Al Lopez Ghost (old) Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 This is by Scott Gregor, the Daily Herald's Sox beat guy. TEMPE, Ariz. - At the moment, White Sox GM Kenny Williams doesn't feel like messing with a starting rotation that features Mark Buehrle, Esteban Loaiza, Jon Garland, Scott Schoeneweis and, most likely, Dan Wright. There's not a legitimate ace in the bunch, and only Buehrle has a somewhat proven track record. Loaiza, who came from out of nowhere last season to finish second in Cy Young Award voting with a 21-9 record, has been hit hard in his last 2 spring starts and is becoming more of a question mark than sure thing. But as the days before the 4/5 regular season opener at KC continue to dwindle, it's not like Williams is lacking outside options. For months there have been rumors of a trade with the pitching rich Dodgers, but Williams has been reluctant to send a power hitter like Frank Thomas or Paul Konerko to LA in exchange for a marginal starter like Odalis Perez. Before spring training opened, the typically covert Williams acknowledged talking trade with LA. "It's quite possible," he said, "i know they've been looking for a hitter for a long time and the market certainly has gotten very thin. It's possible." While the rumors linking the Sox with LA have cooled considerably, Williams just might have an even better trade partner with the Angels. Ironically, the Sox played against Anaheim on Tuesday and faced Bartolo Colon. Colon's departure left a gaping hole in the Sox rotation, but there is a chance an Anaheim starter could fill a void. "If Kenny thinks we need some help in the starting rotation, I'm sure he'll go out and get somebody," said Ozzie Guillen. How does Jarrod Washburn sound? If the White Sox are willing to part with a quality minor-league prospect like Jeremy Reed, Joe Borchard or Jon Rauch, Washburn could be had, according to sources. The 29 year old Washburn pitches a lot like Buehrle and had a big season (18-6, 3.15 ERA) in 2002 while helping win the World Series. He tailed off last year, going 10-15 with a 4.43 ERA. The lefty is slated to make $5.45 million this season. If Washburn doesn't appeal to the Sox, righty Ramon Ortiz is also available. Like Washburn, Ortiz was solid in 2002 (15-9, 3.77 ERA) before falling to 16-13 with a 5.20 ERA in 32 starts last year. The 30 year old carries a $3.1 million salary this year. ANd if that's not enough, Anaheim is willing to part with 33 year old Aaron Sele, a disappointing 7-11 (5.77ERA) in 25 starts last year...The veteran is still trying to make a complete recovery from rotator cuff surgery he had following the '02 season. If the Sox agreed to take a gamble on Sele, the Angels would have to pick up a significan chunk of his $8.5 million salary. If KW trades Jeremy Reed....well he just can't trade Jeremy Reed!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilJester99 Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 Rauch or Borchard, I would be fine with. Not Reed though. KW would be hanged for that. I say go for Washburn, but we have heard this crap all off season though. So I am not holding my breath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 I still would hate for us to give up on Borchard. Rauch, I can see being traded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 I still would hate for us to give up on Borchard. Rauch, I can see being traded. Honestly I think with the success of Reed, Sweeney, and Anderson that Borch is becoming more replacible than Rauch. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in a deal somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 Sweeney and Anderson should stay in the minors for another 2 to 3 years. That would put Sweeney in the bigs at age 22 .... plenty of time for him yet. With Magglio's expected departure, I believe we are going to need Joe Borchard's power next year. Joe should be ready to make the jump now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 I'd let Borchard go in a heartbeat for Washburn. Look at how many one-year stopgap outfielders have been available via free agency the past couple seasons. If the Sox needed someone to fill a hole until Reed or Sweeney is ready, that's a WHOLE lot easier to get than a quality starter. If that trade's really out there, KW would be insane not to get it done. Of course, there's always "salary constraints" to consider..... :puke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwsox Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 I'd let Borchard go in a heartbeat for Washburn.I coul I could do that too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSteve Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 I'd let Borchard go in a heartbeat for Washburn. Look at how many one-year stopgap outfielders have been available via free agency the past couple seasons. If the Sox needed someone to fill a hole until Reed or Sweeney is ready, that's a WHOLE lot easier to get than a quality starter. If that trade's really out there, KW would be insane not to get it done. Of course, there's always "salary constraints" to consider..... :puke I agree 100%. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 Wow..Very interesting article. I would hate to see Borchard or Rauch go. But if I had to pick one I say let it be Borchard. We have a lot of solid OF prospects right now. We can afford to lose one if we get a quality starter in return... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elrockinMT Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 Taking a look at the track record of the three Angel pitchers mentioned makes me wonder if it is worth the loss of top prospects. I don't see us needing the additional pitcher at least right now and with our youngsters performing well. The story is written as if our staff is in complete shambles. It is not and Loaiza showed he is making the needed adjustments on Tuesday. I like these story headlines: "Could Help Be on the Way?" Well, yeah it could, but then it could not be. Plus why do the writers think we need help anyway? Just gets the fans riled up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 Plus why do the writers think we need help anyway? Just gets the fans riled up. They have to write about something to keep their cush jobs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafacosta Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 I could do that too Me too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxAce Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 If KW trades Jeremy Reed....well he just can't trade Jeremy Reed!!!!!!!!!!!! Haha, I'd expect someone like me saying that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxAce Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 I'd let Borchard go in a heartbeat for Washburn. Agreed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillieHarris2 Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 Agreed. ya i think we have enough prospects to fill the void of losing borchard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 Rauch or Borchard, I would be fine with. Not Reed though. KW would be hanged for that. I say go for Washburn, but we have heard this crap all off season though. So I am not holding my breath. Agreed and out of the two, I'd rather move Rauch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWSGuy406 Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 Yeah, we're going to need another starter. Scott Schoenwies is not going to be able to hold his own, and I don't think Cotts is ready yet either. That, or Grilli or Rauch or Diaz is going to have to fill that fourth spot, and Wright behind the fourth starter, that's kind of iffy... Borchard for Washburn, they eat a lot of Wash's salary. Hell, let's give 'em back Schoenwies while we're at it... EDIT: Why the hell did Kenny give this guy 1.3 (is that right) million dollars? It's pitiful, I'd rather pay a guy to go fetch baseballs that money than Schoenweis.... :puke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elrockinMT Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 Yeah, we're going to need another starter. Scott Schoenwies is not going to be able to hold his own, and I don't think Cotts is ready yet either. That, or Grilli or Rauch or Diaz is going to have to fill that fourth spot, and Wright behind the fourth starter, that's kind of iffy... My money is on Rausch. I agree that Scoenneweis is just nt showing us he can be a starter. Maybe it's just too early, but I would like to see Jon given the chance. Move Wright up to #4 starter and Rausch #5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 Personally I feel if the Sox have to count on Rauch and Wright or Scho then this team is in deep crap. Luckily they are in a pathetic division so they could still end up getting away with it. The Sox are so lucky that they aren't in the East or West this year, cause they'd be finishing dead last. Of course they could also come out and pitch well. I liked what I saw from Scho in the one game I saw him pitch this spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munkey51 Posted March 18, 2004 Share Posted March 18, 2004 I dont know to much about our youngsters, but with all this talk of who can possibly take maggs spot, whats up with gload, all ive seen from him is good stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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