Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
It didn't take long for Rick Hahn to make his first move as the general manager of the White Sox. Four days after officially introducing Hahn as GM, the team announced a two-year, $29MM contract extension with Jake Peavy. The deal will keep Peavy in Chicago through 2014 and includes an option for 2015.
MLBTradeRumors | White Sox extend Jake Peavy
The White Sox announced that they have exercised the 2013 club option on the contract of right-hander Gavin Floyd while declining 2013 options on right-hander Brett Myers and third baseman Kevin Youkilis. Floyd will earn a base salary of $9.5MM in 2013. Myers will receive a $3MM buyout instead of his $10MM option while Youkilis will get $1MM in place of his $13MM option.
MLBTradeRumors | White Sox exercise option on Floyd, decline on Myers and Youkilis
The White Sox joined the Tigers among super-active teams early in the offseason.
And their moves in a way affect the Red Sox. Jake Peavy was a guy some were speculating could be a good fit for the rotation here -- high potential, but due to injury risk and age, not requiring an enormous contract. I think most Red Sox fans would have been happy with Jake on a two-year deal, but I can't say I blame him (or the White Sox) on finding a way to continue their relationship now that they've seen some success.
And of course there's Youk, who everyone loves to speculate about. I agree with the CSNNE piece (in the links below) that it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Youk is, obviously, in decline, and if the Red Sox are looking to move forward both in performance and in clubhouse makeup, it's probably not a great idea. I can see them revisiting it if they get priced out of other 1B and Youk for whatever reason isn't snapped up by anybody, but I'd say it's a long shot at best. I think Ben Cherington is more likely to be looking for the next David Ortiz-style acquisition -- trying to find somebody cheap and hope to hit it big. Obviously, there aren't a whole lot of Papis out there, but if he can even do something similar to the Cody Ross rental to fill the 1B hole, I think we'd all be satisfied.
Herald | Brian Butterfield back with John Farrell | 3 Orioles win Gold Gloves; 9 1st-timers, not Trout | ESPNBoston | Decision 2013: Starting rotation | CSNNE | No Gold Gloves for Sox; Reddick earns one at RF | Are Sox interested in free agent Kevin Youkilis?
