From Trib tonight...

 

Floyd moves to 3rd, Danks 5th

Edited March 13, 200818 yr by scenario

TUCSON, Ariz. - With less than three weeks before the March 31 season opener, the White Sox's rotation is on the verge of a major realignment.

 

Manager Ozzie Guillen said Wednesday Javier Vazquez would be the starter on Opening Day against Cleveland instead of Mark Buehrle, and Gavin Floyd would flop to the third spot in the rotation with John Danks if the season started Thursday.

 

Vazquez made a strong case for himself with five innings of one-hit ball while striking out seven in the Sox's 4-1 victory over Colorado. But Vazquez's performance is just one of several considerations for the changes.

 

Guillen said Floyd's effort has sold him on moving him up from the fifth spot, with left-hander Danks tentatively scheduled to slide to the fifth spot.

 

"Gavin Floyd has the stuff to be the No. 2 pitcher," Guillen said. "Hopefully not too far away he can be a No. 1. But he has good enough stuff to be one of those guys."

 

Floyd pitched four innings of three-hit ball despite flulike symptoms Tuesday against Texas.

 

The proposed realignment, which could be solidified as soon as Saturday, would mean left-hander Buehrle would slide to the second spot.

 

Buehrle's first exhibition start was skipped because of spring training stiffness. The Sox recently decided not to skip any of Buehrle's three remaining spring training starts after considering a plan to rest him and preserve his arm over the course of the regular season.

 

Guillen also wants to avoid having Danks and Buehrle pitch on consecutive days because they're left-handers with similar styles.

 

Jose Contreras would remain the No. 4 starter under any alignment, Guillen said.

 

Vazquez took the potential Opening Day assignment in stride.

 

"It's a great honor to pitch Opening Day," he said after Guillen revealed the recent plans.

 

"If they tell me Opening Day, that's a great honor. If they tell me the second game, that's great. Fifth game, that's great too. I just want to pitch."

 

Vazquez last pitched a season opener in 2005 for Arizona against the Cubs, getting tagged for seven runs on 10 hits in 12/3 innings. He also started season openers for Montreal in 2001-02.

 

Last year Vazquez led the Sox with 15 victories and 213 strikeouts in 2162/3 innings to go with a 3.74 ERA. Vazquez is 5-3 lifetime with a 3.84 ERA against Cleveland.

 

"Javy is going to give you the innings and the stuff you need," Guillen said.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cs-08...1,7121916.story

 

So:

 

JV, MB, GF, JC, and JD

Edited March 13, 200818 yr by RME JICO

No offense to Javy...but:

 

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

The only reason it would be acceptable to remove Buehrle from starting opening day would be if he was hurt. He doesn't sound hurt. This is a garbage move, from what I currently can see.

The only reason it would be acceptable to remove Buehrle from starting opening day would be if he was hurt. He doesn't sound hurt. This is a garbage move, from what I currently can see.

Yeah, was it because of Javy's strong outing? That would be silly since it is only March 12th.

Yeah, was it because of Javy's strong outing? That would be silly since it is only March 12th.

 

Well, I hope whatever reason there is for this does not have to do with Buehrle being hurt. I'd rather be pissed at Ozzie for possibly favoring Vazquez (just a random reason) than have to deal with an injured MB.

Buehrle should have the ball first. He did sign a contract below market value to stay with the team. If it was up to Ozzie, Buehrle wouldn't have started opening day in 04. This is BS.

Looks to me that the only reason is because they don't want 2 lefties going on back-to-back days. If Danks is the fifth starter they don't want Buehrle at #1. Whatever...I'm fine with it. #1 starter/#2 starter...it all evens itself out throughout the course of the season.

I like it.

 

But I would rather it be Javy/Mark/Jose/Gavin/John

at CLE: JV

at CLE: MB

at CLE: GF

 

at DET: JC

at DET: JD

at DET: JV

 

vs MIN: MB (Home Opener)

vs MIN: GF

vs MIN: JC

 

Buehrle starts the home opener and Danks moves to 5th in the rotation (something Ozzie wants) but will not pitch back to back with Buehrle.

This just means Buerhle will be the White Sox home opener starter...

Who knows. And all of this is pretty meaningless. Maybe the intent is to try to give Floyd all the confidence they possibly can that they feel he will succeed.

at CLE: JV

at CLE: MB

at CLE: GF

 

at DET: JC

at DET: JD

at DET: JV

 

vs MIN: MB (Home Opener)

vs MIN: GF

vs MIN: JC

 

Buehrle starts the home opener and Danks moves to 5th in the rotation (something Ozzie wants) but will not pitch back to back with Buehrle.

Also you won't have the matchup of Buerhle against Sabbathia. Sabbathia pwns Buehrle. Not that big of a deal to move him to 2.

Well, I hope whatever reason there is for this does not have to do with Buehrle being hurt. I'd rather be pissed at Ozzie for possibly favoring Vazquez (just a random reason) than have to deal with an injured MB.

 

The first thing that crossed my mind when reading this article was that Buehrle's more injured than they're telling us.

Regardless of order, this rotation worries me.

 

Mark was outplayed for the Game 1 start. I don't have a problem with it, it will also be good that he gets the home opener. Nice consolation prize and IMHO, it should be a bigger deal.

The first thing that crossed my mind when reading this article was that Buehrle's more injured than they're telling us.

 

It's only one day, but maybe.

Regardless of order, this rotation worries me.

 

Mark was outplayed for the Game 1 start.

Not sure how you came to that conclusion?

 

This isn't that big of a deal but imo Buehrle has earned the right to start opening day. Oh well.

Another consideration: Vazquez, if I recall correctly, has been real good against Cleveland lately and is a better match for them IMO as a power pitcher in a cold-weather climate, at the time.

But I sitll believe he should be starting.

Buehrle, that is.

Is Jon Garland's absence starting to scare any of you?

Vazquez the No. 1 starter? Danks and Floyd being trotted out there time and again?

Yikes.

I'm not predicting doom, just hoping for the best wondering why Garland isn't still around.

Is Jon Garland's absence starting to scare any of you?

Vazquez the No. 1 starter? Danks and Floyd being trotted out there time and again?

Yikes.

I'm not predicting doom, just hoping for the best wondering why Garland isn't still around.

 

He had one year left on his deal....it's not hard to understand.

He had one year left on his deal....it's not hard to understand.

Well so does Cabrera.

Not sure how you came to that conclusion?

 

This isn't that big of a deal but imo Buehrle has earned the right to start opening day. Oh well.

 

10-9 3.63

15-8 3.74

 

33% more wins, fewer loses. Too simple? I'm discounting spring training for this and would regardless of which way it would fall.

Well so does Cabrera.

 

And that's why it was a stupid deal....but it doesn't mean Garland shouldn't have been moved.

Is Jon Garland's absence starting to scare any of you?

Vazquez the No. 1 starter? Danks and Floyd being trotted out there time and again?

Yikes.

I'm not predicting doom, just hoping for the best wondering why Garland isn't still around.

Yes, I was a big fan of his. Liked his style

No. He's solid.

Yes, unproven, but cautiously optimistic

Shame that economics means so much. But we have to hope. It's spring.