Ozzie Guillen finally reached his boiling point after his bullpen blew another lead in yesterday's 4-3 White Sox loss to the Blue Jays. After seeing Mike MacDougal and David Aardsma struggle yet again, the Sox have sent both relievers down to Charlotte.On Monday morning, following Sunday's 4-3 loss to Toronto, the Sox announced they had sent relievers David Aardsma and Mike MacDougal to their Triple-A team. The team purchased the contracts of pitchers Ryan Bukvich and Bret Prinz from the Knights.
The move was expected, and both players deserve the demotion. In May and June, Aardsma had an ERA of 12.00 while MacDougal had a more "respectable" 11.88 ERA during the same time period.
Though it's not like the news has introduced any optimism from White Sox fans when it comes to their bullpen. Take this analysis from South Side Sox.
Oh yeah, Brett Prinz and Ryan Bukvich our your call-ups. Congrats, guys. You hit the lottery. You found the right team willing to carry a host of AAAA players. Hell, if you want more playing time, tell them you can play outfield.
Bukvich has spent a total of 46.2 innings at the major leagues, accumulating an ERA of 6.94 with the Royals and Rangers. Hey, he'd fit right in. He has posted some good strikeout numbers in Charlotte this season, but nothing compared to that of '06 Boone Logan or even '05 Jeff Bajenaru. I wouldn't count on him fixing anything.
Prinz pitched 41 effective innings for the 2001 Diamondbacks (championship experience, YES!), but has pitched in only 52 major league games since, posting a Masset-like line with a 6.61 ERA. His ERA in Charlotte is a microscopic 0.56, but 9 walks in 16 International League innings doesn't translate well to the majors.
I can't say I disagree with that analysis at all, but at this point it will be easier to watch some new faces blow leads for the White Sox. Got to keep things fresh, you know?
