On to today's list.
Watching Scott Podsednik return to the White Sox really brought back some fond memories from 2005. And to everyone's surprise, he's actually been productive since making his debut on May 1.
So it got us thinking. With the Sox seemingly bogged down in mediocrity, who else from that 2005 squad could help them right now?
10. Shingo Takatsu
Two reasons:
1. The gong
2. The Frisbee pitch
9. Freddy Garcia
If Jose Contreras can’t break out of the funk he’s found himself in since the team broke camp, it’ll be sayonara to the prehistoric Cuban.
Sweaty Freddy could be had on the cheap and could fill the spot nicely if he can prove that his shoulder has healed from reconstructive surgery.
8. Luis Vizciano
Every bullpen in the bigs needs help in the bullpen, regardless of what the stats say. Vizciano may not be great, but he's serviceable and might feel good making a return to the South Side after being released by the Cubs in late April.
7. Geoff Blum
The sparsely used Blum is remembered only for his game-winning home run against the Houston Astros in extra innings in the World Series.
Not a bad way to be remembered in one of the greatest sports cities in the world.
He's now a reserve third baseman for the Astros and could be a stopgap until the Sox ultimately decide what to do at that position if Josh Fields fails.
6. Frank Thomas
Why not?
You're talking about one of the greatest, NON-STEROID sluggers in the history of baseball. The Big Hurt is lounging at home, still waiting for a phone call from a potential MLB franchise willing to sign him.
Should he get a call from the Sox?
5. Willie Harris
It's frightening to think that Fast Willie would actually be an upgrade over our current center field options.
He wouldn't be tough to pry away from the Nationals, a team that rarely finds time for him in the lineup.
4. Joe Crede
It's painful to see Crede rocking a Twins jersey these days. The Sox are scuffling along right now with a project in Josh Fields and miss the solid glove work Crede provided on a full time basis since 2003.
But the reality is Joe Crede will never be the player he could have been. Back problems are a death sentence for professional athletes and Crede is on his way down that path.
3. Brandon McCarthy
Sox fans were appalled when Kenny Williams traded away a kid that was once thought to be the future ace of the staff. In 2005 he performed at a level well beyond his years and seemed destined to be the next big thing.
He's since had his struggles since donning the Texas Rangers uniform but is off to a hot start in 2009 that includes a win over the White Sox this past Saturday.
2. Jon Garland
Garland, believe it or not, has been the model of consistency during his time in the bigs and would be a welcome addition to a Sox staff lacking just that.
He's made at least 32 starts for seven consecutive seasons and fell just short of recording his fifth consecutive season with 200+ innings pitched.
1. Aaron Rowand
Sox fans clamored for their 2005 starting center fielder when he left Philadelphia as a free agent, but the money didn't make sense and Rowand ended up with the Giants.
Rowand would be the perfect fit at this team's most glaring positional weakness in center field. He's a great clubhouse presence and would immediately bring a gold glove and above average bat back to the South Side.
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