CHICAGO - The White Sox patiently stuck by Jon Garland's side when the talented starting pitcher combined to go 36-36 from 2002-04. They looked the other way when Garland publicly criticized negative fan reaction and blamed teammates following poor performances.

Now, the Sox think Garland is trying to stick it to them. More specifically, they think the 26-year-old right-hander is trying to stick them up at the pay window following his breakout 18-win season.

That is the overriding reason the White Sox acquired starting pitcher Javier Vazquez in a trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

At some point before the start of the 2006 season, Garland is a near lock to be traded.

Sox general manager Kenny Williams would neither confirm nor deny such a move Wednesday. But he did indicate that Jose Contreras appears willing to accept a reasonable multiyear contract.

Like Garland, Contreras is eligible for free agency at the end of the 2006 season.

"Jose seems to understand the great opportunity he's been given here,'' Williams said. "And the bottom line is, I want to make sure I have the pitching to support all of the offense we've added. That remains the top priority.''

According to a source, Garland has already turned down a three-year offer from the White Sox and is determined to test the open market.

Garland's agent, Craig Landis, did not return phone calls Wednesday. Landis also represents first baseman Paul Konerko, who agreed to a five-year, $60 million contract Nov. 30.

INTERACTIVE Who went where in blizzard of trading?

There figures to be plenty of interest in Garland, who went 18-10 with a 3.50 ERA while finishing sixth in American League Cy Young Award voting. Garland, originally selected by the Cubs in the first round of the 1997 draft, has averaged 206 innings per season from 2002-05, and his sinker is one of baseball's best.

On the down side, Garland is expecting a significant raise after making $3.4 million in 2005. And if another team does have interest, they'd also have to deal with his impending free-agent status.

According to a source, the Sox want at least two quality pitching prospects for Garland.

With Vazquez and Garland both on the books right now, the White Sox' estimated payroll for 2006 is $95 million. By trading Garland, the payroll would drop well below $90 million.

"It's kind of a floating number, but we want to check in around $90 million,'' Williams said of the final payroll. This season, the Sox' payroll was $75 million.

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In addition to trading Garland, Williams is shopping for a left-handed relief pitcher to replace Damaso Marte, who was traded to the Pirates for utility man Rob Mackowiak.

The White Sox are expected to replace Luis Vizcaino, part of the package sent to Arizona for Vazquez, internally. Minor-leaguers Jeff Bajenaru and Sean Tracey are two of the top candidates for the bullpen opening.

Williams did shoot down a rumor that the Sox are offering shortstop Juan Uribe and starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy to the Baltimore Orioles in a trade for shortstop Miguel Tejada.