The White Sox 2013 rotation was bolstered significantly on Tuesday when the club not only signed Jake Peavy but also picked up Gavin Floyds option.
The team chose to exercise its 9.5 million option and bring back Floyd. At the same time, the White Sox declined their club options for third baseman Kevin Youkilis (13 million) and reliever Brett Myers (10 million) and bought them out for 1 million and 3 million, respectively.
Floyd went 12-11 with a 4.29 ERA in 29 starts for the White Sox this season.
The dependability offered by Floyd and Peavy, who made a team-high 32 starts in 2012, is needed with 2012 opening-day starter John Danks rehabbing from season-ending surgery.
It gives us some very good depth and allows us to explore other opportunities over the next few months, general manager Rick Hahn said. Absolutely wed prefer to have more depth. Its nice to have some options going forwardits nice to be able to insulate yourself.
Hahn said Floyd alleviated concerns about his health when he returned in September from a second stint on the disabled list. After making an adjustment to his delivery, Floyd went 3-2 with a 3.03 ERA over his final five starts of the season.
He is 63-61 with a 4.20 ERA since he first joined the White Sox in 2007 and has averaged 31 starts from 2008-12.
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I realize at times hes been a little up and down, Hahn said. But I hope the value (Floyd) brings doesnt go unnoticed. He gives you 180-190 above-average innings in a difficult park to pitch in.
Peavy said hes excited about the prospect of a rotation featuring himself and Floyd, though he wasnt certain it would happen.
I cant say enough about that, Peavy said. I didnt know how that would work out. Gavin is tremendously talented and you saw how he threw the ball down the stretch. I love our starting rotation, I really do. I love what we have and what were building in Chicago.
Hahn said he has expressed interest to the agents for Youkilis and Myers, though he understands both players will test the free agent waters.
An acquisition from the Boston Red Sox in late June, Youkilis hit .236 with 15 homers and 46 RBIs in 80 games for the White Sox.
Myers was acquired from the Houston Astros in late July and went 3-4 with a 3.12 ERA in 35 games for the Sox. The club opted to buy out the 10 million option it held for Myers for 3 million.