Chicago White Sox Offseason 2012: Concerns About Adam Dunn's Swing Began In Spring Training Last Year, Says Ozzie Guillen

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2012 MLB Free Agency: White Sox Interested In 2 Lefty Relievers

The Chicago White Sox apparently have an interest in relief pitchers Mike Gonzalez and Arthur Rhodes. According Jon Heyman of CBS, the southside team has already begun inquiries on the pair:

#chisox were the other team in on eric chavez at the end. they also have shown some interest in lh reliever mike gonzalez

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) March 7, 2012

#chisox have also checked in on the ageless arthur rhodes

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) March 7, 2012

The White Sox appear to be in a rebuilding mode, at least in their bullpen, following the Sergio Santos trade and the transition of Chris Sale into the rotation.

Currently, the team has lefty Will Ohman on the roster, but Gonzalez (career 2.94 ERA) and the 42-year-old Rhodes (career 2.94 FIP against lefties) both offer impressive -- and coincidentally 2.94-related -- abilities. Also, at this point in the year, the White Sox could presumably sign either one of them on minor league or split contracts, making the potential costs of their signing minimal.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago White Sox be sure to visit South Side Sox. Check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports.

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White Sox Rumors 2012: Gavin Floyd Still Attracting Interest From Other Teams

Other teams continue to focus on Chicago White Sox pitcher Gavin Floyd as a possible trade option this spring, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. He says that the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox are two of the teams that could be in play, which bodes with rumors that floated about earlier in the offseason.

Cafardo adds that White Sox GM Kenny Williams doesn't appear to be anxious to move Floyd, but he's not opposed to dealing him for the right return. Floyd currently is slated to join John Danks, Jake Peavy, Phil Humber and Chris Sale in Chicago's 2012 starting rotation.

In 2011, Floyd posted a 4.37 ERA in 193 innings with the White Sox. Since becoming a full-time starter for Chicago in 2008, he's posted a 4.08 ERA while making at least 30 starts in each season. The 29-year-old has typically posted strong peripheral statistics. He's due to make $7 million in 2012, while the White Sox also hold a club option for 2013 worth $9.5 million.

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2012 White Sox Offseason: Most Problems In 2011 'Weren’t Baseball-Related,' Says Ex-Hitting Coach Greg Walker

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times has spent a considerable amount of time rehashing the failures of Chicago White Sox in 2011 since the team cut ties with Ozzie Guillen, and now he has turned his attention to former hitting coach Greg Walker for more confirmation that the season was in shambles before it even started. Ex-post facto declarations that 2011 was a poor season aren't exactly profound, but with Walker moving on to a job with the Atlanta Braves, he did have some bits to add about the discord from last year:

‘‘You can dissect it any way you want, blame it on whoever you want, but it was not a positive situation for anyone involved,'' Walker said. ‘‘We talked about it. There was a feeling in the clubhouse and the coaches' office that we should have never been back for 2011. After 2010, it was obvious that the first sign of adversity was going to make things bad."

‘‘When it gets off track like it did and you have more going on than the normal team, it's too hard to overcome. The atmosphere the past few years reached the point where winning baseball could no longer be played, no matter which players were brought in.''

‘‘Most of the problems that went on last year weren't baseball-related, and it was tough on the players. We hit that first roadblock, and everyone suffered. We all should have seen
it coming.''

quotes via Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.

During the offseason GM Kenny Williams retooled the roster for a rebuild, but many of the veterans who struggled last season are still around. Adam Dunn and Alex Rios still have huge contract figures even if they have dampened expectations hanging over their head, while young prospect Gordon Beckham might making his last push to turn the corner and fulfill the potential he flashed bank in 2009.

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White Sox Rumors: Chicago Interested In Jorge Soler?

While the Oakland Athletics recently signed Yoenis Cespedes for $36 million, he's not the only major young outfielder coming out of Cuba this offseason. 19-year-old Jorge Soler is also commanding major interest from numerous teams, and MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez reports that the Chicago White Sox are among those teams.

According to Sanchez, Soler recently worked out with the Toronto Blue Jays, while the Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and White Sox have also shown interest. He still hasn't been declared a free agent by MLB as he awaits residency in the Dominican Republic, and even then he still must be cleared by the U.S. Foreign Assets Control before he can actually sign.

Teams consider Soler to be a major young prospect, though, one that has legitimate five-tool potential once he develops. Expect the price to be significant, well over the $10 million that the Blue Jays spent in 2010 to sign Cuban shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria.

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Kousuke Fukudome, White Sox Agree To 1-Year, $1 Million Deal With 2013 Club Option

The Chicago White Sox and 34-year-old free-agent outfielder Kosuke Fukudome have agreed to terms on a one-year $1 million contract that includes $500,000 in base salary for 2012 and a $3.5 million 2013 club option with a $500,000 buyout. The former Japanese league star disappointed in the MLB after signing a four-year $48 million contract with the Chicago Cubs in 2007, but getting a backup outfielder and left-handed bat at a discount price is a low-risk move for the White Sox at this point. Here is what White Sox vice president/assistant general manager had to say about the signing in the official press release:

"Kosuke adds to our outfield depth and gives Robin another left-handed bat to mix into the lineup based on matchups," said Rick Hahn, White Sox vice president/assistant general manager. "He can play center field and right and provides flexibility to our roster."

...Fukudome played nine seasons with Chunichi of the Japanese Central League from 1999-2007. He was named the CL Most Valuable Player in 2006 after hitting .351 (174-496) with 31 home runs and 104 RBI. Fukudome represented Japan at the 1996 and 2004 Summer Olympic Games and the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classic.

GM Kenny Williams was very competitive in the bidding for Fukudome's services back in 2007, and offered at least as much as the Cubs did, but now the White Sox get to give the veteran outfield a shot at making an impact for far less money. Even though the deal is a cheap move that has no potential to hurt the team long-term, the staff at South Side Sox isn't exactly enamored with the move at this point:

While it's pretty hard to get upset about paying $1MM for a backup outfielder, I'm not entirely sure I get Fukudome's appeal. He's an average bat (100 OPS+ for career) with his main strength being his ability to get on base (.361 career OBP), but UZR and the eye test rate him as a poor fielder. I don't expect him to see any time in center since Alex Rios, Alejandro De Aza, and Brent Lillibridge can all play the position better than Kosuke. He's decent insurance for if one of the starters gets hurt though. I'm just hoping our fans don't treat this signing the way Cubs fans did.

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VIDEO: Ozzie Guillen Appreciative Of Time With Chicago White Sox

Former Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen answered some questions for media members recently and spoke about his time in Chicago as well as how much he is looking forward to managing the Miami Marlins in 2012.

Guillen is gracious throughout, thanking the White Sox organization and Jerry Reinsdorf for the opportunity to manage the club for as long as he did. He also says he thinks the White Sox have the talent to compete in the Central division this season, if the players play up to their capabilities.

Related: Ozzie Guillen Says Problems With Adam Dunn's Swing Were Immediately Apparent

Given the way Alex Rios, Adam Dunn and Gordon Beckham hit last season, though, that seems like a pretty big if.

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White Sox Sign Former Quarterback Mitch Mustain To Minor-League Deal

ESPN's Keith Law recently ranked the Chicago White Sox as the worst farm system in baseball and only Addison Reed made his Top 100 list, but that doesn't mean White Sox GM Kenny Williams hasn't stopped looking for creative ways to improve the organization's talent pool. In fact, on Thursday the Sox signed former five-star college quarterback prospect Mitch Mustain to a minor league deal, according to NWAhomepage.com and then followed up by Mustain on Twitter:

Thanks for the well-wishes. Excited for spring training and to be part of the White Sox organization.

— Mitch Mustain (@MitchMustain) February 10, 2012

The 23-year old athlete started his college football career 8-0 at the University of Arkansas but clashed with coaches and transferred to USC, where he only started one more game in his NCAA career. After going undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft, Mustain briefly played in the Canadian Football League but was cut. He was mulling a career in the Arena Football League with the Georgia Force, but apparently decided the opportunity with the White Sox presented a better option.

Mustain is an athlete with a big-arm, but he hasn't pitched since high school. Essentially, Mustain's potential is completely unknown, although he claims he threw 90 mph for a White Sox scout. SB Nation's White Sox blog, South Side Sox, points out that the organization has not been shy about taking low-risk chances on busted out former college quarterbacks, but the results haven't exactly been inspiring:

It's an unorthodox way to make the minors more interesting, but given the White Sox's occupation of the cellar in all major farm system rankings, we'll have the resources to keep track of him. The Sox signing a former college quarterback automatically brings to mind Joe Borchard and Josh Fields, but hey, Clayton Richard turned out OK.

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2012 White Sox Rumors: Paul Konerko Mulling Retirement In 2013

In a recent interview with CSN Chicago's Chuck Garfien, Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko shared his thoughts about possibly retiring in the near future. According to Konerko, he would be surprised to be suiting up in 2014:

"Yeah, in all reality I would see it ending after next year or maybe another year. I mean, at some point you got to go home and be around your kids and have other things to do."

The White Sox slugger has played for the Chicago south side team since the Clinton administration, taking over full-time duties in 1999 and never playing fewer than 135 games since. Konerko turns 36 next March, but the good news for Sox fans is that Konerko at least anticipates finishing his contract, which lasts through the 2013 MLB Season:

"There's obviously this year and I have another year left on the contract, and I would not have signed up for that if I didn't think I could pull it off," Konerko said. "But at that point I'll be 38 years old going into the following year. ... I would never just play to say, 'Well, this team wants me and I can kind of hang on for another year and kind of go through the motions here."

According to Baseball-Reference, Konerko will not earn his usual $12M in 2013, receiving instead just $6.5M that year, with $1M paid out over the next 6 years, meaning his financial future should be well taken care of at that point.

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Chicago White Sox Sign Dan Johnson To Minor League Contract

The Chicago White Sox have signed first baseman Dan Johnson to a minor league contract, according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. Johnson had previously been with the Tampa Bay Rays since being acquired by them in 2008.

The 31-year-old is probably best known at this point for the epic ninth-inning, two-out, pinch-hit, game-tying home run that he hit against the New York Yankees to complete a stunning comeback that kept Tampa Bay's season alive. Otherwise, Johnson has hit .235/.334/.405 in 1520 plate appearances across six different seasons with the Rays and the Oakland Athletics

A limited player defensively, Johnson basically just gives the White Sox another option for 1B/DH just in case Adam Dunn totally falters again. He got some attention in 2010 for hitting .303/.430/.624 with 30 homers in 98 games with Triple-A Durham, but he fell back to Earth while hitting .273/.382/.459 with 13 homers in 93 games with Durham in 2011.

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2012 MLB Free Agency: OF Juan Pierre Signs Minor League Contract With Philadelphia Phillies

Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reported Friday morning that the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a minor league deal with outfielder Juan Pierre.

The 34-year-old outfielder joins Philly after spending the previous two seasons with the Chicago White Sox. With the Sox, Pierre hit a .277/.335/.322 slash -- his worst slash with any one team -- while stealing an impressive 95 bases. Pierre led the league in 2010 with 68 steals, and led the league in both 2010 and 2011 with 18 and 17 caught stealing.

According to the MLB Trade Rumors, Pierre will likely start the season with fellow outfield veterans John Mayberry and Laynce Nix, and Phillies propsect Domonic Brown.

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Phil Humber Has 'Early Advantage' For 5th Spot In Chicago White Sox Pitching Rotation

New Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura spoke about several topics on Thursday, including the 2012 pitching rotation.

RV gives Phil Humber early advantage for fifth starter spot. So rotation looks set, barring a late move. More soon on whitesox.com

— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) January 26, 2012

If nothing changes, then, the White Sox will begin 2012 with a rotation that includes John Danks, Jake Peavy, Gavin Floyd, Chris Sale and the aforementioned Humber. There may still be some possibility that the Sox deal Gavin Floyd.

Related: Chicago White Sox Sign Scott Olsen To Minor League Contract

The White Sox recently signed pitcher Scott Olsen to a minor league deal, who was a serviceable starter in Florida for several years but has been hampered by injuries of late.

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Yoenis Cespedes Declared Free Agent By MLB

All 30 MLB clubs have been notified that Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has been declared a free agent by MLB, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America. Cespedes recently established residency in the Dominican Republic after defecting from Cuba, allowing him to become eligible to sign with MLB teams.

Cespedes, 26, has been described as an impressive athlete with a combination of power and speed. He recently played a few games in the Dominican Winter League, but he didn't play particularly well after taking so much time off from live pitching. He's been described as a center fielder, but some teams have reportedly shown interest in moving him to a corner.

Among the teams showing the most interest have been the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers and Miami Marlins according to reports. Detroit may not be showing the same amount of interest after committing $214 million to Prince Fielder this week, though.

For more on the offseason, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

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Chicago White Sox Sign Scott Olsen To Minor League Contract

The Chicago White Sox have signed left-handed pitcher Scott Olsen to a minor league contract, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN. The deal includes a big league club option for the 2013 season, so Chicago could potentially retain his services if he proves to be effective.

Olsen, 28, missed the entire 2011 season after being released in May by the Pittsburgh Pirates due to shoulder issues. He last pitched in the majors with the Washington Nationals in 2010, posting a 5.56 ERA over 17 appearances (including 15 starts). From 2006 to 2008, Olsen made at least 31 starts per season for the Florida Marlins. He posted a 4.65 ERA over that three-year span.

In Chicago, Olsen is presumably just some additional depth for the rotation. The current White Sox rotation includes John Danks, Gavin Floyd, Jake Peavy, Phil Humber and Chris Sale, but there could potentially be an opening if a Floyd trade is ever completed.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on theChicago White Sox be sure to visit South Side Sox. Check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports.

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MLB Rumors 2012: Cubs, White Sox Among Teams Interested In Gerardo Concepcion

Cuban left-handed pitcher Gerardo Concepcion has been granted free agency and can now negotiate with any of the 30 MLB teams, according to Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes. The Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox are reportedly among the teams showing interest, in addition to the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers and Philadelphia Phillies.

Concepcion, 18, has established residency in Mexico and is currently training in the Dominican Republic, according to his agent Jaime Torres. Concepcion defected from Cuba last summer during the World Port Tournament in the Netherlands, the same event that allowed Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman to defect from Cuba back in 2009. He already has a training session scheduled with the Yankees this week.

During the 2010-2011 season in the Cuban Serie Nacional, the top amateur league in the nation, Hernandez went 10-3 while posting a 3.36 ERA over 21 games (including 16 starts) for Industriales de la Habana.

For more on the Cubs' offseason, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

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White Sox Rumors: Boston Red Sox Still Interested In Gavin Floyd

The Boston Red Sox are still showing interest in Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Gavin Floyd, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Boston has long been rumored to be one of the suitors for Floyd's services, and it appears that the idea of acquiring him hasn't been tabled yet.

The recent moves made by Boston's biggest rival may be impacting their level of interest. While it seemed possible that the New York Yankees would stand relatively pat this offseason, they exploded last week to acquire Michael Pineda from the Seattle Mariners and Hiroki Kuroda from free agency. With reinforcements in place, the Red Sox are likely considering their next step.

Acquiring Floyd wouldn't quite match adding a talent like Pineda, but he would certainly qualify as a firm upgrade. Currently, Boston is looking at Daniel Bard, Alfredo Aceves, Vicente Padilla, Aaron Cook and Carlos Silva as its primary rotation options beyond Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz.

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2012 MLB Hot Stove: Dayan Viciedo Recruiting Yoenis Cespedes And Jorge Soler For White Sox

The Chicago White Sox are among the many clubs interested in Cuban baseball prospects Yoenis Cespedes and Jorge Soler, and White Sox 3B/OF and fellow Cuban Dayan Viciedo has taken it upon himself to put in a good word for the Sox.

"I have reached out to both camps and put in a good word and told them how great the organization is and how much of great fit it would be if they joined us," Viciedo said on a conference call in preparation for SoxFest starting Jan. 27.

Cespedes and Soler are in the Dominican Republic awaiting the go-ahead from Major League Baseball to sign with a team.

Alexei Ramirez -- Chicago's starting shortstop -- also is from Cuba.

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Chicago White Sox Sign Venezuelan Pitcher For $250K

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to sign Venezuelan right-handed pitcher Luis Martinez for $250,000, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America. Chicago hasn't committed this much money to a single international amateur in years, although they've spent on Cuban players like Alexei Ramirez and Dayan Viciedo.

Martinez, who turns 17 on Jan. 29, stands tall at 6-foot-4. Here's more from Badler on the pitcher:

He gets good downhill angle on an 88-91 mph fastball that has hit 92, an increase from the 84-88 mph velocity he was showing last summer around July 2. He has a projectable frame with long arms and plenty of room to fill out, so he should have at least a plus fastball in time. Martinez has a solid delivery, a high-70s curveball that is his best secondary pitch and he mixes in a changeup as well.

Martinez is the first big signing for Chicago since it hired Marco Paddy away from Toronto to take over the team's Latin American scouting operations. With the White Sox typically being one of the cheapest teams in the game when it comes to signing amateur talent, this could signal a possible change in strategy.

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Chicago White Sox Sign Corey Smith To Minor League Deal

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to a minor league contract with outfielder Corey Smith, according to Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus. Smith, the 26th overall pick in the 2000 draft by the Cleveland Indians, is a career-long minor leaguer.

Once considered a pretty good prospect, Smith was never able to get over his plate discipline issues as a hitter. Before the 2002 season, he was rated as the No. 72 prospect in the entire sport by Baseball America, but over the next few seasons his development would totally stall.

Most recently, Smith spent the 2011 season in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A, he hit a combined .261/.305/.386 with 10 homers in 120 games. He was much better in 2010, though, hitting .275/.343/.467 in 115 games in Double-A. Overall, he's spent 947 games in Double-A, posting a total line of .259/.329/.427 in 3923 plate appearances.

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2011 MLB Hot Stove: John Danks' Extension Includes No-Trade Clause

On Thursday, the Chicago White Sox officially announced that the team has signed John Danks to a five-year extension, and MLB.com's Scott Merkin later shared an interesting detail about the deal:

(Via.)

This is somewhat surprising given that Danks' name had come up in plenty of offseason trade rumors before he signed this extension with the Sox, and even after the news broke there was a sentiment that he could still be on the trading block. But it does not appear that Danks will be sold as part of a rebuilding effort anytime soon.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago White Sox be sure to visit South Side Sox. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league, and check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports.

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2011 MLB Hot Stove: White Sox Officially Announce John Danks Extension

The Chicago White Sox officially announced the terms of the five-year contract extension for LHP John Danks on Thursday. The new deal buys out one of Danks's arbitration years and keeps in Chicago until 2016:

Under terms of the agreement, Danks will receive $8 million in 2012, which was to be his final season of arbitration eligibility, and $14.25 million in each of the 2013-16 seasons.

Danks pitched over 170 innings in 2011, sporting a 4.33 ERA and 3.82 FIP. The soon-to-be 27 year old has pitched 150 games with the White Sox since 2007 and has a decent career 4.03 ERA and 4.14 FIP.

The White Sox blog South Side Sox praised the extension as being overall a fair deal:

On the whole though, it's a fair market deal that works in the White Sox' favor thanks to the organization's talent for handling pitchers.

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White Sox Rumors: Chicago Still Open To Dealing RHP Gavin Floyd

CBS Sports' Danny Knobler reports that the Chicago White Sox will continue listening to offers for starter Gavin Floyd, but the price tag is expected to stay high:

The belief now is that Williams will consider offers for Floyd and others, but that he will also continue to maintain a high price tag, as he has all winter. While Williams appears to be open to dealing Floyd, he also seems open to keeping him. Floyd is signed through 2012, but his contract carries an affordable $9.5 million option for 2013.

(Via.)

Since coming from Philadelphia to Chicago in the winter of 2006, Floyd has matured in a good, durable starting pitcher, and his contract is reasonable, which adds a bit to his trade value.

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MLB Hot Stove: Reactions To John Danks Extension

On Wednesday, the Chicago White Sox signed LHP John Danks to a five-year extension that should keep him in a White Sox uniform well past his 30th birthday. The lefty from Texas started 27 games last season for the Sox with a 4.33 ERA and 3.82 FIP.

The extension follows what some consider was a career-worst year for Danks, who posted an 8-12 win-loss record. Though, according to Jim Margalus of South Side Sox, Danks could very well be worth the his new salary:

If you're feeling charitable, a lot of Danks' struggles in 2011 can be explained away. He started the season with an 0-8 record he didn't deserve, and at the end, he wasn't the only one who looked like he couldn't wait for the season to be over.

In the creamy middle from June to August, he went 6-1 with a 2.03 ERA.

There's nothing in Danks' peripherals that suggests he's a different pitcher from his excellent three-year run from 2008 to 2010. His problems last season were most likely bad luck snowballing into bad pitching.

Chris Cwik of FanGraphs also weighed in on the Danks extension, agreeing that the lefty should have not problem being good enough to earn his pay, but also noting that the extension does not compare favorably to similar, recent extensions:

Out of context, the deal looks pretty fair for the White Sox. Danks is good, young and left-handed. He should live up to the financial aspects of the contract.

When looking at the [Chad Billingsley] and [Wandy Rodriguez] contracts, though, one has to wonder why [White Sox GM Kenny Williams] paid Danks significantly more money than the market seemed to dictate. The move is also interesting considering the White Sox are attempting to rebuild ... The Danks extension won’t kill the White Sox, but giving him this much money right now certainly makes things confusing.

The White Sox acquired Danks from the Texas Rangers in December 2006 and have gotten over 900 innings out of the starter since the 2007 MLB season. Danks will be 27 next season.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago White Sox be sure to visit South Side Sox. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league, and check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports.

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White Sox, John Danks Agree To Five-Year, $65 Million Contract

Chicago White Sox general manager Kenny Williams is known for his swing-for-the-fences philosophy, but his South Siders have been suspiciously quiet following a season that saw the team majorly disappoint. Seemingly the only news out of White Sox camp this winter has been bad news. First, there was the departure of manager Ozzie Guillen to the Marlins, followed by Mark Buehrle fleeing the only team he's ever know to join his former manager in Miami. The Sox also traded popular flame-throwing reliever Sergio Santos to the Toronto Blue Jays for a bevy of prospects.

But tonight, good news comes for Sox fans. The team has agreed to a five-year, $65 million contract with John Danks. CBS' Jon Heyman has the tweets:

danks and white sox agree on $65M, 5-yr deal. looks like some fan had it first. lol

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 22, 2011

danks deal wont be announced until after xmas, as he has a physical to take. #chisox

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 22, 2011

The fan in question is @k0na, who also tweeted that he cannot reveal his sources.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on theChicago White Sox be sure to visit South Side Sox. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league, and check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports.

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White Sox Rumors: Chicago Holds Private Workout With Yoenis Cespedes

The Chicago White Sox have had a relatively quiet offseason so far outside of trading Sergio Santos to the Toronto Blue Jays, but they're showing some interest in Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. According to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports, the White Sox recently held a private workout with Cespedes in order to get a closer look at the hyped center fielder.

Cespedes, reportedly 26, defected from Cuba recently in order to gain residency in another country and sign a contract to play in the United States. He's considered an elite prospect in the international community, and the rumors have him potentially landing a deal worth more than the $30.25 million that the Cincinnati Reds spent to sign lefty pitcher Aroldis Chapman in January 2010.  

For the White Sox, interest is fairly understandable. They've spent big in the past on Cuban defectors like Alexei Ramirez and Dayan Viciedo, they could use some outfield help with Juan Pierre departing and that's before factoring in a possible trade of Carlos Quentin. Signing Cespedes could allow Chicago to trade Quentin and slide Alex Rios over to right field, improving outfield defense and giving the team some upside. 

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White Sox Rumors: John Danks Not Worrying About Trade Talk

White Sox lefthander John Danks' name has come up a lot in various trade rumors this offseason as general manager Ken Williams is actively shopping a number of players on his roster in an effort to remake the team. But Danks hasn't been sent anywhere yet, and he told the Sun-Times' Joe Cowley in an interview that he's "not losing an ounce of sleep" over the situation. He's also heard about the king's ransom Williams has been asking teams in return for Danks:

"More than anything, this is the business of baseball,’’ Danks said. "I don’t blame Kenny for trying to get as much as he can. I took that as him being early in the process. I took it as him throwing feelers out there.’’

It's still possible for Danks to stay in Chicago for the long term, though he says the White Sox have yet to get serious about a contract extension.

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2011 MLB Hot Stove: Mark Buehrle's Miami Marlins Contract Heavily Backloaded

Mark Buehrle wanted a no-trade clause from the Marlins but did not receive one. Instead, the team backloaded his contract, which will make Buehrle more expensive and more difficult to trade as time goes by. According to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, Buehrle will receive $6 million in 2012, $11 million in 2013, $18 million in 2014 and $19 million in 2015. He also received a $4 million signing bonus.

While the backloaded-contract-as-trade-deterrent may be beneficial for Buehrle, it could end up being trouble for the Marlins, who'll owe the lefty a total of $37 million for his age 35 and age 36 seasons. Fangraphs estimates that Buehrle has been worth roughly $15 million in each of the last three seasons.

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2012 White Sox Free Agency: Chicago To Tender John Danks, Carlos Quentin, According To Report

Scott Gregor of The Daily Herald reports the Chicago White Sox will tender contracts to both LHP John Danks and RF Carlos Quentin:

The 26-year-old John Danks started 27 games for the White Sox in 2011, sporting a 4.33 ERA and 3.82 FIP. The former first round draft pick just finished his fifth full season in the majors, earning $6M during 2011.

Carlos Quentin is coming off of his second-best season in the majors, sporting a .254/.340/.499 slash to go with 24 home runs, but missed nearly a full month with shoulder issues. The 29-year-old Quentin made about $5M in 2011.

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White Sox Rumors: John Danks, Gordon Beckham Also Discussed With Toronto

It appears that the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays have spent a good deal of time speaking with each other this offseason. The two teams completed a trade centered around closer Sergio Santos recently and it was reported earlier today that they also spoke about Chicago right fielder Carlos Quentin. Those aren't the only two players that were discussed, though, as Richard Griffin of the Toronto Sun is reporting that the two teams also discussed White Sox pitcher John Danks and second baseman Gordon Beckham. 

It appears that the White Sox and Blue Jays covered discussions on most of Chicago's prime trade candidates. Outside of those four players, it's been rumored that the White Sox are also looking at deals for reliever Matt Thornton and starter Gavin Floyd. When the Santos trade was completed at the Winter Meetings, White Sox GM Kenny Williams did throw out the "rebuilding" word, so the general expectation in the industry has been that they'll continue to deal and retool for the future. 

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White Sox Rumors: Chicago Discussed Carlos Quentin With Toronto

The Chicago White Sox have been looking at deals for right fielder Carlos Quentin this winter, and Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that they recently held discussions with the Toronto Blue Jays about the outfielder. He notes that talks have since cooled, though, so the White Sox are back on the prowl seeking out possible suitors. 

Quentin, 29, has been a key part of Chicago's lineup for the past four years. A powerful bat, he broke out in 2008 by hitting .288/.394/.571 with 36 homers in 130 games for Chicago, but has struggles with injuries, defense and low batting averages over the past three seasons. He's still been quite useful to the White Sox over the past three years, posting a .245/.336/.479 line while averaging 24 homers per year, but he's getting increasingly expensive and Chicago appears to be kickstarting a rebuilding effort.

The effort began during the Winter Meetings, when the White Sox completed a different deal with the Blue Jays to swap pitchers Sergio Santos and Nestor Molina. Other rumored trade candidates include pitchers John Danks, Gavin Floyd and Matt Thornton.

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MLB Rule 5 Draft Results 2011: White Sox Lose RHP Terry Doyle To Minnesota Twins

Major League Baseball conducted the Major League phase of its Rule 5 Draft process on Thursday, and the Chicago White Sox lost right-handed pitcher Terry Doyle, who was selected by the division-rival Minnesota Twins with the second-overall pick in the major league phase of the draft.  

Doyle, a 26-year old right-handed pitcher who was selected by the White Sox in the 37th round of the 2008 MLB June Amateur draft, has never pitched above AA Birmingham and finished 2011 at 8-10 with a 3.07 ERA, 6.3 SO/9 and 1.7 BB/9 in 173 innings split between High-A Winston-Salem and AA Birmingham.

Here is a scouting report on Doyle from SB Nation's White Sox blog, South Side Sox:

RHP Terry Doyle will be the lone White Sox representative at the Arizona Fall League's Rising Stars Game (live tonight on MLB Network at 7:10pm central).  This game is essentially a showcase for the top talents in the AFL, as well the league's standout performers.  Doyle, who just turned 26, is certainly more of the latter.  Until his most recent start, he'd been pretty much unhitttable over 19.2 IP.  He got beat up on Wednesday but his overall numbers remain impressive: 21.1 IP, 10 H, 4 BB, 16 K.  In the very hitter friendly AFL, a 0.66 WHIP is pretty extraordinary even in that small sample size.  Baseball America sums Doyle up about as well as I could: "Righthander has dominated AFL with average stuff and good pitchability."      

At the moment Sox fans don't seem to be too worried about the loss.

To be eligible for the Rule 5 Draft, a player cannot have been on their team's 40-man roster and must have been either (a) signed at 18 or younger and in the system for five years, or (b) signed at 19 or older and in the system for four years. All Rule 5 players must stay with their new MLB club for the entire season or be offered back to the old team.  

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Miami Marlins, Mark Buehrle Agree To Four-Year, $58 Million Contract

The Miami Marlins are proving that all of their talk about spending big before going into their new stadium in 2012 was never a joke. They've already signed Jose Reyes and Heath Bell, and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports is reporting that the Marlins have now agreed to sign lefty pitcher Mark Buehrle for four years and $58 million. MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez confirmed the deal, which bolsters a Marlins rotation in need of some depth.

Buehrle, 32, has spent his entire career with the Chicago White Sox, but now he's joining former Sox manager Ozzie Guillen as the two move on to Miami. Guillen was hired by the Marlins a couple months ago, and now it appears that he's brought along one of the most durable pitchers in the game. Since entering the league in 2001, Buehrle has pitched at least 200 innings in every single season, the only pitcher in the game that can make such a claim.

His ability to take the ball every fifth day is a big part of why he stands out, but Buehrle is effective, too. He posted a 3.59 ERA in 2011 over 31 starts, not far off from his 3.83 career mark. Unreal command is his primary positive trait, as he's walked just 2.1 guys per nine innings in his career. He'll now join Josh Johnson, Anibal Sanchez, Ricky Nolasco and presumably Chris Volstad in a solid Marlins rotation.

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White Sox Trade Rumors: Chicago Meets With Boston To Discuss Gavin Floyd, John Danks

The Chicago White Sox are shaking up their roster this winter, and things started yesterday when they traded closer Sergio Santos to the Toronto Blue Jays. Now they're meeting with the Boston Red Sox at the winter meetings in Dallas to discuss starting pitchers Gavin Floyd and John Danks, according to Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston. 

Danks and Floyd have been two of Chicago's most obvious trade candidates this offseason, along with right fielder Carlos Quentin and reliever Matt Thornton. They're arguably the best two pitchers on the White Sox at this point, though, so the asking prices on both pitchers are likely to be quite high.

Boston could definitely use some additional help in the rotation after the pitching breakdown that occurred down the stretch for them in 2011. They still have Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz and John Lackey slotted into the rotation, but it's unsurprising to see them looking for upgrades in the hyper-competitive AL East.

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White Sox Trade Rumors: OF Carlos Quentin Drawing Interest From Boston Red Sox

White Sox General Manager is willing to trade outfielder Carlos Quentin this offseason as the team goes into what he called a "rebuilding" mode, and according to a report Tuesday, the Boston Red Sox have spoken with Chicago about the right fielder:

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox met with the White Sox regarding the availability of outfielder Carlos Quentin.

Quentin hit .254/.340/.499 in 118 games with the White Sox in 2011. He has had injury problems throughout his career in Chicago, but he's a proven power hitter and given what he is expected to earn next season, his employer is likely to get a lot of value out of him.

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White Sox Hot Stove 2011: Chicago Will Not Match Offers To Mark Buehrle, According To Report

The odds that the Chicago White Sox will be able to re-sign pitcher Mark Buehrle appeared slim with reports Tuesday afternoon that four other clubs had made long-term offers. In commenting on the situation Tuesday, General Manager Ken Williams seemed to be bidding farewell to the veteran southpaw, and if this report from Sun-Times columnist Joe Cowley is accurate, this may be why:

If true, then it's over for the White Sox and Mark Buehrle, and the only question remaining is to which team he decides to move.

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MLB Winter Meetings 2011: White Sox Making Gordon Beckham Available Too, According To Report

The 2012 MLB Winter Meetings began on Monday, and as general managers and front office members gather to discuss potential deals, the Chicago White Sox are willing to listen to trade offers on John Danks, Gavin Floyd, Carlos Quentin and now young second baseman Gordon Beckham, according to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports. The first three players listed have been on the trading block for quite a while, but it was previously thought Gordon Beckham was untouchable for Sox GM Ken Williams.  

Beckham has fallen off as a prospect after finishing fifth in American League Rookie of the Year Voting back in 2009, hitting just .230/.296/.337 in a very forgettable 2011 campaign. To sell low on a once touted prospect like Beckham would be a tough decision for the White Sox, especially considering he is cost-controlled ($485,000 salary last season) and under team control for several more season. However, it never hurts to listen when at the Winter Meetings, and GM Ken Williams has a long history of making trades to shake up the roster when things aren't going well.

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White Sox Hot Stove 2011: List Of Serious Buehrle Suitors Grows

Mark Buehrle was always a fan favorite in Chicago, but it's likely that Buehrle feels more popular than ever this offseason. With the durable lefty likely pricing himself out of the White Sox's range after a solid 2011, it seems like every team is after the services of the veteran.

Buehrle has been linked to his hometown Cardinals for years, and the Chicago Tribune's Phil Rodgers reported today that St. Louis remains a favorite for Buehrle:

@ChiTribRogers Phil Rogers #Cardinals may not be on sideline much longer with Mark Buehrle ... Source says they are shopping Kyle Lohse to create a spot for him.

Other serious Buehrle suitors include the Nationals, Marlins, and Rangers

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White Sox Hot Stove 2011: Mark Buehrle Receiving Interest From Minnesota Twins

On Monday afternoon, Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported that the Minnesota Twins are after free agent pitcher Mark Buehrle, though the Twins' offer does not appear to be as strong as offers from other clubs.

Later in the day, the Sun-Times' Joe Cowley said he'd also heard the Twins were involved but was told they would "need a bigger boat." Cowley added that a few more teams are beginning to get serious with Buehrle:

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White Sox Trade Rumors: Chicago's Asking Price For John Danks Is High

The White Sox are open to moving a number of guys on the current roster, and left-hander John Danks is one of the players who has drawn the most attention from other clubs. According to John Heyman, the White Sox asked the Yankees for a pair of premium prospects in return for Danks:

for danks, #whitesox seek banuelos AD montero from #yankees. cant blame 'em for trying. not serious yet, obvs. [sic]

Manny Banuelos is a 20-year-old pitching prospect who has already reached triple A in the Yankees' system. Jesus Montero is a 22-year-old catcher with a .289/.351/.493 batting line in two seasons at triple A. Both were ranked among the top 15 prospects in baseball by ESPN's Keith Law prior to the 2011 season. As Heyman implies, it's not likely that Chicago could pry both players from New York for Danks.

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Mark Buehrle Wants No-Trade Clause From Marlins

The Miami Marlins have been involved with several high profile free agents this offseason, including left-handed starting pitcher Mark Buehrle. There appears to be mutual interest, but Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Marlins' reluctance to give Buehrle a no-trade clause is the biggest obstacle preventing a deal. Rosenthal explains one reason why Buehrle, as well as Albert Pujols, another Miami target, would be interested in no-trade clauses:

Pujols and Buehrle had full no-trade protection with their prior clubs due to their 10-5 rights — 10 years of major-league service, five with the same team — so it’s reasonable for them to attempt to preserve no-trade protection with new clubs.

Buehrle is interested in a move to the National League, and if he were to end up in Miami, he would be reunited with manager Ozzie Guillen.

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MLB Rumors 2011: Chicago White Sox Asked About Alexei Ramirez And Chris Sale, Prices Are 'Sky High'

The Chicago White Sox are apparently trying to overhaul their roster this winter after an utterly disappointing 2011 season, and that's had some teams asking about shortstop Alexei Ramirez and pitcher Chris Sale, according to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports. But the White Sox are understandably reluctant to give up two of their most valuable assets, and have set "sky high" prices for either player.

Ramirez, 30, posted a .268/.328/.399 line for the White Sox last season, but was one of the best shortstops in the American League thanks to strong baserunning and defense. He's owed $31.5 million over the next four years, and the Sox hold a club option for a fifth year worth $10 million that has a $1 million buyout attached.

Sale, 23 in March, has posted a 2.58 ERA over 94 innings since joining Chicago's bullpen late in the 2010 season. The team's 2010 first-round pick, he's being transitioned to the rotation this winter and is considered to be one of the team's few premium young players. He's under team control through the 2016 season, making him a major asset.

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John Danks Contract Talks Have Stalled

Via MLB Trade Rumors, ESPNChicago.com's Doug Padilla reports that Chicago White Sox have not made any long-term contract offers to starting pitcher John Danks recently because several of the team's offers were declined not too long ago. Padilla adds that the team hasn't given up on a deal with the left-hander:

The stalemate has increased the possibility that Danks could be traded, but indications are that the White Sox have not lost faith that a deal could be worked out with their left-hander.

But there are reports that Danks has drawn plenty of interest from other clubs, and the White Sox will listen to offers. Danks could stand to make between $7 and $8 million in 2012 after salary arbitration this offseason, according to Padilla

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2011 Chicago White Sox Hot Stove: Mark Buehrle Drawing Significant Interest, According To Report

According to Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman, free agent pitcher and long-time member of the Chicago White Sox, Mark Buehrle, has become a major target this offseason:

Considering there are only 30 MLB teams, having serious interest from 14 different clubs -- half the league -- may ensure Buehrle draws at least the second largest contract among pitchers this offseason -- and possibly challenge C.J. Wilson for biggest pitcher payday in the 2012 Hot Stove.

Buehrle has played all 12 of his seasons in the majors with the White Sox and has pitched over 200 innings in 11 of those seasons, making him easily the most durable and proven pitcher on the market.

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Chicago White Sox Sign Brian Bruney To Minor League Deal

The Chicago White Sox have signed relief pitcher Brian Bruney to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, according to Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. He previously pitched with Chicago last season, but the White Sox designated him for assignment after a series of poor outings.

Bruney, 30 in February, ended up posting a 6.92 ERA over 19.2 innings with the White Sox last season. His peripheral statistics were somewhat stronger, but still pretty bad. There are some good reasons to like Bruney, though, given that his fastball sits in the mid-90's and he posted a 1.31 ERA over 20 innings with Triple-A Charlotte last season.

The former Yankee has a 4.70 ERA over 258 innings at the MLB level, but even small improvements in his command could end up leading to some serious improvement on the mound. Stark added that he'll make $600,000 next season if he ends up making the big league roster.

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Mark Buehrle Drawing Interest From Detroit Tigers, According To Report

Free agent starting pitcher Mark Buehrle has a number of clubs interested in his services, and one team that could make a push to sign him is Detroit, according to the Detroit News:

The Tigers aren't talking about Buehrle, although it's known they have been one of many clubs inquiring what it might take to sign the fast-working, strikes-throwing, innings-gulping, finesse left-hander ...

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Chicago White Sox Trade Rumors 2011: Carlos Quentin Could Be On San Diego Padres' List

According to Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Chicago White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin is on the San Diego Padres' "list of possibilities" for an off-season trade. The 29-year old Quentin will have his salary determined under arbitration for the 2012 season, and has been a player mentioned in White Sox trade rumors for several years. The issue with Quentin, other than the poor defensive ratings he has posted over the course of his career and his history of injuries, has been that he is often very hard on himself and is prone to streaks and slumps at the plate. Here is what SB Nation's White Sox blog, South Side Sox, had to say about Quentin in 2010-11: 

Carlos Quentin- .254/.340/.499, 24 HR, 77 RBI- When he was in the lineup, Quentin provided some power that was missing when he was gone.  He missed the last month of the year though with a strained shoulder.  It is impossible to count on this guy for an entire season.  He did improve in the outfield this year and he did enjoy a trip to his 2nd All Star game.  Final Grade: B-

If White Sox GM Kenny Williams was to deal Quentin, it would be to knock some payroll off the books while also creating room for younger (and cheaper) outfielder Dayan Viciedo. According to Bill Center, the only untouchables in the Padres' organization at this point are Cameron Maybin, Nick Hundley, Mat Latos and Anthony Rizzo.

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White Sox Offer Salary Arbitration To Mark Buehrle, Do Not Offer To Juan Pierre

The Chicago White Sox have announced that they have offered salary arbitration to starting pitcher Mark Buehrle, and have declined to make the offer to outfielder Juan Pierre. Both veteran players are listed as Type-B free agents by Elias, meaning the White Sox still have the right to receive draft pick compensation if Buehrle signs with another team. The two moves were both in line with expectations, as the team plans to move on from 34-year old Pierre with younger outfielders Alejandro De Aza and Dayan Viciedo, and the team would like to retain Buehrle, but would probably need him to take a discount. 

Buehrle is drawing interest from numerous other teams, and has long been considered a good fit for the National League with his pitch-to-contact style. This move gives the White Sox some measure of recourse if their franchise cornerstone decides to move on.

There are no immediate changes to the MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement that will affect White Sox free agents for this offseason, but for a look at how the system has transformed looking forward made sure to check out this comprehensive breakdown at South Side Sox.

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Draft Pick Compensation Is Uncertain For White Sox If Buehrle Signs With Another Team

As the NBA labor dispute continues to grab headlines around the sports world, the owners and players in Major League Baseball are also negotiating their next collective bargaining agreement with a fraction of the drama. The new deal is set to be announced on Tuesday. The Tribune's Mark Gonzalez writes that one issue that could change is draft pick compensation for Type B free agents that sign with different teams The Chicago White Sox have a likely one in veteran starting lefty Mark Buehrle, who's already drawn interest from a number of clubs. Gonzalez breaks down MB56's situation:

The Sox have until Wednesday night to offer arbitration to Buehrle. The offer would give the Sox at least some hope of retaining Buehrle, but he is likely to reject it and would have until Dec. 7 to decide if the Sox offer arbitration.

Buehrle is a 2005 World Series hero and a major fan favorite in Chicago, but it appears he will probably price himself out of the White Sox's budget.

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Washington Nationals to Visit White Sox Free Agent SP Mark Buehrle, Reports Say

As a durable, consistent left handed starting pitcher with a proven track record, White Sox free agent SP Mark Buehrle is high up on the list of many teams looking to bolster their starting rotations this off season. Buerhle already reportedly received an offer from the Miami Marlins, and now he will reportedly entertain another team from the NL East.

The Washington Post's Adam Kilgore reported Monday morning that the Washington Nationals have identified Buehrle as their top free agent target and will visit him and his agents at his home in St. Louis on Monday. Kilgore also reported that Buehrle and his representatives met with Nationals management last week in Milwaukee, though it's unknown when the Nationals will extend an official offer.

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2011 MLB Rumors: White Sox Won't Rule Out Trading Both Gavin Floyd And John Danks

The Chicago White Sox are trying to rebuild their rotation this winter, and that could mean a bunch of things. Mark Buehrle is likely to be leaving, Chris Sale is moving from the bullpen to the rotation and the team is hoping that Jake Peavy can finally establish himself as a consistent contributor in Chicago.

As part of this whole situation, the team is considering trades for Gavin Floyd and John Danks, and according to John Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, White Sox GM Kenny Williams won't rule out trading both of them. That would certainly be a shock to most White Sox fans, but with Sale making the transition and Zach Stewart providing the team with another cheap, MLB-ready option, it appears that the team is seriously considering trades involving both pitchers.

A rotation without those two would be led by Peavy, Sale, Stewart and Phil Humber, although it would be surprising if the team didn't get back some MLB-ready talent in the deal that could presumably help to fill things out.

For more updates on the hot stove, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more on the White Sox, check out South Side Sox, SB Nation's Chicago White Sox blog. And for news from around major league baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

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Chicago White Sox Re-Sign Leyson Septimo

He isn't exactly a big name, but he has a big fastball and that makes him intriguing enough. Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus and ESPN reported today that the Chicago White Sox re-signed Leyson Septimo, a 26-year-old relief pitcher that previously spent most of his career with the Arizona Diamondbacks. It's likely that he's coming back on a minor league deal.

Goldstein mentioned that Septimo "still throws very very hard" but that he "doesn't really do much else" as a pitcher. That presumably speaks to his last of secondary pitches and poor command. Septimo split 2011 between the Double-A affiliates for the White Sox and Diamondbacks, posting a 5.30 ERA over 56 innings.

There's reason for optimism, though. After acquiring Septimo off waivers from the Diamondbacks midseason, he ended up pitching much better with Chicago. In 26 innings with Double-A Birmingham, Septimo posted a 4.10 ERA, but his 2.98 FIP is much stronger and he struck out about 13 guys per 9 innings.

The velocity and bat-missing ability alone are enough to make him a legitimate relief pitcher prospect, and the White Sox have seen first-hand from the likes of Sergio Santos, Matt Thornton and Bobby Jenks, among others, how hard-throwing live arms can develop into top-rate relievers pretty quickly.

For more updates on the hot stove, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more on the White Sox, check out South Side Sox, SB Nation's Chicago White Sox blog. And for news from around major league baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

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Chicago White Sox Moving Chris Sale To Rotation

Chicago White Sox GM Kenny Williams told reporters on Tuesday that pitcher Chris Sale will be moving to the rotation as a starter for 2012.