Rumors are aplenty this time of year.  No team or player are exempt.  Some are no brainers, others can leave you baffled.

One of the trade rumors flying around this morning (while all the “unofficial” reports of the Jackson/Teahan trade were being parroted) was that both Gavin Floyd and John Danks could be potential commodities, should Kenny Williams decide to become a seller this trade deadline.  The appeal is obvious; two quality pitchers whose contracts don’t expire at the end of the season.  Gold.

Gavin Floyd is a quality pitcher that many teams would love to have starting for them, make no mistake about it.  But Floyd’s stuff just isn’t Ace-worthy– he’ll always be a middle starter.

However, many people consider John Danks to be the heir apparent to the number one spot once Mark Buehrle departs (as he eventually will, either with his longtime team crush the Cardinals, or retirement).

Kenny Williams has always been the kind of guy who never tips his hand before pulling the trigger on a trade.  It would be interesting to see how Danks’ outing today would play into a trade deal (striking out a career high ten batters and making the Tigers lineup look foolish with his cutter).  His stock is certainly high.

But with the White Sox taking two of three from Division leading Detroit (and almost handing Verlander his second loss in a week), the ground before Kenny Williams may have gotten a bit firmer.  Being only 3.5 games back in a Division where teams seem to be fighting to give each other first place, KW would be hard pressed to go on a massive fire sale in an effort to rebuild for future seasons.  So while more trades are possible, the likelihood of any major selloff happening are pretty slim.

That being said though, you just never know with KW.

Here’s hoping that we’ll be able to continue writing punny headlines for John throughout the rest of the season, and not have to end it with “So long John, and Danks for the memories.”

You may commence with the groaning now.

Photo credit: (Paul Beaty / Associated Press)

More to come soon!

DTK

www.lifeinthecell.com

Thanks,

DTK

Join us, will you?

I can honestly say I’m torn on whether Harold deserves to be in the hall. On the personal side, I have many, many fabulous memories of Harold Baines from my childhood. He was the player that always seemed to be up when the game was on the line and he was a lock to produce. And when he didn’t, it seemed like a fluke.

However, I don’t think his numbers are good enough to be enshrined– 2866 hits, 384 HR, .289 AVG. These are fantastic numbers, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t think they’re HOF numbers. And don’t bother emailing me about Player Q who had worse stats and is in the HOF. I won’t listen.

Harold, I wish you all the luck in the world in the next 14 years, you’ll always be Mr. Clutch to me.

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I have to say I was glad to see McGwire not make it to the Hall in his first attempt. It makes you wonder though, would his vote count have been the same sans all the steroid crap? I’m thinking no. But would his numbers have been the same? Again, I’m thinking no.

But it does raise an interesting question– what’s going to happen when Bonds reaches eligibility. Will he sail through? Or will he be met with the same (apparent)apprehension. I, for one, hope so.

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Uribe– Will he stay or will he play?

I’m hoping he stays at home this year. And while he’s home watching the team play without him, hopefully he’ll be practicing his swing, getting rid of that gawd-awful “I’m a power hitter” mentality.

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McCarthy—

I’m going to say something that probably isn’t very popular– I’m glad to see him go. And BM may very well make me eat these words one day, but i don’t think he’s the pitcher he’s been hyped to be. I just hope the trade doesn’t turn out to qualify for Sports Illustrated worst trades of all time honor.

Time will tell.

Enjoy.

So with ex-Sox player will be getting a ring this year?

A’s – Frank Thomas
Tigers – Magglio Ordonez

Mets- Jose Valetin, Julio Franco, Orlando Hernandez, Roberto Hernandez
Padres- Geoff Blum, Mike Cameron
Cards – Aaron Miles

Aaron Miles? He played like 8 games. Honest.

Frank “I will curse the South Side for dumping me” Thomas

Magglio “I’ll never get a haircut until I get a ring” Ordonez.

I’m saying the A’s in 6, but with how my predictions are going so far, you’ll probably be better off putting your money on Detroit.

As it stand now, I have yet to watch more than five minutes of football this year, and the prospect of catching many NHL games isn’t very good.

So, for now, I’m keeping it as is. But don’t be surprised if this becomes a White Sox blog, and going into a temporary hybernation.