After Carlos Torres seven inning, shutout effort against the Cubs last Thursday, Chicago White Sox fans were foaming at the mouth thinking at long last, finally, the team had found it's fifth starter.  Last night, Sox fans returned to reality as Torres lasted a mere two thirds of an inning as the White Sox got pounded by Oakland 11-3.

Thanks for playing, Carlos.  Please collect your parting gifts at the door.

Torres wasn't the only Sox hopeful who had a rough night.  Sox star of the future (if you buy the hype) Daniel Hudson surrendered five hits and two runs in 2 1/3 innings of work.  At least he didn't walk anyone.

So, who would be the leader in the clubhouse at this point for the fifth starter role next year?  If Ozzie Guillen has his way, it would be Freddie Garcia.  There is no telling at this point if the oft injured Garcia still has major league stuff.  The answer is no if he is going to rely on his fastball, which is several MPH slower than before he had all kinds of arm surgery.  But many pitchers  (the best example being Frank Tanana) have adjusted and have had productive careers by changing their styles.  If Garcia has two things going for him, it's his work ethic and the fact that Don Cooper is his pitching coach.  His relationship to Ozzie by marriage doesn't hurt him either.

The question is will Garcia be effective for an entire season next year or will he just be Bartolo Colon or Jose Contreras, a pitcher who has more name recognition than anything else.  I would like to see Garcia at least be in the mix next spring along with Hudson and Torres and maybe a couple of others who are yet to be determined. 

By the way, I am making a bold prediction that will make you scream obscene things at your computer screen.  I believe that Kenny Williams will approach John Danks with a contract proposal.  If Danks refuses to sign, I believe the odds are 70-30 Kenny trades him.  That's right, you read it here first.  I have a feeling that Kenny may dangle Danks as a way to get out of a contract he might not be able to get done and to improve his ball club.  It;s like when he traded Garcia to Philadelphia to get Jim Thome and Gavin Floyd or Brandon McCarthy to Texas to get Danks. 

Outside of Danks, the only trade leverage that Kenny has is Bobby Jenks and that may only fetch magic beans as opposed to someone ready to take the mound every five days.

Fans will weep, wail and gnash their teeth over a trade involving Danks only to embrace his replacement later after they realize Kenny knows what he's doing.

Lightning Round

• The Sox finish their series against the A's tonight before getting a well deserved day off tomorrow.
• You've got to love Ozzie Guillen.  While most managers would never throw themselves under the bus, Ozzie stands in the street and waits for the bus to run him over.  This is why most Sox fans love him and most outsiders don't get him.
• I've said before I'd like to see mark Kotsay back next year.  It seems I'm not alone in that.
• Jose Contreras isn't quite done yet, helping the Rockies to victory in his first minor league start.  Buzz Lightyear is one for three thus far for the Dodgers.