Chicago White Sox: Who's Odd Man Out if Ozzie Guillen Contracts the Rotation?

The Chicago White Sox have been able to employ a six-man rotation since Jake Peavy returned to action on May 11th.  With Chicago without a night off for 20 consecutive days, Ozzie Guillen has been able to make the unorthodox move work.

Chicago is 8-4 since Peavy's 2011 debut and has seen the starters take a half a point off their combined ERA.

It appears likely, however, that the White Sox will go back to a standard five-man rotation at the close of Chicago's 10-game road trip.

If that happens, who does Guillen remove from the rotation?

The answer may not be easy for Guillen and pitching coach Don Cooper to make.  Here's a look at Chicago's South Side Six-Pack, along with each pitcher's chances of leaving the rotation.

Mark Buehrle

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OAKLAND, CA - MAY 15: Mark Buehrle #56 of the Chicago White Sox pitches against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on May 15, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Buehrle is 3-0 in his last three decisions and has six quality starts in his 10 games in 2011.  He is coming off a strong seven-inning performance this weekend against Los Angeles.

For the season, he is 4-3 with a 3.92 ERA.  He has been a mainstay in the rotation for over 10 years.  He has given no reason for Guillen to change that.

Chance of Leaving Rotation: 0 percent

Gavin Floyd

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 26: Gavin Floyd #34 of the Chicago White Sox pitches against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 26, 2011 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

Floyd leads the White Sox with five victories so far in 2011.  He is currently sporting a 3.88 ERA to go with his 5-3 record.

Floyd is scheduled to start Wednesday night in Texas.  Guillen is hoping for another start like May 19th, when Floyd gave up just one run in seven innings of work.

Floyd is 2-2 in his last two starts.  In the two wins, he has given up a single run in 15 innings.  In the two losses, he allowed 11 runs in 10.1 innings.

Chance of Leaving Rotation: 10 percent

Edwin Jackson

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ST PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 18: : Pircher Edwin Jackson #33 of the Chicago White Sox pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the game at Tropicana Field on April 18, 2011 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Jackson has been hot and cold this season, as his 4-5 record would suggest.  He has four quality starts in his 10 outings to go with a 4.26 ERA.  He leads the team in strikeouts with 52, but is just 2-5 over his last seven starts.

Guillen and Cooper will be paying close attention to Jackson's next start on this road trip.  It could make the difference in his future in the Chicago rotation.

Chance of Leaving Rotation: 40 percent

John Danks

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CHICAGO, IL - MAY 17: Starting pitcher John Danks #50 of the Chicago White Sox follows through after throwing a pitch against the Texas Rangers at U.S. Cellular Field on May 17, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Rangers 4-3. (Photo by

Danks has pitched better than his 0-7 record indicates, but the bottom line is that he has not won a start in 2011.

The run support has been spotty, with the White Sox scoring a run or fewer in four of his 10 starts.  Danks saw his team's bats fall silent again in a 4-0 loss to the Rangers that saw him give up a pair of home runs.

Danks is too good a pitcher not to lose the doughnut in the win column soon.  On the other hand, his 4.34 ERA is the highest of any of the six starters.

Chance of Leaving Rotation: 50 percent

Jake Peavy

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ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 11: Jake Peavy #44 of the Chicago White Sox throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on May 11, 2011 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Peavy has looked good since returning to the active roster.  He pitched a three-hit shutout in his second start of the season.  That, plus the $16 million he's receiving this season, suggests that Guillen is going to leave Peavy in the rotation.

Peavy starts Tuesday night against the Rangers.  If he pitches well and has no lingering soreness, he is safe from the purge.

Chance of Leaving Rotation: 15 percent

Phil Humber

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: Phil Humber #41 of the Chicago White Sox pitches against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 25, 2011 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

Humber has been the surprise of the staff, no question.

He has been given his first real chance to start in the major leagues, and the 28-year-old has delivered.  He is 3-3 on the year, but has pitched well even in defeat.

His 3.10 ERA leads Chicago starters, as does his 0.94 WHIP.

In his last start, Humber allowed two runs in seven innings and was in line for the win before Sergio Santos blew his first save of the season.

If he leaves the rotation, it will not be because of his performance.  The question becomes one of economics.  Do the White Sox mind sitting a guy making $6-8 million (Danks or Jackson) in favor of a guy earning $500,000?

Chance of Leaving Rotation: 25 percent

So...Who's Out?

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CHICAGO, IL - MAY 16: Manager Ozzie Guillen #13 of the Chicago White Sox waves to fans before a game against the Texas Rangers at U.S. Cellular Field on May 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Rangers defeated the White Sox 4-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/G

No one on the staff has been flat-out terrible, but if Guillen elects to return to a five-man rotation, someone must go to the bullpen.

I'd say the two guys on the hot seat are Jackson and Danks at this point.  Will they go to the pen or will a deal be made to send someone out of town?  We could know by the end of the road trip.