Griffey Joins White Sox
Ken Griffey Jr. agreed Thursday to accept a trade to the Chicago White Sox, leaving it up to the commissioner’s office to approve the deal because money is involved, a person with knowledge of the discussions told The AP.
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The Cincinnati Reds outfielder has the right to block any deal, but agreed to move to the White Sox after getting more information about the proposed trade. The person familiar with the talks spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams are not commenting.
While it’s still unclear at this point what role Griffey will have in Chicago, oddsmakers still consider the White Sox a small long shot. Oddsmakers from online sports book SBG Global have made the White Sox a 12/1 long shot to win the 2009 World Series.
Chicago is set at its corner outfield spots with Carlos Quentin and Jermaine Dye, but Griffey could eventually push Nick Swisher to first base and take over in center. Griffey could also spit time with Jim Thome at DH, although they’re both lefties so it’s unclear at this point if that’s a role the club plans to use Jr. in.
Either way, the White Sox certainly have enough talent to keep the Minnesota Twins (25/1) at bay and win the AL Central. But the Los Angeles Angels (4/1), Boston Red Sox (5/1) and Tampa Bay Rays (9/1) are going to be tough to top if Chicago reaches the postseason – Griffey or no Griffey.
Once one of baseball’s premier players, Griffey has never reached the World Series and has not even been in the playoffs since 1997 with Seattle.
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