From yesterday:
Chuck Garfien interviewed Don Cooper for Chicago Baseball Hot Stove, with the White Sox pitching coach touching on a number of topics, including 2012's closer. For right now, Cooper doesn't have a favorite in mind, noting that it's too early for him to name a frontrunner. He also touched on the starting rotation, specifically Mark Buehrle, John Danks and Jake Peavy. Check the video to the right and Chuck's story for all of Cooper's comments.
On a lighter pitching staff note, we ran down a list of possible backup ceremonial first pitch-catchers, with Chris Sale the early favorite.
Scott Boras wants to get Edwin Jackson a five-year, 80 million deal -- which isn't outlandishly overpriced, but given the market and the general perception of Jackson around baseball (inconsistency) it's hard to see him getting anything close to that.
And in other odd contract news, the Padres may consider approaching Carlos Quentin about a contract extension before he plays a game with the team.
Jim at South Side Sox has a nice post on Carlos Quentin, comparing his situation going into the 2008 season to that of Alejandro De Aza going into the 2012 season. Jim also brought up the May 25, 2008 game that saw Quentin hit a pair of homers off John Lackey, the last of which was a walk-off shot. I was at that Sunday night game, and it was awesome to see everyone in the park realize "hey, we got a great player here" with two swings of the bat.
James at White Sox Observer notes that the Sox will have some payroll flexibility relatively soon, as in 2014.
MLB
Around the division:
MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger writes the Twins probably won't go after Edwin Jackson given his high price tag.
The Indians signed former Royals righty Robinson Tejeda to a minor league deal and invited him to spring training. With all due respect, here's hoping he doesn't make Cleveland's roster -- White Sox hitters have a .582 OPS against the guy in 149 plate appearances over 36 23 innings.
Alan Trammell should be a Hall of Famer. SI's Mel Antonen looks as the cases for and against the former Tiger shortstop's candidacy, with the case for his induction being much more persuasive.