While the White Sox awaited word on whether free agent Orlando Cabrera would decline their salary arbitration offer, two trade scenarios were shot down Sunday night on the eve of the winter meetings.
A source familiar with the talks rejected a report in the Dayton Daily News quoting a "major-league source close to the situation" that a deal to send Sox right fielder Jermaine Dye to Cincinnati for pitcher Homer Bailey "was done and would be announced this week." The source said the Reds were reluctant to take on Dye's $11.5 million salary even though they need a right-handed hitter of his caliber. The source added that the Sox were seeking more prospects besides Bailey, who was 0-6 with a 7.93 ERA in eight starts and was 4-7 with a 4.77 ERA at Triple-A Louisville.
But Bailey remains an intriguing prospect because of his 95-m.p.h. fastball and Sox general manager Ken Williams' penchant for acquiring top prospects who could benefit from a change of scenery.
That was the case in previous years with Gavin Floyd and Carlos Quentin.
Another major-league source said talks linking Sox closer Bobby Jenks and the New York Mets never progressed. Williams scouted Mets pitching prospect Bobby Parnell at an Arizona Fall League game last month, but New York is disinclined to trade Parnell, the source said.
The Sox don't have a bona fide backup to Jenks, who has 117 saves in 3 1/2 major-league seasons and has an 87.9 career save percentage.
Jenks is expected to increase his salary to at least $5 million in his first year as an arbitration-eligible player.
mgonzales@tribune.com
