Seeking help at third base, could White Sox move Floyd?

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Gavin Floyd is with the White Sox for now but theright-handed pitcher might not last the offseason.With limited money to spend and several spots to fill,including a large gap at third base, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn saidhe would be creative this offseason to address his teams roster needs. The White Sox have nine players under contract for 89.25million and are expected to open the season with a 97-100 million payroll.The White Sox picked up Floyds 9.5 million club optionlast week, leaving them flush with starting rotation depth. Part of Hahns strategy to complete the White Sox mayinclude a trade of one of his starting pitchers. With the GM meetings set toopen in Palm Desert, Calif. on Wednesday, Hahn thinks he may hear from otherclubs interested in the White Sox starting pitching depth.I suspect given this market for pitchers that is out thereright now, I think were going to hear from a lot of teams about our startingpitching depth, Hahn said. I think were going to be pretty popular in thatregard vis-a-vis trades because were in a better position than a lot of clubsright now.In terms of starting pitching, Hahn has a comfortable seat. The White Sox retained Floyd and Jake Peavy earlier in theweek and thus far, John Danks, who is under contract, appears to be on track topitch in spring training after he had shoulder surgery on Aug. 6. The team alsocontrols the contracts of Chris Sale, Jose Quintana and Hector Santiago, whocould move into the rotation.Hahn also believes Triple-A starters Simon Castro and NestorMolina can contribute in the majors soon.Those factors make Floyd -- who went 12-11 with a 4.29 ERAin 29 starts and is a free agent next season -- a strong candidate for a trade.Floyd has made at least 29 starts the last five seasons andis 70-66 with a 4.46 career ERA. He also finished the season strong after hemade an adjustment to his delivery, going 3-2 with a 3.03 ERA in his final fivestarts.Those numbers might appeal to a team in need of a solidshort-term addition to its rotation for the 2013 season. Not only would theWhite Sox free themselves of Floyds 9.5 million of salary, they potentiallycould package the veteran pitcher with another player to acquire a thirdbaseman.Floyd is no stranger to trade rumors. In 2009, Floyd for Baltimores Brian Roberts was anoft-floated rumor while last offseason it was speculated he was headed to theToronto Blue Jays. The trade gossip isnt likely to go away soon thisoffseason, either. Asked on Thursday if hed consider trading a startingpitcher, Hahn didnt shy away from the suggestion.Its absolutely conceivable, Hahn said. Nothing is set instone in terms of, Heres our starting five. Heres our back end of therotation and this guys here. We will absolutely listen on any ideas andtrades will be one of the avenues we pursue to potentially fill some of ourholes.

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