According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, Cincinnati Reds’ outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. is deciding whether or not to accept a trade to the Chicago White Sox.
The Reds have traded Griffey to the White Sox, pending his approval. Griffey will decide Thursday morning whether he will approve the deal, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. It is not known what the Reds would receive in return.
Griffey, as a player with at least 10 years of major-league service, five with the same club, has the right to block any deal. The White Sox attempted to acquire him from the Reds at the trade deadline in 2005, but the trade reportedly was nixed by Reds ownership for financial reasons.The White Sox, leading the American League Central by a game and a half, would use Griffey mostly in the outfield, the source said. However, they do not have an obvious spot for him unless they make another deal.
The Sox are set at the corners with Carlos Quentin in left and Jermaine Dye in right. They could play Nick Swisher at first to open center for Griffey, a move that would reduce the playing time of first baseman Paul Konerko and designated hitter Jim Thome. But Griffey has not played center regularly since 2006.
Cincy is Griffey’s hometown but it would be nice to see him play for a contender in the latter part of his career. The White Sox certainly have enough talent to win the AL Central, although the Angels and Red Sox will be incredibly daunting in the postseason.
As a baseball fan, here’s hoping that Griff accepts the deal and we get to see him in the playoffs.
