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Griffey traded to ChiSox-approved!!

Tiny by gg on

Per Rosenthal.

Ken Griffey Jr. has never played in a World Series. He might be on the verge of getting his chance.

The Reds have traded Griffey to the White Sox, pending his approval. Griffey will decide Thursday morning whether he will approve the deal, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. It is not known what the Reds would receive in return.

Griffey, as a player with 10 years of major-league service, five with the same club, has the right to block any deal. The White Sox attempted to acquire him from the Reds at the trade deadline in 2005, but the trade reportedly was nixed by Reds ownership for financial reasons.

The White Sox, leading the American League Central by a half-game, would use Griffey mostly in the outfield, the source said. However, they do not have an obvious spot for him unless they make another deal.

The Sox are set at the corners with Carlos Quentin in left and Jermaine Dye in right. They could play Nick Swisher at first to open center for Griffey, a move that would reduce the playing time of first baseman Paul Konerko. But Griffey has not played center regularly since 2006.

Griffey, 36, is batting .245 this season with a .355 on-base percentage, 15 home runs and 53 RBIs in 359 at-bats. Earlier this season, he hit his 600th home run.

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Jocketty!

Sweet Loretta Martin thought she was a woman.

by Fat Vegas Alan on Jul 31, 2008 8:28 AM EDT   0 recs

So it's not a done deal then?

This seems strange to me that Walt didn’t get his approval first. It wouldn’t surprise me if he said no.

by Brian B on Jul 31, 2008 8:28 AM EDT   0 recs

Me neither

But then things get leaked a lot of times before they are finalized, so this deal may not be as close as Rosenthal believes.

Bend over and drop your pants, Mr. Babar.

by Slyde on Jul 31, 2008 8:30 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

But a player like Griffey (Griffey's agent)...

..is gonna say we want final approval of this trade that we are approving right now.

He looks all-important in the media leaks.

Sweet Loretta Martin thought she was a woman.

by Fat Vegas Alan on Jul 31, 2008 8:32 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

maybe its their way of pressuring Griffey to say yes

If you're not having fun, stop participating.

by redandblue on Jul 31, 2008 8:42 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

aw man, can't you just let him be 36 for one day???

Bend over and drop your pants, Mr. Babar.

by Slyde on Jul 31, 2008 8:31 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Ahh... to be 36 again.

I’m bringing Sexyback.

Sweet Loretta Martin thought she was a woman.

by Fat Vegas Alan on Jul 31, 2008 8:36 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

he's younger b/c he doesn't hustle

If you're not having fun, stop participating.

by redandblue on Jul 31, 2008 8:43 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm 37 I'm not "old"!

We’ll I can’t very well call you “man”.

by Red Menace on Jul 31, 2008 10:55 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Mike and Mike just said this same thing, per Rosenthal's column

"I got a list of demands written on the palm of my hands. I ball my fist and you're gonna know where I stand. We're living hand to mouth! Hand to mouth!"

by 3 Fast 3 Furious on Jul 31, 2008 8:30 AM EDT   0 recs

this is kind of a gut punch

i wasnt expecting this at all. ive been wanting to trade him for a few months now, but that it just might happen im actually really emotional. was that upper deck shot last night the last home run of Jr’s Reds career?

please dont shit on my dreams. i dont want shit on my dreams.

by Charlie Scrabbles on Jul 31, 2008 8:37 AM EDT   0 recs

and just one short of tying Sosa

looks like he might do it in Chicago.

by Brian B on Jul 31, 2008 8:45 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not going to that stage until it's official

But I’ll be a little bit sad if he’s dealt. Just a little bit, but if they get a decent return, it’s probably the right move.

Bend over and drop your pants, Mr. Babar.

by Slyde on Jul 31, 2008 8:52 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Ditto. hear hear

"I got a list of demands written on the palm of my hands. I ball my fist and you're gonna know where I stand. We're living hand to mouth! Hand to mouth!"

by 3 Fast 3 Furious on Jul 31, 2008 8:54 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I started feeling that way about Dunn last night

I was mentally prepared for it, but I realized I would feel sick the first time I saw him in another team’s uniform. I should write to Cosmo.

Kentuck Arts Festival: October 18th.
Details at Sinful Savage Tigers on MySpace.

by Man Mountain on Jul 31, 2008 9:58 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Well you and Dunn have been courting for a long time

You have to allow yourself time to grieve when a relationship ends.

Bend over and drop your pants, Mr. Babar.

by Slyde on Jul 31, 2008 9:59 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

1 behind Sosa

This is a really small detail but he’s going to pass Sosa at some point this season. It would be ironic if he did it in Sosa’s old city.

If you're not having fun, stop participating.

by redandblue on Jul 31, 2008 8:44 AM EDT   0 recs

Anybody know what kinda parts and pieces we might get in return?

I mean.. what second-tier prospects do the Sox have laying around?

Sweet Loretta Martin thought she was a woman.

by Fat Vegas Alan on Jul 31, 2008 8:53 AM EDT   0 recs

It's hard to say what Griffey's value is

but I have a feeling some GMs value him more than others. I have an inkling that Kenny Williams is one of those GMs.

Bend over and drop your pants, Mr. Babar.

by Slyde on Jul 31, 2008 8:54 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Sox have been trying to decide how to get rid of josh fields.

Brian Anderson is another washed up prospect with good defense . . . Something that i can see jocketty overvaluing (see Taguchi, etc.). and there’s lance broadway, but not likely. I don’t trust Walt.

by Brian B on Jul 31, 2008 9:00 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I was thinking of Anderson.

Unfortunately.

"Being a human cannonball is not just a job, Pee Wee. It's a career."

by Fat Vegas Alan on Jul 31, 2008 9:01 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Oooooo.. inklings! I like inklings.

"Being a human cannonball is not just a job, Pee Wee. It's a career."

by Fat Vegas Alan on Jul 31, 2008 9:01 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Ye gods...

With an outfielder leaving in a trade, that leaves fewer on the roster, and more PT for Dustyevsky’s favorite…

Not that it matters for this year, but still. Ack.

by ThePensive on Jul 31, 2008 8:55 AM EDT   0 recs

Free Dick

erson!

Bend over and drop your pants, Mr. Babar.

by Slyde on Jul 31, 2008 8:58 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

my childhood all over again

The Dusty Path to the World Series!*

*Note this is not an endorsment of Dusty Baker.

by justin007000 on Jul 31, 2008 6:31 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

my source tells me Griffey was just a throw-in

the real deal was Corey Patterson for a half used can of snuff, Walt couldn’t get that deal done on its own though.

by jacob brumfield on Jul 31, 2008 9:01 AM EDT   0 recs

What a great way for Griffey to go out (IF he accepts the trade)

In his last game as a Red, he hit an upper deck shot. That should be a good lasting image for us, and we should be happy that Griffey gets to play for a contender, and we get to move on!

That's a Coincidence and Irrelevant!

by chandrathan on Jul 31, 2008 9:06 AM EDT   0 recs

By Steve Rosenbloom, Tribune blogger
Griffey? So where do you play him?
The White Sox have struck a deal to acquire Ken Griffey Jr. from the Reds, pending Griffey’s approval, according to FOXSsports.com. No word on who’s going to Cincinnati. This is a good deal—if this was 2003. But now, Griffey is 38 and he’s not a center fielder anymore, the position where the Sox have big questions.

If this is meant to be an upgrade over Paul Konerko, well, anybody would be an upgrade. But this is not like adding Babe Ruth to Murderers Row. Griffey’s numbers: .245, 15 homers, 53 RBIs. Konerko’s numbers: .214, 9, 35. You thought the difference would be greater, didn’t you? Me, too.

If the plan is to give Konerko a mental break for the rest of his career and play Nick Swisher fulltime at first base, then Griffey will have to play center and/or platoon with Brian Anderson. The Sox defense has been getting worse this season, and I don’t see how Griffey helps the problem. Griffey has played right field the last couple years after a career of being the poster child for Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and last I looked, the Sox have an MVP candidate in right.

If this deal is meant to give the Sox a big left-handed bat at designated hitter, well, there’s a problem: His numbers are worse than Jim Thome’s - .256, 19, 59 - and Thome has a better on-base percentage. I don’t know what the Sox had to give up, maybe nothing.

Maybe Griffey won’t approve the deal, but I’m hoping this is just a temporary stop for Griffey as general manager Kenny Williams has another deal in place to swap Junior for pitching.

by jacob brumfield on Jul 31, 2008 9:10 AM EDT   0 recs

Interesting

I’m assuming that if Jr. accepts the trade to Chitown, then he loses 10-5 rights and they could in turn trade him to wherever. I doubt it happens, but that could be a tricky way for Walt to get him to go somewhere undesirable in order for a better return.

Bend over and drop your pants, Mr. Babar.

by Slyde on Jul 31, 2008 9:14 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Jocketty!

"Being a human cannonball is not just a job, Pee Wee. It's a career."

by Fat Vegas Alan on Jul 31, 2008 9:15 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

here, here for Walt

getting ANYTHING for Griffey at this point is an accomplishment. If nothing else, the Reds save the $4M buyout, which they can use to eat the final year of Freel’s contract. (Sigh)

by bengalred on Jul 31, 2008 9:16 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

his only no trade protection is 10-5 rights?

you mean he didn’t have it written into his original deal?

That's a Coincidence and Irrelevant!

by chandrathan on Jul 31, 2008 9:16 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Has that ever happened before?

Like, has a GM ever done that to get around 10-5 rights? Seems ultra-shady to me. (And if Walt pulls that off, he’s the best Reds GM since Howsam.)

"My wife ain't never ran and got me no pheasant." - Fistbands

by BK on Jul 31, 2008 9:16 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

piazza comes to mind

he was a marlin, member?

What do you mean, "blank slate"?

by boobs on Jul 31, 2008 9:19 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

He wasn't a 10-5 guy though.

Bend over and drop your pants, Mr. Babar.

by Slyde on Jul 31, 2008 9:22 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

oh really?

i assumed he was with the dodgers for 10 years

What do you mean, "blank slate"?

by boobs on Jul 31, 2008 9:23 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

6.5

Bend over and drop your pants, Mr. Babar.

by Slyde on Jul 31, 2008 9:25 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

thats all?

wow. he seemed like a veteran all-star at the time

What do you mean, "blank slate"?

by boobs on Jul 31, 2008 9:26 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

i think he was an all star from the get go there

and almost seven years can seem like an eternity.

I barely even remember Griffey playing for the Mariners at this point

That's a Coincidence and Irrelevant!

by chandrathan on Jul 31, 2008 9:27 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

yeah

it was actually more like 5.5. And he had finished top 10 in MVP voting for 5 straight seasons at that point. So yeah, he was a veteran all star.

Bend over and drop your pants, Mr. Babar.

by Slyde on Jul 31, 2008 9:28 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I can't think of such a case

but it was weird to me that the article ended with “I’m hoping this is just a temporary stop for Griffey as general manager Kenny Williams has another deal in place to swap Junior for pitching.” I don’t think Juniors value is high enough to turn around and swap him for a better return. The reason the thought came to my mind was that maybe a 3-way deal is set up, but there is no way that Griffey would accept the trade to the third team. Sure would be a dick move to a future HOFer.

Bend over and drop your pants, Mr. Babar.

by Slyde on Jul 31, 2008 9:21 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I think he's gonna play first

makes some sense

What do you mean, "blank slate"?

by boobs on Jul 31, 2008 9:11 AM EDT   0 recs

I feel bad for the White Sox

If this trade happens Griffey might have to play CF there either that or go to RF and take ABs away from Swisher and Konerko because they will be switching off at 1B.

Norris Hopper's #1 fan!!!

by Zach K on Jul 31, 2008 9:13 AM EDT   0 recs

Mike and Mike were talking with Buster Olney and saying the same thing

Center is probably the only place he can play without creating havoc at other positions. Doesn’t seem like much of an upgrade for the Sox, which makes it even more interesting to see what the Reds get in return.

by bengalred on Jul 31, 2008 9:15 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Doesn't matter

it is still a bad trade for the White Sox no matter who the Reds get.

Griffey playing CF will be a disaster. He is no longer the great offensive force he used to be and he is taking away ABs from better offensive players…

This trade may not help the Reds but it sure does hurt the White Sox…and doesn’t make any sense for them

Norris Hopper's #1 fan!!!

by Zach K on Jul 31, 2008 9:19 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

'sup zach!

i’ve missed you!

That's a Coincidence and Irrelevant!

by chandrathan on Jul 31, 2008 9:22 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Why thank you

how have you been?

Norris Hopper's #1 fan!!!

by Zach K on Jul 31, 2008 9:24 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

pretty good

hope you’re sticking around for a while!

That's a Coincidence and Irrelevant!

by chandrathan on Jul 31, 2008 9:25 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe

I’m getting sick of the “ESPN Conversation” and this Reds season has been very depressing to me. If Dunn gets traded to Tampa today I will be even more depressed.

Norris Hopper's #1 fan!!!

by Zach K on Jul 31, 2008 9:28 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

IF that happened

maybe he could help the Rays beat the Yanks and the Sawx.

that would be cool

That's a Coincidence and Irrelevant!

by chandrathan on Jul 31, 2008 9:29 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah...

but it won’t help our favorite team the Reds…

I’m glad Bowden isn’t our GM still…a Dunn for Rocco Balldeli trade would be a realistic nightmare.

Norris Hopper's #1 fan!!!

by Zach K on Jul 31, 2008 9:31 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Ugh.

Rocco Baldelli is lazier than Adam Dunn.

"Being a human cannonball is not just a job, Pee Wee. It's a career."

by Fat Vegas Alan on Jul 31, 2008 9:47 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

It could make sense if it's not the last step.

But of course Griffey should never start in center anywhere. But maybe they’re trading one of Dye/Quentin/Konerko/Thome.

The only one of those four having a worse year than Griffey is Thome.

I'm not having even a mediocre year.

by Gray on Jul 31, 2008 9:22 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Erm...

yeah. What you said. I’m not sure why I said Thome.

I'm not having even a mediocre year.

by Gray on Jul 31, 2008 9:24 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Carlos Quentin!

What do you mean, "blank slate"?

by boobs on Jul 31, 2008 9:25 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Steve Phillips is hoping that the Reds get Quentin to validate his trade scenarios offered up earlier this year

"I got a list of demands written on the palm of my hands. I ball my fist and you're gonna know where I stand. We're living hand to mouth! Hand to mouth!"

by 3 Fast 3 Furious on Jul 31, 2008 9:29 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

just quentin for griffey?

he would’ve traded patterson and gotten Quentin!

That's a Coincidence and Irrelevant!

by chandrathan on Jul 31, 2008 9:29 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I posted Steve-O's comments sometime earlier

He proposed Griffey for Quentin straight up. In some semblance of defense of Phillips, he did say it in like the second month of the season.

"I got a list of demands written on the palm of my hands. I ball my fist and you're gonna know where I stand. We're living hand to mouth! Hand to mouth!"

by 3 Fast 3 Furious on Jul 31, 2008 9:32 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

i know

that was one of the most ridiculous things i’ve ever read

That's a Coincidence and Irrelevant!

by chandrathan on Jul 31, 2008 9:33 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

"the reds could be in this thing"

“All they have to do is trade Griffey for Manny Ramirez and Jeff Keppinger for Zambrano and Dempster. That would really make them a competitive team”

What do you mean, "blank slate"?

by boobs on Jul 31, 2008 9:30 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

but then who would play SS?

Oh yeah, then we’d have to flip David Weathers for A-Rod and Phil Hughes…

That's a Coincidence and Irrelevant!

by chandrathan on Jul 31, 2008 9:32 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

but a-rod plays third now

so we’d have to move edwin for hanley ramirez

What do you mean, "blank slate"?

by boobs on Jul 31, 2008 9:34 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

oh yeah...

what was i thinking?

but we do have the makings of a pretty good team. and of course the red sox and yankees will pick up the remainder of manny’s and a-rod’s contract

That's a Coincidence and Irrelevant!

by chandrathan on Jul 31, 2008 9:36 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

but who would bunt?

If you're not having fun, stop participating.

by redandblue on Jul 31, 2008 9:49 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

that's easy

EVERYBODY!!!!

That's a Coincidence and Irrelevant!

by chandrathan on Jul 31, 2008 9:50 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah I get ya

Thome has a slightly higher OBP and SLG then Griffey but would the White Sox Bench him for Griffey?

Norris Hopper's #1 fan!!!

by Zach K on Jul 31, 2008 9:26 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Griffey: .245/.355/.432

Dye: .311/.366/.572
Konerko: .214/.312/.349
Quentin: .279/.379/.554
Swisher: .230/.348/.404
Thome: .256/.385/.500

I'm not having even a mediocre year.

by Gray on Jul 31, 2008 9:27 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Where the hell have you been, mister?

Oh, and I agree. But being in Cincinnati, I’m happy to see us get anything in return for him, save the money, and give Jr. the chance to win a ring.

How can such a good looking man be so bad at getting to first base?

by jch24 on Jul 31, 2008 9:46 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't see how Griffey can play center anymore

He’s bad enough in right. I will abstain from passing judgement on this deal until we know who we got back. If it’s anyone halfway decent, sweet, if not, I’d liked to have seen him here the rest of the year.

"My wife ain't never ran and got me no pheasant." - Fistbands

by BK on Jul 31, 2008 9:15 AM EDT   0 recs

If he declines the trade...

.... then the bad feelings that have been growi