The White Sox acquisition of relief pitcher Tony Pena from the Arizona Diamondbacks has some people scratching their heads.  When you have a back end to your bullpen that features four solid relievers, why add one more?  Even if you added one more, wouldn't the easiest option be D.J. Corrasco who has earned the promotion from his role as mop up man?

With that said, it got me thinking about various scenarios that might be taking place inside the head of White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams.  Here are just a few:

• Octavio Dotel, one of the Sox big four, is a free agent after this season.  Pena is Dotel's replacement for 2010.  He just got here a little early, but Kenny never misses a fire sale like the one they are having in Arizona. 
• The addition of Pena takes some pressure off Scott Linebrink who has issues pitching on consecutive days. It also gives Dotel and perhaps Matt Thornton extra rest.  One thing is for sure: If you don't get the Sox by the sixth inning, you may be done for the evening.
• The addition of Pena opens up the possibility that the Sox could move Dotel for something they could use to strengthen the bench.
• Dotel could be packaged with Brian Anderson or Dewayne Wise, both of whom will get significantly less playing time upon the return of Carlos Quentin.  In fact, with the DFA of Jimmy Gobble, either Wise or Anderson most likely will lose their roster spot when Quentin returns. 
• Dotel could also be packaged with Josh Fields.  The problem with this scenario and the above scenario is that a team wanting to divest itself of major league quality players in a fire sale is looking for prospects, not established players.  The Sox might be able to deal with a contender, preferably one in the National League (i.e. Cardinals, Mets, Phillies, Braves)
• Closer Bobby Jenks is arbitration eligible at the end of the year and is the only Sox regular who could garner blue chip prospects in a trade.  Thornton could be moved to the closer role with Dotel, Pena and Linebrink ahead of him.  Personally, I think it would be unwise to move Jenks.  He's not only a solid closer, he's one of the leaders of the team whose presence would be sorely missed. Futzing with the chemistry at this point when the team has played so well also seems to be a bad idea.
• Many fans are wondering why the Sox would trade Brandon Allen, who many believed was the heir apparent to Paul Konerko.  Allen raked at AA and was just getting acclimated to AAA.  The logical answer is that the organization is going to move either Tyler Flowers or The Cuban Sandwich to first base as a way to hide their defense.  Flowers can hit, but his catching skills are very questionable.  The Sandwich can also hit, but he plays third like his feet are encased in cement.  Since Konerko is back next year, the Sox took the opportunity make their strong bullpen even stronger while opening the door to some future development.
• In addition to the above, the Sox may also like Josh Fields at first which would also block Allen's ascension.  I still think the Sox regard Fields as Joe Borchard light and would move him if they had the opportunity.