Iguchi will always be remembered for his two solid years at second for the Sox and, of course, this game (http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2005/B10050CHA2005.htm). Wells threw Iguchi two curveballs in a row and Tadahito didn't miss the second one. He'll definitely be a solid fill-in for Utley.

that was fast

Not being able to offer him arbitration reduces Iguchi's trade value substantially.

A 21-year old low-A reliever is about as poor a return as it gets, however.

Farewell, Li'l Guchi.

Let's see what Danny Richar can do.

What happens if Utley comes back? Can Iguchi play 3b? Or pitch?

kudos, Phillies. nice move.

Huh? What are the Mets doing? I suppose Iguchi isn't... nevermind, I don't want to drag that into discussion.

What happens if Utley comes back? Can Iguchi play 3b? Or pitch?

He doesn't have the arm to play anywhere but second.

The Phillies can go ahead and release Iguchi when Utley comes back, and it'll still be a clear win.

Seriously, there's got to be more to this...I'd think KW could at least get the Mets to make it a bidding war- keep Iguchi out of the Phils' hands in exchange for...something better than a reliever in Low A....I'd rather have Iguchi than Grudz, who they've been reportedly going after...

Good move by the Phils to limit the damage of Utley's injury. Hopefully the Mets will bury them by the time he comes back...

Huh? What are the Mets doing? I suppose Iguchi isn't... nevermind, I don't want to drag that into discussion.

Marcus Giles could probably be had for some crumb cakes right about now.

This is weird that the Mets didn't jump all over this.

This is weird that the Mets didn't jump all over this.

Perhaps Iguchi no habla espanol.

A 21-year old low-A reliever is about as poor a return as it gets, however.

Yeah. Looks like a pure contract dump for the White Sox. Dubee probably has only a slightly better chance of being a big league contributor than his brothers.

Perhaps Iguchi no habla espanol.

That reminds me. Now the Phillies have both the jalapeño and the wasabi from the White Sox.

Dubee probably has only a slightly better chance of being a big league contributor than his brothers.

Knowing Ken Williams, Dubee will be on the Opening Day Roster next year.

The Sox always have to have their Designated Minor-League Reliever Who's On The Roster For No Reason That Anyone Can Fathom. He'll get along famously with Boone Logan and Nick Masset.

You know who should love this? Sam M. If anything, this flies in the face of the theory that Minaya and Willie love the "Proven Veteran" and are willing to go with Gotay as Valentin's main replacement. Of course, this is assuming the Mets don't acquire another veteran later.

The Sox always have to have their Designated Minor-League Reliever Who's On The Roster For No Reason That Anyone Can Fathom.

There's no reason for most of their major league relievers either.

Of course, this is assuming the Mets don't acquire another veteran later.

You say Jack, I say Wilson... Jaaack...

Ken Williams reportedly said that this move was purely to make room for Danny Richar, who's having a nice year down in AAA.

I have my doubts about him, but I do think it would be funny if yet another former Arizona infield prospect went on to major-league success.

Iguchi will always be remembered for his two solid years at second for the Sox and, of course, this game

Without even clicking on the link, I knew you were talking about the David Wells curbeball...

Ken Williams reportedly said that this move was purely to make room for Danny Richar, who's having a nice year down in AAA.

I have my doubts about him, but I do think it would be funny if yet another former Arizona infield prospect went on to major-league success.

Looking at his minor league career, nothing about the guy jumps out at me.
He is posting an OPS about 200 points above his career minor league average since joining the Sox system,(130AB) but that is about it.

Might as well see what they have in the guy with two months to go I guess.

Looking at his minor league career, nothing about the guy jumps out at me.
He is posting an OPS about 200 points above his career minor league average since joining the Sox system,(130AB) but that is about it.

That's pretty much my take - an organizational soldier who's having a career year. I'd be pleasantly surprised if he sticks in the majors.

That's pretty much my take - an organizational soldier who's having a career year. I'd be pleasantly surprised if he sticks in the majors.

The power may be an anamoly, but he has shown an ability to get on base. Or, he could have made a huge adjustment. Either way, I'm really surprised Ozzie isn't going to put Andy Gonzalez in every day.

Any chance the White Sox offered this in part as a make-up for the Garcia debacle? Otherwise I have to believe they could have gotten at least a little more.

I had this game in mind.

Any chance the White Sox offered this in part as a make-up for the Garcia debacle? Otherwise I have to believe they could have gotten at least a little more.

I definitely agree with the second part. He's still a league averagish 2nd baseman, even in a down year. In a seller's market with at least two other contenders looking for a potential upgrade at that position, I wonder about the first part, too. Especially this far from the deadline.

There were just too many other available 2B on the market. The Sox really weren't going to get anything.

Wow, I'm shocked the Mets couldn't offer anything better. Someone should've told Minaya that rolling sushi isn't much different from rolling cigars...

It's certainly possible that there is a comfort level between the two GMs. Perhaps Kenny Williams just doesn't want to "deal" with the Mets and/or Omar.

These are still people making the decisions. And people do things for different reasons beyond what "seems" to be sensible business practice.

Any chance the White Sox offered this in part as a make-up for the Garcia debacle? Otherwise I have to believe they could have gotten at least a little more.

Excellent theory! The answer is "sure", this happens all the time. GMs are quite clear they don't really set out to "win" trades as much as they set out to use trades to reallocate resources. GMs who "win" too many trades start finding out they can't get anyone to play any more. Example: I don't think it's a coincidence that Williams and Beane don't work trades much any more, after the Foulke/Koch deal...

As for the trade, what's a 30-something middle-of-the-pack platoon second baseman with two months left on his contract and no draft picks worth? Is he even worth a win over replacement level at this point?

Williams says he couldn't get any more because nobody was anteing up. Why is that so hard to believe?

I had this game in mind.

So did I. The most mindblowing thing I think I've ever seen in a baseball game.

Supposedly Houston has traded Dan Wheeler for Ty Wigginton. Prelude to another deal for Houston?

Supposedly Houston has traded Dan Wheeler for Ty Wigginton. Prelude to another deal for Houston?


That's got to be them getting ready to trade Loretta. It's weird that the Astros and D'Rays would be making a deal right now, though.

Gillick did claim Williams on waivers when he was in Toronto.

an organizational soldier who's having a career year.

Come on, Jerry. Organizational soldier? He's 24 years old -- we're not talking about a kid who's been puttering around in AAA the past three seasons and is just now starting to hit. Maybe you're right that he's having a career year, but I think you're short-changing Richar at this point.

I had this game in mind.

I was actually at that game. IIRC, the weather was kind of crappy and I was thinking about leaving early -- something I can only remember doing once -- but I'm sure glad I didn't, even though the Sox lost. Fun game to be at, that's for sure.