Is this the first step toward the White Sox luring Manny Machado?
Chicago made one move that could lead it to another, trading for first baseman Yonder Alonso from Cleveland in a deal made official Saturday.
Cleveland gets 24-year-old outfielder Alex Call, who has yet to make his major league debut. The Indians also rid themselves of Alonso’s entire $8 million salary for 2019.
Chicago already has Jose Abreu at first base, but he played in just 128 games last season because of injuries and could see more time at DH with the addition of Alonso. Most curiously, the 31-year-old Alonso is married to the sister of star slugger Manny Machado, a rumored target for the White Sox in free agency.
For Cleveland, it’s been a busy week, trading slugger Edwin Encarnacion and infielder Yandy Diaz and re-acquiring first baseman Carlos Santana in a three-team trade on the final day of the winter meetings in Las Vegas.
Cleveland may not be done. The club has considered trading either ace Corey Kluber or All-Star Trevor Bauer. The Indians have outfield needs and are looking to rebuild their bullpen.
Alonso batted .250 with 23 homers and 83 RBI in his only season with the Indians, who signed him as a free agent last December.
Alonso was selected by Cincinnati in the first round of the 2008 amateur draft and broke into the majors with the Reds in 2010. He is a .265 hitter with 90 homers and 389 RBI in 951 games with Cincinnati, San Diego, Oakland, Seattle and Cleveland.
Alonso’s contract includes a 2020 club option at $9 million with a $1 million buyout. The option becomes guaranteed if Alonso has 550 plate appearances next year or 1,100 in 2018 and `19 combined, and he passes a physical at the end of next season.
The 24-year-old Call played for Class-A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham last season, batting .248 with 12 homers and 58 RBIs in 123 games. He was selected by Chicago in the third round of the 2016 draft out of Ball State.
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