White Sox waiting for Griffey to approve deal

Jul 31, 2008 - 1:54 PM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Ken Griffey Jr. could be on his way out of Cincinnati.

According to numerous sources, the Reds have agreed to trade the veteran outfielder to the Chicago White Sox, pending his approval. Griffey, who is a player with at least 10 years of major-league service, five with the same club, has the right to block any deal.

Griffey, earning $12.5 million this season in the final year of his contract, is owed more than $4 million in salary. He is expected to decide Thursday morning whether to accept the trade.

It is not clear what the Reds would receive in return for the 38-year-old slugger who is batting .245 this season with 15 home runs and 53 RBIs in 359 at-bats. Earlier this season, Griffey hit his 600th career home run.

The White Sox attempted to acquire Griffey from the Reds at the trade deadline in 2005, but the deal reportedly was nixed by Reds ownership for financial reasons.

While the Reds (51-58) are out of the playoff hunt, the White Sox (60-46) currently lead the American League Central by 1.5 games over the Minnesota Twins and five over the Detroit Tigers.

It is not clear how the White Sox would utilize Griffey. They are set at the corners with Carlos Quentin in left and Jermaine Dye in right and Griffey has not patrolled center field regularly since 2006.

The White Sox could move Nick Swisher to first base to open center for Griffey, a move that would reduce the playing time of first baseman Paul Konerko and designated hitter Jim Thome.

Konerko has hit just .212 (14-for-66) since coming off the disabled list on July 8.