Earlier today, Ken Griffey Jr. approved a trade to the White Sox from the Cincinnati Reds, giving Griffey a chance at the first world series in his career. Bud Selig is now reviewing the trade proposal. The Reds would receive pitcher nick Masset and infielder Danny Richar in return.
The Reds and White Sox will essentially "split" what remains on
Griffey's contract this season, along with the cost of his $4 million
buyout for 2009. The Reds had a $16.5 million club option for 2009 on
Griffey, but Chicago did not have to exercise the option as part of the
deal.
Richar, 25 has been in the White Sox's organization since June 2007 when he came from Arizona in exchange for outfielder Aaron Cunningham. He's hitting .262 in 62 games with Triple-A Charlotte this season.
Nick Masset,formerly of the Texas organization, is a relief pitcher and he's He's 1-0 with a 4.63 ERA in 32 relief appearances for the White Sox this year.
Griffey, 38, is hitting .245 with 15 home runs for Cincinnati this season. On June 9, he joined Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Sammy Sosa as the sixth player in history to hit 600 homers.
While the Reds (51-58) languish in their division, the White Sox (60-46) lead the AL Central by 1½ games.
I doubt Griffey will start over Jermaine Dye and Carlos Quentin in right and left field. Carlos has 28 homers this year (13 more than Griffy) and Jermaine Dye (.311 average and 24 homers.) Basically, Griffey wants another chance at a world series, and he knew Chicago was a place that both wanted him and had a chance at the WS.
