Black Sox Beat Writer
Chicago Sports Online
The Chicago Black Sox parted ways with five players – including three on the major league roster – when management elected not to tender arbitration offers this week.
Among those departing:
- Outfielder Tim Torres, who earned $6.25 million last season and was asking for $8 million in 2041. Although Torres was a fan favorite and a team sparkplug, he struggled last season as he slashed .226/.309/.327 and produced -0.1 WAR.
- Outfielder Raúl Gasco, who earned $500,000 last season and was asking for more than $1.6 million in 2041. Gasco also had a poor season, slashing .198/.274/.396 and producing 0.3 WAR in 45 games.
- Backup 3B Victor Bedolla, who became expendable when starting third baseman Luis González decided to opt into the final years of his contract. Bedolla appeared in just 26 games in 2040 and was asking about $1.5 million for next year. He slashed .222/.232/.407 and produced 0.0 WAR.
“These are all good players, and we’re sure they’ll find work elsewhere,” said GM Vic Caleca. “But for a number of reasons, none of them fits the team’s Blueprint™ going forward.”
Tim Torres
Raúl Gasco
Victor Bedolla
Although most of the players left town soon after the season ended and were unavailable for comment, Bedolla was reached at his winter home in Miami.
“I enjoyed my years with the franchise, but I don’t feel they respected me this last season. I mean, 26 games? And then they cut me loose like some scrub? This sucks,” Bedolla said.
“And I’ll tell ya where Vitale can stick his damn fruit basket …”
Exactly how the Sox propose to fill the holes on their roster isn’t entirely clear yet, but Caleca said there is a plan.
“And it’s not some goofy fog of war Master Plan™ like they keep yammering about in Portland, either. This is a Blueprint™ - and I’m here to tell you it’s a serious plan for a serious team that’s building towards the playoffs.”