Alex Rios acquired by White Sox

Associated Press

Blue Jays outfielder Alex Rios has been claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox, sending him to a contending team and giving Toronto financial flexibility.

Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi announced the move Monday night, about 30 minutes before the Blue Jays were scheduled to play the New York Yankees. Rios was in the initial starting lineup when he learned the news.

"From the standpoint of a financial dump, that's not the message we're trying to send," Ricciardi said during a news conference. ``It enables us to have more financial flexibility.

"I think what's happened since we did the contract is the game has changed in so many ways economically in the last year."

Toronto did not receive any compensation for the two-time all-star, who is batting .264 with 14 homers and 62 RBIs in 108 games.

Rios, 28, signed a seven-year contract with the Blue Jays in April 2008 that guarantees him US$69.835 million.

Chicago began the night three games back of the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central.