White Sox, Rangers Swap Young Pitchers

The Chicago White Sox have traded right-hander Brandon McCarthy and outfielder David Paisano to the Texas Rangers for left-hander John Danks, and right-handers Nick Masset and Jacob Rasner. Not long ago, McCarthy was considered a big part of the White Sox future. The 23-year-old spent most of 2006 in the bullpen but eventually he’ll be a starting pitcher.

Danks, who turns 22 in April, split last season between Double- and Triple-A. His strikeout totals were excellent at both stops, but he walked a few more batters than you’d like after being promoted and he had a little trouble keeping the ball in the park at times. Danks was the Rangers’ first-round pick in 2003 and the #2 prospect in the Texas organization entering 2006 according to Baseball America. That same publication recently pushed him up to the #1 slot. Here’s what John Manuel had to say about Danks:

He’s a young lefthander who has reached Triple-A and throws three average-to-plus pitches. His four-seam fastball sits at 90-92 mph and touches 94, and his curveball can be a plus pitch when he commands it. Most encouraging, he has an easy delivery he repeats and baseball aptitude.

Personally I’m fascinated by what the White Sox are doing. Moving Freddy Garcia and now McCarthy for Gavin Floyd and Danks does make the team younger, and somewhere down the line, it may well make them better.

Other takes on the deal:

• Baseball America
• Baseball Musings
• Baseball Time in Arlington
• Dallas Ft. Worth Star-Telegram