The Trade Kenny Williams Should Make

They've done it before. The White Sox and Rangers made a deal last year that saw pitchers Nick Massett and John Danks come to Chicago for Brandon McCarthy.

Could they do it again?

Very simple: the Chicago White Sox trade starter Javier Vazquez and centerfielder Brian Anderson to the Texas Rangers for outfielder Brandon Boggs, third baseman Hank Blalock, and a young catcher, probably Max Ramirez.

Why do the Rangers make this trade? Vazquez is a good starting pitcher with good stuff. He just doesn't know what to do if the game means something. In the current condition of the Rangers, he wouldn't have to worry about games meaning much. He's a consistent workhorse who eats innings and strikes people out.

If and when Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla take their annual trips to the injured list, Vazquez will still be out there chucking.

Anderson is the odd man out in Chicago. If the Sox can't find a suitor for Jermaine Dye, they'll have Jerry Owens, Carlos Quentin, and Dye in the outfield with Anderson. Manager Ozzie Guillen has never been fond of playing Anderson, and yet he shows signs of having some abilities when given a chance.

He would be a nice corner outfielder that would play good defense next to Josh Hamilton.

Why do the Sox make this deal? To get rid of Vazquez, first of all. Guillen has openly questioned Vazquez' competitiveness and didn't want him on the roster last fall. Same with Anderson.

In return, the Sox would be able to acquire a backup/replacement in training for AJ Pierzynski in Ramirez, another speedy outfield component in Boggs and, most importantly, a stop-gap third baseman in Blalock to hold down the position while the Sox figure out whether the future is Josh Fields or the latest Cuban import.

Blalock's shorter contract would also be desirable for a team looking to cut some payroll both now and in the future.

With two third basemen in the system, the Sox wouldn't have the every day concerns about Blalock's health issues; they have lived with Joe Crede's bad back the past two years just fine. But Blalock would come cheaper, and for fewer years, than Vazquez.

This deal moves two headaches out the door in Chicago and gets one out of Texas. It fills holes for both teams, and could positively impact two divisional races.

Just a thought...