Which Pitcher should the White Sox Acquire?

[Chisoxfn]

I pick Schmidt in this, but my #1 choice is Ben Sheets.

[Chisoxfn]

Check that...if the Sox really wanted to chance it and are going to play for the now then just go for the Big Unit. I realize he makes a lot, but he's a mega name and could really put some people in the seats.

 

Plus he's pitching sick right now and I think he's signed for another year, maybe its two more. Who knows, if he can be a stud this year and help him to the series and be good next year and semi decent the following year then its all worth it.

 

Despite that I think Schmidt, Sheets, and someone else could be a little safe solutions that offer the same upside but wouldn't likely increase the attendance as much as the Unit could on days he pitched.

[beck72]

None of these guys are available now [except for maybe Livian, as his big contract is an albatross for any team to pick up]. What the Sox are looking at is a veteran at 5th starter, not a top of the rotation guy, to fill the hole until closer to the trading deadline.

 

They're found in one of two places:

1] the minor leagues, ala Rick Helling, James Baldwin

 

2] Veterans making more than the minimum on teams certainly out of contention, or who have lost their starting jobs because of poor play.

From the list, it's not too encouraging:

Darren Oliver, Col.; Steve Sparks, Ariz. Paul Abbott, Victor Zambrano, TB; Pat Hentgen, Tor.; Brian Anderson and Darrell May, KC.

 

The best of a bad lot--Sparks, Zambrano and Abbott.

 

BTW: Freddy Garcia is not an extreme flyball pitcher who would get lit up at USCF. And his home vs. away splits are fine. His career G/F ratio is 1.22 [better than Vazquez, C.C. Sabathia, Ted Lilly, Brad Radke and Jamie Moyer--all guys most everyone would want on the Sox. Garcia's H vs. A splits for his career are fine: 3.76 ERA at home, 4.07 era away.

 

The key question on Garcia is, Is he pitching like he did in 2001, when he posted a 3.05 ERA and won 18 games, or like he did in 2002 and 2003, when he had an ERA over 4.00? Looking at his numbers and performance so far, Garcia is pitching like he did in 2001. Give me the 2004 Garcia, who has proven to beat the top teams in the AL over a guy with 7+ era who might turn it around, or a guy from the NL who has never faced AL hitters before.

[DBAHO]

I pick Schmidt in this, but my #1 choice is Ben Sheets.

Would you giv up 3 top class prospects for Ben Sheets which is what Brwers GM Doug Melvin is askin? That would be the equivalent of Jeremy Reed, Brian Anderson and Ryan Sweeney. That's just way too much for Sheets, even though he's hittin 99 MPH with that fastball and havin a breakthru season, the Brewers aren't goin to be stupid and trade him even if they're not goin to win the NL Central, they've still gotta bring in the fans into Miller Park, and tradin their ace would send a bad message to em.

 

This is why I really think we should go afta Joel Pineiro instead. Sure he's not havin a good season, but his last few outings hav shown he's startin to break out of his funk a little. The M's want young position players badly, and if we offa a Reed or Borchard plus mayb a Schnurstein, we mite be able to steal Pineiro off em. He's the pitcher I really want us to go afta.

[DBAHO]

For those interested in Garcia, these are his contract demands;

 

Seattle has had talks with Garcia's agent, Peter Greenberg, in the past about a multi-year deal, but the two sides were reportedly far apart, with the Mariner possibly thinking about three years for about $25 million and Greenberg possibly seeking four years for about $40 million.

[Yoda]

I voted for Freddy Garcia.

 

3(W) 3(L)

 

Ranks 10th in AL in SO

Ranks 5th in AL in ERA (3.01)

 

Seattle isn’t going anywhere the way they are doing (18-31) so they should just give Garcia to a team where he can really shine. I don’t know, but I have a feeling he can do all right with the White Sox. Chicago's in 1st place (two games ahead) and we could have had a better record since our 5th starters have been 0-7. We could have been at least 30-18 right now, though I am happy the way we are doing.

 

I’m just tired of seeing guys called up from Triple AAA. They never seem to do well. I always wish those youngsters the best, but they end up giving at least 4 runs in one inning. After that it’s all up to the bullpen.