I was excited to see what Peraza could do, but it sounds like Dodger scouts were cooling off on him. “He solidifies us defensively at third base and provides a great presence in our lineup and in the clubhouse”. Since 2012 they’ve posted only losing records, and it’s time to move up the ladder of the AL Central, hoping that Frazier’s hitting can get them there.
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For the White Sox, it’s about winning now. He is due $7.5 million in next year and eligible for arbitration next off-season. The trade allows Chicago to move recently acquired Brett Lawrie to second base as a part of revamped infield.
Where the three-way trade between the White Sox, Reds and Dodgers really gets interesting is in what might happen next, because the non-Chicago sides of the triangle face out toward future deals. The Sox said at the winter meetings that he could contend for a starting spot in 2016.
Frazier, 29, is headed into his sixth Major League Baseball season.
No. 1 starter Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake were dealt in July, leaving the Reds to finish the season with an all-rookie rotation that got miserable results.
Jocketty is talking to other teams about Chapman.
“We’re also in the division that has the World Series champion”, Ventura said on a conference call with reporters. And he can play first base.
According to CBS Sports, Peraza was the key player for the Reds.
A specific someone in “everyone else” is Brandon Phillips, who can veto any trade as a 10-and-5 man but is 34 years old and logically would want to spend the final two years of his contract, during which he’ll earn $27 million, playing for a contender.
Trayce Thompson and Micah Johnson serve as insurance in case they have problems with their veterans this season.
“Obviously, we’re having a lot of conversations that involve us potentially trading some prospects in different-type scenarios”, Friedman said.
The Dodgers acquired some interesting pieces. They surrendered three players that had cups of coffee with the team, but none of them were cornerstone players. Friedman also complimented the athleticism of Thompson, who made his major league debut this year and hit five home runs in 44 games. He won the All-Star Home Run Derby in front of his hometown fans as well, during his second consecutive All-Star appearance. He played just seven games for the Dodgers, but the 22-year-old prospect projects as an everyday shortstop or second baseman with good contact skills and plus speed. Thompson is a brother of Golden State guard Klay Thompson and a son of former National Basketball Association player Mychal Thompson.
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Friedman said Thompson is an “exceptional athlete with strong bloodlines”. He debuted in Major League Baseball last season, striking out 20 and allowing eight runs over 15 innings. “And if not, we feel like he can be a real impact bullpen arm”. He had a dismal second half of the season following the All-Star break last season that could have affected his trade value, but the White Sox saw enough to be convinced of his potential. He hit 55 home runs between 2013 and 2014 at the minor league level, but slipped back to 13 this past season. His 19 home runs more than doubled his previous career best, and his 26 stolen bases also marked a personal high.
