What might be a harbinger of what is to come for Mark Buehrle, Kenny Williams came out on Monday and basically announced that the left-handed relief ace will finally get a chance to start.
“He’ll be moved to the rotation, or he will be given every opportunity [to be] in the rotation,” said Williams of the former 1st round pick.
Sale was the first player of the 2010 Draft to reach the big leagues, which he was in the Show in about two months. The tall and lanky fireballer was a starter while in college, but due to team need, and a crowded rotation, Sale is poise to go back to what he knows best.
The rotation next year looks like it could be Danks-Floyd-Sale-Peavy-Humber. Not to mention Zach Stewart, who had some decent starts down the stretch. My concern about Sale to the rotation is an obvious one. Durability.
Sale’s throwing mechanics are as violent as an F5 tornado in Wakita, and with his physique, it’s hard to believe he could withstand a 200 inning workload. If, and that is a big if, Sale can withstand a workload such as that, it is a no brainer of a move. Sale is a fantastic pitcher. He was basically a left-handed clone of Sergio Santos in terms of production. Little less K’s, little less walks, but everything else close to identical. Even if he can only give 150 IP, he would probably be a 4 win pitcher.
The Sox pen is deep enough that losing Sale won’t hurt it much. Having Sale and Thornton is a bit of overkill as is. Maybe Will Ohman can actually be used as a LOOGY since Ozzie is gone. Jessie Crain will still be the primary set-up man with Santos closing. In addition, Addison Reed should be a lock to be in the pen next year.
This all but guarantees Buerhle will not be back, or one of Danks-Floyd is traded. So, sit back, relax, and strap it down. Because you never know what Kenny Williams is capable of.
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