But where would they be if they had 11 wins from Javier Vazquez, 22 home runs from Nick Swisher or hundreds of grounders fielded cleanly by Orlando Cabrera, Joe Crede or Juan Uribe? Those were the veterans Williams discarded after last season, when he quietly cut the payroll by about $25 million.

Phil Rogers, Chicago Tribune

I usually enjoy reading Phil Rogers column and over the years, he's been a great guest on some of the sports talk stations I've been at.  However, I'm a little perplexed  with his  comments this morning in the Tribune.  For a guy who is a respected baseball writer, he makes little if any sense in his "what if" scenario regarding former White Sox players, especially if you watched this team play at all last year. 

I agree in principle that Juan Uribe or Orlando Cabrera are better at shortstop than Alexi Ramirez and perhaps the decision to play Ramirez at short was a big mistake given his lackadaisical play.  That said, Cabrera wore out his welcome last year with his selfish attitude.  He was one free agent I'm glad the Sox didn't re-sign.

Uribe is what he is: A fun loving goofball that plays a average shortstop, a decent third base and swings from his heels.  Should Kenny have re-signed him?  Maybe, as insurance.  But then again, in order to give Ramirez the opportunity, it was better to cut ties and remove all doubt.  The future of Ramirez moving forward is cloudy, but until the Sox can find another shortstop with as good an arm and as much potential offensively, it remains his job.

Swisher is a goof ball who never fit in with this team.  His pouting over his poor season last year was self serving.  Trading him was the only way to get any value back for acquiring him in the first place.  Swisher is a good  ballplayer.  I think Kenny knew this when he traded for him.  But his chemistry with the button down White Sox became a distraction. His numbers this year are more reflective of who he really is.

Vazquez is a head case.  I don't care if he wins 30 games, if you hand him the ball in the one game you need to win, he'll choke like Albert DeSalvo. Kenny absolutely did the right thing in sending him packing and acquiring Tyler Flowers.

I don't think there is a Sox fan who doesn't appreciate and love Joe Crede, (wait for it) BUT his bad back and constant injuries make him undependable.  Sure, it would be great to have him at third, but for how many games?  Although Crede denies it, there are rumors he might have to retire soon.  Giving Gordon Beckham the opportunity for on the job training will be a huge help for the White Sox in 2010.

Bottom line:  Sure, those guys may have helped, but then again, they could have hurt too.  Trading Aaron Rowand set the Sox back in center field for four years, but if you didn't trade him, you would have never had Jim Thome or Gavin Floyd in a Sox uniform.  No telling what the future may hold for such castoffs as Brian Anderson, Jerry Owens and others, but face it, they needed to go and go they did.  Clayton Richard and his three wins in a Padres uniform would be huge right now, but long term, Jake Peavy should be a top of the line pitcher for the Sox.

Hindsight being what it is, perhaps Phil is due for an eye exam.