gave up quite a bit, imo..
The White Sox have sent four pitchers to San Diego. Clayton Richard, who has a 4.65 ERA in 89 innings with the Sox, was scheduled to start tonight, but is said to be part of the deal. Aaron Poreda, who just threw 6 innings and allowed just 1 run for the AAA Charlotte Knights last night, is also part of the deal. Poreda had trouble with his control with the Sox, but was adjusting to being used out of the bullpen. Poreda's fastball is a plus pitch (typically sitting in the mid 90s), but his secondary stuff needs work. It is assumed his stuff will translate better out of the bullpen, but the Sox have used him as a starter in the minors. The two lefties are the center pieces of the deal, but they weren't the only valuable pieces traded.
Dexter Carter is a more interesting name from the minor league perspective. He has dominated at Low-A Kannapolis this season, but hasn't been promoted because the White Sox wanted him to work on his changeup more. He was rated #6 in our midseason rankings. Carter has struck out an impressive 143 batters in 118 innings, good enough to lead the South Atlantic League. He has a 3.13 ERA and has walked 34 giving him a K:BB ratio over 4 to 1.
Carter has a fastball in the 91-93 range and a good curveball that has become more consistent. His changeup is a work in progress, and some have questioned his ability to remain in the rotation as he moves up the minors because of his lack of a solid changeup. After posting an ERA over 8 his junior year of college, the Sox drafted Carter in the 13th round and turned him around quickly in Rookie Great Falls by tinkering with his delivery. He still needs to work on his delivery. Carter has struggled to come straight towards the plate. With former Old Dominion teammate Dan Hudson ripping up the minors, Carter seemed more expendable and is still very raw for a pitcher his age. He has talent and has performed in Kannapolis, but still has a long way to go.
Adam Russell, currently pitching out of the Charlotte 'pen, is the fourth pitcher being reported as going to San Diego. In 56.1 innings with the Knights, Russell has a 3.20 ERA with 51 strikeouts and 18 walks. Last season Russell made his Major League debut and posted a 5.19 ERA in 26 innings in relief. He was used as a starter until 2007 in Birmingham, where he split time between the rotation and the 'pen. He hasn't made a start since that season. Russell, 6'8", has a low 90s fastball and a good curveball. Russell changes arm angles and sometimes throws from a 3/4 slot, unusual for such a tall pitcher. His value is pretty minimal at this point, but Russell does have talent.