White Sox fans will be happy that Anderson is gone, but Kotsay is worthless. I just hope he's reinforcements for the Charlotte Knights or something.

That sucks. I'll miss Katt-kid.

It's because Ozzie Guillen is racist that they traded for the man of color Kotsay. What, he's white? I got nothing.

Seriously though -- the ####? Is there some chance Kotsay is a class b free agent, gets offered arb and turns it down? This is a real head scratcher from the WS' perspective. Who knows, I guess this balances the roster -- and that helps for future trades KW is planning, and he is no doubt planning future trades.

Red Sox fans you get a decent 4th outfielder who can't hit a lick but is an asset on defense.

White Sox fans will be happy that Anderson is gone, but Kotsay is worthless.

Mrs. Kotsay, on the other hand...

What will the Yankees do to counter this?

The Red Sox have a 4th OF, Baldelli. They need a bat.

Red Sox fans you get a decent 4th outfielder who can't hit a lick but is an asset on defense.

The question remains, is he better than Christopher Brandon Young? He's definitely cheaper...

We have our new Geoff Blum.

What will the Yankees do to counter this?

Probably trade Brett Gardner for Curtis Granderson.

What will the Yankees do to counter this?

Acquire Jeremy Reed for Brian Bruney!

Wow, it has been forever since I've posted on Primer.

That said, this news got me back to reading, as I've simply hated watching Brian Anderson's at bats for years now. He and Josh Fields both have such obviously--and frequently--exploited weaknesses in their batting approaches that it's tough to tolerate having either of them bat for your team.

On the whole, a win-win for both teams. Boston gets a guy who could, in some universe, put it together to become a decent 5 tool ML centerfielder. And the White Sox don't have to watch him try anymore.

As Bill Murray says in Ghostbusters: "I love this plan! I'm excited to be a part of it."

On the whole, a win-win for both teams. Boston gets a guy who could, in some universe, put it together to become a decent 5 tool ML centerfielder. And the White Sox don't have to watch him try anymore.

Except now they have to watch the bloated corpse of Mark Kotsay attempt to play baseball. I'd rather they had just released Anderson.

Anderson goes to Pawtucket. He's a lottery ticket, not someone to help the club this year.

I wonder if Theo thinks he failed in acquiring depth bats this season - when Aaron Bates needs to play for a week, something's gone wrong. So he's picking up more depth in near-MLB quality players who can hopefully be around next year.

By my count, Anderson has only two+ years of service time and has used only two options, so the Red Sox can stash him in AAA next year if they want. Is that right?

FACT: Brian Anderson's middle name is Nikola.

FACT: Brian Anderson's bb-ref page is sponsored by WifeSchool.net, although "school" is misspelled.

White Sox fans will be happy that Anderson is gone, but Kotsay is worthless.

Be much happier if DeWayne Wise were gone.

I wonder if Theo thinks he failed in acquiring depth bats this season - when Aaron Bates needs to play for a week, something's gone wrong. So he's picking up more depth in near-MLB quality players who can hopefully be around next year.

Thinking the same thing. This is about getting something for nothing (since Kotsay was DFA'ed anyway).

Be much happier if DeWayne Wise were gone.

After what he did, I'd have thought ChiSox fans wouldn't care if he went 0-for-the-rest-of-2009.

After what he did, I'd have thought ChiSox fans wouldn't care if he went 0-for-the-rest-of-2009.

That bought him a week. If he saves another perfect game tonight, he can stay the rest of the season.

You guys must have been ready to pull a Bernazard on Wise before Buerhle.

After what he did, I'd have thought ChiSox fans wouldn't care if he went 0-for-the-rest-of-2009.

Wow, one play. When he gets above the Mendoza Line for the year, let me know.

You guys must have been be ready to pull a Bernazard on Wise before Buerhle.

Fixed that for you.

Brian Anderson fun fact!

* After 1-0: .329/.472/.457 (89 PA)
* After 0-1: .129/.169/.153 (89 PA)

Throw him a first-pitch breaking ball, and he's clueless for the rest of the at-bat.

Even Wise isn't that helpless. Good riddance.

Even Wise isn't that helpless. Good riddance.

Yes he is. He's a .210 career hitter. In his "great year" last year he hit .248. He sucks. Neither one should be on the team.

It's funny how Ken Williams and/or Ozzie Guillen seem to have this obsession with having terrible left-handed hitting outfielders on the roster. Timo Perez, Darin Erstad, Jerry Owens, DeWayne Wise, Scott Podsednik, and now Mark Kotsay, and I'm sure I'm leaving some guys out.

It's funny how Ken Williams and/or Ozzie Guillen seem to have this obsession with having terrible left-handed hitting outfielders on the roster.

It's not funny. It's sad. Both of them love the guys that look good in a uniform. Kenny's at least smart enough to realize that you need talent to win. Ozzie wants to go back to 1960's ball, probably because his stats won't look so bad in comparison.

It's funny how Ken Williams and/or Ozzie Guillen seem to have this obsession with having terrible left-handed hitting outfielders on the roster. Timo Perez, Darin Erstad, Jerry Owens, DeWayne Wise, Scott Podsednik, and now Mark Kotsay, and I'm sure I'm leaving some guys out.

Harold Baines hit .131/.202/.143 with Kenny as GM, and they put up a statue of him.

The question remains, is he better than Christopher Brandon Young? He's definitely cheaper...

The answer is, they both suck.

It's funny how Ken Williams and/or Ozzie Guillen seem to have this obsession with having terrible left-handed hitting outfielders on the roster. Timo Perez, Darin Erstad, Jerry Owens, DeWayne Wise, Scott Podsednik, and now Mark Kotsay, and I'm sure I'm leaving some guys out.

One of those things is not like the other (the guy who's hitting .305/.361/.397). Pods circa '09 reminds me of Jose Canseco '01 -- I may not like the idea of having him around, but he's certainly stepped into the breach and performed well.

It's because Ozzie Guillen is racist that they traded for the man of color Kotsay. What, he's white? I got nothing.

He's the whitest guy on the White Sox roster. So he'll fit right in with the Red Sox.

One of those things is not like the other (the guy who's hitting .305/.361/.397). Pods circa '09 reminds me of Jose Canseco '01 -- I may not like the idea of having him around, but he's certainly stepped into the breach and performed well.

We'll see how long that lasts - Pablo Ozuna had a brief period where he was an asset, as well.

I just hope it doesn't result in him being back in 2010.

The Red Sox got a guy that they can stash in AAA until September, then call him up as a 5th, 6th, or 14th outfielder.

Kotsay was doing a good job with the glove at 1B for Boston, so that's something. Maybe not much, but something.

So I have the impression, never having seen him play, that Brian Anderson must be fast because he's a supposedly decent defensive centerfielder who can't hit. Is he actually fast? Because I told my dad this morning that I was betting Theo's only acquisition this deadline season would be a pinch-runner. He's 13/27 stealing in his MLB career, which isn't good.

Anderson's not going to hurt you on the basepaths, but he won't help much either.

I have to admit, it saddens me to lose BA like this. I still think he can be a contributor to a major league team. He is a better hitter than Dewayne Wise, he is a better fielder than Dewayne Wise... he is simply better at baseball.

I guess this shoots down the theory that the only reason Wise was kept over Anderson was that Anderson still had minor league options.

Kotsay was doing a good job with the glove at 1B for Boston, so that's something. Maybe not much, but something.

Maybe this means Josh Fields is headed out of Chicago? With Beckham playing solid ball at 3B (currently hitting .295/.371/.468), and Kotsay capable at 1B as a backup, he could be expendable. Don't know who'd want him, though.

So I have the impression, never having seen him play, that Brian Anderson must be fast because he's a supposedly decent defensive centerfielder who can't hit. Is he actually fast?

I don't know if he's fast, but I've always thought of him as a really good defensive centerfielder. He glides in the outfield -- everything looks effortless. No idea if the stats bear this out, though.

I just hope it doesn't result in him being back in 2010.

You're kidding, right? They're already talking about signing Pods to a contract. It's one of the most frustrating things to me as a White Sox fan (although #1 on that list by far is the failure to find an adequate CF -- if they bring in Rios, then I can almost forgive Pods in left in 2010).

I'm liking the fact that the Red Sox are getting people back who even have the slightest potential to contribute at some point for players who were worthless to the team.

I guess this shoots down the theory that the only reason Wise was kept over Anderson was that Anderson still had minor league options.

Ozzie didn't like Anderson. Never has. He's been criticizing Anderson for years. It was personal with Ozzie. Fine, but it's Kenny's fault that the two options were shittier and shittiest. A real major leaguer would've been a good option for a team that thinks it can make the playoffs.

Maybe this means Josh Fields is headed out of Chicago?

Do the White Sox have options on Fields? I know he hasn't been productive, but I'd hate to see the Sox let him go for nothing.

So, no more "the White Sox should be giving Brian Anderson a chance" threads? The end of an era.

So, no more "the White Sox should be giving Brian Anderson a chance" threads?

They're just going to morph into "when are the White Sox going to get a real center fielder?" threads.

They're just going to morph into "when are the White Sox going to get a real center fielder?" threads.

Well, when are the White Sox going to get a real CF?

It was personal with Ozzie. Fine, but it's Kenny's fault that the two options were shittier and shittiest.

I don't like how Ozzie occasionally makes it personal (see, e.g., Vazquez and Swisher), but Anderson never panned out. He's got an career OPS+ of 67 in almost 900 MLB plate appearances. He basically hasn't hit since 2005 (AAA), when he posted an OPS of 829.

Now, the White Sox sticking with Anderson way too long? That's on Kenny. So is the continual failure to obtain a MLB-caliber center fielder.

Well, when are the White Sox going to get a real CF?

If a team assumes Rios's entire salary, what would Toronto require in the way of players? The White Sox have a ton of money coming off the books this off-season (Thome's 13M, Contreras's 10M, 10.5M for Dye if his option isn't picked up).

Well, when are the White Sox going to get a real CF?

Maybe Jordan Danks comes up next spring and has a decent OBP. Or maybe Kenny will stick Podsednik out there until either Jared Mitchell or Trayce Thompson is ready...though after living through 2007 with both Erstad and Podsednik in the lineup, I hope Kenny's too scarred to do that.

Well, when are the White Sox going to get a real CF?

His name is Alexei Ramirez. Next season, he should be the starting CF.

It's sad that we're clamoring for the days of Aaron Rowand.

Maybe Jordan Danks comes up next spring and has a decent OBP.

I have high hopes for Danks. From what I understand, he might end up in a corner outfield spot in the long run, but I hope he can play center for 3-4 years. If he can start doing that next April, that would be great.

His name is Alexei Ramirez. Next season, he should be the starting CF.

I think they might really be committed to Ramirez at shortstop. At least I hope they don't have him playing three different positions full time in three consecutive seasons.

Besides, all that does is create a hole at shortstop - I'm not convinced that Gordon Beckham is the answer there.

Besides, all that does is create a hole at shortstop - I'm not convinced that Gordon Beckham is the answer there.

The easy way to make sure he isn't the answer is to just never let him play there. I'm not convinced Alexei's the answer, and he's played there all season. He's just not good enough defensively. We've gone over this 100 times, ALEXEI IS A CF. He was in Cuba, he played last year, that's where he should be.

Jimmy, Ramirez has 2.8 FRAA according to UZR (Fangraphs). I watch a lot of the games, not all but alot. He looks fine out there. He's maddening because he has a wild arm, but he has good range and a strong (if wild) arm. He's fine. My observation thinks so (which is worthless basically) but UZR backs me up.

Anyways, it just really annoys me when people think Ramirez is horrible at SS and his "natural" position is CF. I think Guillen and Williams know slightly better than us fans where he can and can't play.

Back to how bad Brian Anderson and Mark Kotsay are.

I'm fine with Ramirez at short, as well.

That bought him a week. If he saves another perfect game tonight, he can stay the rest of the season.

He'll do his part by making three easy outs for Scott Baker. He's just needs to rest of the guys to follow along.

I guess this shoots down the theory that the only reason Wise was kept over Anderson was that Anderson still had minor league options.

I thought the theory was that Ozzie couldn't stand Anderson. The trade looks like Boston getting someone they might be able to use and Chicago getting someone they might be willing to use.

It's sad that we're clamoring for the days of Aaron Rowand.

Could be worse: people will be clamoring for the days of Scott Posednik. That's actually a possibility depending on what happens there next year, too.

ALEXI IS A CF.

Typing it in caps does not make it so:

After making a smooth transition from his native Cuba, Alexei Ramirez sounded even more confident about his move from second base to shortstop for the White Sox in 2009.

“I’d be extremely happy,” Ramirez said Tuesday in a conference call from Miami. “It’s my natural position, [the one] I’ve always felt the most comfortable in.”

Come on, PH, don't let facts get in the way of Jimmy P's 'Ozzie's an idiot who doesn't have a clue' babbling.

I'm liking the fact that the Red Sox are getting people back who even have the slightest potential to contribute at some point for players who were worthless to the team.

You reckon? I'm a BoSox fan and to me it has the slight stink of re-arranging the deck chairs on the titanic....

We need a bat, a real one, not these half-arsed players they are picking up.

Well, yeah. But Kotsay was DFA'd. Getting something for him, while not major, is a nice bonus. Tito seems to believe there's a good chance there's still a move coming. So we'll see.

If a team assumes Rios's entire salary, what would Toronto require in the way of players? The White Sox have a ton of money coming off the books this off-season (Thome's 13M, Contreras's 10M, 10.5M for Dye if his option isn't picked up).

I'd like to say a reasonable amount. Not a Halladay return, but Rios is an above average defensive centerfielder who should hit reasonably well over the life of this contract, his struggles this year and his mental lapses notwithstanding.

That being said, it depends on how much the team has been ordered to slash payroll and what, if any, other deals are completed. If the payroll cut is severe and/or the team can't find the right package for Halladay, they might decide that some small return for Rios is better than giving away Rolen and eating some of Overbay's contract.

Anyways, it just really annoys me when people think Ramirez is horrible at SS and his "natural" position is CF.

Ramirez is horrible at turning the deuce. Awful. He doesn't know how to pivot, he's afraid of baserunners, and his transition from glove-to-throwing hand is terrible. Routine double-play ground balls hit to Getz become a coin flip.

I can't believe that White Sox organizational talent assessment watched this guy work out and decided he was a major league shortstop.

I can't believe that White Sox organizational talent assessment watched this guy work out and decided he was a major league shortstop.

He's got terrific range and a strong, accurate arm. He's capable of highlight-reel plays. His flaws as a shortstop are mental - he is afraid of baserunners (he's fine on 6-4-3 double plays, his only problem is with 4-6-3 plays) and he tends to lose focus sometimes. From a coaching perspective, this is fixable.

Ramirez has already established himself as a serviceable MLB shortstop, and has the possibility to be a very, very good MLB shortstop.

Alexei will be moved to CF in the off-season, I'd wager a testicle on that. With practice, I think he will be pretty damn good out there as well. He is a decent SS/2B, but Beckham is the SS of the future, and by moving Alexei to CF, a huge hole is filled, assuming he puts in the time/effort to learn the position. Time will tell...

"So I have the impression, never having seen him play, that Brian Anderson must be fast because he's a supposedly decent defensive centerfielder who can't hit. Is he actually fast? Because I told my dad this morning that I was betting Theo's only acquisition this deadline season would be a pinch-runner. He's 13/27 stealing in his MLB career, which isn't good."

Anderson, when he first came up(he has lost a little speed/range) was extremely fun to watch in the field. He is still an excellent defensive center fielder, imo, but that is it. He will never hit his weight, simply doesn't have what it takes.

Beckham is the SS of the future

I don't know about this. The scouting reports out of college and his brief time in the minors weren't glowing about his defense. The talk in Spring Training was that Beckham would end up at second base in the long run.

Ramirez has already established himself as a serviceable MLB shortstop, and has the possibility to be a very, very good MLB shortstop.

Maybe, but if Beckham is also a serviceable SS, and Ramirez is a serviceable CF, then you can buy a halfway decent 3B. That upgrades the lineup and the defense. I'm tired of watching Alexei boot what should be easy plays. And I'm tired of his schlocky double plays.

Typing it in caps does not make it so:

That's frustration. JRE and I have been arguing about this all season. Alexei can all he wants he's better at SS, but he may not be better than the other options, and his value to the team may be more elsewhere.

Come on, PH, don't let facts get in the way of Jimmy P's 'Ozzie's an idiot who doesn't have a clue' babbling.

Ozzie does a lot of things well. But, he's always had a weak spot for fast guys that look better than they play (Dewayne Wise), he gets way too personal (Anderson), and his batting orders are confusing (Wise leading off part of this season, Beckham's continuing to bat 7-8-9). He does a great job of handling pitchers, and he does a great job of deflecting attention from struggling players.

Back to how bad Brian Anderson and Mark Kotsay are.

Obviously, Josh Fields falls somewhere in between the two. He was kept instead of Anderson, but demoted for Mark Kotsay. Am I missing what the difference is between Kotsay and Anderson?

The Sox are actually amazing. They haven't gotten anything from their first round picks for over 10 years (unless you count Ginter, Mark Johnson, and Jeff Liefer) before Beckham. They have 2 fifth OFs and one AAA OF on their team, and yet they've won a World Series, won 90+ games, made the playoffs, and are in contention this year in the past 5 years.

Alexei can all he wants he's better at SS, but he may not be better than the other options, and his value to the team may be more elsewhere.

I'm hoping that Jordan Danks can eventually fill the hole in Center Field, maybe as soon as next year.

In the meantime, the Sox need to fill that hole in 2010 with a real center fielder, not another experiment (as Swisher was, Griffey was, Podsednik is and Ramirez would be) or AAA player.

Oh, and by the way, now Josh Fields is asking for a trade out of Chicago, so I'm sure we'll see another pointless roster move in the next couple of days.

What will the Yankees do to counter this?

Probably trade Brett Gardner for Curtis Granderson.

Or just keep Gardner on the DL.

I'm hoping that Jordan Danks can eventually fill the hole in Center Field, maybe as soon as next year.

He better be willing to get along with Ozzie, or they'll just keep some guy hitting .190 out there.

He better be willing to get along with Ozzie, or they'll just keep some guy hitting .190 out there.

This is where you and I agree. The White Sox don't seem to understand that playing baseball well is more important than being chummy with Ozzie Guillen.

If a team assumes Rios's entire salary, what would Toronto require in the way of players?

I posed this question on July 28, and now it looks like we might find out the answer:

Sources: Waiver claim made on Alex Rios of Toronto Blue Jays - ESPN

Any guesses who did it?

Any guesses who did it?

The Yankees.

Any guesses who did it?

Omar.

Any guesses who did it?

It could almost be anybody, despite the bad rap his contract has gotten. Any team can absorb $10 million per year, that's what garbage players like Jeff Suppan and Jose Guillen get.

Any guesses who did it?

Omar.

Only if he's trying to get fired. The Wilpons, given their current financial state, will #### bricks if Omar has just grabbed them an additional $60M in salary committments.

No way Rios got all the way to the Mets (assuming the AL-first system's still in place). Rios is a good player and his contract is expensive but reasonable. He's not Vernon Wells.

BTW, how would a change of teams work in connection with Rios's no-trade clause? Does it apply only if he is actually traded, and not apply if the Blue Jays just let the claiming team take over the contract?