Williams Strikes Out Again

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Dec 5, 2007 3:30PM

Chicagoist certainly doesn't envy White Sox GM Kenny Williams and the difficult task he has to rebuild a team that lost 90 games in 2007. On Tuesday, he once again was overmatched by the opposition and missed the ball on potential help for his club.

Recent reports suggested that the Sox were close to landing third baseman Miguel Cabrera from the Florida Marlins — a player that Ozzie Guillen referred to as his "fourth son." Last season, Cabrera batted .320 while slugging 34 homers and driving in 119 runs. And he's just 24 years old.

Instead, the AL Central rival Detroit Tigers landed Cabrera and former All-Star pitcher Dontrelle Willis in return for six minor-league prospects.

The loss of Miguel Cabrera follows a similarly embarrassing situation two weeks ago when the Sox made it sound like signing free agent outfielder Torii Hunter was all but a done deal. Then the Angels outbid the Sox and signed him instead. That's two strikes against Williams now. Will he swing and miss on Aaron Rowand as well?

Thus far, all that the Sox have managed to do is to re-sign Juan Uribe, a shortstop they want to replace; then to trade for a replacement shortstop by giving up Jon Garland, a dependable starting pitcher who eats up innings; to overpay for a middle reliever to try and repair their horrific bullpen that'll certainly be seeing more work in '08 on account of the Garland trade; and to trade for a fringe outfielder. Not exactly the moves that'll return the Sox to glory.