Day two of the Winter Meetings was more active for the White Sox as they were linked to many rumors and addressed one of their needs via trade. Below is a breakdown of today’s rumors and news.
RUMORS:
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- Buster Olney of ESPN reports that the White Sox are interested in free agent catcher Yasmani Grandal.
The White Sox pushing to take a step forward in 2019. Nova improves the rotation, and they’re looking at Yasmani Grandal as a possible catching upgrade.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 11, 2018
Grandal would be a great upgrade at catcher for the Sox, who only have Welington Castillo and Seby Zavala on their current 40-man roster.
- Buster Olney also reports that free agent Manny Machado will be making four in-person visits over the next few days with unspecified teams.
Club exec says he’s heard Manny Machado will make four in-person visits with teams in the days ahead.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 11, 2018
Jon Heyman of Fancred followed up on the report confirming that the White Sox were among the teams who are scheduled to meet with Machado.
Yanks, White Sox and Phillies are 3 teams that will meet with Manny Machado. The 3 alleged mystery teams remain so.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 11, 2018
- Jon Heyman reports that the White Sox are still linked to OF Michael Brantley.
Chisox, Braves, Phillies have been 3 of the teams on Michael Brantley. With Cutch in fold with Phils, and Harper still possible there, philly would seem less likely for now.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 11, 2018
- Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that today’s 3-year/$50 million between Andrew McCutchen and the Phillies does not affect Philadelphia’s role in the Harper sweepstakes.
Andrew McCutchen provides great veteran leadership for #Phillies but doesn’t change their pursuit for Bryce Harper
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 11, 2018
- Enrique Rojas of ESPN reports that the White Sox are still one of the team’s interested in free agent Nelson Cruz.
Source: Teams that have spoken with Bryce Dixon, agent for dominican free agent Nelson Cruz and have shown some degree of interest are #Astros #Twins #Rays and #WhiteSox
— Enrique Rojas/ESPN (@Enrique_Rojas1) December 11, 2018
- Buster Olney of ESPN reports that the White Sox are interested in free agent catcher Yasmani Grandal.
NEWS:
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- The White Sox acquired RHP Ivan Nova from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for minor-league RHP Yordi Rosario. For a full breakdown of the trade, click here.
Welcome to Chicago, @IvanNova47! pic.twitter.com/KVd3OsDesj
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) December 11, 2018
- James Fegan of The Athletic reports that the White Sox could look to other guys already in the organization if they do not fill the fifth starter spot via a trade or free agent signing.
Sox are still shopping for rotation help. Bañuelos, Covey, Stephens, NRIs would currently be in the mix for the fifth starter slot
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) December 11, 2018
- GM Rick Hahn spoke with the meeting Tuesday afternoon following the Ivan Nova trade.
Hahn: “This was a necessity. It doesn’t necessarily have a long term impact in terms of Nova’s stay with the White Sox. Could be a multi-year stay we figure out after the season, him going into the last year of his contract. Or it could be a one year fit.”
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) December 11, 2018
Hahn on interest in Nova: “Going back to his Yankees days. There was a time 6 or 7 years ago when he was pretty high up on some lists that we were part of some pretty deep conversations with them a while back …
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) December 11, 2018
More Hahn on Nova: “As we entered this offseason, he was certainly on the list from the start of guys who could conceivably fit this role.”
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) December 11, 2018
Hahn: “It doesn’t preclude us from going out and continuing to add to the rotation if we find the right fit. But this was an important get in terms of helping stabilize the rotation, fill up some innings and take some pressure off the young guys.”
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) December 11, 2018
Hahn: “This isn’t the last one you are going to see like this. In keeping with the general theme of what we are trying to accomplish, yes we remain very true to the long term vision here….
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) December 11, 2018
More Hahn: “… Part of that vision is not compromising our economic flexibility going forward so it’s at our disposal when the time is right and we are truly in a position to win.”
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) December 11, 2018
- In addition to GM Rick Hahn, manager Rick Renteria also spoke with the media.
Renteria on the biggest selling point of the White Sox right now: “The future.”
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) December 11, 2018
I asked Rick Renteria if, after a long time of the franchise preaching patience — waiting for youngsters to arrive, waiting to win — if he sees the light at the end of the tunnel.
Spoiler: He does. pic.twitter.com/LnER1cNb35
— Ryan Fagan (@ryanfagan) December 11, 2018
Rick Renteria on his extension. #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/tFIKjwRp3S
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) December 11, 2018
LIVE! Hear from Ricky as he meets the press at the Winter Meetings. https://t.co/8dgB4lG2vJ
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) December 11, 2018
- The White Sox acquired RHP Ivan Nova from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for minor-league RHP Yordi Rosario. For a full breakdown of the trade, click here.
Featured Photo: ESPN
