CHICAGO -- The signing of Freddy Garcia to a three-year contract extension worth $27 million prior to Tuesday's 6-2 loss to Anaheim was another definitive statement made by the White Sox organization regarding its drive for success.

Even a few players who could be affected in the future by the Garcia move applauded the inking of this workhorse to a long-term deal.

"It means a lot because he's a great pitcher," said White Sox hurler Esteban Loaiza, who probably will become a free agent commanding close to $8 million per year after this season. "With a guy like that, having a strong arm and giving you a lot of innings, it's what most teams want."

"That shows how much this organization wants to win," added reliever Cliff Politte, who has a 2005 contract option for $1.3 million held by the White Sox. "Kenny did it last year before the trade deadline with the guys he brought on, and Garcia is a proven pitcher."

Garcia, 28, will earn $8 million in 2005, $9 million in 2006 and $10 million in 2007. Having worked 200-plus innings in four of his first five seasons and won in double-digits during four of his first five seasons for a 77-51 career record, Garcia provides a top-of-the-rotation presence that inherently makes the rest of the staff stronger.

Of course, signing any pitcher to a long-term contract holds a few built-in risks. The Angels are finding that to be true currently with Bartolo Colon, who turned down the richest offer to a pitcher in White Sox history during this past offseason and now has an earned run average over 6.00.

But to be a champion, sometimes you have to take bold risks. Garcia falls into the fairly low-risk category.

"Any time you extend yourself, you are putting yourself out there on a limb," White Sox general manager Ken Williams said. "These guys have to be healthy to perform at a peak level. But that's the way the game and the industry is.

"If you don't extend yourself from time to time with players, it's going to be hard to sustain success," Williams added.

When Garcia was acquired with catcher Ben Davis for catcher Miguel Olivo, minor league outfielder Jeremy Reed and minor league shortstop Michael Morse, it was widely assumed that Garcia wasn't simply a stop-gap, four-month rental. He came from a team in Seattle that provided Garcia with the worst run support per nine innings in the Major Leagues.

He moved to a team that has one of the most potent lineups in all of baseball. There's also the Ozzie Guillen factor.

The first-year White Sox manager quickly is becoming a leader who players want to suit up for, much as Dusty Baker has been characterized on the north side of town. It doesn't hurt that Guillen and Garcia are very close friends, dating back to their time in Venezuela.

All those factors add up to an extension negotiated during one week's time, with Garcia basically working with Williams to get the deal done.

"We started talking it the day they traded for me," Garcia said. "They decided to do it, and I'm happy to be here and really excited.

"They needed a pitcher, and here I am," Garcia added.

Guillen seemed happy to have Garcia for the next three years. He seemed just as excited to have Garcia, the pitcher, as he was to have Garcia, his buddy.

"I'm not happy. I'm not going to be making the money," said Guillen with a wry smile. "Freddy should be happy. To us, handing him the ball is a great lift for the team."

"With Freddy being his friend and countryman, walking into the clubhouse, there was an instant familiarity," Williams added. "He was comfortable right from the beginning, and I asked him very quickly how he was fitting in. After two days, he said great. That's another indication, and we figured that would be the case. So Ozzie had a tremendous role in it."

Garcia's addition could make for one of the top starting rotations in the American League. That is, if the staff remains in tact for 2005.

Where Loaiza is concerned, Williams previously told MLB.com and reiterated Tuesday that an effort was made to work on a contract with him during Spring Training. Williams said that the thinking of Loaiza's representatives wasn't in line with the team's thought process, and the negotiations probably wouldn't be revisited until after the 2004 season.

But the promptness with which Garcia was signed, not to mention the lack of further talks with his camp, didn't seem to bother Loaiza. He's focused on making the White Sox as strong as possible, and Garcia's addition takes the South Siders a step closer to that goal.

"Hopefully, I'm next in line," Loaiza said with a smile. "It doesn't bother me. I have 14 years in pro ball and close to 10 in the big leagues. This is a business. You never know what will happen."

"I think it doesn't take you long to realize this is a great place to be, a fun clubhouse," added Davis of Garcia's decision. "It shows the White Sox want to win and that's nice to see."

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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