White Sox sign Garcia to minor-league deal
The White Sox were interested in bringing back Freddy Garcia during the off-season, but the free-agent starting pitcher got a better offer from the New York Mets.
Garcia, who turns 33 on Wednesday, was able to make only two minor-league starts for the Mets, and the right-hander was released in late April after going 0-2 with an 8.18 ERA with Class AAA Buffalo.
Seemingly unable to completely recover from 2007 shoulder surgery, Garcia contemplated retirement, but he's apparently going to give it one more try.
Prior to Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers, the Sox signed Garcia to a minor-league contract.
"I think he can still pitch and help us," said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "I talked to him and he's real excited. We know Freddy and we know what he can do."
Garcia will report to the Sox' extended spring training camp in Glendale, Ariz., and try to get back into shape.
Garcia was 40-21 with the White Sox from 2004-06 while helping them win the 2005 World Series before being traded to the Phillies for Gavin Floyd.
Amateur hour: The White Sox have four of the first 71 picks in the first-year player draft, which starts today at 5 p.m. Central time.
The Sox selected college pitchers (Aaron Poreda, Kyle McCullough and Lance Broadway) with their first-round picks from 2005-07 before taking infielder Gordon Beckham last year.
According to Baseball America, the White Sox are eyeing Eric Arnett, a 6-foot-5 right-handed starter from Indiana University, with their first-round pick (No. 23 overall).
If the Sox decide on a center fielder, Cal's Brett Jackson, LSU's Jared Mitchell and Texas high schooler Everett Williams could be options.
Amateur scouting director Doug Laumann said the White Sox enter the draft with several options.
"We definitely want to get some high-level, high-ceiling athletes," Laumann said. "At the same time, there's a need to maybe infuse some catching into the system and things like that. But ultimately, those first couple picks, you're going to take the best player available. And then at some point after that, you're going to go ahead and maybe try to fill some needs."
No punch: White Sox pinch hitters are 1-for-30 this season, and manager Ozzie Guillen takes the blame.
"I pick the wrong guys to get there," Guillen said. "That's what I have, and I think it's pretty tough to pinch hit in the AL; you sit on the bench for three, four, five, six, seven days without getting at-bats. That's the reason we fail most of the time."
Charlotte bound: As expected, left-handed reliever Wes Whisler was optioned back to Class AAA Charlotte on Monday to clear a roster spot for Jose Contreras. Whisler made 3 relief appearances for the Sox and allowed 2 runs in 11/3 innings.