Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the trade waters…. the Mystery Team strikes again!
According to Ken Rosenthal, the White Sox placed outfielder Alex Rios on revocable waivers where he was claimed by The Mystery Team:
Sources: #WhiteSox’s Alex Rios claimed on waivers. Claiming team not known. Owed $13M next season with $13.5M club option in ’15. MORE
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 8, 2013
Whoever that unknown team is now has 48 hours to consummate a deal with the White Sox otherwise Chicago can pull him back, in which case he would not be eligible to be traded to any team until after the season.
Rios was considered a hot commodity at the original trade deadline but Chicago could not work out a deal by the deadline with rumors that they were asking for a very steep price in return that scared off potential suitors. Perhaps having now realized that Rios is only a league average hitter this year with a 100 OPS+ and owed nearly $18 million through the end of the 2014 season, they will soften on their demands and find Rios a new home.
The Texas Rangers and Pittsburgh Pirates were rumored to have the most interest prior to the deadline, so logic dictates that either of those teams is the most likely to have put in the claim. Considering that Texas was a bit blindsided by Nelson Cruz opting not to appeal his suspension, the smart money is on the Rangers to be The Mystery Team as their current outfield situation is now pretty dire.
We will have more on the Rios situation if/when The Mystery Team is unmasked.
UPDATE: No need to call in Shaggy and Scooby to solve this one. It was the Rangers after all.
MLB Sources: Rangers did claim Alex Rios. But claiming him and acquiring him 2 very different things.
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) August 8, 2013
Again, the Rangers still need to work out an agreement, but they should be pretty motivated to get something done.
