The Bernstein Brief: Splash By Sox The Start Of Something
By Dan Bernstein-
(CBS) An overnight splash for the White Sox may be the start of something.
At least it should be, if this is some kind of coordinated push to win now in an AL Central that they seem to feel is vulnerable enough.
Trading non-premium prospects for one year of Jeff Samardzija and plunking down $46 million on veteran closer David Robertson fits in with the acquisition of 35-year-old Adam LaRoche, putting the White Sox on a course to compete just as 78-year-old owner Jerry Reinsdorf would prefer.
Call it Detroit lite, where Tigers owner Mike Ilitch, 85, has been instructing management to go for it with big moves and bigger checks.
White Sox general manager Rick Hahn still has payroll flexibility. He now has a formidable starting rotation and a fortified bullpen, but gaping holes remain in left field and at second base. If he's sticking with Conor Gillaspie at third and Tyler Flowers behind the plate, the everyday lineup needs more impact bats.
So if this strategy makes sense, it means there's more to come.
Dan Bernstein is a co-host of 670 The Score's "Boers and Bernstein Show" in afternoon drive. Follow him on Twitter @dan_bernstein and read more of his columns here.