SOX ROX TRADE RUMOR

The White Sox have added a power hitting third baseman and a solid hitting second baseman.

Now, the attention seems to be toward improving the outfield, especially right field.

The White Sox are mentioned as a possible trade partner with the Rockies, who are shopping all three of their current outfielders. Bruce Levine believes the Sox want to add a productive corner outfielder.

Carlos Gonzalez ("CarGo") is the prize. Levine speculates it would take Avisail Garcia, 24 year old cost control major leaguer and a high pitching prospect, to get the deal done. Garcia has loads of promise but owns a career batting line of just .264/.311/.385 in almost 1,100 plate appearances spanning parts of four seasons. Still, his youth combined with a move to Coors Field might make him an intriguing possibility for the Rockies.

Gonzalez, 30, hit .271, 40 HR 97 RBI, 3.1 WAR for Colorado in 2015. He is under control for two years, making $17 million in 2016 and $20 million in 2017.

The White Sox have a pitching surplus. The starting rotation is pretty much set: Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, Carlos Rodon, Erik Johnson and John Danks. #2 prospect Carson Fulmer is expected to join the rotation sometime in 2016. The Sox also have #3 prospect SP Specer Adams, #5 prospect Tyler Danish and #9 prospect LHP Jose Guerrero. On the 40 man, the Sox also have former starter Scott Carroll and rookie (#10 prospect) SP Chris Beck as possible trade items.

Levine notes that the White Sox likely wouldn't part with any major league starting pitching since it's not necessarily a position of depth, but five of their top 10 prospects are pitchers, led by 2015 first-round pick Carson Fulmer.

I would probably trade Garcia, Guerrerro or Beck for Gonzalez.

WHO IS ON THIRD?

It is apparent that the Cubs have a crater to fill at third base. The Josh Vitters Experiment will continue in Iowa next season. Luis Valbuena is not the answer at third in 2013.

Valbuena, 27, is a journeyman bench player. He hit .219 for the Cubs, 4 HR, 28 RBI, .310 OBP, 0 SB and .963 field percentage at third base. His WAR was 0.4, barely over AAA replacement value.

The free agent market is weak at third base.  Realistically, the Cubs have the following free agent options:

1. Jeff Keppinger, 32. He hit .325 with 9 HR, 40 RBI for the Rays. He made $1.53 million last season. He could be considered an overachieving utility infielder. For a full time third baseman, he would lack power numbers for the position. But he would appear signable.

2. Eric Chavez, 34. He hit .281, with 16 HR, 37 RBI for the Yankees. He is on the down slide of his career. He played mostly part time last season. He could hold the position like Gary Gaetti did for the Cubs at the end of his career. He would only cost around $2 million.

3. Casey McGehee, 30. The former Cub has struggled since his first 1.5 seasons with the Brewers. He hit .217, 9 HR, 41 RBI last season. He fits into the Chavez category as a stop-gap measure at around the same free agent price.

4. Brandon Inge, 35. He also is nearing the end of his career. He hit .215 with 12 HR 54 RBI last season in 83 games. Durability may be an issue. He projects to Ian Stewart type numbers.

5. Alberto Gonzalez, 29. He has played for 4 teams in the last 7 years, mostly as a back-up replacement player. In Texas, he played only 24 games, hitting .241, 0 HR, 4 RBI. He can play 3B, 2B and SS. He is the cheapest alternative at $750,000. But he gives little offense and no power.

With the poor choices on the open market, besides Vitters, who played third base at Iowa?
Nate Samson played 19 games, hit .280, 0 HR, 3 RBI, .333. OBP, and 1 error. He started the season in AA, where he hit .271, 2 HR, 14 RBI, .317 OBP. He ended the season on the disabled list. So he is not ready to compete for the starting third base job in 2013.