2011 MLB Trade Rumors: Several White Sox Players Drawing Interest

The Chicago White Sox have already received several trade proposals this offseason, and general manager Ken Williams says the club is willing to make a move if they are able to get the right players in return.  Last night Williams told Mark Gonzalez of the Chicago Tribune that teams have shown interest in starting pitchers John Danks and Gavin Floyd as well as outfielder Carlos Quentin.

Williams told Gonzalez that the White Sox are “more open to making potential moves that take us a little younger” if the club is able to get what they’ve identified “as the type of targets you want in such a deal”.

Vague much?

Williams cleared things up a bit, stating that Chicago isn’t going to make a trade unless they “get an impact player or impact-type prospects”.  In other words, in return for Floyd, Danks or Quentin, Williams and the White Sox are looking for major league ready talent.

It’s already been reported that Danks and Floyd, who each could hit the free agent market following the 2012 season, have drawn significant interest.  A market for the pair may not begin to develop until some of the top free agent arms available are signed.  At that point, teams who missed out on the best free agent starters may be willing to dish out the players or prospects the White Sox are looking for.

Of the pair, Danks would be the more highly coveted pitcher.  Gonzalez mentions that the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers may have interest in Danks while the Boston Red Sox also have a significant need for pitching.

Williams also confirmed that pitcher Chris Sale will be moving from the White Sox bullpen into their starting rotation in 2012.  The GM said this will be the case regardless of what happens with Danks, Floyd and free agent Mark Buehrle.

Quentin has found himself on the trade block a time or two, as rumors have spun around him for the past several seasons.  But any trade talks were put on hold after the 29-year-old injured his shoulder this August.  Now, Quentin’s agent Brodie Van Wagenen is saying that his client is back and “working out with no restrictions”.

If Quentin can prove healthy, a considerable trade market for his services is likely to develop.  Also heading into his last year of arbitration, Quentin has shown that he has the ability to mash.  Over his career, the outfielder has hit at a clip of .252/.346/.490.  During his four years with the White Sox, Quentin has averaged 24 home runs a season.

For more on the White Sox, be sure to check out Southside Showdown.