White Sox Claim Alex Rios from the Toronto Blue Jays

Sports Betting News - August 11th, 2009 - Written by Ryan Smith

The Chicago White Sox are 3 games behind the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central, and with just over 40 games left in the season, the White Sox made another key acquisition. The White Sox acquired out fielder Alex Rios from the Toronto Blue Jays off the waiver wire list Monday night, right before Rios was going to play against the New York Yankees in New York. The Toronto Blue Jays baseball team found out that Rios was traded away while dressing up for batting practice, and Rios was later scratched from the starting lineup. The Chicago White Sox will take over the entire 7 year contract from the Toronto baseball franchise, and Toronto will receive nothing in compensation.

General Manager of the Chicago White Sox, Kenny Williams, expects Rios to join the team while they are still on the road playing against the Seattle Mariners. However due to the long flight from New York to Seattle, Rios likely won't start until Wednesday night's game; the last game against the Mariners. Alex Rios, the two time MLB all-star, signed a seven-year contract with the Blue Jays franchise in April of 2008. Rios was believed to be one of the key players designed to help make the Blue Jays a playoff contender once again in MLB baseball. Now he belongs to the White Sox and so does his $69,835,000 contract. Alex Rios made just under $6 million this year, most of which was already paid by the Blue Jays, and Rios is owed an estimated $9.7 million in 2010, $12 million in 2001 and 2012, and $12.5 million in 2013 and 2014. The last year of his contract comes with an option clause and a buy out of $1 million, but if he stays with the team he will get paid $13.5 million to play baseball. The White Sox will acquire only $61.6 million of the remainder of Rios contract.

The White Sox are now set for success since last month they acquired one of MLB baseball's premier starting Pitchers in Jake Peavy. Jake Peavy is currently side lined on the DL with an injury, but upon his arrival back to the team the White Sox become a top five team in the American League. ESPN reports Kenny Williams had this to say about the recent acquisition, "Yeah we're out on a limb a little bit with the last two acquisitions, but what we've seen in recent games at home is our fans are starting to wrap their arms around this team." Williams later stated, "People are getting excited about the possibility. I think they can see this team being a dangerous team when we get to the playoffs and match up against anyone."

The White Sox have an assortment of out fielders on the team now with veterans Jermaine Dye, Carlos Quinten, and Scott Posednik, the White Sox will have trouble starting all four players. Jim Thome, who's the White Sox DH, will likely find more time on the bench so Rios can get at bats. With 40 games left in the season it will be fun to see the White Sox try to regain the top spot in the A.L. Central, and win a playoff spot.

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