BBTF's Transaction Oracle Discussion :: White Sox

Transaction Oracle
— A Timely Look at Transactions as They Happen

Friday, June 16, 2006

White Sox - Acquired Riske

Chicago White Sox - Acquired P David Riske from the Boston Red Sox for P Javier Lopez.

A pure need-for-need trade. The Red Sox have been short on lefty specialists lately, with Lenny Dinardo and the backup plan, Mike Holtz, residing on the disabled list. Lopez has had an up-and-down career, the “up” being a wonderful 2003 season for the Rockies and the “down” mainly being his play since, especially his role as a LORGY (Lefty One Run GuY) for the Diamondbacks last season. Lopez is dominating in the minors this season, though he also pitched well in AAA last season, too.

Riske hasn’t pitched much, but he has a solid track record and should be one of the key relievers for Chicago as long as his back doesn’t become a persistent issue. Politte, Hermanson, and even Jeff Nelson are all injured at the moment, so Riske becomes that much more important. Riske’s a good pitcher and a solid addition even when everybody’s healthy. The team had no interest or need for a LOOGY - Neal Cotts is a Lefty Many Out GuY and Matt Thornton, though of significantly lesser quality than Cotts, can also go a number of batters. Picking up a player like Riske for free is a nice move for the team.

The Tigers really need to start making finds like this instead of relying on Todd Jones to turn things around. When everyone’s healthy, the White Sox bullpen will be rock-solid.

Dan Szymborski Posted: June 16, 2006 at 08:50 AM | 20 comment(s)
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1. The Jerry Royster Experience Posted: June 16, 2006 at 01:04 PM (#2066027)

Neal Cotts is a Lefty Many Out GuY and Matt Thornton, though of significantly lesser quality than Cotts, can also go a number of batters.

Thornton has been a pleasant surprise this season - his 20/9 K/BB ratio in 21 innings being especially nice. They need to give him a bigger role than he's gotten.

When everyone’s healthy, the White Sox bullpen will be rock-solid.

Hermanson's career is pretty much over, as is Nelson's.

Politte will hopefully get better, although shoulder injuries are always a concern.

2. Biff, Red Sox Jinx Posted: June 16, 2006 at 01:05 PM (#2066029)

No one 'needs' Javier Lopez.

3. Brandon in MO (for America!) Posted: June 16, 2006 at 01:12 PM (#2066033)

In order to prevent confusion when it comes to Javy and Javier Lopez...

Javier is Lefty Lopez

4. Adam Everett Koop (Walewander) Posted: June 16, 2006 at 01:17 PM (#2066035)

The Tigers really need to start making finds like this instead of relying on Todd Jones to turn things around.

Bringing up Ledezma is a good start.

5. The Jerry Royster Experience Posted: June 16, 2006 at 01:22 PM (#2066039)

By the way, what's Riske's contract situation?

6. shaftr Posted: June 16, 2006 at 01:24 PM (#2066041)

Thornton has been a pleasant surprise this season - his 20/9 K/BB ratio in 21 innings being especially nice. They need to give him a bigger role than he's gotten.

I believe a significant amount of those BBs are intentional.

7. The Jerry Royster Experience Posted: June 16, 2006 at 01:29 PM (#2066043)

I believe a significant amount of those BBs are intentional.

Yes, three of the nine.

8. VG Posted: June 16, 2006 at 01:33 PM (#2066047)

By the way, what's Riske's contract situation?

According to Cot's Baseball Contracts, Riske is signed through this year for $1.8 million. He will be eligible for free agency at the end of the season. That could be some added value here, because it wouldn't be a huge risk to offer him arbitration (unless he's just awful or injured) and the White Sox could net a draft pick here.

9. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: June 16, 2006 at 01:56 PM (#2066060)

"Javier is Lefty Lopez."

If you say it fast, that's still confusing.

10. Anthony Giacalone Posted: June 16, 2006 at 02:58 PM (#2066142)

That could be some added value here, because it wouldn't be a huge risk to offer him arbitration (unless he's just awful or injured) and the White Sox could net a draft pick here.

It could, Vince, but I wouldn't count on it. The Sox almost never offer salary arbitration for the purpose of getting a pick any more.

11. Mike Emeigh Posted: June 16, 2006 at 03:36 PM (#2066191)

So what does Lefty Lopez do in his first outing for the BoSox? Walk the first lefty hitter he was supposed to handle (Justin Morneau) on four pitches, which eventually made it possible for the Twins to extend their lead to three runs, and which gave Joe Nathan (who was struggling) some breathing room in the ninth that he wound up needing.

-- MWE

12. PJ Martinez Posted: June 16, 2006 at 03:49 PM (#2066202)

Lopez also got a DP.

13. Darren Posted: June 16, 2006 at 06:10 PM (#2066319)

eh, this trade is no big deal, but the White Sox got the slightly better player. Look at their ZIPS + their performance so far, and there's not much difference here. If Javier fills a need (loogy-type), then it's a fine deal for Boston.

14. Stately, Plump Buck Mulligan Posted: June 16, 2006 at 06:57 PM (#2066347)

"If Javier fills a need (loogy-type), then it's a fine deal for Boston."

I'm just curious, though -- who would look at what Boston's relievers have done this year, and conclude that what they really need is a loogy-type? Wouldn't you think they would be looking for... I don't know... somebody who knows how to pitch? Because, besides Papelbon and Timlin, all I see is this:

Foulke: 5.63 ERA, 6 HRs allowed in 32 innings pitched
Delcarmen: 5.25 ERA, 1.75 WHIP in 12 innings pitched
Seanez: 4.39 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 4 HRs allowed in 26-2/3 innings pitched
Tavarez: 5.93 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 5 HRs allowed in 30-1/3 innings pitched
Van Buren: 10 earned runs allowed, 11:3 BB:K ratio in 9-1/3 innings pitched

What am I missing?

15. Darren Posted: June 16, 2006 at 08:10 PM (#2066461)

Wouldn't you think they would be looking for... I don't know... somebody who knows how to pitch?

By that standard, there's not much difference between Lopez and Riske.

16. Chris Pummer Posted: June 17, 2006 at 02:10 PM (#2066976)

It could, Vince, but I wouldn't count on it. The Sox almost never offer salary arbitration for the purpose of getting a pick any more.

Anthony, I'd have to go back and look at this, but it seems to me the reason the White Sox haven't been doing this lately is because all of their FAs would have commanded much more through arbitration than the team has been willing to pay. That probably wouldn't be the case with Riske.

17. Chris Pummer Posted: June 17, 2006 at 02:48 PM (#2067002)

2000
Charles Johnson ($4.6 mil)

2001
David Wells ($9.25 mil)
Harold Baines ($1 mil) -- retired

2003
Carl Everett ($9.1 mil)
Bartolo Colon ($8.25 mil) -- offered arb.
Roberto Alomar ($8 mil)
Tom Gordon ($1.4 mil) -- offered arb.
Tony Graffanino ($673,000)
Scott Sullivan ($2.8 mil)

2004
Magglio Ordonez ($14 mil)
Jose Valentin ($5 mil)
Sandy Alomar ($700,000)

2005
Frank Thomas ($8 mil)

I think those are all of the White Sox' free agents beyond arb-eligible years. Forgive me if I missed any. With the rules of arbitration being what they are, I don't know that I would have offered it to any of the guys the Sox chose not to, either. Probably Graffanino, maybe Johnson without the benefit of hindsight.

Granted, we don't know what they would have done with guys like Ray Durham or Kenny Lofton, who were traded midseason and would have been Type A free agents. But the Sox seem to have exercised good judgement in balancing the desire to pick up an extra draft pick and avoiding getting stuck with handing out an oversized paycheck.

18. Chris Pummer Posted: June 18, 2006 at 02:24 AM (#2067492)

I can already see I forgot the 2004 R Alomar and 2005 C Everett, but I doubt anyone wants to make the case the Sox should have offered arb in those instances... unless you're a Seattle fan.

19. Delahanty Was Pushed Posted: June 20, 2006 at 01:19 AM (#2069434)

I think the Sox front office has done a decent job of allocating money and contracts. Williams is not afraid to pull the trigger and not afraid to fail. Riske will most likely be around till the end of the year and then move on.

20. Shoeless Don Posted: June 20, 2006 at 09:48 AM (#2069555)

Agreed...nice deal...risked nothing, gained quite a bit....and filled a huge void....

I think Riske will have a nice year....

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White Sox - Acquired Riske

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