White Sox rotation in the spotlight
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Last season the starting rotation tried picking up the White Sox and carrying them into the playoffs.
The load got heavy — really heavy — and the starting five, and sometimes six, finally collapsed during the stretch run.
Much has changed for the Sox since 2011.
Reliable veteran Edwin Jackson was traded first to the Toronto Blue Jays before being flipped to the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals. This year Jackson is pitching for the Washington Nationals.
Mark Buehrle, as you might have heard, joined forces with manager Ozzie Guillen in Miami.
Those are two key losses, particularly Buehrle, but new manager Robin Ventura and the White Sox again figure to go as far as the starters can take them.
On Thursday, Sox pitchers and catchers went through the first workout of spring training on a bright, warm day at Camelback Ranch.
There is a long way to go before the April 6 season opener at Texas, but the rotation already is in the spotlight.
“You have to give all the credit in the world to Mark Buehrle to do what he did in one place,” Jake Peavy said of the departed workhorse. “He’s going to be missed, but we have guys on the staff who have done good things who can pick up the slack.
“It’s huge for Johnny (Danks) to have the stability and being the guy here for the next five years. Gavin Floyd is as good as anybody. Phil Humber, we saw what he’s capable of doing. We’re getting an absolute stud in Chris Sale. He’s as good as anybody I’ve played with as far as raw, physical talent.
“Throwing him in the rotation and how he holds up is going to be huge. And me, pulling the weight I’m going to pull. We have the pieces in here to win. It’s just about showing up and doing it.”
On paper, the White Sox’ rotation does look like the club’s obvious strength. On the field, well, that’s another story.
Danks is coming off his worst season (8-12, 4.33 ERA) since 2007, his rookie year. Still, he was awarded with a five-year, $65 million extension Dec. 21 and is expected to replace Buehrle at the top of the rotation.
“It was definitely one of the best phone calls I’ve gotten, hearing they were offering a deal,” Danks said. “For them to do that for me coming off my worst year and my toughest, I noticed that. I’m very appreciative of it and excited to be here. I’m excited to earn it.”
Peavy is earning a team-high $17 million this year, and he is likely to exit as a free agent at season’s end, assuming he’s not traded first.
At least he is healthy.
Peavy has had a long list of medical maladies since 2008, including a detached lat muscle in 2010. If he can stay off the disabled list,
Peavy will try making 30 starts in a season for the first time since ’07.
“I would be highly disappointed if I don’t make every start that I’m scheduled to make,” said Peavy, who trimmed down over the winter to take pressure off his tender right ankle and groin. “If I don’t make 30 starts, it’s going to be highly disappointing.”
Floyd is 21-24 over the past two seasons and never has taken the next step up to elite level. However, the 29-year-old starter is durable and consistent.
Humber was a huge surprise last year, and he was the White Sox’ best starter in the first half before wearing down after the break.
That leaves Sale, who is coming over from the bullpen with plenty of hype.
“It’s a great staff,” backup catcher Tyler Flowers said. “We’ve got guys bouncing back healthy. I know there are a lot of expectations on certain guys, but if everyone comes in healthy and performs like they’re capable of, it’s going to be one of the stronger staffs in the league.”
sgregor@dailyherald.com