Phillies' Floydian slip helps White Sox

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Chicago White Sox right-hander Gavin Floyd took a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Twins this week. Last month, he had a no-no going into the eighth against Detroit. And you just know that's causing some indigestion down at One Citizens Bank Way. Floyd, of course, is the former Phillies No. 1 draft choice (fourth overall in 2001) who was disappointing in pinstripes and gladly traded to Chicago for Freddy Garcia before the 2007 season. He's still just 25 years old and he's off to a 3-1 start with a 2.50 earned run average and he keeps popping up in national headlines. Making matters worse, Garcia was a disaster. He showed up with no zip on his fastball and took home $10 million for a single win before having shoulder surgery and then departing as a free agent. So some second-guessing is inevitable and deserved. But let's try to take a deep breath and review what went down. Clearly, the Phillies made mistakes. Whether they misjudged his readiness or saw what they wanted to see or reacted to fill an immediate need at the big-league level, with the benefit of hindsight it's obvious that Floyd was rushed and that he was unable to handle the struggles that resulted. "I had my tail between my legs 3 years ago," he told reporters after his last win. He also had a 6.96 ERA and was running out of options. The feeling around the organization was that, while he still might turn it around, it wouldn't be with the Phillies. And they were probably right in that assessment. "I've been finding myself the last year or two. I've been trying to find it ever since I lost it. But piece by piece it has come together. I made it very complicated (in Philadelphia)," he said. Observed White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper, who said he made no major changes and simply told Floyd to trust his stuff: "Sometimes things don't go right where they're at. Sometimes people just need a change of scenery." That seems particularly true for young arms. Of the 49 pitchers who were in the top five in their league in wins, strikeouts per nine innings, earned run average, games or saves last season only 19 - just 38.8 percent - are still with the organization they originally signed with. That probably doesn't make the Phillies feel much better. And maybe it shouldn't. But that's baseball.