White Sox need help, so Floyd could be dealt

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Gavin Floyd was very available on the winter trade market, but he never did get dealt.

Floyd is available again this spring, one of several starting pitchers on what could still be a busier-than-usual spring training market.

Will the White Sox actually trade him this time?

It's entirely possible. General manager Ken Williams is said to be anxious to make moves to improve a club that has been unimpressive in the early games of spring training.

"They might lose 100 games this year," said one scout who has followed the Sox this spring.

Trading Floyd, who won 12 games and pitched 193 2/3 innings for the White Sox last year, wouldn't necessarily improve the White Sox's chances to win in 2012. But it could further the slow-moving rebuilding project that Williams set moving last fall.

It's not yet clear what team would give Williams the return he wants. The Blue Jays have had some interest in Floyd, but sources said that a report claiming that they were "pursuing" the right-hander overstated their interest.

The Red Sox showed some interest in Floyd over the winter. So did the Orioles, and one source said the teams had serious talks that nearly resulted in a deal.

"I'm here in Chicago, and I want to be here," Floyd said. "I'm happy I'm here. Until [a trade] happens, you don't really know, but I want to be here."