Reports have surfaced that the catching challenged Texas Rangers have called the White Sox about acquiring catcher A.J. Pierzynski .  With the Rangers leading their division and the Sox bearly afloat in theirs, the Rangers figure now would be a good time to ask.  Add to that Pierzynski is a couple of weeks away from vesting his 10-5 rights which means he has a full no trade clause and the fact that this is his walk year and it isn't as far fetched an idea as one might think.

The key is White Sox GM Kenny Williams.  At this point, has Kenny thrown in the towel and would be willing to part with a veteran catcher, a member of the 2005 team and a superb handler of pitchers?  Losing Pierzynski would mean the Sox would turn the reins over to top prospect Tyler Flowers, who by all reports, isn't ready yet.  While no one doubts Flowers can hit, his defense is suspect.  And there is also the aspect of does he have the leadership skills to guide a veteran pitching staff?

When Pierzynski comes out to the mound to talk to a pitcher, he's like the old E.F. Hutton commercial.  The pitcher stops and listens to him.  My fear is the first time Flowers comes out to talk to Mark Buehrle or Jake Peavy, he'll be greeted with a snarl and a "get your happy ass back behind the plate before I insert this ball in your rectum."

On the other hand, if Kenny has already determined that eight out before memorial day means back up the truck, Pierzynski will be the first of the vets to go.  Others could include Andruw Jones, Omar Vizquel and (glup) Paul Konerko, all of who could contribute to a team's stretch drive. 

I'm on the fence with A.J.  I love his tenacity and bad assness and his abilty to hit in the clutch.  I love the way he handles pitchers.  I just wish he could throw out some base runners.

The big question is what do you get for a 33 year-old soon to be free agent catcher?  Will it be someone Kenny can plug in right away or will it be a handful of magic beans?  Or worse, will Kenny do what he did when he sent Tad Iguchi to Philadelphia and trade for a crappy A-baller like Michael Duby?

I hope Kenny thinks this through before beginning the dismantling.  I think it's a bit early to throw in the towel.  I think by July 4th you'll have your answer, although for Pierzynski, that might be too late. Of course, the Chairman may be telling Kenny at this exact moment "Anyone who thinks we can catch Minnesota is crazy!"