Justin Time: The Chicago White Sox Should Go After Oakland's Duchscherer

(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the Detroit Tigers are scouting two-time All-Star Justin Duchscherer of the Oakland Athletics. If and when Duchscherer clears waivers, the Chicago White Sox should try to claim him.

1. If the Tigers claim him, the AL Central race is over.

Imagine the Tigers' rotation with Duchscherer. It would be stacked at the top with three Cy Young contenders in Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson and Jarrod Washburn. Throw in rookie sensation Rick Porcello and veteran Justin Duchscherer, and you make the best starting rotation in the American League even better.

2. The White Sox need a fifth starter.

Don't be fooled by the last game pitched by Jose Contreras. It was against an incompetent offense in the Royals. In his last seven games, Contreras is 1-4 with a 6.37 ERA while only averaging five innings pitched per game.

Also, sorry Freddy, you're not going to get the job done. And you shouldn't be given a second chance. Against the Royals, yielding five earned runs while only lasting 4.1 innings is not going to get the job done. Imagine how bad he would've been if he pitched against a competent team.

Imagine this rotation: Mark Buehrle, Jake Peavy, John Danks, Gavin Floyd and Justin Duchscherer. That's a pretty deep and good rotation.

3. Justin Duchscherer would be cheap.

Assuming he clears waivers, the A's would want something in return. That something has been described as a "modest prospect," something which the White Sox can (and should) afford to part with.

Also, the White Sox would only have to pay what's remaining on his contract for this year. That's just a little over one million dollars. He's a free agent after this year, so it's not a long-term committment, just something to help Chicago down the stretch.

4. Justin Duchscherer is a good pitcher.

He's coming off on injury and people will denounce this because he's missed his past few rehab starts. However, his injury was an elbow injury, and he missed his rehab starts due to non-baseball related manners.

In 27 career starts, Duchscherer is 12-10 with a 3.03 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. His numbers could improve if he brings that over into the American League Central.

So Kenny Williams, don't let the Tigers beat you to the punch. You've been bold this year with Jake Peavy and Alex Rios; one more cheap deal shouldn't hurt the team.

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