White Sox GM keeps adding young arms
Out with the old, in with the new.
While most were raising glasses of bubbly, saying so long to 2011 and welcoming in 2012, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams spent New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day making trades.
On Saturday, he sent right fielder Carlos Quentin to the San Diego Padres for minor-league pitchers Simon Castro and Pedro Hernandez.
On Sunday, Williams continued to stockpile young arms.
The Sox’ GM traded another veteran, relief pitcher Jason Frasor, back to the Toronto Blue Jays for right-handers Myles Jaye and Daniel Webb.
Not only did the two deals add more pitching depth to the farm system, they allowed the White Sox to trim almost $12 million more off the payroll.
On Oct. 31, the Sox picked up Frasor’s $3.75 million option for 2012. Quentin is eligible for arbitration and likely to land a salary between $7 million and $8 million.
Frasor was not much of a factor after coming over from the Jays along with starter-reliever Zach Stewart in a July 27 trade for Edwin Jackson and Mark Teahen.
In 20 relief appearances with the White Sox, Frasor was 1-2 with a 5.09 ERA.
“It’s hard to believe I’m going back to Toronto,” said Frasor, who grew up in South suburban Forest Park and played his college ball at Southern Illinois.
“It’s great. I don’t know what else to say. Chicago was great; I would have loved going back there. But it’s great to be back (in Toronto) and I can’t wait.”
With Jackson and Mark Buehrle missing from last season’s starting rotation and not much help down on the farm, Williams has been furiously acquiring young pitchers in trades.
In addition to Jaye, Webb, Castro and Hernandez, Williams landed Nestor Molina in another trade with Toronto, sending closer Sergio Santos to the Blue Jays.
Neither Jaye nor Webb are considered top-end pitching prospects.
Jaye, 20, made his professional debut in 2011 and was 3-3 with a 3.00 ERA in 13 games (9 starts) at Advanced Rookie Bluefield.
Webb, 22, spent most of last season at Class A Lansing, going 4-5 with a 5.59 ERA.
The White Sox are left with only one experienced right-hander in the bullpen, Jesse Crain.