Completely out of the blue, I'd figure I'd bring this up. If Billy continues to pitch this well and rack up a good amount of saves, I say we deal him. Sure, he may be getting back to near his original form (sans velocity of course) but to dump his albatross contract to a team desperate for a decent closer I think would be amazing.

 

This is all under the assumption that Billy keeps it up, but package him with someone like valentin or lee to pull in a quality starter maybe? Therefore, we don't sacrifice our farm system for the stretch run and we shore up the rotation while dumping salary.

 

Here's hoping Koch keeps pitching lights out.

If Koch pitches lights out, I don't think he'll go anywhere. However, I don't think their is much of a chance that he'll be back in Chicago next year, but if he's pitching lights out the Sox can't afford to deal Koch and if they can, odds are it means the Sox are out of the race.

 

He pitched good today, although the Jays hitters did a nice job fighting pitch after pitch off. I was impressed, good command of his pitches and he did a nice job mixing them up as well.

I see your point about keeping him if he's pitching well, it just makes our bullpen that much better. But if we're going to let go of him either way, why not get something for him when his value is somewhat near what it used to be?

 

I think the sox could get by without him in the pen, and he could bring a good player or two to us in return instead of just letting him walk at the end of the year. Also, if we package him with someone else we will have a good amount of flexibility come FA signings.

The thing is if he is pitching really good, then the Sox will want him here because a strong pen could really help the Sox if they were playing really good down the stretch.

 

I also don't like the idea of moving a guy if he's pitching well for the future when the team isn't playing for the future. It sends the wrong message.

Dealing a guy whose playing well with a shaky recent history will get you something similar. Why take the chance? We have precious few runs left with Frank, and possible Maggs. let's play this hand out.

Maybe I'm assuming too much down the road, but that was the extent of posting this (I like speculation). But say that politte, marte, shingo, cotts, and to a certain extent adkins are solid. Would Koch be somewhat expendable? Sure, especially if you get good value in return.

 

Maybe it's because I'm anxious at the prospect of Koch possibly having trade value, but I think this kind of move would be neccessary for a mid-market team. Trading a guy that gets paid a good amount before you let him go for nothing are the types of moves that keep teams like the A's in contention every year.

 

I do agree with you on the fact that moving him might look bad in a sense, but in all honesty it's hard to say that this year is THE year. The future needs to be on a team's mind at all times in my mind, maybe sacrificing it a bit if you're REALLY close, but I don't see the White Sox as a team that is REALLY close and that's why I see this as a possible great move.