Chris

Getz

Stewart’s group has also been involved in the push for an expansion team in Nashville, though that’s been slow going. The 88-year-old Reinsdorf has owned the White Sox since 1981, but he’s come under increasing fire lately with his team’s losing ways and his resistance to looking outside of the organization for answers. He’s also been aiming for a new ballpark. News of a possible sale comes as quite a surprise; expectations were that he’d retain both the White Sox and the NBA’s Bulls for the rest of his life.

The 39-year-old Getz, who played seven seasons in the major leagues, has been serving as the White Sox’s assistant GM and player development director. According to MLB Pipeline, the White Sox have the 20th-ranked farm system, while FanGraphs puts them 11th, so there is a bit of a discrepancy in how Getz has performed in building the organization’s young talent. Still, it’s not a fresh start for Chicago as owner Jerry Reinsdorf hopes that promoting Getz from within can help get the franchise back on track.

One would think it’s time for the White Sox to start over, but that’s just not Jerry Reinsdorf’s style. The 39-year-old Getz, who played seven seasons in the major leagues, is currently the White Sox’s assistant GM and player development director. Nightengale also says that the team wants to bring in former Royals GM Dayton Moore, who is currently working for the Rangers, and that it’s already brought back former manager Tony La Russa as a consultant. We’re so very sorry, White Sox fans.

None of the players have been informed of the trade, as of yet. The New York Daily News and Chicago Sun-Times both indicated that a deal was done, and there’s little reason to doubt that it was essentially agreed to. However, since nothing has become official, it’s still possible that one of the two sides will back out.

“He fits the spot because he has the ability to take pitches, he drives the ball the other way and he’s a guy that can hit,” Yost said. “This kid has hit everywhere. And if it works out, he’s the best candidate for it.” Kansas City’s No. 2 slot is open, due to Melky Cabrera’s exit to the Giants. However, to claim it, Giavotella will first have to beat out Chris Getz for the starting second base job. Alex Gordon will likely bat leadoff again. “We’ll see what develops,” Yost said. “I like Gordy leading off. I like somebody with some pop in his bat coming up when the lineup comes back around. He was our best on-base guy last year, and he can do a lot of things -- drive the ball out of the park, drive the gaps, .300 hitter, takes his walks, works the pitcher. He does everything you want a leadoff guy to do.”

Betancourt signed with the Royals this winter to serve as a utility player, but it sounds like he could be thrown into the mix pretty often. Three or four times per week is probably a stretch unless there’s an injury, but he should still see a decent amount of playing time as a backup at shortstop, second base and the hot corner. We would ignore him outside of AL-only fantasy formats, though.

The team is holding off on an announcement until he arrives from Sacramento, so if his flight runs into any delays, an official roster move may not happen until Friday. Giavotella, 24, is hitting .331/.408/.504 with five homers, 25 RBI and a .912 OPS over 152 plate appearances at the Triple-A level this season. He’ll be worth considering in deeper mixed leagues if he is given regular playing time at second base, but Chris Getz hasn’t exactly played himself out of the job. The corresponding roster move isn’t yet known, but Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star notes that left-hander Jonathan Sanchez has been dealing with biceps tendinitis.

A career utilityman, Getz is expected to open season as the starting second baseman. The 28-year-old batted .255/.313/.287 with 26 RBI, 21 stolen bases and a .600 OPS over 429 plate appearances last season in a semi-regular role.

Somewhat surprisingly named the Royals’ second baseman to begin the season, Getz has gotten off to a decent start, batting .333/.333/.476 while driving in three runs and swiping two bags. He’s just a career .253/.314/.307 (entering Sunday) hitter, however, and isn’t worth a look outside of AL-only leagues.

“I’d never seen him at second base, and he’s come in and (made an impression),” Yost said. “They’re all neck and neck. Nobody is pulling out in front of anybody yet. But (Betancourt) is in that race.” Betancourt started at second base Saturday, and he’s evidently impressed Yost despite a .258/.281/.452 batting line this spring. Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star thinks that one of Giavotella or Getz will begin the season in the minors.