December 15, 2011 – South Atlantic League (SAL) Kannapolis Intimidators
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (December 15, 2011) – Former Chicago White Sox draft pick Julio Vinas has been named manager of the Kannapolis Intimidators, Class A Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, for the 2012 season. Vinas joins pitching coach Jose Bautista, hitting coach Robert Sasser, athletic trainer Scott Johnson and strength and conditioning coach Tim Rodmaker as the field staff for the 18th season of baseball in Kannapolis.

Julio Vinas Vinas, 38, returns for his second season as a minor league manager for the White Sox. The Florida native managed the Class A-Advanced Winston-Salem Dash to a 69-71 record in 2011. Prior to joining Chicago’s minor league staff, Vinas spent 10 years with the Baltimore Orioles, including six years as the team’s minor-league hitting coordinator from 2005-2010.

The White Sox drafted Vinas in the 33rd round of the 1991 free agent draft, and he played 11 minor-league seasons with the White Sox, Orioles, Red Sox and Indians organizations, hitting .264 with 84 home runs and 504 RBI over 896 career games.

Jose Bautista Pitching coach Jose Bautista returns to Kannapolis for his second year on the Intimidators coaching staff. Bautista guided Intimidators pitchers to the third-lowest ERA (3.67) and fifth-lowest walk total (399) in the South Atlantic League in 2011. Bautista, 47, enters his fifth season with the White Sox organization, having served as the Latin Roving Instructor from 2009-2010 and the pitching coach for the Advanced Rookie Bristol White Sox in 2008. Before joining Chicago’s minor-league staff, Bautista was a minor-league pitching coach for the Kansas City Royals for seven years (2001-2007).

Robert Sasser With six seasons as a hitting coach in the White Sox system already under his belt, Robert Sasser joins the Kannapolis Intimidators staff in 2012. A 13-year veteran of minor league baseball, Sasser began his coaching career as the hitting coach of Double-A Birmingham in 2006. He also served as hitting coach for Great Falls in 2007 and 2011 and for Winston-Salem from 2008-2010. Sasser enjoyed a cup of coffee in the Major Leagues, appearing as a pinch-hitter for Texas against the White Sox in 1998.

Scott Johnson Scott Johnson returns for his second season as the Kannapolis head trainer and his 24th with the White Sox. Prior to joining the Intimidators in 2011, Johnson spent the previous 13 seasons with Chicago’s Triple-A affiliate – 12 years with Charlotte and one at Calgary.

Tim Rodmaker Tim Rodmaker returns to the Intimidators as the Conditioning Coach after spending the last two seasons with Advanced Rookie Great Falls. Rodmaker, 29, enters his seventh year as a conditioning coach with the White Sox organization. He served as Kannapolis’ Conditioning Coach from 2007-2009.

The Intimidators open the 2012 season – the 18th year of professional baseball in Kannapolis – at home on Thursday, April 5, 2012 against the Hickory Crawdads. The Intimidators drew 138,487 fans in 2011, setting a new franchise attendance record. For 2012 ticket information, please call the box office at (704) 932-3267 or visit www.IntimidatorsBaseball.com .

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Read More: John Danks (P – CWS), Chicago White Sox

White Sox lefthander John Danks’ name has come up a lot in various trade rumors this offseason as general manager Ken Williams is actively shopping a number of players on his roster in an effort to remake the team. But Danks hasn’t been sent anywhere yet, and he told the Sun-Times‘ Joe Cowley in an interview that he’s “not losing an ounce of sleep” over the situation. He’s also heard about the king’s ransom Williams has been asking teams in return for Danks:

“More than anything, this is the business of baseball,’’ Danks said. “I don’t blame Kenny for trying to get as much as he can. I took that as him being early in the process. I took it as him throwing feelers out there.’’

It’s still possible for Danks to stay in Chicago for the long term, though he says the White Sox have yet to get serious about a contract extension.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago White Sox be sure to visit South Side Sox. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league, and check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports.

DALLAS (AP) — The Chicago White Sox traded closer Sergio Santos to the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, sending him back to the organization where he spent three seasons trying to make the majors as a shortstop.

Toronto gave up pitching prospect Nestor Molina to acquire the 28-year-old Santos in a swap made at baseball’s winter meetings.

Santos had 30 saves in 36 chances this year, going 4-5 with a 3.55 ERA in 63 games. The 28-year-old righty is a strikeout pitcher, fanning 92 in 65 1-3 innings. He made a major league-record 25 straight scoreless appearances on the road to start the season.

Santos was golfing when Toronto general manager Alex Anthopoulos called to tell him about the trade. The deal caught Santos by surprise — a few days after the season ended, he signed an $8.25-million, three-year contract with the White Sox.

“I think he expected to be in Chicago,” Anthopoulos said.

Santos was in Toronto’s minor league system from 2006-08 as a shortstop. He converted to pitching in 2009 while in the White Sox organization and made his big league debut the next year.

Anthopoulos was the Blue Jays’ assistant GM when Santos was in their organization. The team asked Santos if he wanted to take a try on the mound, but he wasn’t interested.

“He didn’t want to pitch. He believed in himself as a shortstop,” Anthopoulos said.

Santos made it as high as Triple-A as an infielder. He was a career .248 hitter with 72 home runs in the minors, starting out in 2002 in the Arizona system.

The Blue Jays really wanted him back and were willing to trade Molina. The 22-year-old starter has excelled in his minor league career, going 27-7 with a 2.21 ERA overall. He was a combined 12-3 with a 2.21 ERA in Double-A and Class A last season.

Anthopoulos said Santos’ contract situation and “electric stuff” made him especially attractive, given his arm hasn’t endured a lot of wear because of his late switch to pitching.

Toronto’s saves leader last season was Frank Francisco with 17. Santos immediately inherited the role.

“He’s got the ninth inning for us,” Anthopoulos said. “We think he’s got a chance to be an elite closer.”

Chris Sale was second on the White Sox last season with eight saves. Chicago had planned to move him into the rotation next year.

Asked who would be the Chicago closer in 2012, new manager Robin Ventura wasn’t sure.

“I knew yesterday,” he said. “But obviously, you know, right now you’re going to wait and see how the rest of this week goes and figure it out from there.”

DALLAS – The Toronto Blue Jays acquired closer Sergio Santos from the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, bringing the pitcher back to the organization where he spent three seasons trying to make the majors as a shortstop.

Toronto gave up pitching prospect Nestor Molina to acquire the 28-year-old Santos in a swap made at baseball’s winter meetings.

Santos earned 30 saves in 36 chances this year, going 4-5 with a 3.55 earned-run average in 63 games. The 28-year-old righty is a strikeout pitcher, fanning 92 in 65 1-3 innings. He made a major league-record 25 straight scoreless appearances on the road to start the season.

Santos was golfing when Toronto general manager Alex Anthopoulos called to tell him about the trade. The deal caught Santos by surprise — a few days after the season ended, he signed an US$8.25-million, three-year contract with the White Sox.

Santos said he’s “glad to be back” with the Blue Jays.

“I’m excited to be moving to a new team and (one that’s) going in the direction that Toronto is going in,” Santos said on a conference call.

Santos was in Toronto’s minor league system from 2006-08 as a shortstop. He converted to pitching in 2009 while in the White Sox organization and made his big league debut the next year.

Anthopoulos was the Blue Jays’ assistant GM when Santos was in their organization. The team asked Santos if he wanted to take a try on the mound, but he wasn’t interested.

“He didn’t want to pitch. He believed in himself as a shortstop,” Anthopoulos said.

Santos made it as high as triple-A as an infielder. He was a career .248 hitter with 72 home runs in the minors, starting out in 2002 in the Arizona system.

The Blue Jays really wanted him back and were willing to trade Molina. The 22-year-old starter has excelled in his minor league career, going 27-7 with a 2.21 ERA overall. He was a combined 12-3 with a 2.21 ERA in double-A and class-A last season.

Anthopoulos said Santos’ contract situation and “electric stuff” made him especially attractive, given his arm hasn’t endured a lot of wear because of his late switch to pitching.

Toronto’s saves leader last season was Frank Francisco with 17. Santos immediately inherited the role.

“He’s got the ninth inning for us,” Anthopoulos said. “We think he’s got a chance to be an elite closer.”

Chris Sale was second on the White Sox last season with eight saves. Chicago had planned to move him into the rotation next year.

Asked who would be the Chicago closer in 2012, new manager Robin Ventura wasn’t sure.

“I knew yesterday,” he said. “But obviously, you know, right now you’re going to wait and see how the rest of this week goes and figure it out from there.”