WHITE SOX HEADLINES of DECEMBER 12, 2016 “Giolito Excited
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WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF DECEMBER 12, 2016 “Giolito excited to join White Sox talent haul” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Abreu thrilled for reunion with Moncada” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Rick Hahn, White Sox prepared to make more ‘painful decisions’ if the price is right” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Lucas Giolito striving to contribute to White Sox ‘as soon as possible’” … Paul Roumeliotis, CSN Chicago “Lucas Giolito eager for ‘fresh’ start after humbling shot in big leagues” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Michael Kopech has big potential, but drama-free development needed” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “White Sox believe ‘five-tool’ Yoan Moncada can be impact player” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Giolito eager to impress White Sox in 2017” … Scot Gregor, Daily Herald “Rozner: Reinsdorf will be key to White Sox rebuild” … Barry Rozner, Daily Herald “Paging Rick Hahn: Five proposed trades for the White Sox” … James Fegan, The Athletic “Levine: White Sox still set up for big trades ahead” … Bruce Levine, CBS Chicago “MLB Rumor Central: Jose Quintana asking price too much for Astros?” … Kyle Brasseur, ESPN.com “Let’s make a deal for Jose Quintana” … David Schoenfield, ESPN.com “MLB Hot Stove: White Sox, Royals moves help open the door for Tigers in AL Central” … Mike Axisa, CBS Sports Giolito excited to join White Sox talent haul Top-ranked pitching prospect acquired in 4-player trade with Nationals By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | December 9th, 2016 CHICAGO -- A few moments existed on Monday when Lucas Giolito thought the White Sox stood as his next pitching destination as part of a high-level trade for Chris Sale. Such is the world of social media, especially at the Winter Meetings. Giolito ended up with the White Sox, but as part of a four-player trade Wednesday involving outfielder Adam Eaton going to the Nationals. The 22-year-old right-hander joins seven other prospects as part of the rebuild of all rebuilds -- or at least it looks that way after two trades by general manager Rick Hahn. "It's amazing to be coming over to the White Sox with a bunch of young talent," Giolito said during a conference call Friday. "It's a great opportunity for us all to develop and get better and hopefully put a really good team together in Chicago." The Eaton trade featured right-handers Reynaldo Lopez and Dane Dunning joining Giolito in the White Sox transition. Lopez has a small amount of Major League experience, much like Giolito, and Dunning was the Nationals' first-round selection in the 2016 Draft. Lopez and Giolito, who have played together since '14, are pretty close, according to Giolito. Both will get fresh opportunities with the White Sox, after Lopez posted a 5-3 record with a 4.91 ERA over 11 games (six starts) and Giolito finished 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA over six games (four starts) with 11 strikeouts and 12 walks in 21 1/3 innings for the Nationals last season. At 6-foot-6, Giolito admitted sometimes his mechanics get out of whack. And during the '16 season, despite pitching well at Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse, Giolito said those mechanics were a constant struggle. "So this year, with my training program, I've been lifting in the offseason and Pilates and everything," he said. "I'm trying to make sure I can stay as athletic as possible so I'm able to keep the right delivery more often. Once I start playing catch and doing bullpens and everything these next few weeks and right before Spring Training, make sure I put that all together so I can keep my delivery as best as possible." Not pitching to the best of his capabilities in the big leagues served as a learning experience for Giolito. It left him believing he can help the White Sox in 2017. Of course, Giolito was ready to help the Nationals at the start of the week. But things change suddenly this time of year, even for the top-rated pitching prospect per MLBPipeline.com. "I was trying to focus on what I'm doing this offseason, which is lifting and all of my workouts, and just kind of whatever happens, happens," Giolito said of his attitude this week. "It's funny that Sale ended up going to the Red Sox and then something else happened that I'm going to the White Sox now along with a couple of teammates. "Really interesting stuff, but I'm super excited. I'm just really looking forward to making it up in the big leagues with the White Sox and contributing as soon as possible." Abreu thrilled for reunion with Moncada Slugger issues statement welcoming Cuban teammate to White Sox By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | December 9th, 2016 CHICAGO -- Jose Abreu is as excited to have Yoan Moncada as part of the White Sox as the euphoric White Sox fan base. "I am very happy about the White Sox acquisition of Yoan Moncada," Abreu said through translator Billy Russo in a statement released by the White Sox on Friday. "I'm proud because I played with him in Cienfuegos [in Cuba], I was his captain, and now we are going to play together again. "He is a very talented player. It will be an honor to work with, guide and support him." Abreu and Moncada played together in Cuba during the 2012 season. The switch-hitting Moncada ranks as the No. 1 prospect in the game per MLBPipeline.com and came to the White Sox on Tuesday via a five-player trade sending ace Chris Sale to Boston. The 21-year-old is projected as the White Sox second baseman of the future -- a future quite possibly beginning at some point in 2017. "Moncada is a five-tool player," Abreu said. "He really has everything needed to succeed, and I know that with the proper guidance of veteran players and coaches with experience, he can become an All-Star- caliber player. "He is going to make a huge impact in the White Sox organization. Both the fans and the team will be thankful." As part of general manager Rick Hahn's ongoing rebuild, Abreu has been thought of as a potential trade candidate. These comments from the first baseman, who had at least 25 homers, 100 RBIs and a .290 average in each of the three seasons since joining the White Sox, paint Abreu as someone who believes his immediate future will be spent with Moncada and the South Siders. "I already spoke with him to welcome him to the team," said Abreu, a point Moncada made during his conference call Wednesday. "I told him that I'm going to be there for him, for everything that he needs, on and off the field." Rick Hahn, White Sox prepared to make more ‘painful decisions’ if the price is right By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | December 9th, 2016 That Jose Abreu and Yoan Moncada have reunited is a nice story, but it won't dramatically change the mindset of the rebuilding White Sox, who earlier this week demonstrated they aren't messing around. Abreu said in a statement issued by the White Sox on Friday that he's "very happy" about the prospect of again playing alongside Moncada, who played 12 games with the star slugger in 2012 for Cienfuegos in the Cuban National Series. Moncada, 21, is the centerpiece of a four-player package acquired from the Boston Red Sox for Chris Sale on Tuesday, a toolsy infielder who MLB.com has rated as the No. 1 prospect in baseball. While the concept of Abreu mentoring Moncada has plenty of merit — the first baseman's work ethic is outstanding, and he's beloved by coaches and teammates — don't think the White Sox would hesitate to trade him if someone paid the right price. White Sox general manager Rick Hahn just spent four days at the Winter Meetings discussing how a team that just traded away its best pitcher and position player remains open to listening to all offers and is prepared to do what is must to get the franchise healthy again. "We're extremely open-minded on ways to continue the process that we started," Hahn said earlier this week, adding that the White Sox "have to make some painful decisions." The White Sox have grown tired of never having all the pieces — or even more than a few — to fill the holes created by injury, poor performance, etc. They want to be flush with young talent and essentially have said anything that isn't nailed down at Guaranteed Rate Field is available with the exceptions of Tim Anderson and Carlos Rodon. The team wants to cash in on the chips it possesses. While they don't have a ton, the few the White Sox have could help expedite a rebuild process as the Sale and Eaton trades have shown. Those deals brought back seven players, including three who played at the big league level last season (Moncada, Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez). Some of those players potentially would start 2017 in the big leagues, and that possibility increases the internal value of Abreu and starting pitcher Jose Quintana, who is equally revered among teammates and coaches for his dedication and team-first mentality. Having those young players see firsthand what it takes to excel in the majors from veteran teammates is invaluable. Abreu, who arrived in the United States from Cuba in late 2013, addressed that point in his statement about Moncada, who signed with Boston in 2015.