 in a full season.
Another very good reason is the fact that Getz had a less than 2 to 1 strikeout to walk average while Teahen is more more than 3 to 1 and has gotten worse each of the last 3 years.
Just what the Sox need a slower player who strikes out a lot to replace Dye.
Oh, BTW, where in the world does Rios figure in this picture.
Is he penciled in as the surefire starting CF. I guess he must be.
I certainly don't see Rios and Teahen as some big improvement on Dye and Posednik.
Teahen will not play RF for this team. Rios will play CF/RF while Pods is brought back to play RF/CF if the Sox can't sign Figgins or Damon. Teahen will come in to play 3B, Beckham will move back to SS and Ramirez back to 2B. Teahen will hold 3B until Morel is ready to take over. Viciedo will now either be the WSox future 1B (when Konerko is gone) or DH.
White Sox fans need not panick - this trade is really not an earth-shaker. This is a positioning move for other moves. It gives the Sox flexibility to pursue other players (Figgins, Abreau, Matt Holiday, Coco Crisp are all free agents), as Teahen & Nix can move around. The Sox liked Getz, but didn't see him as irreplaceable. They'll get similar production from Nix, if he plays there. Fields was done here.
Fields and Getz are no loss. If we can't get Figgins, how about Johnny Damon in RF? And please trade Linestink for anybody, dead or alive.
If this deal is for Teahan to play RF, then I do not like it at all. You might as well have resigned Dye. He's not the answer in RF.
If this is for Teahan to play 2B, like he started at last year, then it's ok. It could be Teahan playing 1B and Konerko at full time DH.
By the way...cubs are not owned by the tribune anymore, yay! Go Cubs!!!!!!!!!
Geez, Kenny Williams wants to leave absolutely no doubt that he's an idiot. Getz's stats were great for a rookie and at least as good as Teahen's, actually better when you include stolen bases. So much for speed on the base paths, eh? So much for the payroll, since Teahen's immediately eligible for arbitration. I just don't get it. Now we have a big hole at second base. None of the other clowns on the team (Lillibridge, Nix, etc were any good, let alone as good as Getz). The Sox are doomed to failure as long as Kenny Williams is the GM. This deal was a major blow to any chances we had next season. Ticks me off.
BUCKET said: "Kenny W is the best GM in baseball."
Haha. Thanks, Kenny!
How overdue is Kenny Williams for a good(benefits the Sox..)trade? Too bad he couldn't have put Rios,Pena and Castro in this deal..............
Good trade for both sides and all players involved. Fields would have bounced between AAA and Sox the rest of his career, with a perennial loser like KC, he gets a full season to hit .255, 30hrs and 170ks. Getz is average, not a huge loss, Nix is the way to go. Teahan could revive his career playing with a potential division winner. Teahan at third, Beckham at SS, Ramirez the lost puppy moves back to 2b where he belongs and Nix into the mix when Teahan plays rf.
Getz has considerable upside, too...
He'll hit around .290 and steal 30-40 bases with ease..
The Sox could have had that hole filled at under $1 mil per season.
Whatta waste!
Ever think that bad management, scouting, coaching, drafting,trading and development could be why the Reds, Pirates and Royals have been so bad for so long?
The Twins, Devil Rays, Marlins and Tigers are all small market teams ---yet they became or remain competitive(or able to rebuild quickly) despite the poor revenue sharing.
Kenny, Kenny, Kenny. Why?? Getz was one of the few positive things to come out of 2009, and there was a hope that with a core of Beckham, Ramirez, and Getz that maybe we'd get younger and faster. Nope, not under Kenny's watch. What we need is more older guys past their prime. But at least this time the guy past his prime isn't a former Sox.
Nix is a better all around player than Getz, more power and can play more positions. Don't fall in love with Getz's .300 avg at the beginning of the year. He's mediocre. Kenny W is the best GM in baseball.
Mark Teahan is an excellent person and solid all-around player who will probably never be a mlb star. The comparison to DeRosa is pretty sound. Every team needs guys like him but he won't win the pennant for you. I don't see him as a long-term outfield starter but a great guy to have on your team. On the surface it looks like the Royals received more than they gave up but they gave up a proven player for potential.
Regardless, UNTIL MLB INSTITUTES REAL REVENUE SHARING AND SOME SORT OF PAYROLL EQUITY FOR ALL TEAMS, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IS PATENTLY UNFAIR SO WHO CARES ANYWAY? Look at all the previously strong franchises baseball's economic inequities have reduced to pathetic excuses for teams: Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, etc. Don't know what the Yankees have to be proud of. So they bought a championship, so what? It's not real competition and hasn't been for a long time.
This trade is insanity. Adds to the payroll. Getz is a solid major leaguer and will thrive in KC. I am not quite so sure about Josh Fields. I would not be surprised if he hit 30 HR and strikes out 170 times. What has Teahen actually accomplished? I don't like this one bit. This is trading two younger serviceable major league ball players for one older, more expensive major league ball player. No one involved is going to be a star (most likely). Where do you even bat Teahen? Where is the power you need from a corner outfielder? What about the hole that will be left by Getz defensively and at the plate and with speed? Are we assuming Alex Rios is going to play CF?
Ugh.
Well, I beleive the Sox should be set for another good trade since KW can't seem to pull consecutive good trades.
QUOTE: "Cut some dead weight, free yourself of pressure to sign Dye (he can still sign at a discount to play DH)"
Isn't getting RID of Dye cutting the dead weight?
I mean he IS really good at hitting home runs.. with no one on.. He is a cheaper Soriano.. nothing more.. Cannot hit with Runners in Scoring position to save his life and became a defensive liability as well.. If you are going to have anyone as DH get Thome back.. sure he is gimpy at times, but he is a lefty, which the Sox need...
Wake up, Sox fans...
Ramirez is not moving off of SS...
Figgins is not going to sign with the Sox...
Dye is NOT coming back.
Kotay is NOT the starting RF.
Nice move. You got a lefty power bat to replace the loss of Thome and you also have cleared out an average second baseman for the opportunity to sign Chone Figgins. It's a start but I would also like to see Carl Crawford added to this team at some point.
I know that Getz and Fields really are not proven, but you do NOT trade them to a division rival!
This is insane, because if either of these guys turn out to be even average then you will be seeing them about 16-19 games(?) ( or whatever the amount of games played in you division during the season)
I mean I know Williams occasionally makes a good trade.. I have a feeling this will not be one of them...
Though it does free up the infield to maybe move Beckham back to SS and Ramirez back to 2nd...
This may be paving the way for Chone figgins ( I hope not, he is not as good as what they will need to pay to get him, IMO, considering Beckham had the same numbers as Chone Figgins at 3rd -including errors at 3rd for the year-, which is why people were crying for Beckham not to stay at 3rd in the first place)Unless everyone stays and Nix is the one starting at Second.... *Shudder*
I hate this.
Chris Getz was a player with limited upside. He's fast, stole a lot of bases but had baseball issues in the field (i.e. positioning himself of relays, throws from the catcher and so on...)which was surprising considering he went to Michigan which is a good college program.
He also couldn't hit for any power and by power I don't mean home runs (which the Sox are getting away from) but extra base hits.
I think he would have been fine (and said so in the past) as a utility player but not as an everyday starting second baseman.
I can't see the Sox moving Beckham to a second position in two years myself but we'll see.
I think Mark is going to play right field and the Sox are going to make a move for a second baseman... or a shortstop which would mean a move of Ramirez back to second where he performed very well in 2008.
Kenny isn't wasting time nor should he...two losing seasons in three years requires immediate reaction.
Mark Liptak
I'd always liked Teahen and predicted the Sox would obtain him two years ago (which never happened), but he seems to be fairly wimpy with the stick and won't hit well enough to be the every-day RF.
Fields will turn out to be the Sox's Cedric Benson (only no fault of his own) and will have last laugh at all the geeks here. He'll become a highly productive DH/1B in KC and probably kill the Sox with the stick a dozen times a year...
Getz was a sparkplug who fared quite well in his rookie season.
Overall, it looks like a great deal for KC and that KW could have gotten more.
thumbs down,
Nada
Didn't Dye hit about the same or better as Tehan? Why trade Getz he is better than Nix. This makes no sense to me unless there is more to this story.
If it's real, good move Sox. Where is jwill aka Mr. Cub aka KWFan and his inane comments?
I like Teahen for reliability. He has played 3rd so keep him there and move Beckham to Short or 2nd where his range and speed can be more effective - probably hit better too. Kotsay can play Right. Overall this would give the Sox a better defensive team. And if Viciedo is ready to come up and play 3rd then that gives the Sox a whole lot more flexibility.
Hate to lose Getz though - would much rather seen Nix go. Royals are good for resurrecting Sox castoffs so all the best to Josh Fields. He just never handled the pressure of taking over for Crede!
Listen to Rob, he is clear-minded!
Viciedo at 3rd, Beckham at SS (natural position), Ramirez back to 2B (pretty good in '08 at 2B, butcher at SS in '09).
Teahan is a DeRosa-type player as he has played many positions, 2B, 3B, OF. He'll be a good utility man for the team and was picked up for a couple guys that were not going to see much playing time for the Sox in '10.
Getz? Why? He was a solid player. He could of been the lead off guy we've been searching for since '05. Pods ain't getting no younger.
I don't wanna call this a dumb trade, but if you had to part with Getz to get rid of Fields then fields would still be around if I was GM.
You don't trade youth and speed when you have none.
Is he trying to keep our lineup old and full of power hitters who rarely hit for power.
First Rios now this?
No no no no no no no. What is it with Williams and Royals' players? Getz was what the Sox needed; a solid all around offensive and defensive player with lots of room for growth. Fields is okay to see gone, but before his injury, Getz had as much to do with the offense getting hot as Beckham did. I admire Kenny's willingness to trade as always, but this one just doesn't make sense to me, unless he was solely trying to clear room to get Viciedo up to the majors at 3rd, Beckham at short and move Ramirez back to second.
I say now on the the leadoff spot.
This is a good start. Cut some dead weight, free yourself of pressure to sign Dye (he can still sign at a discount to play DH) and now on to the middle infield and bullpen!