With the addition of Francisco Liriano, Robin Ventura and Don Cooper have plenty of options in handling the rotation down the stretch.
For now they have decided to go with a six man rotation to give Chris Sale and Jose Quintana a much needed break. When Sale pitches against the Kansas City Royals next week he will have had ten days off. It was apparent in his last start in Texas, the velocity just wasn’t there for the first year starter. Despite giving up four runs in the first frame, Sale battled his way into the seventh and surrendered only one more tally.
As Sale enters uncharted waters, White Sox brass will do everything they can to protect their Ace without having to shut him down. Unlike the Washington Nationals, the Sox do not have an innings cap for their young stud. Stephen Strasburg is over 120 innings and the team is holding firm to the idea of shutting him down after 160 innings despite having a 2.5 game lead. Instead they will use the newly acquired Liriano and Philip Humber to give him extra rest when needed.
Quintana has struggled as of late, giving up eight or more hits in three of his last four outings. He may be in need of a mental break just as much as a physical rest. The rookie left hander has been a pleasant surprise so far this year filling in for a couple of injuries. Quintana will pitch against the Royals along with Sale next week.
Despite the news John Danks would be done for the season, the Sox have enough down the stretch provided Sale can stay healthy.
Tigers vs Sox Deadline Deals
A lot was made of the Tigers trading for Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante 10 days ago, but as the deadline passed, that was the only move they made. Detroit had another glaring need in finding another bat to follow Cabrera and Fielder, but they did not get a deal done. The rumor mill had them in on Alfonso Soriano, but nothing developed. There is still time in August as players pass through waivers, but for now the Tigers only addressed one big need in getting another arm.
When I saw the Tigers had included Jacob Turner in the trade, I was conflicted. For 2012, Sanchez is a slight upgrade, but he is a free agent at year’s end and Turner is their best prospect. Sox fans should all be happy to see a half season of Sanchez over the next seven years of Turner. I just don’t think a number three starter at best is worth the price they gave up, but their owner is hell bent on winning a title before he goes.
The White Sox on the other hand filled three needs in trades this year. Of course it started a month ago when they added Kevin Youkilis. The deal has already paid huge dividends and it cost them a utility man who has already been dropped and a minor league starter who had fallen out of favor in Chicago. Next Kenny Williams added righty set up man, Brett Myers and again gave up nothing of consequence.
In typical Williams fashion, he swooped in like a ninja in the night picking up Liriano out of nowhere. The former Twin was electric in his Sox debut against his former squad and again it cost the Sox almost nothing. Euardo Escobar is a utility infielder and Pedro Hernandez ceiling seems to be at the back of the rotation. The Sox could use another utility man now, but that can easily be obtained through the waiver wire in August.
A team lacking impact players in their minor league system gave up nothing of impact in three separate deals. It was typical KW creativity and it was enough to make the Sox the favorites over the Tigers in the final two months.
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