White Sox general manager Kenny Williams made just one move as the non-waiver trade deadline came and passed, dealing Edwin Jackson and Mark Teahen for Jason Frasor and Zach Stewart.
Frasor showed good signs of fitting into a tight bullpen this weekend, allowing one run in two appearances against Boston, tallying a couple of strikeouts.
The Red Sox bats were hot and they’ve seen plenty of Frasor before (3.33 ERA in 54 IP), so there’s no rush to judge Frasor’s worth, especially since he’ll likely be working in a Brian Bruney-type role, though he will need to get important outs at some point.
The disservice Kenny did himself by only making that move is he stacked the chips way up against him. If Phil Humber falters like he has been, if Jake Peavy – or god forbid another starter – goes down to injury, what’s the backup plan?
Zach Wheeler?
We’ve seen what Don Cooper can do with Edwin Jackson. We’ve seen what he can do with Humber. There’s no reason not to believe he can’t flip a switch to make Wheeler’s wheels turn a little more effectively, but starting pitching is key down the stretch. He’s said it himself.
If the starting pitching falls off and the reinforcements don’t get the job done, all signs point to the Jackson deal, which will no doubt be worsened by the fact that Jackson has a great chance to flourish in St. Louis under Dave Duncan’s tutelage. Kenny will have some explaining to do.
There are people on both sides of the fence right now – neither side right or wrong yet. Only time will tell.
The White Sox have to wipe the slate clean of the 15 runs they gave up in two games to Boston because an equally dangerous offense invades the Cell for a four-game set starting Monday – the New York Yankees.
The Yanks have spotty pitching, so the White Sox should have opportunities to take advantage, but the Pale Hose pitching needs to be at its best as well. Mistakes to almost any hitter in this lineup can turn sour in an instant, and they get a lot of guys on base.
The White Sox sit four games back of the Tigers and struggled against the top team in the A.L. East. If they want to retain any confidence chasing the pennant into the dog days, they need to at least split with this next contender, the Bronx Bombers.
X-rays on Paul Konerko‘s left leg were negative and he was diagnosed as day-to-day with a bruised left calf. Ozzie Guillen didn’t sound to optimistic about Paulie getting in the Monday lineup, so the production is going to have to come from somewhere.
Who’s gonna step up?