Sox need a reliever, not Burnett

July 25, 2005

 

BY CHRIS DE LUCA STAFF REPORTER Advertisement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The way White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has been pounding general manager Ken Williams with the same message since Day One, there's no chance they have their signals crossed.

 

 

 

''I've always told Kenny, even last year, 'Just get me pitching,''' Guillen said Sunday.

 

When dealing with Williams this time of year, you have to believe help is on the way. And now that chairman Jerry Reinsdorf has given Williams the green light to do whatever is necessary to reach the World Series -- whether it's two un-Sox-like moves such as spending more money or dealing prospects for rental players -- expect the aggressive GM to get something done this week.

 

The A.J. Burnett derby took an interesting turn this weekend when the Baltimore Orioles indicated they were out of the sweepstakes -- though they sent the same message just before dealing for Sammy Sosa in February. If the O's are out, the Sox seem the safest bet to land the Florida Marlins right-hander who is considered the biggest prize on the market before Sunday's trade deadline.

 

There's no doubt the Sox need pitching help, but getting another starter should be their second priority.

 

A bullpen that has been the backbone of the Sox' sizzling season is getting stretched to dangerously thin levels -- by Guillen's own estimates. Closer Dustin Hermanson has kept an oversized ice pack on his back as a daily companion since April, raising concerns that his expiration date for 2005 might come before October.

 

Adding Burnett for the final two months of the season -- in exchange for prized rookie right-hander Brandon McCarthy -- might sound like a sexy deal, but it's probably not going to fill the Sox' biggest need if reaching the World Series is Reinsdorf's mandate.

 

Finding a seasoned closer -- whether it's the Philadelphia Phillies' Billy Wagner or the Seattle Mariners' Eddie Guardado -- would give Guillen the pitcher he really needs, whether it's to augment Hermanson or replace him.

 

If we can all agree the Sox are locks to make the postseason -- and the slipping Minnesota Twins keep driving home that point every day -- then an extra starter does little more than pad the White Sox' comfortable lead.

 

Certainly, Burnett is an upgrade over Jose Contreras, whose inconsistency has tested the Sox' patience to the point he would be the easy choice pushed overboard if a starter were acquired.

 

But in the postseason, whom does Burnett push out of the rotation?

 

All-Stars Mark Buehrle or Jon Garland? No way.

 

Guillen's close friend Freddy Garcia? Doubtful.

 

Orlando Hernandez, the pitcher acquired mainly for his 10-3 record in 17 postseason outings? That would waste Williams' brilliant planning.

 

But if Hermanson is ailing come October, leaving the closing chores to left-hander Damaso Marte or right-hander Cliff Politte seems a giant risk to take when facing the slugging teams awaiting the Sox in the postseason.

 

The Sox remain interested in Wagner, whose $9 million salary no longer scares them thanks to Reinsdorf's green light. Wagner could be a chemistry problem, considering he called out his teammates in June, saying the Phillies had ''no chance'' to make the postseason. But the biggest obstacle to a trade is the fact the Phillies are suddenly back in the National League East race after completing a three-game sweep of the San Diego Padres on Sunday to move five games over .500.

 

As for Guardado, the Mariners say he isn't available, but it's widely expected that Seattle will listen to offers that include prized prospects such as McCarthy. Williams worked magic with the M's last summer, getting Garcia -- for youngsters Miguel Olivo, Jeremy Reed and Mike Morse -- well before the deadline. So expect Williams to keep M's general manager Bill Bavasi on his speed dial.

 

Meanwhile, Burnett remains the name atop the Sox' wish list.

 

''He's one of the best arms I've ever seen,'' Guillen said of Burnett. ''When I see his name in the media [in trade rumors associated with the Sox], I feel good about it.

 

''Whoever gets him has a good chance to be in the playoffs.''

 

The Sox already have a good chance to be in the playoffs.

 

Now they need someone who will help take them to the World Series.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/output/deluca/cst-spt-deluca251.html

Very good article. I agree, they don't need Burnett. Especially if it means giving up Marte.

Yeah it does seem odd that the Sox would want him after reading that... but hey, ya never know, maybe they make Burnett their closer opposed to making him a starter. He'd be a great closer in this league... but moving contreras would be there best move...