JDSox

Blalock signs with the Rays. We could have used some lefty power and potential backup 1B/3B, and for less than $1M, the Sox should have been all over Hank. He would have been a solid DH..... The Rays have signed first baseman Hank Blalock to a minor league contract, reports Jon Heyman of SI.com. According to Heyman, Blalock will earn a $925,000 base salary if he makes the team plus a chance for $350,000 in performance incentives. The two sides were rumored to be working on a "complicated deal," likely with an out-clause if he doesn't make the majors. Blalock, 29, batted just .234/.277/.459 with the Rangers last season, but managed to slug 25 home runs in 462 at-bats. The lefty-swinging Blalock could be part of a designated hitter platoon with Pat Burrell. Mar. 8 - 9:32 pm et Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter

Cust is out.... Athletics re-signed DH Jack Cust to a one-year, $2.5 million contract. The A's non-tendered Cust last month in order to avoid paying him a substantial raise via salary arbitration and lucked into signing him back at a lower salary than he made in 2009. The 30-year-old hit .240/.356/.417 with 25 homers and 70 RBI last season while earning just $2.8 million.

There goes 1 lefty potential DH for the Sox to sign.... too bad, I thought Cust could have been a good fit at the Cell. Athletics re-signed DH Jack Cust to a one-year, $2.5 million contract. The A's non-tendered Cust last month in order to avoid paying him a substantial raise via salary arbitration and lucked into signing him back at a lower salary than he made in 2009. The 30-year-old hit .240/.356/.417 with 25 homers and 70 RBI last season while earning just $2.8 million.

Blalock does mash lefties.... and might be a nice sub if Teahen doesn't have the offense at 3B. I could see it as a decent option now that we have enough OF. DH and occasional 3B would likely keep him healthy. Wouldn't be the worst signing on paper, he's got nice power, and could platoon against lefties.

Tony Pena was lights out in AZ up until last year. Most people thought he should be closing over then-closer Brandon Lyon. He should have a nice rebound year, despite the move to the AL. I think he is going to surprise some Sox fans this year. But then again, I said that about Linebrink when he came over from the NL....

Another thing cutting against dealing Quentin is he is a virtual bargain if he lives up to his potential. Getting hit in the wrist is more of a freak thing, and his plantar fascitis should be cleared up this year. He should have a big year and easily outproduce his cheap contract.

I'm pretty sure Adam Laroche is looking for WAY more money than he is worth. Something like a two year deal for $20mil. Not saying he will get it, but that seems to price him out of the White Sox plans. He's not really all that young either at age 30.

Is Cust the best lefty DH free agent now that Matsui has signed with the Angels? He can play the OF if the Sox are desperate - unlike Thome. And he walks a ton, and is younger than Thome.