The White Sox recent promotion of Dayan Viciedo turned a few heads a couple of weeks ago.  Many, including me, said the Cuban Sandwich wasn't ready for prime time, but honestly, the big boy has been impressive so far hitting .294. 

At first, it was thought he was just coming up to spell Omar Vizquel at third or perhaps to move to first should the Sox find a buyer for Paul Konerko.

But with the Sox back in the race, it has come to light that the reason Viciedo was called up maybe wasn't for major league experience but so other teams could kick the tires on him prior to the trade deadline.

If the Sox are truly buyers and are going to go out and purchase something pretty big, a player like the Sandwich would be huge (pun intended). 

For instance, if the Sox, as some of the rumors have suggested have their sites set on Milwaukee's Prince Fielder, then Viciedo would fit nicely into their lineup (although it would become very right handed heavy.)  Or, if the Nationals were to let loose of Adam Dunn, Viciedo would be ready to plug in at first for the Nats. 

Dunn is a free agent after this year and probably would move on.  Fielder is interesting.  He's a Scott Boras client, but Boras actually owes the Sox who picked up Andruw Jones when no one wanted him in the off season.  Fielder is eligible for arbitration at the end of this year and a free agent after 2011 when he looks to make Ryan Howard type money.  Fielder makes the Cuban Sandwich look like a supermodel to be sure, but for a big, big boy, he is very agile and a decent first baseman.  And, the dude can absolutely crush the baseball.

The Brewers would be interested in the Cuban Sandwich not only because of his potential, but because he has a deal which runs through 2012.  For the small market Brewers, he would bring some welcome salary relief to a team with a couple of decent players.

There certainly would be other players involved.  The Brewers, who have enough offense but not enough pitching to get back in the race, need some help.  Daniel Hudson or Carlos Torres could be that help.  The Brewers also lack a decent catcher since Greg Zaun went down for the year.  They have two young catchers filling in,  but Tyler Flowers may be of interest. 

The key here is the Cuban Sandwich, because he could replace either Dunn or Prince right now.  In fact, there is irony the Sandwich was called up while the Sox were in DC, perhaps giving the Nationals to see him up close and personal.  But it seems like the linchpin of any deal that Kenny Williams might make would center around Viciedo.

Here's the reality: If the Sox get one more big bat and continue to challenge Minnesota and Detroit and make it to the playoffs, the Sox will draw.  With the Cubs in the tank, the Sox will control not only the crowds, but also the buzz, both of which are very important to the organization.  With their deep pitching, the Sox have a chance to make some noise in the playoffs since they get there, even making some fantasize about 2005.  And, if the Sox can repeat what happened in that year, the organization will become appreciably more profitable.  Casting aside a future all-star and some high profile prospects and bringing aboard a rent a player is a small price for them to pay to return to the promised land.

So, if the Nats or Brewers are really serious, so is Kenny Williams. 

Lightning Round

• Joe Buck Sr .?  Really AP. really?