2011 MLB Trade Rumors: White Sox Still Shopping Gavin Floyd

A few weeks ago, Chicago White Sox general manager Ken Williams used the word rebuilding.  This set off a string of rumors and much speculation around the White Sox, as many expected them to deal everyone and anyone of value on their roster if they could.  Trade rumors continued to swirl until last week when Chicago locked up one of its larger trade chips, starting pitcher John Danks.  With the move, many wondered just how much the White Sox roster would be revamped this winter.  While Chicago may not be blowing their team up entirely, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com hears that the club is still willing to listen to trade offers for starting pitcher Gavin Floyd.

After Williams traded closer Sergio Santos to the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this offseason, the GM came out and said his club was entering a rebuilding period.  As Santos wasn’t one of the players expected to be traded by the White Sox this winter, many figured the club would begin an all-out fire sale in the coming weeks.

While Chicago heavily shopped its available players, trades never developed.  Then Danks was extended and many were confused regarding the White Sox intentions.

Knobler says that many around the industry are hearing that, while Williams will continue listening to trade offers for Danks and his other veteran players, he will keep his asking prices high.

With the trade and free agent markets for starting pitchers continuing to diminish, some team may give in and meet Chicago’s lofty requirements for Floyd.

While he doesn’t sport the same career numbers as Danks, Floyd is potentially under team control through the 2013 season at an affordable rate.  Set to make $7 million next season, Floyd’s contract includes a $9.5 million team option for 2013.

Floyd has a career ERA of 4.50 and 1.326 WHIP, but has maintained an ERA and WHIP of 4.18 and 1.274 since joining the White Sox five years ago.  Since 2008, Danks has averaged just under 200 innings pitched per season and has made at least 30 starts per year.

We found out this morning that the Red Sox, Yankees, Blue Jays, Orioles, Rockies, Marlins and Tigers are all still looking to add starting pitching this winter.

For more on the White Sox, be sure to check out Southside Showdown.