The World Series hasn't been over for 24 hours yet, and we already have word that White Sox GM Kenny Williams is on the verge of making his first move of the offseason.
There are strong rumors that the Sox will send second baseman Chris Getz and infielder Josh Fields to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for infielder/outfielder Mark Teahan. Sun-Times beat writer Joe Cowley has been told that minor-league players are involved and that could be the only thing holding the deal up.
Teahan has been with the Royals for five years. Last season, he batted .271 with 12 homers and 50 RBIs. He was drafted as a third baseman, but he's also played all three outfield positions, some first base and even a little second base. His versatility and athleticism are his two biggest assets.
I'm not sure how I feel about this deal (assuming it goes through) because I'm not sure how the Sox intend to use Teahan. I think he could valuable as a utility guy, a 10th man who plays three times a week at multiple positions and gives other guys a day off.
I've heard talk that Teahan is being acquired to replace Jermaine Dye as the everyday right fielder. If that's the case, that's fail. Teahan doesn't have near enough pop in his bat to be an everyday guy at a corner position. That's why the Royals are willing to part with him.
I've also heard discussions that Teahan could be plugged in at third base, moving Gordon Beckham over to second. I would hate for the Sox to continue to screw around with Beckham. They moved him from shortstop to third base last year. Now that he's got the hang of third, they're going to move him to second? Beckham is the best position player the Sox have drafted in 20 years. I'd prefer to give him a position and let him run with it, as opposed to treating like a utility infielder. Teahan is, in fact, a utility guy. I hope the Sox plan to use him as such.
In modern journalism, we are supposed to have kneejerk, violent reactions to everything. I'm either supposed to proclaim this move as a work of genius, or mock it as the definition of idiocy. Alas, I will do neither at this time. I want to wait and see how Teahan fits in as far as the big picture goes. On Nov. 5, we have no way to know what other moves will be made in the coming weeks. I reserve judgment on this one.




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