I was away this weekend attending to other things including a goofy dog with "dietary indiscretions", a killer recipe for beef wellington and a charity softball game, so I apologize for not posting since Friday.  I know both of you that read this blog really depend on our insight.

I don't envy Kenny Williams.  Given the 4-6 road trip and the failure of Daniel Hudson in two of three starts, Kenny has been painted into a corner by not only his team's lack of a left handed power stick but of an additional starter to replace the injured Jake Peavy.  The injury to Peavy may have been a turning point in the season in that if Kenny prioritizes a trade for a pitcher over a trade for a hitter, the Sox may still not have enough fire power offensively. 

Cliff Lee and Dan Haren are gone, traded to the AL West, so Kenny's pool for A-list starting pitching is limited to Roy Oswalt (not a chance) and Ted Lilly  (possibility).  With Jim Hendry in a position to dump payroll while re-building with youth, an attempt at acquiring Lilly may be the Sox best bet.  Package some up some minor leaguers and Lilly can be had.  Best for the Sox is that he is a rent a player whose contract is up at the end of the year.  Maybe the low price the Angels paid for Haren will factor in to other deals, giving Kenny an advantage.

Personally, while I think Daniel Hudson has been less than impressive thus far, I think he'll get better.  The kid is feeling the pressure no doubt and doesn't appear comfortable.  He's obviously heard he's on the block and until someone sits him down and tells him the spot is his, probably will continue to be tentative.  Obviously, his breaking pitch needs to improve.  The question is how fast?  And, do you really want to trade some potentially good minor league players for someone you may not need?  Or even more disconcerting, Hudson himself.

As far as hitters are concerned, with the Brewers winning ten of their last fourteen, I doubt Prince Fielder is going anywhere.  Milwaukee, like the Sox depends on putting butts in the seats to help offset the cost of their roster and with the Brewers playing winning baseball again, the fans will turn up at Miller Park.  Fielder is a large part of that draw and a big part of the Brewers clubhouse. 

As far as Adam Dunn is concerned, unless Mike Rizzo backs off his ridiculous requests for starting players, Dunn isn't coming to Chicago.  The question for the Nats is do they think they can re-sign Dunn or should they trade him to get more value now?  Remember, this is his walk year.  And, that should mean something to Kenny Williams too.  Giving up Carlos Quentin or Gordon Beckham for a rent a player is a stretch, even for Kenny. 

I'm in the camp of those who believe that Kenny will add a small piece, like a left-handed reliever or a utility guy.  I just don't see him making a big trade.  Of course, it's easier to predict winning lottery numbers that predicting what Kenny is going to do.  No one saw the Jake Peavy trade coming last year.  And that's just how Kenny likes it.

There is one other factor that might convince Kenny to flinch and give away more than he wants to.  The Tigers are with out Mags until September and Carlos Guillen for at least another ten days.  They also have lost Brandon Inge.  Turning up the heat on the Tigers would at least make it a two horse race.  The big horse however is Minnesota, a team the Sox lost three out of four game to last weekend, even with Justin Morneau out of the lineup. 

The question is do the Sox, as Ozzie believes, have enough to win the division or do they, as Kenny probably believes need one more piece.  Stand by, Sox fans.  We might know something by Friday.