Post by Puma on Nov 28, 2006 20:13:33 GMT -5
mlb.com
The trade that sent right-hander Freddy Garcia to the Chicago White Sox midway through the 2004 season seemed like such a perfect marriage, one that would last a long time -- at least as long as Ozzie Guillen managed the team.
After all, Garcia and Guillen are from Venezuela, good friends and Garcia's wife is Guillen's niece.
Family always comes first, but in this case, business could be a close second.
With a plethora of quality starting pitchers on their 40-man roster, the Sox appear willing to trade the 30-year-old Garcia, who has one year remaining on the three-year contract he signed with the White Sox shortly after being acquired from the Seattle Mariners.
He has compiled a 40-21 regular season record for the White Sox, including the AL Central Division clincher in Detroit in 2005, and posted a 17-9 mark this past season. His overall MLB record is 116-71, but all that doesn't guarantee job security.
Citing baseball sources, the Los Angeles Times reported on Tuesday that the White Sox and Angels are discussing a trade that would send Garcia and third baseman Joe Crede to the Angels for versatile and fast Chone Figgins and 23-year-old starting pitcher Ervin Santana. According to the sources in the article, no trade is imminent and other players could be included in a deal as talks continue.
Figgins, who can play the outfield and third base, has long been one of Guillen's favorite opposing players. Also, White Sox general manager Ken Williams told the Chicago Tribune that he doesn't see a long-term contract extension on the horizon for Crede, who batted .283 with 30 home runs and 94 RBIs this past season.
Crede, who has two herniated discs in his lower back, is salary arbitration-eligible and could become a free agent at the end of the 2007 season.
As the Times story pointed out, Angels GM Bill Stoneman remains reluctant to trade a young pitcher. The 23-year-old Santana posted a 16-8 record and 4.28 ERA in his first full season, leading the team in victories. Crede elected to combat his disc dilemma in rehab instead of surgery.
Meanwhile, Kei Igawa is another pitcher in the spotlight on the Hot Stove circuit.
ESPN reported late Tuesday afternoon that the New York Yankees submitted the winning bid, believed to be for about $25 million, for the 27-year-old left-hander who was posted by the Hanshin Tigers.
An official announcement was expected later Tuesday night. That Yankees would have until midnight Dec. 28 to reach a contract agreement with Igawa, who went 14-9 last season with a 2.97 ERA, striking out 194 batters to tie for the Central League lead. He won strikeout titles outright in 2002 and 2004. Igawa's career mark is 86-60 with a 3.15 ERA.
The Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and the New York Mets are also believed to have submitted offers for the lefty.
I dont think Angel will get him personally.
The trade that sent right-hander Freddy Garcia to the Chicago White Sox midway through the 2004 season seemed like such a perfect marriage, one that would last a long time -- at least as long as Ozzie Guillen managed the team.
After all, Garcia and Guillen are from Venezuela, good friends and Garcia's wife is Guillen's niece.
Family always comes first, but in this case, business could be a close second.
With a plethora of quality starting pitchers on their 40-man roster, the Sox appear willing to trade the 30-year-old Garcia, who has one year remaining on the three-year contract he signed with the White Sox shortly after being acquired from the Seattle Mariners.
He has compiled a 40-21 regular season record for the White Sox, including the AL Central Division clincher in Detroit in 2005, and posted a 17-9 mark this past season. His overall MLB record is 116-71, but all that doesn't guarantee job security.
Citing baseball sources, the Los Angeles Times reported on Tuesday that the White Sox and Angels are discussing a trade that would send Garcia and third baseman Joe Crede to the Angels for versatile and fast Chone Figgins and 23-year-old starting pitcher Ervin Santana. According to the sources in the article, no trade is imminent and other players could be included in a deal as talks continue.
Figgins, who can play the outfield and third base, has long been one of Guillen's favorite opposing players. Also, White Sox general manager Ken Williams told the Chicago Tribune that he doesn't see a long-term contract extension on the horizon for Crede, who batted .283 with 30 home runs and 94 RBIs this past season.
Crede, who has two herniated discs in his lower back, is salary arbitration-eligible and could become a free agent at the end of the 2007 season.
As the Times story pointed out, Angels GM Bill Stoneman remains reluctant to trade a young pitcher. The 23-year-old Santana posted a 16-8 record and 4.28 ERA in his first full season, leading the team in victories. Crede elected to combat his disc dilemma in rehab instead of surgery.
Meanwhile, Kei Igawa is another pitcher in the spotlight on the Hot Stove circuit.
ESPN reported late Tuesday afternoon that the New York Yankees submitted the winning bid, believed to be for about $25 million, for the 27-year-old left-hander who was posted by the Hanshin Tigers.
An official announcement was expected later Tuesday night. That Yankees would have until midnight Dec. 28 to reach a contract agreement with Igawa, who went 14-9 last season with a 2.97 ERA, striking out 194 batters to tie for the Central League lead. He won strikeout titles outright in 2002 and 2004. Igawa's career mark is 86-60 with a 3.15 ERA.
The Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and the New York Mets are also believed to have submitted offers for the lefty.
I dont think Angel will get him personally.
