The most puzzling thing to me is this: why did they resign Uribe to a $4.5 million contract twelve days before this happened? Kenny said getting to Angels to give cash along with taking on Garland’s entire $12 million salary (and swapping it with O-dog $9 mil), was one of the key components to the deal, citing they’re still going after more ‘big fish’. But during a time when the Sox are pinching pennies, why waste $5 mil on Uribe? Now he’s nothing more then a utility man and it seems someone could do that job for far less. Williams must have known that this was the best offer for Garland, since he has been shopping him forever, so the Uribe deal is curious to say the least.
As for Cabrera: He’ll be a noticeable upgrade over Uribe next season, that’s for sure. I feel like outsiders don’t realize how truly bad Uribe has been the last two seasons, hitting .235/.257 in 2006 and .234/.284 last season. I wrote that he was the worst starter in the American League over that time and I still think it’s true. People always talk about how great he is defensively, but doesn’t matter with an on-base percentage that horrible. Cabrera will be an immense upgrade immediately. The last two seasons have been two of the best of his career hitting .301/.345 last season, adding 20 steals and only striking out 64 times (as opposed to 112 be Juan). Cabrera is pretty good- he’ll be the Sox #2 hitter next year and difference in the offense will be noticeable right away. Here’s the problem: he has only one year remaining on his contract. Will the Sox keep him? I have no idea, but they let him go and he turns into a Type A free agent in the offseason, the Sox get some nice draft pick compensation for him.
As for Garland: He was one of the truly underrated pitchers the last five years, winning 18 games in 05 and 06. He wasn’t great last season, but he’s still in his prime (age wise), he’s durable and dependable, good for 200 innings per season. As the guys from 05’ start to leave, I can’t help but think of what they did to help the Sox win the World Series. Garland’s Cy-Young worthy regular season comes to mind, as does his complete game against the Angels in the ALCS, where is coming off something like 15 days rest. It’ll be impossible not to cheer for any of those guys as when they’re on new teams, and I certainly wish the best for Jon.
Other lingering thoughts about the trade….
-The package Garland would have brought last year in a deal with the Astros, who then gave the same deal to Colorado for Jason Jennings, of Jason Hirsh, Taylor Buchholz, and Wily Taveraz would have obviously been a lot better. It’s a shame the Sox couldn’t pry away any young prospects for Garland.
- Who steps into Garland’s spot in the rotation? Lance Broadway certainly made a case when he was called up last season, and Gio Gonzalez had a great year in the minors. Look for the replacement to be in-house instead of a free agent signing like Carlos Silva or Kyle Loshe.
- According to Joe Cowley, the Torii Hunter signing is immanent. Much more on that in the podcast, if we ever get around to it.
If you have any Sox questions for the next podcast, put them in the comments section.
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Comments
They had to give Uribe the money cuz he threatened to shoot them in the face.
As for Orlando Cabrerra, he was one of my top fantasy players last year. And my team was good. (For all of those who will say that pete's team was NOT good). He will play well with Chicago.
It will be sad though to see one of my favorite pitchers on the White Sox go. I have loved him since, I want to say, 2000 when he first started, maybe 2001, I forget.
Also, Uribe sucks, but i am pretty sure that if Danny Richar starts the way he played in every game last year at 2nd base, Uribe could be a decent 2nd base replacement. I know there are alot of Richar "lovers" out there but I dont believe he'll be worth dick. Maybe on defense but his offensive numbers will blow.
Finally I think the sox made a huge mistake in signing Scott Linebrink. Who the hell is he and why the hell is he worth $19 Mil. I know our bullpen was weak as shit, but this guy hasn't proven much, has he? Please explain to me if you think differently.
You could check out the convo on the Torii Hunter post Peter, but i like Linebrink. They had to get someone and he's posted a sub 4 ERA the last three years, and he should do it again this year.
I wouldn't bank on a sub-4 ERA from Linebrink. He was horrible when he went to Mil. and he pitched in the best pitcher's park in the worst hitting division for the two and a half years before that.
He's probably better than the rest of the stiffs in the ChiSox pen (besides Jenks), but he's not good, nor was he worth $19M.
You should've traded for Farnsworth :)
Love the podcast. Question: can you give us an idea of what's going on in kennys mind and what his master plan is.