Agent says Dye open to DH role with Sox in 2010

As Jermaine Dye's agent, one of Robert Bry's responsibilities is keeping his client happy.

"I just saw where ESPN is reporting the White Sox are going to let Jermaine walk," Bry said Thursday. "I don't know if that's going to happen or not, although it certainly within the realm of possibility. But Jermaine is still going to give you 25 home runs and drive in 80 or 90 runs.

"He prefers to finish his career in Chicago with the White Sox, and if they are looking for a designated hitter, who knows how it's going to play out?"

Having traded Jim Thome to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 31, Sox general manager Kenny Williams is going to be looking for a designated hitter this winter, and Dye is likely to be in the mix even though he tailed off badly (.179, 7 HR, 26 RBI) in the second half.

Dye and Williams are off-season neighbors in Phoenix, so communication won't be a problem.

Dye was asked if his poor performance after the all-star break sealed his departure.

"I don't think so," he said. "Kenny knows who I am, knows what type of person, knows what kind of hitter I am. I don't think it will affect it at all. He knows the game. Guys go through spurts where they struggle.

"Some guys have worse struggles than me in the second half and full year struggles. We'll see what happens, and hopefully I'll be coming back."

That looked like a sure thing in the first half of the season, when Dye batted .302 with 20 HR and 55 RBI.

Williams has already said there's not much on the upcoming free-agent market he likes. If Dye is out there and is willing to accept a one-year deal in the $5 million range, maybe he comes back.

"With Jermaine's past production and contributions, and everyone knows how good of a guy he is, hopefully that all comes into play," Bry said. "We'll wait until after the World Series is over and hopefully, the White Sox will want to talk about a new deal. It'll be interesting."