Ken Rosenthal reports that the Sox are "extremely close" to trading Jon Garland, at least according to another executive.
I really don't like the idea of trading Garland, in and of itself. The Sox lucked out when he signed last December for $29 million over three years, because we're seeing what pitchers of his caliber are commanding. It's not easy to find dependable pitchers, especially one who has won 18 games in each of the last two seasons. Not counting Brandon McCarthy, Garland is the guy I'd least like to see go.
Then again, the rumored centerpiece of the return package might be
John Danks. He was only one of three 21-year-olds pitching in Triple-A last year, and I haven't seen anything that says
doubt this guy. Here are a few write-ups on his stuff:
The reports from the field seem to fly in the face of Danks' so-so hit rate and troublesome home run rate. Then again, he's a young curveball pitcher. We'll see.
If I'm Kenny, I'm asking for as much as possible with Danks, because Texas isn't going to find a better pitcher through free agency for the price. Considering Tom Hicks is growing impatient with losers, the Rangers might pay through the nose.
Here are a couple guys worth going after:
Gerald Laird: This guy is the ideal backup catcher, and I'm thinking the one-year deal the Rangers
struck with Miguel Ojeda might have been made to insure themselves at the catcher position. Laird has the three things the Sox need behind Pierzynski:
- He's cheap. Just over two years of service time.
- He hits lefties. In 152 career at-bats against southpaws, he's hit .355/.384/.520.
- He can throw. In his career, he's thrown out 41 baserunners in 96 attempts (43.2 percent).
Laird would put to rest
rumors of Sandy Alomar Jr. returning in any playing capacity:
The inflated market also could dictate the return of Sandy Alomar Jr.
as the backup catcher, although Williams wants to talk to Alomar before
making a final decision. Rookies Chris Stewart and Gustavo Molina also
could be candidates.
I can't put it any more plainly:
No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no.Akinori Otsuka: It can't hurt to ask, right?
Imagine the back end of this bullpen:
David Aardsma: 97 m.p.h. heat.
Matt Thornton: 97 m.p.h. heat from the left side.
Mike MacDougal: 96 m.p.h. heat with a good slider.
Bobby Jenks: 98 m.p.h. heat with a big curveball.
Otsuka would be a hell of a wrench for opposing hitters. In between four guys who could have radar gun competitions, Otsuka throws his slider as often as his fastball. It hits the high-80s with late diving action (which is why he has a 1.82 G/F ratio), and he precedes it with a slow, start-stop delivery that's nearly a balk. He'd pretty much be a human change-up.
UPDATE: Rosenthal reports:
Trade talks between the White Sox and Rangers
involving right-hander Jon Garland have cooled, FOXSports.com has
learned, though it is possible the deal could be revived later.
That's good, because the more I thought about it, the more it didn't make sense for either team.
On one hand, the Sox, with two starters' contracts expiring after next season, can't really afford to trade a guy under their control through 2008. Meanwhile, Garland might be a difference maker for the Rangers, but they have so many needs to address that they'd be better off giving their own guys a shot and try to fill that need from the inside.