The Chicago White Sox have claimed former Blue Jays’ All-Star outfielder Alex Rios off waivers, according to a tweet from MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian. In a move that was certainly a monetary decision, the Blue Jays decided his .264 average with 14 HR and .317 OBP was not worth the $12 million a year they were going to be shelling out for his services over the next 5 seasons. The White Sox on the other hand, are willing to take a big time gamble that Rios can recapture the talents that made him paid like a superstar.
Alex Rios better watch his rich ass in Chicago
It is interesting to see a move like this occur, when a player who signed a lucrative deal with a team just one year ago handed away for free. But this is a sign of the times, and teams are not looking to spend big bucks. The Cleveland Indians have reported that they will lose $16 million this year leading to their trades of Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee. But while the Indians have thrown in the towel in exchange for a tourniquet to stop the hemorrhaging of money, the Chicago White Sox have stepped up and acquired a 28 year old former all-star without giving up anything.
Rios projects to play CF for the ChiSox, giving them an impressive outfield of Rios in center, Carlos Quentin in left and Jermaine Dye right. The White Sox sit just 3 games behnd the first place Tigers, and if Rios is anything close to the player he was two seasons ago they have just put themselves in postion to make a serious run in that division.
Tags: alex rios, chicago white sox, MLB, toronto blue jays, trade rumors
