Chicago White Sox: The Top Five Kenny Williams Acquisitions

With all of the hype surrounding the Manny Ramirez acquisition, it makes me want to go back and see the top five acquisitions of Williams' general managerial career.

Williams became the general manager on October 24, 2000. This is his legend.

5. Freddy Garcia

Freddy Garcia and Ben Davis from Seattle for Jeremy Reed, Miguel Olivio, and another minor league player:

Garcia helped solidify the 2005 rotation for the World Series championship, and Davis missed the playoff roster, but provided solid backup for Pierzynski.

4. Jose Contreras

Jose Contreras for Esteban Loaiza:

Again, Contreras helped the Sox win the 2005 World Series and beyond. He had an all-star caliber season in 2006, and even though he was pretty much run out of town, the fact is, at one point, he did take the "ace" spot of the rotation from Mark Buehrle.

3. Matt Thornton

Matt Thornton for Joe Borchard:

With the Mariners pretty much giving up on him, they felt as if this was a steal. But with Borchard no longer in the major leagues and Thornton being a premier left handed set up man in the game and All-Star, Kenny got a prize with this deal.

2. Alex Rios

Alex Rios, claimed off of waivers in August 2009:

After trying many center fielders, the White Sox wrapped up a legitimate defensive center fielder, for nothing but paying his large salary.

Although he had a bad season last season, this year he solidfied the number three spot in the order for many years to come, and has given the White Sox something they needed: a solid defensive contact hitting outfielder.

1. Scott Podsednik

Scott Podsednik and Luis Viscaino for Carlos Lee

A few people including myself were skeptical of this move, because Lee was a legitimate power hitting left fielder, but he lacked speed and defense in left field. "Scotty Pods" started in center, but quickly moved to left and provided a defensive upgrade, albeit not a huge one. Podsednik gave the Sox what they needed to put them over the top offensively to win the World Series, a legitimate lead-off man who would be a base stealing threat and be able to put the bunt down when called upon.

Viscaino was solid and Lee helped the Brewers as well. This could be the most impact player that the White Sox had as far as lead-off men are concerned since Lance Johnson

Honorable Mentions

1. Jim Thome

2. John Danks

3. Gavin Floyd

4. Bobby Jenks

5. Javier Vasquez