Griffey will help

I have to believe Jr is coming to the AL as a DH, because of his running inability at this late stage in his career. That said, this would make Jim Thome the odd man out.

Ok, so Rosenbloom doesn't think that Jr. can still play CF. I remember the same thing being said about Carl "The Truth" Everett when the Sox acquired him too. Even at 38 he can't possibly look as lost out in CF as Nick Swisher frequently does.

Unless there's another trade coming, don't rule out experimenting by moving Jermaine Dye to CF. I can't see moving Quinten... it just takes him too long to get into gear.

I'd still love to see my proposed trade go through too... our stiff for someone else's stiff... Konerko and Uribe (actually two stiffs for one), to the Dodgers for Andruw "Mama Couldn't Spell None" Jones and Pablo Ozuna. The money is very close to being equal and since neither Jones nor Konerko can hit anymore, at least Jones could play a decent CF.

That would allow Swisher to move full time to IB and upgrade two positions defensively with one deal. Jones could bat 9th and even if he continued to hit below the Mendoza line, he wouldn't be any worse than what we've had to endure with Juan Uribe the past few years in the 9 hole.

Both Jones and Konerko have full no trade rights, but Konerko has said in the past he'd be fine going to a team closer to his Scottsdale home and I think that Jones would welcome the chance to become a regular again and get out from all the boos he hears in LA.

Nice Move...my Wife is bummed out as a Reds fan growing up...she said she is devastated. (but she is similar to JB in how she picks her favorite players...she judges them by how many of their posters she had in her room when she was a kid. First Larkin, now Griffey!!

I just hope the Cubs get inspired to do something special too.

Acquiring Jr. would definitely make the Sox better. I want to see what the Sox are giving up, but no one can deny that Griffey replacing Konerko in the lineup and Wise (or Anderson) on the roster makes the Sox better.

Ozzie had a point the other day in asking who would replace Konerko. But I'm sure he understands that it goes beyond batting average. There are on base percentage, production and speed to consider. PK should hit no better than 7th in that order, even with Crede on the DL. The only reason he should not hit 9th is that you would not want to clog the base paths for the leadoff hitter. Remember they did go 13-7 without Paulie.

I wish Kenny could find a way to move PK, something that I begged for all last winter, while they could get something for him. It was not as clear then since we did not know what Quentin would do, but I did not like the middle of the Sox order. Too slow. Too many double plays. PK was the obvious one to go because of value and contract. Now he has no value and can veto a trade. Worse, he cannot come off the bench. I would consider designating him for assignment and eat a whole lot of cash over the next two years. I know it sounds crazy and I don't want to be cruel to someone who helped bring the Sox a World Championship, but there it is.

Enough of the negative vibes... The trade has not been completed yet but it would make the Sox a better team. Good going Kenny!!!! And maybe Paulie can adjust to pinch hitting and fewer at bats. It's half in his head. Thome can teach him.

Here's another thought. If Konerko takes at bats from Thome, Thome's option might not get vested. Between the two I'd rather have Jim, but who knows what will happen?

Roman, I don't know if you've been like, paying attention to baseball or anything these days, but Ken Griffey Jr. has only played a little better than our very own Nick Swisher this year. This move makes no sense. The Sox needed a bullpen arm or another starter, and now they have an old slugger whose only good service is to bench Paul Konerko. If Swisher is losing playing time to this deal, it's a very bad idea. If Konerko is just considered a sunk cost and doesn't start anymore, fine, I'll take it.

Henry Cisneros - Jim Thome is absolutely not the odd man out. This is just a nonsensical thing to say.

So Cal Jack - Did you consider the fact that the Dodgers have James Loney at first base, who is far younger and far cheaper and far better than Konerko? How about the fact that the White Sox just dumped Pablo Ozuna because he isn't worth anything? Why would we want him back? That trade makes less sense than the "Thome is the odd man out" comment.

SO THE QUESTION AT HAND, "Is this an Upgrade?"

Does he replace Thome at DH? This makes no sense, Thome is already a left handed bat. So I say he isnt going to play DH.

So the logical place is that he goes to CF, which then also makes sense because Dewayne Wise is sent down.

Can he still play CF? I guess the better question is, is he an upgrade over Swisher at CF? I would say he probably is.

So then if he goes to CF. Does Swisher go or Paulie? I say Swisher goes to first which is a huge upgrade defensively.

DH Platoon - Paulie against lefties and Thome against Righties?

So is this an upgrade?

I would say defensively it is a big upgrade (1b and CF). Hitting wise, I think Griffey offers a lot more then Konerko.

Have we gotten better as a team? I believe we have.

Bold, yes, but how much can this really help the team? I mean, Griffey is merely doing what Konerko should be doing. I'm interested to see what happens, though.

My dream pickup would have been, say, Ichiro. My fantasy-type dream would have been Grady Sizemore (but that's the fantasy manager in team talking).

Will Griffey really give the sometimes anemic offense the pop (or the fire under their butts) that they need?

Don't care much for this trade ( even before knowing what we're giving up). I was hopeing for Rowand or Ichiro. If we can pick up relief help cheap fine, otherwise use what we have.

"I am motivated, rejuvenated and rehabilated your honor"-Carlito's Way 1993
He wants to prove all you naysayers that he still has the range to play CF. He wants to prove that he can still hit. He's been on a god awful team in Cincy. He is coming to a 1st place team in a real dogfight for the divison. He knows that if can put it all on the line for 3 months he can get that ring that eludes him. As you saw with KG in basketball, sometimes a change in scenery with a real chance at a ring is all the motivation a star player needs. He missed out in 2005, I'm sure that is something that crossed his mind since then. He will play some corner outfield, DH and 1st. We will end up moving Swisher or Anderson. Or Paulie is going on the DL. This is a great move. In Kenny I trust! GO SOX!!

Griffey is better than Kornerko, but not much. He is also better than Thome, only because he can still run. I am with NOLES of course, should have gotten an arm! If we dont get contreras righted, we are going out in the second round.

Center field has been a problem area for the Sox since Aaron Rowand went to Philly (then later SF). Griffey may be a defensive upgrade in center but that doesn't say much for the guys who have been patrolling out there for the past couple years. Griffey will definitely bring a better bat and that should help energize the offense. More runs = more wins because the Sox have great pitching. Is this an upgrade? Yep.

A lot more flexibility in run production. PK needs a break, Brian Anderson gets more time in CF. Move Wise down until the playoff roster, and I can Orlando Cabrera out (I hate to say that...good player)

Excellent move...

BTW...Did anyone see the broken bat home run Swisher hit two nights ago.
I haven't seen anything like that in my life!!!

How much older can the White Sox get? It's starting to look like a geriatric ward out there.

Getting Griffey would have been a bold move -- 8 years ago. Now it's a typical Chicago move: get a guy well past his prime with a little name recognition and hope he's got something left in the tank. It's marginally better than the Cubs getting Gary Gaetti and Nomar a few years ago -- or the Sox getting Thome.

Sox still need bullpen help. And some more speed, athleticism and youth sure wouldn't hurt.

I see some weird scenarios listed here while the answer is simple.

Griffy replaces Swisher in center while Swisher moves to first and replaces Kornerko who looks dead at the plate.
You are trading Griffy's defense for Swisher's while swaping Griffy's bat for Kornerko's.
Griffy becomes their best center fielder and is a better hitter than Paulie any day of the week so how is this not a good move?

Another good move by Williams and I was once a long time Kenny basher.

I assume this deal is part of something larger because it really doesn't make any sense right now. By the way, have you actually watched Brian Anderson play centerfield? He is an excellent defensive centerfielder. He just can't hit. Neither Griffey nor Swisher come close to his skills in the field.

KGJ: they'll try him in CF. If he proves to be worse than Swish, they'll move him to RF & ask Dye to play CF. Dye's the best OF we have.

Konerko: A 2 yr slumping player at $12.5M? He's staying. He'll share ab's w Thome & Swisher at DH & 1B.

Anderson: The clock is ticking. Williams is no doubt trying to sell the A's on him to help land Street for the pen. Wise has blazing speed, is outslugging Anderson & has a much better OBP.

Interesting move with Griffey, but I think its a signal to a couple of other players that it may be time to go.

Those players are Thome and Konerko.

The White Sox say Griffey is going to play Center Field, with swisher going to 1st, and Konerko going to the bench. If that is true, don't be surprised to see Konerko in a deal today to get that pitching help Kenny Williams is looking for.

My opinion. Thome may be gone. Has a big option bonus on his contract this season if he gets a certain amount of at bats. I don't think Jr. can hold up in Centerfield day in and day out. So he will probably have to DH from time to time. That means Thome sits.

It will be interesting how it plays out.

More often than not, when an aging star is traded to another team his focus seems to excel a bit, even if just for a short time. Well, there are only two months left to the regular season, Junior loves a competitive challenge, and it means Konerko; "He Gone". Just the latter alone puts a twinkle in my eye, but I can't help but love the fact we have another lefty in the line-up, especially one that hits righties better than the ones we have now. This can't hurt.

As for another starter, Oh yeah, we need one in the worse way. When a teams E.R.A. goes from 1st to 4th in the American League in a matter of days you tend to worry a bit. Plus, after seeing stats of the Cubs pitchers dominating The Brew Crew in Milwaukee, and Harden hasn't even pitched yet, it's time for the Southsiders to get their swagger back and prove Chicago has TWO fine staffs, and not one and an inconsistant.

I wonder what the Sox have planned for Contreras' big FIVE-0 birthday party next year?

Konerko vs Swisher vs KGJ (OPS):
since the break: 490 vs 740 vs 1071
1st ab all yr: 676 vs 668 vs 931
against RP yr: 654 vs 685 vs 863

It's a huge upgrade & why Williams is a championship manager.

All he gave up was Richar & Masset & he still has Fields, Anderson, & Wise (294BA)to help swing a trade for pen help.

Noles and others . . .

Why are you complaining.

Seriously?

Are you hurt by the loss of Nick "I barely made the roster" Masset or Danny "where's my passport" Richar?

Neither player was in the Sox long-term plans, and they got each in deals where they didn't lose anyone special.

Next spring, both were likely off the 40-man roster.

As a result, I see no problem with giving Griffey a shot in Center.

You all act as if Swisher is great there. He isn't. And he isn't hitting.

You also act as if we need 1995 Griffey. We don't.

If Griffey just does what he does, and matches Swisher's play in CF -- which should be hard -- it's a certain upgrade over Konerko or Anderson.

If he can hit, but can't field, you can try Dye at 1B.

If he can't hit, and can't field, what have you lost?

Certainly the team needs another pitcher, but this was a solid deal given what they gave the Reds in return --

Nothing.

The reward is worth the risk.

I think this is a big "push."

Griffey seems completely dis-engaged from the game. No passion. No joy. Going thru the motions. Ho-hum.

Not sure this was the "chemistry" we really needed to add to a team that already has too many "ho-hum, tomorrow's another day" players (Thome, Konerko, et al).

Griffey's fire seems diminished from spending too many years hurt, with mediocre teams, etc.

Maybe the trade will re-ignite him, but I'm kind of doubting it.

Griffey is seeing the ball better than he has in over a year, and is currently on a 12 game hitting streak.

Williams might have lucked out and snagged this guy at just the right time. Who knows ... with 50 some odd games left to play, and a chance to make the playoffs, K.G. Jr. might just be re-energized and catch lighting in a bottle.

IIMHO I think it's a good move for a classy player. And I certainly won't be saying anything bad about our general manager for the rest of the year.

Scout's honor.

Also: I really looks like Kenny Williams believes that his team has a legitimate shot at doing some damage in the playoffs, so I wouldn't put it past him to make another bold move like signing Barry Bonds to that minimum deal that he says he's willing to play for.

I'm not in any way recommending that he do so, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least.

Brian Anderson is NEVER going to be anything more than a back up player and will probably be out of baseball five years from now.

He had his chance and he is not the answer.

Having Griffey in center field will cost you more games than his 230 15 hr bat will win you. And if you bat him any other spot than 3rd...........well you'll see.

He won't make much difference. The Sox were going to the playoffs with or without him. And because they didn't get help in the bullpen or starting rotation they will be one and done.

So, in the baseball version of Herman Melville's classic, Captain Ahab does catch his Moby Dick. What does this mean for the Chisox? Aside from acquiring a fading future hall of famer, who will turn center field into the grand canyon of extra base hits for opposing teams, not much. Comparisons are never fair but instructive; look at what the Angels, Brewers, Yankees, and dare I mention, the Cubs did to address team weak spots in an attempt to gear up for a post season run. Mercy.

Griffey certainly deal certainly didn't cost Sox much & worth the gamble. They gave up a pitcher who was getting hit allot of late & a second baseman who may never be mlb material. Griffey may help players around him in order get better pitches to hit. Want to see allot less of Paulie which I think was part of thought of this deal. Was a PK backer,but his continued struggling is killing team & makes too much $ to bat just above Mendoza line. Hopefully KW can move Paulie & Fields too (another guy from minors who doesn't have good skills).Sox need to find pitching to have a shot of going far in playoffs should they qualify.

Ken Williams says center field is the easiest outfield position to play, so putting Griffey out there is reasonable. Since he's a former ballplayer, I'll assume his opinion is an expert one. Perhaps he might explain, then, why most defensively challenged outfielders are assigned to left field. Whatever the case, surely playing center field--be it easy or difficult--depends overwhelmingly on speed. Can there be any argument here? No credible case can be made for Griffey in center field with his current legs.

I am equally distressed at PK's dismal performance at the plate, but I don't see Swisher as much of an upgrade offensively or defensively at first base. Last night on two successive chances he failed to come up with short-hop throws (from Uribe and Pierzinski). Swisher may cover more ground than PK, but he (PK) is a steady--and often sensational--fielder of errant infield throws. In addition, with the exception of an all too brief revival in June, Swisher has been a disaster at the plate. Like Willy Loman all he has shone us is a "smile and a shoeshine." Now as for Ryan Sweeney's stats with the A's....another Bean hijack in progress.

His bat was 245.

And it's not as if Swisher is a stud on defense.

Moreover, we saw exactly what he can do out of the 3rd spot last night.

Stop crying and give it a chance.

As Harry Caray used to say "What about the pitching?"

IT STINKS!!!

this just insures griffey ends his career in obscutity. Only real interest is race to see who breaks down first thome or griffey. Griffey can't play outfield anymore and isn't much of a upgrade at dh so what is there to be excited about? If williams was any good at his job he would have added pitching, both starting and bullpen instead of a washed up name player. That would have helped the team and not just been a pr move to create a little buzz as the sox fall out of contention. Besides, once griffey sees how ozzie runs team he'll regret going to sox and go on dl.