While that may be the case, I always hold pitching in higher regard than position players. It's also my opinion that we had a much better shot of resigning JG than we do of resigning Orlando Cabrera.

 

Signing Garland wasn't in the cards. He would want market rate and the Sox won't go there for starting pitching. Resigning Cabrera won't happen either, but that's probably for the best -- offer arbitration and take the picks. I would rather have seen Garland dealt for prospects, but whatever.

 

As to their relative value to the Sox for 2008 it's Garland + Uribe vs. Floyd + Cabrera. I would guess that's a toss-up maybe, but lots of stats guys value position players over pitchers. Plus, the Sox -- for now -- have Gio to step in if Floyd fails.

Garland may be 5th in AL in QS's since 2005, but he has had more opportunities. You can argue there's something to be said about his reliability and maintaining the health to make all those starts. But he has never ranked higher than 6th in QS% since '05.

Maybe. But who knows? That's pure conjecture.

 

I did state that it was my opinion, so I'm well aware of it being pure conjecture.

 

 

Garland may be 5th in AL in QS's since 2005, but he has had more opportunities. You can argue there's something to be said about his reliability and maintaining the health to make all those starts. But he has never ranked higher than 6th in QS% since '05.

 

Health is a big part of what he brings -- his rate states maybe average, but his health and ability to deliver that rate for 200 innings every year is above average. And 6th or 7th for quality starts in the AL is still good. I don't think anyone is saying that he's great. Just that his performance has been better than his reputation.

Here's how the boys did using my daily ERA formula. Each start is evaluated one at a time, then totaled. It is meant to show which pitchers give his team the most chances to win his start over the course of a year. And the downside is it shows how many times he gives his team virtually no chance to win.

While that may be the case, I always hold pitching in higher regard than position players. It's also my opinion that we had a much better shot of resigning JG than we do of resigning Orlando Cabrera.

Every indication I've seen has been that JG wanted to move out west, and was unlikely to re-sign with the Sox. I think the team has a better shot at re-signing Cabrera, than Garland. Plus SS was a bigger need than SP for the team, and the team got some cash for the deal, and draft picks if Cabrera does indeed walk. It was a solid deal overall.

 

Yeah but nobody thought we could sign Buehrle either.

Garland might have re-upped with the Sox.