Chicago White Sox: Kenny Williams Needs to Be Relieved of His Duties Immediately

The word that every fan fears to hear from their favorite team's general manager, the word that has echoed throughout U.S. Cellular field since the offseason began—rebuilding.

Last year's campaign began with such hope. The White Sox signed slugger Adam Dunn to a four year, $56 million-dollar contract, signed reliever Jesse Crain and Will Ohman, re-signed A.J. Pierzynski along with Paul Konerko and claimed former first-round draftee Philip Humber off waivers.

The White Sox were considered 22-to-one favorites to win the 2011 World Series (according to Intertops Sportsbooks). Many experts also pinned the White Sox as clear-cut favorites to win the AL Central.

The White Sox ended their 2011 campaign 16 games in back of first place, as they went 79-83 and finished third in the AL Central. The third-place finish led to the departure of controversial manager Ozzie Guillen, who took his talents and White Sox ace Mark Buehrle to South Beach, to start a dynasty with the Miami Marlins.

All-Star Carlos Quentin also packed his luggage after being dealt to San Diego in exchange for Simon Castro and Pedro Hernandez. Up-and-coming closer Sergio Santos was traded in the early stages of the winter meetings to our neighbors up North, the Toronto Blue Jays—for pitching prospect Nestor Molina.

As the rebuilding efforts continue, Jerry Reinsdorf needs to get rid of one more piece to this jigsaw puzzle. The piece's name is Kenny Williams.

From "all in" to fire sale (occurs when a team trades many of its veteran players—especially expensive star players—to other teams for less expensive and usually younger players), Williams has once again proven his inability to compose a winning ball club.

Entering his 12th season as general manager for the White Sox, Williams has compiled a record of 929-854—with two playoff appearances and one World Series ring (2005). His statistics as a GM are well below acceptable. From baffling trades to a dramatic soap opera with Guillen and hitting coach Greg Walker, the Sox need to break ties with Williams.

Williams’ blunders include trading Kip Wells, Sean Lowe and Josh Fogg to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Todd Ritchie and Lee Evans. Ritchie lasted only one season with the Sox, as he went five-15 with a 6.06 ERA. Evans struggled in the Minors and lasted only one season before being traded—while Fogg and Wells remained key components to the Pirates pitching staff for over three years.

The biggest mistake in Williams' career in my eyes had to be his trade with the Oakland A's for Nick Swisher. Williams gave up top-prospect pitcher Gio Gonzalez (Washington Nationals) and outfielder Ryan Sweeney (Boston Red Sox) for "Swish." The kicker in this trade was Williams' premature release of "Swish."

Yes, Swisher batted .219 with 24 dingers and 69 RBI, but keep in mind the fact that the Sox traded two future stars for him. Only one season. No second chance.

This past season Adam Dunn batted 60 points lower then Swisher and belted 13-less homers, yet Dunn is still in a White Sox jersey. After his release, Swisher signed with the New York Yankees and became a starter. Upon entering his fourth season as a Yank, Swisher has compiled a .267 batting average along with 81 home runs and 256 RBI.

Don't get me wrong, Williams has made many good trades—but there's more bad than good here. Williams basically started huge feuds with his entire coaching staff throughout the frustrating 2011 season that led to the complete revamping of the White Sox coaching staff.  

Honestly how can you call Robin Ventura a manager?

He has no coaching background, and in my eyes was hired to only listen to whatever Williams says without bickering. There were four other managerial candidates that were 10 times more qualified to wear the black and white. 

It hurts me to say this, but as long as Kenny Williams is the White Sox GM—the Sox will be the bottom feeder of the AL-Central. With a depleted farm system and a fire sale that most likely will continue through the 2012 season, Williams has officially ruined the Organization.

With the Tigers' powerful hitters and pitchers, the Royals' youngsters continuing to mature into stars and the Indians' mastermind manager Manny Acta calling the shots for a sleeping giant in Cleveland, I find it hard to see the White Sox competing for the next few years.