Things were finally looking up for the White Sox after a terrible start to 2010. Since June 9, the club is an astonishing 24-5, and their ace, Jake Peavy, seemed to have rebounded to his usual Cy Young caliber form. He'd allowed just seven runs over his last 36 innings of work (1.75 ERA) while striking out 29 prior to a start last week that ended his season with a detached latissimus dorsi muscle.
According to this tweet from SI.com's Jon Heyman, the White Sox made a big play to replace their injured ace last week, when Sox GM Kenny Williams tried to swing a deal for Cliff Lee before his trade to Texas. The White Sox, however, were unwilling to part with Gordon Beckham, in spite of his terrible sophomore slump (.564 OPS). Now, Heyman says, the White Sox continue to look around.
Williams is typically one of the more active, aggressive general managers in baseball, so it's unlikely that missing out on Lee will spell the end of his trade thoughts. It's been known for months that Roy Oswalt will accept a trade, though there have been reports that the Houston ace would veto a deal sending him to Chicago. Keep in mind that these things can change, though. Peavy himself vetoed a deal to the White Sox last year before eventually accepting a trade in July. We've heard about Dan Haren's availability as well, though Arizona would need to be "blown away" to trade him.
There's plenty of other non-ace starters who could also be moved. Bronson Arroyo has pitched well lately and the Reds have a great deal of pitching depth, while names like Jeremy Guthrie and Ben Sheets figure to be available as well.
The White Sox do have some help available in Daniel Hudson, who was recently recalled from the minors and is starting today. Hudson was ranked by Baseball America as the game's 66th best prospect, and third-best in the White Sox system. The 2008 fifth-rounder appeared in six games for the Sox last year, totaling 18.2 innings and a 3.38 ERA, though he struggled with his control at the big league level. In 2010, Hudson owns a 3.47 ERA through 17 minor league starts, with a strong 10.4 K/9 to just 3.0 BB/9.
It's a known fact that the White Sox are very interested in Adam Dunn's big bat as well, so Williams may focus his energy on that department. One thing remains certain — with the White Sox surging to just a half-game out of first in the AL Central, Williams will be on the phone and inquiring on just about everyone under the sun as the deadline nears.
I think we need Adam Dunn more than we need another pitcher.
I know Hudson has been rocked today, but just let him have it, we have four other good starts Let Hudson develop.
If you were the sox would you swap an injured jake peavy for carlos zambrano to keep your hopes alive for THIS year?
No way that ever happens.
I think the last thing the Sox need is a head case like Zambrano messing with the chemistry of the club. There must be better options.
If the Cubs are willing to eat 90% of his salary, I (were I Kenny Williams) would consider this, due to his relationship with Ozzie.
I could see it if we eat a lot of salary. Peavy’s been hurt the last three seasons. Also has had elbow problems in the past. His injury this year could be linked to his mechanics due to is relative uniqueness and it affecting a shoulder/back muscle. His mechanics have always been questionable, so I’m not surprised.
As far as Zambrano, I wouldn’t touch him with a 10 foot pole. However, he is Ozzie’s buddy, maybe he can tame him.
If you dont want to win your division, get Dunn. He isn’t a winner. Plain and simple.
Damn, so THAT’s why the Nats didn’t win the WS last year…
Did it help the Reds? Did it help your team? (Im assuming you are a DBacks fan)
Just because he hasn’t been on winning team doesn’t mean he’ll turn other teams into bad ones. Adam Dunn does not make teams worse.
That’s like saying Billy Butler is the reason why the Royals are bad.
Look, whatever Dunn provides will be above and beyond the pitiful Kotsay/Jones tandem at DH.
And you know nothing about baseball. Plain and simple
I think, and this is the only time I’ll say it. If the Sox can blow away the Diamondbacks then do it.
They don’t need an ace 5th starter, I guess they didn’t learn by trading for Peavy. They need another hitter instead. Kenny is crazy though so who knows what he will do.
Hudson is going to get atleast 3 more starts before the trade deadline. I dont expect him to perform like an ace, but any more crapfests like today will force KW’s hand to get another starter, as much as he and everyone else would like to get a bat.
What would you guys give up for Marcum?
would Jordan Danks, Brent Morel, and Carlos Torres work for you?
I like Brent Morel but you need to offer up something better than Danks or Torres.
Morel + Mitchell + Viciedo? We need some major depth at 3B.
For Marcum? Not a chance. Why would any team give up any of its top prospects for a guy who has never proven to be a winner?
Mitchell isn’t going anywhere, sorry to disappoint you.
I’d be willing to bet Mitchell wouldn’t go for Marcum straight up. That kid can play ball, he’s definitely more valuable than Marcum at this point.
Two words. Kenshin Kawakami.
Why in the world would they want Kawakami when he can barely handle the NL?
I just want someone to want Kawakami. Anyone. Please? He only has like, $10 million left on his contract!
well the way you gotta think about it isn’t about needing an ace 5th starter, its about matching up with the Yankees or other playoff teams starters. I wouldn’t bank on Freddie not breaking down by the end of the year, so we might be forced to get someone who can match up for the playoffs if we make it.
I have to agree with you. I personally think now that we need 5th or better starter more than we need a hitter at this point. Viciedo is not a left hander but he has been pretty impressive thus far. Both Jones and Kotsay have also picked up the bat a little bit lately as well. If they struggle there are other options that would not cost you an arm and a leg like it appears Dunn would. I would love to have either Oswalt or Haren added to the rotation with Oswalt being the more likely if he would allow it.
Would the White Sox have any interest in Erik Bedard, Russell Branyan and/or Jose Lopez?
Why does this site keep saying that Guthrie is available? No one on the Os have said anything remotely of the sort. The Os aren’t in a position to be dealing away starting pitching. You can argue Guthrie’s value up or down but you have to say that he contributes solid innings. If a contender is willing to deal value that offsets the loss of those innings for Guthrie, then go for it, but I just don’t think other teams view Guthrie in that way. It’s much more likely they see him as a second tier trade option that they think they can get for nothing, which ain’t happening.
i really thought gordon beckham was gonna be the next david wright, but i guess i was wrong.