ORLANDO -- The White Sox traded 17-game winner Freddy Garcia late Wednesday night to Philadelphia for a deal involving 23-year-old pitching prospect Gavin Floyd and minor-league pitcher Gio Gonzalez, a White Sox "sandwich" draft pick in 2004.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported center fielder Aaron Rowand, whom the Sox supposedly wanted to re-acquire, wasn't included in the deal.

Floyd, 23, is regarded as one of the Phillies' top pitching prospects. He was 4-3 with a 7.29 ERA in 11 starts for the Phillies and 7-4 with a 4.23 ERA in 17 starts at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He was the fourth overall selection in the 2001 draft.

The deal clears nearly all of Garcia's $10 million salary for 2007, as Floyd will make barely over the $380,000 minimum next season. The Sox now have 14 players signed at about $94 million, excluding the $10 million they will receive for this 2007 in deals they made last winter for pitcher Javier Vazquez and designated hitter Jim Thome.

Before the deal was finalized, Sox general manager Ken Williams intimated he might have to make a deal soon because of the rapidly changing free agent market that included the free agent signings of pitchers Jason Schmidt and Ted Lilly.

Floyd, who is 7-5 lifetime in the majors over parts of two seasons, has been hampered by bouts of wildness, but the Sox apparently believe they can harness that under the supervision of pitching coach Don Cooper. The Sox remedied the control problem of left-handed reliever Matt Thornton after acquiring him in a deal from Seattle last March.

Garcia has pitched 200 innings or more in each of the past six years and has developed a reputation as a big-game pitcher. He also was sought by Houston.

"As much as you try and have an idea of the direction or the landscape, the landscape changes from hour-to-hour," Williams said.

My thoughts:

- I'm rather shocked that the White Sox didn't get Aaron Rowand back in this deal, not because I necessarily wanted him back (I don't think it would hurt given our CF issues), but because he is expendable in Philly, and I believe due to make about $3 or $4 million next season...I'm guessing, that if his name did come up, the White Sox didn't want the $$$.

- We do save about $10 million in salaries for this upcoming season. Do we use it on a free agent (unlikely, i believe), or use it to lock up Dye/Buerhle long-term ?

- Gavin Floyd ? he got kicked around in 11 starts for the Phillies, and supposedly is wild. Couldn't Kenny have done better for Garcia ? Does he even make the roster or is going back to the minors ?

- I suppose with McCarthy now in the rotation, we will be fine in the rotation, and not any worse than last season, but I don't like trading away a proven veteran with playoff/late season experience like Garcia for prospects.

I guess in summary, I am surprised Kenny didn't get more out of this deal.

This is what superkenny was waiting for? A minor league pitcher with a 7.00 ERA. Looks like Reinsdorf has ruined another franchise besides the Bulls. Don't be surprised if you see a sign and trade deal involving Scottie Pippen, I mean J.Crede. The whiteflag is up and the season hasn't even started yet. How many players from the championship team will be here next year? I am guessing this is just the beginning of them moving salary.

How sad

I love sweaty freddy and his nasty curve ball. This guy is a big game pitcher. I don't like it

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Guess I was right in the other thread about Kenny canceling his interview because he was making his patented Wednesday deal. Don't like it at all right now but will wait until we see how the offseason shakes out. Doesn't seem like he got enough for Garcia in this market though.

I don't think they are raising the white flag or aren't committed to winning next season.

I'm sure Williams believes he just traded for two young studs, didn't hurt his rotation for next season with McCarthy stepping in, and has money now for flexibility.

I'm not crazy about the trade either, but I won't question their committment to win.

What the hell is Kenny thinking? Who drugged him? This is fucking crazy

here's a thought on this deal.


BEARSSSSS!!!

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i wouldnt put is past him to trade one or both of these guys for someone else.

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Kenny's moves so far:

S.Posednick LF
P.Osuna OF
Traded G.Garcia for 2 minor league prospects

Doesn't look good at all.

with the likes of ted lilly getting 5yr 50 mil, jason s 3 yr 47 mil, and the yankees and red sox spending over 25 mil each just to talk to a picture from the far east theres something wrong with the chi soxs getting 2 minor league arms

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“Be Who You Are and Say What You Feel Because Those Who Mind Don't Matter and Those Who Matter Don't Mind.” ~ Dr. Suess


Nice Guys Finish Last

Thank you,and have a nice day !

Phil Rogers also speculated in today's paper that this may only be the first starter the White Sox trade because they have no plans to extend any of their pitching.

If this is true, this means that the White Sox must be scared off by the money given to free agent starters, and just want as many young arms as possible - and hopefully not true because we will not win anything next year if we rebuild the rotation with young arms.

I might be the only one who likes this deal it looks like - Why?

1) You open a slot for Brandon McCarthy. I think Brandon can duplicate Freddy's numbers.

2) You build the farm system with some good arms. Floyd might be a bust if you can't control him, but Gonzalez is really the guy Kenny wanted back. He was dealt in the Thome deal last year.

3) You free up 10 Million for other moves - does that mean long terming someone or chasing down another FA?

If this was the best deal available, I think I would have waited another month to see how the off season developed. I don't hate the trade, I just think it is a bit premature.

nas, the 04-05 off season had bigger moves than this.

carlos lee for pods and vizciano
signed el duque
signed jermaine dye
signed aj pierzynski
signed tadahito iguchi
signed dustin hermanson
and other lesser known moves were made- signed ozuna, widger, picked up jenks off waivers, etc

all of those guys, at one point or another, played vital roles in the 2005 world championship

let valintin and ordonez go. not saying that those types of signings (for relative bargain prices in 2005) are out there now, but kenny made more noise in in the 04-05 and 05-06 off season so far than he has this year.

sure freddye turned it on at the begining of the year, but ron santo could steal 2nd base off him, and how lazy did he seem early on in the season?

im ok with freddy going, not sure if im totally ok with what we got i return. usually its KW that gets the better of these deals, im not so sure he didnt get taken to the cleaners on this one. only time will tell i guess.

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I'm willing to take the "In Kenny We Trust" mindset with this one, but it better be backed up by a much bigger deal VERY soon.

Heard talk this morning about a flaw in Floy'd delivery that they think can be corrected.
McCarthy takes Freddy's spot, Floyd slides in as a long relief guy while Coop straightens him out.
He was the 4th pick overall, so this smells a lot like the Garland trade.

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