Jose Contreras was so upset, he took it to the mound with him.  Ozzie Guillen was so angry he took it out on Contreras.  Pablo Ozuna was also reported to be upset, probably greasing the wheels for him to wind up somewhere else.  This was the reaction yesterday to the news that in order to bring Paul Konerko back online, the Sox had DFAed one of the heroes of the Sox 2005 World Series Championship run.

The reassignment of Ozuna is a gamble by Sox GM Kenny Williams that Ozuna will go unclaimed for ten days and then accept a minor league roster spot until room can be cleared for him to return.  With the Sox inability to trade Juan Uribe, Josh Fields being injured and the emergence of Alexi Ramirez, Ozuna was the odd man out in a sometimes complicated game of musical chairs.  The fact that Ozuna is a brutal third baseman was probably the most important factor in the Sox decision to stick with Uribe.  Uribe is the only Sox reserve who can play a decent second, short and third.  Uribe is being kept mostly as a backup for Joe Crede, should he need to rest his chronically bad back.

Should Uribe get traded, the Sox can bring Ozuna back.  Ozzie Guillen is quite fond of players who can play multiple positions.  In 2005, the Sox utilized players like Ozuna, Ross Gload and Aaron Rowand ion their way to a trophy.

Ozuna has been an important part of the Sox success since his arrival in 2005 playing a variety of positions in a back up role.  He broke his leg last year and because of that is no longer used in the outfield.  He's also not as fast as he was before his injury and he's certainly not as good at the plate. 

If the Sox want to acquire a veteran who can play the infield plus serve as a backup in center, they should talk to the Milwaukee Brewers about disgruntled utility man Bill Hall.  Hall's salary and his desire to be a started plus the asking price may preclude the Sox from doing that.

As much as Pablo Ozuna has meant to the team over the years, I've learned that it's best not to question Kenny Williams.  The move, no matter how upsetting it may be, was probably the best for the Sox moving forward.

So long, Pablo.  Thanks for the memories.