Trading Buehrle a bad idea
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by user Worstsportsblogever
Chicago White Sox GM Kenny Williams faces a lot of difficult decisions regarding the future of the White Sox now that they have fallen 13 games under .500 and will almost undoubtedly not turn their season around.
The toughest decision Williams faces involves Mark Buehrle. Buehrle is a scare resource in Major League Baseball: a quick working left hander with World Series experience who gives at least 6 innings per start and has an ERA under 4.00. There is no doubt that all of the contending teams would love to have Mark on their staff; most of them would be willing to part with young talent in return.
A trade that involves Buehrle for a swap of young, raw talent might not be in the best interest of the White Sox. The White Sox’ farm system has not developed major league ready talent at the field positions for the last several years. Of the successful full time starters on the White Sox roster, only Joe Crede comes from the White Sox system (and it took a while for him to come into his own). Scott Podsednik, Juan Uribe, Jim Thome and Paul Konerko were all acquired in trades and were major league ready. Tadahito Iguchi, Jermaine Dye, A.J. Pierzynski and Darin Erstad were all acquired via free agency and spent no time in the White Sox farm system. Brian Anderson, the heir-apparent to beloved grinder Aaron Rowand, failed to pan out as the CF of the future. It is uncertain that Josh Fields, Jerry Owens, Luis Terrero and Andy Gonzalez will become the long-term solutions that Williams hopes for. If the White Sox were to take on more young talent in exchange for Buehrle, the evidence indicates the talent may not get developed to the level where the White Sox reap a return on the investment.
Buehrle's no-hitter: at least something went right
More importantly for the White Sox, it is uncertain if the organization can replace Buehrle’s left-handed presence in the rotation. Lefty John Danks has pitched well at times this season, and Gio Gonzalez waits for his shot at the big leagues down in Triple A Charlotte, but neither have shown they can deliver consistent results on a yearly basis. Sure, the have not had the chance over a long period of time, but until they do deliver results, the uncertainty remains. Do we need that uncertainty? Buehrle has delivered results with certainty; the organization knows beyond any doubt that he can anchor the rotation. Starting pitchers that a team can rely upon are few and far between. To give up a known quantity in hopes that a youngster down the line will fill in is dangerous at this point, especially given the current state of the White Sox development program.
Changes in the White Sox organization are imminent. Duane Shaffer, Senior Director of Amateur Scouting, has already been canned by the organization. It is likely that more firings and trades will follow. Let’s hope that Mark Buehrle is not one of them.
