Mr. Zero to Close?

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Jun 8, 2004 6:51PM

While an ESPN.com column raves about the quality of the White Sox pitching, there is still plenty of room for improvement on their pitching staff.

We may have seen Billy Koch's days as White Sox closer come to an end. After blowing two saves during the team's five-game West Coast road trip, manager Ozzie Guillen may turn to Shingo Takatsu as closer. The all-time saves leader in Japan, he earned his nickname -- Mr. Zero -- because he has never allowed a run in 10 post-season appearances. This season, Takatsu has a 1.27 ERA in 21 innings of relief work.

The Sox also seem determined to shore up their starting rotation. With the Sox visiting Seattle over the weekend, speculation continued to grow that GM Ken Williams and Guillen have their sights set on Mariners pitcher Freddy Garcia.