Are the White Sox getting ready to trade even more pitching? That appears to be the reason Florida Marlins vice-president of player personnel Gary Hughes has begun following them.
Hughes watched both Chuck McElroy and Tony Castillo work in Wednesday night’s 3-2 loss in Oakland. He plans to spend the weekend at the Kingdome, watching the Sox-Mariners series.
Florida, which is leading the wild-card race in the National League, is looking to make a fine-tuning or two before the Aug. 31 deadline to free postseason rosters. The Marlins were unsuccessful in dealing for a left-handed reliever before the deadline for waiver-free trades.
They talked to the Cubs about Bob Patterson and to Toronto about Dan Plesac but weren’t willing to give up the top prospects those teams wanted. Now they are limited to pursuing only players who clear waivers. Sox General Manager Ron Schueler says he plans to ask for waivers on many players.
McElroy, acquired from Anaheim in the Tony Phillips trade, has heard rumors for weeks about teams interested in acquiring him. He threw four hitless innings Saturday in Anaheim and has allowed only 10 hits and two earned runs over his last 20 innings. He’s holding left-handed batters to a .196 average.
Castillo started the year badly but has compiled a 3.20 ERA in 27 appearances since a stint on the disabled list with a strained groin muscle. He has allowed only four earned runs over his last 15 innings.
Hughes won’t limit his consideration to the White Sox. The Mariners are believed to have made left-hander Norm Charlton and right-hander Bobby Ayala available after adding Heathcliff Slocumb, Mike Timlin and Paul Spoljaric last week.
Martin not ready: The Sox had hoped infielder Norberto Martin would be available for back-to-back games against Seattle lefties Jeff Fassero and Randy Johnson, but Martin remained on the disabled list Thursday.
“He’s getting closer, but I don’t know when he’ll be ready.”
Martin has been out since July 21 with a strained left hamstring. His absence prompted manager Terry Bevington to give Chris Snopek a start at shortstop Thursday. Bevington said he probably will play the left-handed-hitting Ozzie Guillen against Johnson Friday night, which could mean a night off for third baseman Robin Ventura.
Ventura was the only left-handed hitter in Bevington’s lineup against Fassero.
Against all odds: Oddsmakers rated the Mariners’ edge over the Sox Thursday night as the biggest in the major leagues. That will be true again Friday, when the Sox start rookie right-hander Chris Clemons against Johnson.
“I can’t match pitch for pitch with Randy Johnson,” said Clemons, who lasted only 2 2/3 innings Saturday against Anaheim. “Anybody with any common sense would understand that. You have to throw your pitches, stay in the game. My job is to keep us within a hit of tying the game or going ahead.”
Clemons won’t lack for adrenaline.
“Any time he’s out there, there’s not just the possibility of a shutout but a no-hitter,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if he’s facing the All-Star team or an A-ball team.”
