Garland on Trading Block, Floyd's Future Uncertain?

The Chicago Sun-Times is looking into the future and speculating that more changes in the White Sox pitching staff might be in the cards:

Mark Buehrle and Javier Vazquez seem to be bookends heading into 2008, while Jose Contreras and his two-year, $20 million contract seem to be the book no one wants -- nor can lift. Jon Garland has set the stage to be moved in the offseason, while rookie John Danks has the inside track to being the No. 5 starter.

But if Garland is moved, that leaves a hole. The hope was that Floyd would have shown enough to allow the Sox to trade Garland and not blink. Now they are hoping that youngsters such as Gio Gonzalez and Jack Egbert continue their fast tracks and no longer are counting on Floyd.

Garland, if you're wondering, is 8-10 with a 4.90 ERA this season and 90-78 with a 4.49 ERA.

Two of the Good Guys: Buehrle and Nocioni

From Rick Morrissey and ChicagoSports.com:

...Something happened this past weekend that doesn't happen often in the world of professional sports. Two athletes in the same town looked around, decided their lives weren't going to be enhanced by more money and chose to stay put.

Presumably independent of one another, the White Sox's Mark Buehrle and the Bulls' Andres Nocioni came to the conclusion that a fellow could live quite comfortably on a huge, multimillion-dollar contract if he were frugal and kept his Maserati collection down to a workable number of, say, 10.

But when Buehrle accepted the above contract and when Nocioni agreed to a five-year, $37.5 million contract with the Bulls, it at least meant that sanity had established a tiny beachhead, that heart mattered and that happiness levels don't necessarily increase as salary numbers spin upward.

Players who view themselves as part of and are willing to sacrifice for the team. Geez, inbetween the quacking duck player of the game, the MVP awards, Gold Gloves, All-Star teams and other awards that honor the individual over the team, you would think that there might be an award recognizing these (albeit incrediably rare) types of players. Oh yeah, that's right there is...fan respect. That, and championships. Buehrle got his (with more to come); Noce, it's your turn.

YEEESSS!!!

Congratulations, Mark Buehrle, on your no-hitter!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

This from ChicagoSports.com:

Ring thing

All the White Sox have been wearing their World Series championship rings, and it finally came in handy for Mark Buehrle.

The White Sox pitcher didn't arrive at PNC Park until Monday evening because of a family engagement. But when he approached the gate, a security guard would not let him in.

Buehrle immediately thrust out his fist with the glittery diamonds. It was good enough for entrance.

Nice. Being world champs is oh-so good.

Second half of the season starts Friday. Let's Go, Go, Go White Sox!