bd811
06-05-2002, 06:16 PM
The White Sox may need another starter, but Sox management isn't interested in Keith Foulke's idea to ditch his closer's role and join the rotation.
Foulke brought up the idea with general manager Ken Williams recently and discussed it with the media before Tuesday's game with Kansas City.
"I joked with [Williams] that the only way I'll stay in Chicago is as a starter," Foulke said. "I love it here and I want to stay here."
Though Foulke may have said he was joking, he is deadly serious in his belief that he could develop into a top-of-the-line starter. He signed a two-year, $10 million deal last winter to be the team's closer through 2003, but he began his career as a starter and wants to return to the role eventually.
Foulke insisted he misses going out on a hot day in Texas and sweating his way through a long stint.
Would Foulke take less money to become a starter when he becomes a free agent in 2004?
"From what I've seen, there are some starters out there making pretty big money," Foulke said. "But salary has nothing to do with it. I'm very fortunate to make what I make, as badly as I've pitched at times."
Williams didn't dismiss the idea, but said Foulke isn't going to switch roles any time soon.
"He has expressed that to me in the past," Williams said. "We need to get him squared away in his present right now. That's where our focus should lie."
Manager Jerry Manuel was criticized by Sox fans last week for making Foulke throw two innings against the Yankees. Foulke fell apart in the ninth and lost the game, Manuel finds it amusing that now Foulke is being touted as a starter.
"But if he is to start, he's going to have to come up with another pitch," Manuel said. "That's not out of the realm of possibilities. You know me, I can tinker with some stuff."
Foulke brought up the idea with general manager Ken Williams recently and discussed it with the media before Tuesday's game with Kansas City.
"I joked with [Williams] that the only way I'll stay in Chicago is as a starter," Foulke said. "I love it here and I want to stay here."
Though Foulke may have said he was joking, he is deadly serious in his belief that he could develop into a top-of-the-line starter. He signed a two-year, $10 million deal last winter to be the team's closer through 2003, but he began his career as a starter and wants to return to the role eventually.
Foulke insisted he misses going out on a hot day in Texas and sweating his way through a long stint.
Would Foulke take less money to become a starter when he becomes a free agent in 2004?
"From what I've seen, there are some starters out there making pretty big money," Foulke said. "But salary has nothing to do with it. I'm very fortunate to make what I make, as badly as I've pitched at times."
Williams didn't dismiss the idea, but said Foulke isn't going to switch roles any time soon.
"He has expressed that to me in the past," Williams said. "We need to get him squared away in his present right now. That's where our focus should lie."
Manager Jerry Manuel was criticized by Sox fans last week for making Foulke throw two innings against the Yankees. Foulke fell apart in the ninth and lost the game, Manuel finds it amusing that now Foulke is being touted as a starter.
"But if he is to start, he's going to have to come up with another pitch," Manuel said. "That's not out of the realm of possibilities. You know me, I can tinker with some stuff."