Michael Bottigliero, Sox Superfan
The White Sox are a veteran team with a ton of holes to fill in this ‘07-’08 offseason. What I would like to know is what hole did they fill buy trading Jon Garland?
Let us first start out by thinking that we do not know what is going on behind the scenes @ Comiscular Field with Kenny Williams. We can only hope he has plotted a few moves ahead with this trade and more maneuvers are planned. But one thought keeps running through my mind and contradicts the notion that they are thinking ahead- why pick up the ‘08 option on Juan Uribe to play shortstop and then trade for a new starting shortstop (Orlando Cabrera). Now they have about $13 million tied up at that position even though they were trying to skimp on paying Garland’s ‘08 salary of $12 million. The Sox did get cash back from the Angels so we will wait for the word on how much. Doesn’t a team who trades to get cash back really irritate you?
Now let’s look at the now time ramifications of this latest cost cutting move. That gives us a rotation of ace Mark Buerhle- who we all have been hoping would take this honor and run with it. It forces Javier Vazquez to the two spot which is not so bad if he can continue what he did last season. Then we get spotty with Jose Contreras- who started to look his REAL Cuban age, John Danks- who needs to turn in a full season, and Gavin Floyd- he has to prove he can keep bringing what he showed at the end of last season. Then we round out with hopefuls Lance Broadway and Gio Gonzalez- can never depend on prospects! We traded a 28 year old pitcher who showed no signs of slowing down, going 4 years of 200+ innings, and pitched some good ballgames. I do not like the move but only the future will tell.
Our Sox filled two holes- putting a great fielding shortstop on the diamond and a #2 hitter with speed in the batting order. This leaves us with what to do with Uribe- trade or bench? We also have a hole at 2B, LF, CF, and the bullpen. It looks like they cleared up enough room to sign Tori Hunter, but who is our leadoff hitter? Looks like they will grant Podsednik arbitration and chance him not getting injured. Then we have Richar at 2B and Yasuhiko Yabuta possibly coming over from Japan for the bullpen. This could work but I had a few other moves in mind.
I really like Kaz Matsui in the leadoff or #2 spot to play 2B. We will see how this develops. A few vets in the pen and Rowand coming back and we could be set for a good year. But Kenny said he is not done yet so we will wait and see…
