This off-season has been one of expectations and disappointment. The expected signings and trades have been numerous, but most of them have not panned out. It is a divided nation as to what the direction is this winter. But through all of that, some important things have happened.
Three unexpected trades happened. Out went a bunch of minor leaguers and some experienced talent and in came some variously experienced individuals. Losing Jon Garland was something the White Sox nation has expected for some time now. He has always had enormous potential while putting up some decent statistics and records. But we fans always knew he would be leaving us at some point. He brought Orlando Cabrera in return. An upgrade at shortstop has been demanded by fandom for sometime now due to Juan Uribes' lack of consistency in anything but strike outs and donut eating. But this came after an extension for Uribe. So it didn't make a lot of sense, but it was an upgrade at one position while leaving another with question marks.
Carlos Quentin was another unexpected addition that came through a trade this year. And while he has a considerable possible upside, he hasn't completely proved it yet. But his potential made me happy for the acquisition, especially with our apparent lack of depth in the outfield. If he stays healthy and can produce as to what has been expected of him in the past, we made a great addition to the team. The Sox also didn't really give up that much for him.
The final trade really came from out of nowhere. Nick Swisher for two pitching prospects and outfield prospect. There was some outcry due to the two pitching prospects being considered some of the Sox top pitching prospects. But the addition of a proven Major Leaguer who is signed until 2011 with a club option for 2012, this started to seem like a really good trade for both sides.
But what has gone unnoticed by some is that the White Sox have established a young core of potentially All Star caliber players for cheap while also maintaining a group of proven veterans. Yes they gutted their farm system to acquire this. But it wasn't much of a farm system. The great thing about the Swisher and Quentin deals is that they have given themselves some time to rebuild while maintaining some solid pieces for many years to come.
Kenny Williams has been working on changing the farm system. By changing the staff around that assesses and is in charge of some of the youth and developing, and by giving his team some very good players to help build around, they have actually created excitement in White Sox land. If they aren't in contention by the All Star Break, they have plenty of pieces that could help a close to playoff team be pushed over the edge. Paul Konerko is a fan favorite, but could bring a very large return that could help the team for years and years. Joe Crede, if healthy, can turn around and bring in another large bounty. The biggest thing that the Sox biggest name players could do is help to rebuild the farm system by infected it with some very top prospects from other farm systems.
All in all, this year is a lot more exciting for the Sox after missing out on the free agents they were targeting. There is a lot less anger and frustration from White Sox fandom over the moves Kenny Williams has made. While there are still some issues that need to be addressed, these trades have established a younger core of players for a team that was too old a little bit ago. And it is pretty exciting to think about the potential.
