The White Sox come home after getting swept in Toronto, and I’m thinking, can’t imagine what that will do for the Sox’s terminal case of ADD: attendance deficit disorder.
You know how the White Sox have spent the last decade talking about all the good, young pitching coming through the system, blah, blah, blah, arms, arms, arms? By my count, Mark Buehrle is about the extent of impact pitchers still here and has won just more than 50 games. And by my count, Roger Clemens has won more than 100 games and two Cy Youngs since ex-Sox GM Ron Schueler said he believed the then-free agent was done.
Then again, it’s not all Schueler’s fault, just like it won’t be all Ken Williams’ fault. It’s the guy in charge who might or might not know that pitching wins, but either way, isn’t willing to pay what you have to pay for it.
Thing is, Sox pitching apparently is well-regard-ed in other places. If so, then deal some of it for Tom Glavine.
Another thought: Free-agent-to-be Carlos Beltran. Look, if the Royals don’t get any better, he’s going somewhere, believe me, maybe even to a division rival. Yeah, he’s a center fielder, not a pitcher, but that could let Williams deal Magglio Ordonez for some arms.
Or maybe the Sox can retrieve Kip Wells from a bad Pittsburgh team.
You watch, Eddie Guardado will be available from a disappointing Mariners team, and the thing with him is, make that deal before Billy Koch does any worse and every-body holds Williams hostage, if they aren’t already.
What I’m doing here is lobbying for a preemptive strike for a good team that is talking about using a minor-league starter against the evil Twins.
And don’t think any of this is out of line, what with Williams’ guts, creativity and impatience.
A big deal now tells players and fans they’re serious, and we can debate which message is more important.
New Raider Warren Sapp, on appreciating football: “We’re just six seconds from me at the Steak & Shake, flipping burgers.”
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Read Steve Rosenbloom Wednesdays and Sundays in the Tribune.
