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White Sox score big by landing Colon Posted: Wednesday January 15, 2003 2:14 PM
The Montreal Expos finally traded Bartolo Colon Wednesday, shipping the 20-game winner to the Chicago White Sox as part of a three-team deal also involving the New York Yankees. CNNSI.com spoke with Sports Illustrated baseball writer Tom Verducci about the deal. CNNSI.com: Over the last few weeks we heard several possible destinations for Bartolo Colon (Atlanta, New York, Boston). How did he end up in Chicago? Verducci: The White Sox were always on the periphery. I think what happened was the Expos dragged their feet on an earlier deal they had with the Yankees involving Nick Johnson and Juan Rivera, which may have turned out to be the best offer Montreal had. And once the Yankees signed Jose Contreras, it looked as if Boston was going to get Colon, but the Red Sox didn't want to give up Casey Fossum and Shea Hillenbrand. So the deal kind of worked its way back to the White Sox. CNNSI.com: The White Sox always seem to be searching for a No. 1 starter and now they've finally landed one. How huge is this trade for Chicago, especially when you consider that the AL Central is not a very difficult division? Verducci: This move gives the White Sox a real true No. 1 pitcher. They haven't had a guy like that since Jack McDowell. The trade is a big coup for Chicago. You look at that Central Division and it's there for the taking for any team that can step up. You have to respect the job the Twins do and the pitching they have. But I think acquiring Colon puts the White Sox right there with Minnesota. Having Colon and Mark Buehrle at the top of their rotation is a great way to begin a pitching staff. I think they've become very dangerous with a true No. 1 starter like Colon. CNNSI.com: Obviously, you hate to give up a young 20-game winner, but the Expos did get back a decent starter in Orlando Hernandez. Verducci: I really like El Duque. The question I have is whether he'll be motivated to go out there and make 33 or 34 real gutsy starts for Montreal in front of so few fans in what has become a pretty tough division. Hernandez had some times with the Yankees when New York questioned whether his head was in the game at all times. He's great in a big game and there's just about nobody else you'd want to give the ball to in a crucial spot than Orlando Hernandez. But will he feel that way in May, pitching in front of 7,000 people against the Marlins at Olympic Stadium? I don't know. That's a big question. But he has a lot left to give as a pitcher. His health is good and there's nothing wrong with his arm. You just have to wonder if he's gonna have the fire to pitch for the Expos all season long. CNNSI.com: Everyone knew Montreal had to get under a budget handed down by Major League Baseball. Could there be more trades on the horizon for the always-slashing-payroll Expos? Verducci: I think there may have to be other deals. The Expos certainly may not be done. I don't know that this trade entirely gets Montreal under its budget. The Expos will still listen to offers from other clubs. They'd still love to dump Fernando Tatis on somebody, which I don't see happening. And they still have to think about moving players like Orlando Cabrera or Michael Barrett. I wouldn't be surprised to see Montreal make another deal, even if it doesn't happen until spring training. CNNSI.com: What about the Yankees? By unloading Hernandez, they're down to seven starters and still have a huge payroll. Will there be more players to go? Verducci: I think the Yankees would still like to move Sterling Hitchcock. There's no question about that. They had earlier talks with the Reds about a Scott Sullivan-for-Hitchcock exchange, but that seems to have fizzled. New York will explore moving someone like Hitchcock or dumping a Raul Mondesi on Pittsburgh. I think you'll see the Yankees get rid of a Hitchcock, Mondesi or Rondell White between now and Opening Day. The team may take those guys to spring training, but they do want to shed some of these players and their salaries, even if it means eating a portion of those contracts.
Sports Illustrated senior writer Tom Verducci covers baseball for the magazine and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com.
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