Let's Make a Deal: Kenny Williams Edition II

I have two issues with the current Chicago White Sox lineup: They're old and slow. Previously, in Edition One of a quickly growing "Let's Make a Deal" series, I offered up a trade that could make sense for the Sox and Rockies, in moving some back and forth that would help both clubs.

In that proposition, Jermaine Dye, Nick Swisher and Javier Vazquez would go west in exchange for Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins.

In this second edition, my offering is for another younger player that would bring a spark to the Sox batting order and accomplish what every deal should in an ideal baseball work by making both teams better.

Trade proposal: The White Sox send first baseman Paul Konerko, starting pitcher Clayton Richard, and reliever Mike MacDougal to Milwaukee for Prince Fielder and Rickie Weeks.

Let's assume, for the sake of this discussion, the Rockies deal doesn't happen. What does this deal mean to the two franchises involved?

First, in Milwaukee the rumors are circling Fielder just as they are Holliday in Colorado. The young slugger was unhappy last year that the Brewers decided against offering him a new, bigger contract and allowed him to play out his rookie money for another season.

Having failed in two consecutive seasons to advance deep into the postseason, the Brewers showed a willingness to sell out for a winner in 2008 that could potentially continue into 2009 if the right deal shows up.

This might be that deal.

During the season, Milwaukee soured on Weeks, so much so at second base that they traded for former White Sox Ray Durham, who saw more playing time down the stretch than Weeks. Fielder played well at times, but his relationship with the team has deteriorated because of his desire to get paid.

At 24 years old, he has plenty of time to chase the benjamins, but he wants them now and is cursed by being a leader on a small-market team.

Enter the Chicago White Sox. Why would they entertain this offer?

Let's review.

The two issues I have with the current Sox team is that they are a) old and b) slow. While the hefty Fielder certainly wouldn't be chasing Alexei Ramirez around the bases, Weeks has the ability run some. More importantly, both players coming from Milwaukee would be in their early 20s, and Fielder's offensive numbers have certainly been on par (if not better) than those of Konerko.

Have I mentioned that Fielder owns the Cubs? That never hurts when trying to win the affection of South Side fans.

But if Fielder and Weeks are young and so good, why would the Brewers make this deal? Especially considering the financial outlay they would be facing adding Konerko's contract ($12 million per season for 2009-10)? This is a substantial investment by the Brewers if they pulled the trigger on this deal.

Consider this: Ryan Howard, one year ahead of Fielder in the cycle of arbitration eligibility, broke the bank in Philly by scoring a record-shattering $10 million decision. While Fielder has not put up exactly the numbers Howard has, he has nonetheless put up huge numbers in relation to his $670,000 contract. He will most certainly attain a significant raise this winter, whether the Brewers offer a new contract or not.

Konerko is signed through 2010, with a flat salary each of the two years. In this world of escalating salaries, it is conceivable that within two years of similar production at first base, Fielder would be worth more in arbitration than Konerko's contract.

Also consider Milwaukee's yearning for an October winner; Konerko was clutch down the stretch this past season, in helping the Sox win their division and was a huge part of the World Series Champions in 2005.

The unmentioned pieces of this deal are what make Milwaukee pull the trigger. Richard is the major-league ready starter they desire, and MacDougal is a power arm for a bullpen that was a train wreck and can be pointed to as a major reason for two consecutive disappointing seasons. Neither of these young pitchers make much money and would certainly help bolster a staff losing the likes of Ben Sheets and CC Sabathia.

In review, the White Sox would part ways with an old, slow first baseman and two pitchers that are easily replaced because of the depth in their system in exchange for an unhappy, looking-to-get-rich-now first baseman and a defensively deficient second baseman with an enormous ceiling.

The Brewers, on the other hand, say good-bye to a player who smacked a teammate in front of the TV cameras and a disappointing prospect in exchange for a shown postseason leader and two young arms to bolster a thin, weak pitching staff.

Maybe a long shot, but it's just a thought...