On a conference call with reporters soon after the Reds sent him to the White Sox in a three-team deal, the All-Star third baseman and Toms River native said he’s glad he won’t have to entertain trade scenarios from his fellow Jersey folk when he’s hanging out in the area. Los Angeles moved Jose Peraza, Scott Schebler and Brandon Dixon in the trade but wound up with Frankie Montas, Micah Johnson and Trayce Thompson in return.
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“Coming off knee surgery, we felt like it was in everyone’s best interest for him to be locked in at third”, Friedman said. “It kinda put a smile on my face to see the guys we’ve got”. Already this off-season they have acquired catchers Alex Avila and Dioner Navarro and infielder Brett Lawrie, a former third baseman who will move to second base to make way for Frazier. Hahn said that Carlos Sanchez, who played most of the 2015 season at second, could be a versatile option off the bench or at shortstop, along with Tyler Saladino. Last seaon, Frazier slashed.255/.309/.498 with 35 home runs and 89 RBI. Montas is still only 22, but he has been around in the minors since he has been 17. 302 batting average, Peraza’s on-base percentage is only.
Past year at Triple-A and in the majors, Schebler was much better against right-handed pitching, hitting.244/.341/.458 with 14 of his 16 homers, while hitting.238/.282/.338 against left-handers. FanGraphs rated him sixth defensively in 2015 among qualifying third basemen, and he was good for six defensive runs saved.
Nightengale reports that the Royals and the Indians were also interested in Frazier, but the deal ended up with the White Sox. “We expect to show progress and keep developing our young players”. 220 in the second half – to fatigue and playing for a losing team.
As for the Dodgers, they get some talented, but overall unproven prospects. I know it’s the American League.
“This is a sign you’re trying to improve”, Ventura said.
“I’m pretty excited”, said Frazier, who starred at Rutgers. The White Sox have made a push to win now in the primes of Chris Sale and Jose Abreu, yet they’ve managed to retain top prospects Tim Anderson and Carson Fulmer as well as Carlos Rodon.
Though the White Sox surrendered three major-league ready players in Wednesday’s trade, Robin Ventura likes how his general manager has operated. Peraza was switched from shortstop to second base because the Braves had Andrelton Simmons locked up at short long-term (and he has since been traded). Friedman also complimented the athleticism of Thompson, who made his major league debut this year and hit five home runs in 44 games.
Teams started expressing an interest in Frazier during the winter meetings last week. “You’ve got a middle-of-the-order presence, obviously a power hitter with extra-base ability as well and someone to help solidify the middle and make it a little tougher to come through here”. The idea is for them to trade all of the players that are making quite a bit of money or will make quite a bit of money and rebuild around Joey Votto.
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Another big name that’s been mentioned numerous times since free agency began is off the market.
