Sox swap Garland for Halos' Cabrera

Sox swap Garland for Halos' Cabrera
Gold Glove shortstop should provide stability up the middle
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com

CHICAGO -- For the past two or three years, Jon Garland has been the focus of Hot Stove trade rumors where the White Sox are concerned.

In fact, the rumor mill had the right-hander all but traded to Houston during the final day of the 2007 Winter Meetings in Orlando. But when the ensuing season began, there was Garland, back on the mound for the White Sox, serving as a fixture within the team's deep starting rotation.

On Monday, those rumors finally became reality.

Garland, 28, was shipped to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in exchange for shortstop Orlando Cabrera and cash considerations. The addition of Cabrera provides the upgrade up the middle sought by the White Sox, with Cabrera recently capturing his second Gold Glove and driving in 86 runs while topping .300 (at .301) for the first time in his 11-year career.

Monday's move could make Juan Uribe expendable, move Uribe to second base or put Uribe into a utility role with the White Sox. Cabrera is a strong contact hitter, with just 493 strikeouts over 5,301 career at-bats, and could serve as the lineup's perfect No. 2 hitter after scoring a career-high 101 runs last season.

Cabrera, 33, earns $9 million in 2008, marking the final year of his current four-year deal. He has 112 career playoff at-bats, including hitting .200 against the White Sox during the 2005 American League Championship Series, and was part of the Red Sox 2004 World Series championship squad.

By moving Garland, the White Sox took $12 million off the books for 2008, while also seemingly opening a rotation spot for both John Danks and Gavin Floyd -- assuming general manager Ken Williams does not add another veteran arm to the rotation. Garland posted a 92-81 record and a 4.41 ERA in 246 games (223 starts) over eight years in Chicago.

Not really sure what I think about this...

I've heard people say either side got ripped off, so we'll see.