Let's Make a Deal: Kenny Williams Edition

Kenny Williams has shown a remarkable ability the past few seasons to find gems in deals that are completely ignored, some of which never made it to any section of the newspaper utilizing larger than five-point fonts.

Chris Carter for Carlos Quentin?

But there are moves that could, and should, be made with the current White Sox roster that could greatly shape not only 2009, but the next decade on Chicago's South Side.

The White Sox are old. And slow. The team will have an average age of 30 for the roster as it is currently put together, and their best speed threat on the bases is Alexei Ramirez, who looked as clueless as he did fast between the bags last year.

Here's one deal that might make sense for a couple teams looking to improve in specific areas: The White Sox send outfielders Jermaine Dye and Nick Swisher, and starting pitcher Javier Vazquez, to the Colorado Rockies for outfielder Matt Holliday and third baseman Garrett Atkins.

The rumors have started to swirl surrounding Holliday, who turned down a multi-year deal to stay in Colorado last year. He's in a walk year and has put up big enough numbers the last couple years that the Rockies are quickly starting to think they might not be able to afford him after 2009.

Atkins, slowed by some injuries last year, still knocked in 99 runs. Both players are 28 years old, and Atkins is in an escalating arbitration cycle under his rookie contract.

In Dye, the Sox would be bidding farewell to their World Series MVP and a popular team leader. At 34 years old, Dye has one year left on his current contract but has a mutual option for 2010, which would pay him $12 million.

Swisher was disappointing in his first season with the Sox but has a marketable personality. He played well defensively at first base, as well as all three outfield positions, and his switch-hitting ability and line-drive swing would play well in Colorado. He is also signed through 2011, with an option for 2012. The money for a swap of Holliday/Atkins for Dye/Swisher would be nearly even.

Vazquez would be the wild card in the deal. Various reports have said the Rockies want "major-league ready pitching" in any package for Holliday. Vazquez is not only ready, but experienced. He'll be 33 years old next year but is signed through 2010. Late this season, he appeared to have worn out his welcome with manager Ozzie Guillen, having mediocre performances in a number of big games in September that drew the ire of Ozzie.

Why would the Rockies do this deal? They would be receiving three players, all of whom have the potential to put up big numbers in Denver. Dye would immediately step into the lineup and give the Rockies a veteran presence that has hit at least 28 home runs in each of the past four seasons.

Swisher would give the Rockies a switch-hitting players whose offensive game would figure to suit the Mile High City perfectly. And Vazquez would help anchor a rotation in flux alongside Aaron Cook and Ubaldo Jimenez.

Why would the White Sox make this trade? Obviously, letting go of Dye would be painful for Sox fans, especially if another World Series hero, Joe Crede, leaves as a free agent. Bringing Holliday and Atkins into the order would infuse the team with young, proven talent that replaces Dye in the outfield and Crede at third base.

As already mentioned, Guillen might be willing to pack Vazquez's bags for him, and youngster Clayton Richard threw well enough to merit a long look in March for a spot in the rotation.

There would be three pieces to this deal that make it sticky. First, Williams would likely have to send cash with the players to Colorado to cover Vazquez's $11.5 million salary over the next couple years. The second, and perhaps the most important, would be Holliday's willingness to sign a new deal with Chicago, ensuring Williams isn't renting the outfielder for just one season. Finally, Dye would have to waive a limited no trade clause if Colorado is one of six teams to whom he stated he didn't want to be traded in his contract.

In Chicago, a batting order that had a middle of Quentin, Holliday, Thome, Konerko, and Atkins is as dangerous as any in the American League, but seeing players in their 20s in three of those five is easier to stomach as a fan than having the bulk of the order over 33.

Meanwhile, with the Dodgers potentially losing Derek Lowe and Manny Ramirez, this deal would help the Rockies get back to competing for their division crown in 2009, as well as having some flexibility in the future.

This is a long shot of a deal, but it makes sense for both teams. Just a thought...