Rotoworld
relays the following via MLB Radio:
MLB radio is reporting that the White Sox will acquire Carlos Quentin from the Diamondbacks for Chris Carter.
We
hope the Diamondbacks are getting a quality pitching prospect in return
as well. Quentin's stock is down, especially following shoulder
surgery, but he's still a fine bet to have a long career as a regular
corner outfielder. Carter, who shares the same name as the first
baseman the Diamondbacks traded to Boston in the three-team Wily Mo
Pena deal, hit .291/.383/.522 as a 20-year-old in low-A ball last
season.
MLB.com
says it's a one-for-one deal:
NASHVILLE -- The D-backs are close to finalizing a deal that would send
outfielder Carlos Quentin to the White Sox for Minor League first
baseman Chris Carter, an industry source said Monday. The deal is
expected to be announced Monday afternoon.
On the surface, this seems to be similar to the Aaron Cunningham-Danny Richar deal, except this time more favorable in the Sox's direction.
Carter is further away from the majors than Cunningham at the time of the deal, while
Quentin has already shown the ability to hit at the major-league level.
However, Quentin u
nderwent surgery for his non-throwing rotator cuff and labrum, which means that he could be a bit behind schedule when spring training rolls around. Between the injuries and his struggles at the big-league level in 2007 as a result, his star has dimmed some.
Still, this is a guy
whose seventh major-league hit was his first to not go for extra bases. He can run a little and he can definitely play the outfield. Tucson inflates minor league numbers severely, but he's shown great plate discipline at the minor-league level.
Quentin also makes Luis Terrero look terrified of taking one for the team -- he racked up 60 HBPs in 221 games at Triple-A between 2005 and 2006, and was on pace for 20 in 2007. That will help him maintain his OBP even if his walk rate takes its time translating into free passes in the majors.
It remains to be seen how well Quentin can rebound from last year, but at the very least, I'd say Kenny Williams has the right idea with this one. He's addressing a hole with a player who has multiple tools and has yet to hit arbitration, two traits Williams' big outfield acquisition last year, Darin Erstad, couldn't boast.
Carter leaves a void in the Sox farm system as big as his swing, but since he didn't rise above Kannapolis last year, he's still a ways away from producing at the big-league level. In that time, it's possible that somebody like
Jose Martinez, who made a solid debut in rookie ball at age 19, could make up the ground on his predecessor.