March 27, 200422 yr Ginter Dealt to Mets By Alex Ernst March 27, 2004 FutureSox.com In a move to acquire some bench help, while at the same time grabbing a left-handed bat, the White Sox dealt relief pitcher Matt Ginter to the New York Mets organization in exchange for utility outfielder Timo Perez. Ginter was the first round pick of the Sox and the 22nd pick overall in the 1999 amateur draft. He's spent parts of the last four seasons shuttling back and forth between Birmingham and Chicago and Charlotte and Chicago. In 123 minor league appearances he went 22-18 with a 2.74 ERA. He also has garnered 15 saves in his minor league career, 14 last year with the Knights. In 63 major league games Ginter has went 3-0 with a 5.91 ERA. He was in the heat of the fight with Jon Adkins, Neal Cotts, Jason Grilli and Mike Jackson for the last spots on the roster. Perez started his career playing for Hiroshima in Japan before coming over to play with the Mets in 2000. He has hit .317 in the minor leagues with 18 home runs and 110 RBI over 315 games. He is a career .276 hitter in the majors with the Mets with 18 homers and 114 RBI over 372 games. He is close to a lock on the White Sox bench. This puts pressure on both Kelly Dransfeldt and Jamie Burke for the final bench spot. Dransfeldt has been hitting well in Cactus League Action, but Burke has ability to play first base, third base or catcher. Both have major league experience but Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has expressed that he would like to have three catchers on the roster, and with the versatility of Burke being able to play both catcher and the corner infield positions, he seemingly has the upper hand in the last week of Cactus League action.
March 27, 200422 yr It will be interesting to see if we still go with 12 pitchers, in which case Burke would probably lose his chance to be on the roster. I would love to see him on it, but 12 pitchers seems beneficial as well. We should find out real soon.
March 28, 200422 yr Stinks for BUrke, but he's going to get his shot. We know Alomar Jr. will get hurt at one point. I also think with the pen looking a little weak that the Sox will carry 12 pitchers.
March 28, 200422 yr It's not like we can't readjust if we decide we don't need to carry 12 pitchers, or if we decide that Burke fills a need we desperately need to fill. You're right, I'm sure we'll see him during the season at some point.
March 28, 200422 yr If we carry 12 pitchers in the beginning of the season, it will only be temporary.
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