A Bruce Levine radio report on ESPN Radio 1000 indicates that Jon Garland has re-signed with the White Sox for three years, $29MM. The contract is backloaded: $7MM in 2006, $10MM in 2007, and $12MM in 2008. The contract has a no-trade provision for 2006 only, so the Sox have flexibility if they don’t want to be on the hook for the final $22MM.
The deal is another excellent move by GM Kenny Williams. With any type of decent showing in 2006, Garland stood to command a five or six year deal averaging as much as $11MM annually. Perhaps the the 26 year-old simply wanted security and doesn’t expect to repeat his 2005.
The move would likely lead to a trade of Jose Contreras unless he settles for a similar contract. There has been some speculation that the Cardinals might be interested. Given that Kenny Williams is on good terms with Walt Jocketty and they speak about players regularly, it’s entirely feasible.
