INDIAN WELLS, Calif. -- Blake Tekotte had a difficult 2012 campaign but Rick Hahn likes the potential the young outfielder he acquired on Wednesday brings.
The White Sox sent right-handed pitcher Brandon Kloess to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday afternoon, hours after the general managers meetings began, in exchange for Tekotte.
Even though Tekotte struggled in 2012 with hamstring injuries and a poor overall season at the plate -- he hit .243 with nine homers at Triple-A Tucson -- Hahn said he would have a shot to be the teams fourth outfielder next season. Tekotte, who was designated for assignment by the Padres on Nov. 2, has been added to the White Sox 40-man roster.
He had a down year last year, Hahn said. But he can run a little bit, play some defense, nice line drive stroke, can get on base. We still view him as a prospect, but he has to bounce back from some injuries and some swing adjustments he made last year.
A third-round pick in 2008 out of Miami, Tekotte, 25, has played in 30 major league games since 2011 and carries a .163 career average in 49 at-bats.
Tekotte hit .285 with 19 homers and 67 RBI in 2011 at Double-A San Antonio.
Kloess, 27, was 6-3 with a 2.69 ERA in 73 23 innings last season between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte. A minor-league free agent in 2009, Kloess struck out 70 batters and walked 30.
MLB
The White Sox now have 34 players on their 40-man roster.