So what’s the opposite of a “White Flag” trade?
The answer came Tuesday when the White Sox sent three minor-leaguers to the Mets for second baseman Roberto Alomar, a likely Hall of Famer who’s looking to rebuild his reputation after 1 1/2 seasons of unfulfilled promise in New York.
But general manager Ken Williams didn’t stop there.
A team source confirmed Tuesday night the Sox had agreed in principle on a deal for Texas’ Carl Everett, a combustible center fielder who’s batting .274 this season with 18 homers and 51 RBIs.
The Rangers, who will receive two or three lower level minor-leaguers from the Sox, kept Everett out of their lineup Tuesday night in Anaheim. The deal is expected to be announced Wednesday.
Everett makes $9.15 million, but it is believed Texas will pick up the remaining $4.55 million of his salary.
That’s what the last-place Mets did. They were so eager to unload the 35-year-old Alomar, they agreed to pay his remaining $3.9 million salary.
The Sox did have to give up top-notch pitching prospect Royce Ring, their No.1 draft pick in 2002, plus Triple-A pitcher Edwin Almonte and Class A infielder Andrew Salvo for Alomar.
“If you have an opportunity, a window, in my mind you take a shot,” Williams said. “You may be right, you may be wrong. But you go down swinging.”
The Sox took a different stance six years ago. They gave up pitchers Roberto Hernandez, Wilson Alvarez and Danny Darwin to San Francisco for six minor-leaguers. At the time, they trailed Cleveland by 31 1/42 games in the AL Central.
Alomar was thrilled with the deal, especially the chance to reunite with his brother, Sox catcher Sandy Jr.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to go to Chicago and play for a team that has a chance to win,” he said.
The Sox believe Alomar will be in uniform for Wednesday night’s game against the Twins.
Roberto Alomar
Before playing for the Mets, Alomar appeared to be a lock for the Hall.
2003 Career, (from 1988)
Average .262, Average .302
Home runs 2, Home runs 203
RBIs 22, RBIs 1,093
Walks 29, Walks 988
Strikeouts 40, Strikeouts 1,072
OBP .336, OBP .373
Sources: ESPN, MLB
Carl Everett
The well-traveled Everett has a reputation for locker room disruptions.
2003 Career, (from 1993)
Average .274, Average .277
Home runs 18, Home runs 151
RBIs 51, RBIs 596
Walks 31, Walks 333
Strikeouts 48, Strikeouts 784
OBP .356, OBP .348
Sources: ESPN, MLB
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Edited by the Sports staff of RedEyeWhite Sox Trades
