Tribune speculates on Garland's future

[SSH2005]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...tesox-headlines

The acquisition of Javier Vazquez from the Diamondbacks gives the White Sox leverage in contract discussions with Jose Contreras and Jon Garland that could lead to a trade to stabilize the team's future with top pitching prospects.

 

Landing Vazquez and about $5 million in exchange for pitcher Orlando Hernandez, reliever Luis Vizcaino and outfield prospect Chris Young—subject to approval from the commissioner's office—shifts the focus to Contreras and Garland.

 

Each pitcher is eligible for free agency after this season and indications are Garland intends to test the market.

 

Both sides couldn't agree last month on a multiyear deal. Garland, 26, is eligible for arbitration and could see his salary leap from $3.4 million in 2005 to nearly $8 million in 2006.

 

Contreras, whose listed age is 34, is in the final season of four-year, $32 million deal he signed with the Yankees. The Sox have until Nov. 15 to re-sign him or lose their negotiating rights under terms of the contract.

 

Based on encouraging discussions the Sox have had with Contreras and his agent, an extension appears more realistic than a multiyear deal with Garland.

 

The Sox hope to secure their rotation for several years, based on the escalating free-agent market for pitchers.

 

That could mean dealing Garland or Contreras for a pitching prospect. Any savings in a deal could be applied toward acquiring a player at midseason.

 

The Sox, however, could elect to retain all six starters (including Mark Buehrle, Freddy Garcia and Brandon McCarthy) heading into spring training. Clouding the situation is that Vazquez (Puerto Rico), Buehrle (United States) and Garcia (Venezuela) are scheduled to pitch for their countries in the World Baseball Classic and will miss at least some of spring training.

 

Garland and Contreras represent delicate issues for the Sox,. who nearly traded Garland to the Angels after the 2001 season in a deal involving Darin Erstad that the Angels eventually rejected.

 

The Sox stuck with Garland, who had three consecutive 12-victory seasons with an ERA above 4.50 before his breakout 18 victories in 2005 that included his first All-Star selection and a complete-game victory in the American League Championship Series.

 

Contreras didn't pay off for the Sox until the second half, when he posted an 11-2 record and became the staff ace throughout the postseason.

 

Before that, Contreras failed to give the Yankees instant results and was dealt to the Sox in a July 2004 deadline deal for Esteban Loaiza.

 

The Sox gave Contreras a support staff that included Spanish-speaking manager Ozzie Guillen and then Hernandez, a fellow Cuban who advised Contreras to change his arm angle to a three-quarters slot that helped produce remarkable results.

 

The addition of Vazquez gives the Sox 15 players under contract at about $74.5 million for 2006. That doesn't include arbitration-eligible players A.J. Pierzynski, Joe Crede and Garland.

 

Even if the Sox were to trade Garland, it would leave them with little room to maneuver for a trade for Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada.

 

Despite the daring moves Ken Williams has made in his five seasons as the Sox's general manager, landing Tejada would financially strap the team's future despite receiving about $27 million as part of deals with other teams.

 

Tejada is owed $48 million in salary over the next four seasons, and the Sox already have first baseman Paul Konerko (five years, $60 million) and Jim Thome (three years, $24 million) under contract to large deals.

 

They also will have Vazquez under contract for $24 million over the next two seasons, Garcia (two years, $19 million) and Buehrle ($8 million in 2006, plus a $9.5 million club option for 2007).

 

The Sox anticipate a more productive future from shortstop Juan Uribe, who is signed through 2007 ($7.3 million total) with an option for 2008.

 

Uribe batted .292 in the final month of 2005 and hit seven of his 16 homers during that span. He also played very good defense in the postseason.

 

The Sox have committed firmly to 2003 first-round pick Brian Anderson in center field, and they might opt for a minor-leaguer instead of a veteran free agent to fill the middle-relief role Vizcaino held.

 

Jeff Bajenaru, who posted a 1.41 ERA in 61 games for Triple-A Charlotte, could have the inside track.

 

But the Sox are encouraged Sean Tracey has warmed to the idea of pitching in relief after watching the ascent and success of Bobby Jenks from Double-A Birmingham.

 

Tracey, 25, was 14-6 in 28 starts for the Barons but could be better suited as a reliever because he doesn't have a wide repertoire of pitches.

He thinks Garland could be traded for pitching prospects. And the great Baj or Sean Tracey could replace Viz.

Edited December 15, 2005 by SSH2005

[whitesoxfan101]

Baj and Tracey eh?? Interesting....

[SSH2005]

Baj and Tracey eh?? Interesting....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is actually one of the reasons why I think the Vazquez trade was good. We gave up an old, ineffective, and overpaid starter in El Duque and a mediocre reliever in Vizcaino. Don't be surprised if one of these young guys puts up an ERA and WHIP similar to or better than Vizcaino. That's not bad as the last man out of your bullpen. The only player of value that we gave up is Young.

Edited December 15, 2005 by SSH2005

[Punch and Judy Garland]

This is actually one of the reasons why I think the Vazquez trade was good.  We gave up an old, ineffective, and overpaid starter in El Duque and a mediocre reliever in Vizcaino.  Don't be surprised if one of these young guys puts up an ERA and WHIP similar to or better than Vizcaino.  That's not bad as the last man out of your bullpen.  The only player of value that we gave up is Young.

 

Yeah I should hope that Baj could be better than a 1.4-1.5 whip. Viz backers mention his era but he was not remotely good last year.