White Sox news and notes
Just 24 hours after explaining my distaste for all the Roger Clemens coverage, here’s a Clemens update.
Clemens is expected to make his first start June 4 against the White Sox.
“I’m not disappointed that he’s not pitching at Fenway,” Yankees manager Joe Torre told the Associated Press. “I don’t think that series needs any more hype than it gets every time we play it, whether it’s in Fenway or at the Stadium. You’d obviously be tempted if you had a kid pitching and you can replace him with Roger Clemens. When you have Wang, Moose and Andy, there’s really not the temptation to do that.”
In other Sox news, the Pale Hose gave up nine runs to the Twins on Tuesday to give Minnesota the series.
White Sox pitchers have allowed 47 hits and 30 runs in the last three games. That must be that regression thing everyone is talking about.
John Danks had his worst start of the season, lasting only 3 1/3 innings and allowing six runs. He struck out nobody.
The Sox are now tied with the Twins for third in the AL Central and are 24-23 on the season.
Lastly, the ESPN Rumor Mill reports that the White Sox might consider shopping Jermaine Dye and Mark Buehrle soon. If that progresses at all, I will keep you posted.
Got one in the mailbag today, and it’s a Sox question:
Vince (Champaign, IL): Although no Sox hitter has been productive at the plate until about the 2nd and 3rd games of the series at Wrigley, the bench lacks a power hitter who can put pressure on the opposing team in late-inning situations. Rumor has it that Boston’s ready to give up Wily Mo Pena, who is basically playing his way out of the park. He’s not the greatest fielder, but neither are Mackowiak or Ozuna, who have been spelling Scott Podsednik lately. Why not go out and grab Pena for, say, Andrew Sisco and see if that’ll up the production a little bit?
Well, the Sisco idea would have been good if I’d answered your question about three days ago. Sisco has since been optioned to the minors.
I don’t dislike Wily Mo, and he actually probably deserves to start in the White Sox outfield. He’s always had great potential that has never really shone through. Pena is only signed to a one-year contract with the Red Sox, so a trade wouldn’t be out of the question — the only question is who can they trade? Buehrle and Dye, as I mentioned above, may be on the block but that would be a pretty bad deal.
If the Sox can get Pena on the cheap, I say go for it.
Just, out.