Do you ever get the impression that Kenny Williams has some kind of Jim Bowden-type internal urge to trade? It’s like Williams needs to move players to feed his addiction. Hey, at least it’s not boring.

So let’s take a quick look at the current roster. The place the Sox look most different is in the outfield. After 6 years of Magglio Ordonez in right and Carlos Lee in left, there has been a remodel to match the US Cellular bleachers behind them. In their places sit Jermaine Dye and Scott Podsenik. Is it too late to move the fences back again?

Magglio Ordonez, up until his injury was a great ballplayer, but his current knee injury is unique. Considering that he had a new kind of surgery in Austria, it would not make me want to offer him a long-term, big dollar contract. I’m sure Will can answer this better than me, but why is it that Austria is the place you would go for this surgery? If he had problems with his mother, I would send him to Austria, but not for a knee issue.

Just because I’m fine with letting Mags go, doesn’t mean I like the Dye signing. Jermaine Dye is the kind of player GM Williams has always had a weakness for: former big-time prospect, who has not lived up to potential. (see Juan Uribe, Ben Davis, etc.) Actually, Dye’s broken leg is the biggest reason Dye is not a superstar level player at this point, but Williams has bet 10.5 mil over the next 2 years he will be reborn. (Interesting side note: When looking at Baseballreference.com for what batter Dye is most similar to Carl Everett’s name is number 1. Oh Kenny.)

A lot of people have disparaged the Carlos Lee deal, but don’t put me on the list. Carlos has been a remarkably consistent hitter over the past 4 years, but this was a money thing.
In the deal, the Sox gained 6 million dollars to spend on hopefully another starting pitcher. (Hey Kenny, I see Todd Ritchie’s still available.) If Podsenik is closer to his 2003 version, he will be a steal for the half million he makes and I’m sure will be a huge fan favorite on the South Side. By the way, the Sox have been trying to trade Lee or Paul Konerko for the past couple years and this is the best they’ve been offered, from what I know.

Look, the current right-handed power hitting line-up wasn’t working and Ozzie Guillen has no understanding on how to manage that kind of team, so it’s time to go a different direction. (Not sure Ozzie knows how to manage any kind of team) I would like to see the White Sox re-sign Jose Valentin, as at a discounted contract his ability to play short and 3rd base is desperately needed, considering Uribe, Willie Harris and Joe Crede have been up and down players their whole careers to this point.

I really doubt the current White Sox can compete with the Twins, but looking at past results, they haven’t been competing with their old team structure, so I don’t have a big problem with the new direction. What is unfortunate is that the minor league system has been ravished and the team’s depth looks really shaky. Pitching will have to carry this year’s team. If Williams can pick up another solid starting arm, the Twins might be in reach, but otherwise, look for the 2005 White Sox to battle the Tigers and Indians for second place.
Ever since the injuries to Ordonez and Thomas early last summer, I've been consistent in saying Williams needs the White Sox to make the playoffs in 2005 or the team should look elsewhere for a GM. Most internet baseball fans use Kenny as a punchline, much like Moneyball did, but outside of the Todd Ritchie deal, he has not made one huge blunder. He's also made some decent deals (link to happier days). Having been his lukewarm defender on this front, there has been little excuse for the White Sox not being more competitive in such a poor division and the minor league system going from one of the deepest to being (Birmingham) barren. These 2 issues trump all others in his job and most likely will be on his tombstone after this upcoming season.