I’m been juggling this idea for awhile, and daggumit, I’m finally going to write about it. There is no doubt Kenny Williams likes to wheel and deal. This off-season is probably going to drive him nuts; considering that he will be on a tight lease/budget. It seems you either love or hate the guy, which is why I want to write this. Because I have really no opinion on how good/bad he is.
I think he has done some really good things, and has done some really stupid things. But, over a course of a decade, you are bound to have some albatrosses and snafus. I will go through Kenny Williams’ Top 5 best and worst trades. I’m a bad news first kind of guy, so let’s start there.
1. Edwin Jackson for Daniel Hudson
I’m still not over this. I absolutely despised this when it happened. The reason why this move was the worst he ever made is because he essentially traded the same pitcher for another, while adding 9M for a guy who was without a doubt going to walk (Boras client). It’s simply a trade that DID NOT need to happen. Hudson has moved on to be one of the best pitchers in the NL, and would have been a fine DH for us this year. Jackson is now pitching in the NLCS for the Cardinals. Yay.
2. Nick Swisher for Wilson Betemit, Jhonny Nunez, Jeffrey Marquez
On the surface, this is the worst one. But, I have always given Williams somewhat of a pass on this move. Guillen is what drove this trade. No way would Kenny just have given up on Swisher so easily on his own. He even told Swisher at the end of 2008 that he was going to come back. This is one reason I’m glad Ventura is manager. Trades like these won’t happen again.
3. Keith Foulke for Billy Koch
There were other players involved in this deal, but hardly any that mattered. Neal Cotts being one of them is the only reason this isn’t my number 1 (Thanks 05 fluke!). Billy Koch. Wow. Couldn’t have been worse. CLEARLY a pitcher that was successful from HGH. Comes from the Bay Area to Chicago and velocity is gone. Meanwhile, Foulke dominates not only for Oakland, but then for Boston for years to come.
4. Nick Masset and Danny Richar for Ken Griffey Jr.
When I was a kid, and played Triple Play baseball. I use to always dream of Junior in a Sox uniform. But, I would never do it. Because it just wasn’t realistic. Only a half decade later it was a reality! I think Kenny Williams used my mindset as a kid on this one. Junior was CLEARLY past his prime, and really gave the White Sox nothing (ok, that throw in 163 was sweet). Masset has since became a very quality relief ace.
5. Ray Durham for Jon Adkins
Ray Durham was good years after this, Jon Adkins was worthless. Case closed.
Phew, that was brutal. Ok, let’s go to the good news! The very best Kenny Williams moves.
1. Freddy Garcia for Gavin Floyd and Gio Gonzalez
Gavin Floyd has been nothing but quality for the White Sox since 2008. Gio Gonzalez was a key part of the first Swisher trade, and is the reason why that trade could go into KW’s worst. Freddy Garcia was pure trash in Philly.
2. Joe Borchard for Matt Thornton
Joe Borchard has the longest homer in US Cellular field history. Matt Thornton has been the best reliever in US Cellular field history. I’ll take the trade off.
3. Aaron Rowand and Gio Gonzalez for Jim Thome
Smart fans realize this was a good move, while the meatheads do not.
4. Chris Carter for Carlos Quentin
Carter still has the potential to make this trade more even. But, Quentin has been a good acquistion for Williams. Was the sure fire MVP in 2008 before he broke his hand in a freak incident. Quentin has never had a season in terms of that type of production, but has been quality.
5. Esteban Loaiza for Jose Contreras
Contreras had one of the most dominating stretches for a starting pitcher in MLB history. Loaiza flamed out and had one decent year post trade.
When looking at Williams’ history has a whole, he has been a successful GM. It is a lot harder to think of 5 devasating moves than it is to think of 5 good moves. But, like most good things, they have to come to an end sometime. Let’s hope I can somehow update this list in 2012 for the good side.
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