Alex Rios Claimed off Waivers by the White Sox

[Foster]

Just saw this over on MLBTR.

Don't know what the full situation is, but this could be huge. I know it's Olney, but I think something like this is rather interesting.

ESPN.com's Buster Olney hears that Alex Rios has been claimed on waivers by an unknown team. The Blue Jays now have three choices:

* They can let the claiming team have Rios and the $60MM-plus remaining on his contract.
* They can pull him back from waivers and keep him.
* They can work out a deal with the claiming team.

One executive calls this an "incredible opportunity" for the Blue Jays to shed payroll.

Alex Rios Claimed On Waivers, Trade Next?: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

And to think we could have traded him the other year to SF for one of the 2 studs they have. JP screwed up there, knowing what we know now...

[Foster]

Some more on the situation.

Sources: Waiver claim made on Alex Rios of Toronto Blue Jays - ESPN

[ljshorty89]

I hope the Mets are the ones who claimed him, because it would be a good fit, but I doubt every team with a better waiver claim passed on him.

Any thoughts on who else would be interested?

[Foster]

San Fran is the first thing that poped into my head, than after that, glad I won't have this on my team anymore.

Warning Bad Language.

[ljshorty89]

San Fran is the first thing that poped into my head, than after that, glad I won't have this on my team anymore.

Warning Bad Language.

YouTube - Alex Rios having a bad night

San Fran means it would have to get through the Mets. Which would disappoint me.

What AL teams would want him AND could afford him?

[Foster]

Comments on the MLBTR post mentioned the ChiSox, maybe even BoSox.

His salary will be only 2 million this season, so it's not a whole lot for someone like Chicago to pay, and will have the flexability next year when some salary comes off the books.

Boston is an interesting scenario as Bay and Drew banged up a bit.

[ljshorty89]

Comments on the MLBTR post mentioned the ChiSox, maybe even BoSox.

His salary will be only 2 million this season, so it's not a whole lot for someone like Chicago to pay, and will have the flexability next year when some salary comes off the books.

Boston is an interesting scenario as Bay and Drew banged up a bit.

Those are the only 2 AL teams I think have any reason to have any interest.

The problem for the Sox is that his money could (I'm not sure of the numbers) put them over the luxury tax threshold...

[ljshorty89]

Joel Sherman of the New York Post says a high ranking team official assured him the Mets did not claim Rios.
Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus writes, “Lots of speculation that it was the White Sox that claimed Rios. I have no idea.”

Guess it wasn't the Mets...

[catman]

It may be an incredible opportunity to shed payroll, but its also an incredible opportunity to shed talent. Rios is one of the bright spots in the lineup. Unless the team can get some very good players in return, including at least one major-league ready outfielder, I'd keep Rios. The Jays only have 5 outfielders on their 40-man roster. They really don't have enough depth to make this move right now.

[Foster]

If there is a deal worked out, it would be interesting to see what comes back.
Just watched an interview with J.P. and he didn't seem to worry too much.

I don't know what the ChiSox have left to make a deal for Rios after making their move for Peavy. Anyone want to hagger a guess.

[Saber]

Making a deal would be stupid. Ricciardi has no leverage with that contract. If he were smart, he'd just let whoever claimed Rios keep him, and ditch the salary.

[ljshorty89]

Making a deal would be stupid. Ricciardi has no leverage with that contract. If he were smart, he'd just let whoever claimed Rios keep him, and ditch the salary.

I don't know. I'd have to find the article, but fangraphs says that while Vernon Wells' contract is awful and they should get rid of it however they can, Rios is actually a good deal based on his skill set, his projected stats for next year and beyond, and the salaries of similar players around the league.

[catman]

If there is a deal worked out, it would be interesting to see what comes back.
Just watched an interview with J.P. and he didn't seem to worry too much.

I don't know what the ChiSox have left to make a deal for Rios after making their move for Peavy. Anyone want to hagger a guess.

I agree. I'm not sure what the Sox have left in their farm system, unless they are willing to deal Ramirez or Beckham for Rios straight up, which would be monumentally stupid.

[Halladay_is_God]

Rios claimed by Chicago White Sox

no player in return

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=287338

[missionhockey21]

The White Sox essentially entered the FA market a bit early, taking on a new long term contract for a player without giving up any talent to acquire it.