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02/13/2005 4:24 PM ET Owens added to White Sox reserve Club trades Escobar to get something in return By Scott Merkin / MLB.com CHICAGO -- The pool of right-handed hitters off the bench shrunk by one for the White Sox on Sunday, when outfielder Alex Escobar was traded to the Washington Nationals for minor league outfielder Jerry Owens. But general manager Ken Williams seems more than satisfied with his team's current options in reserve, regardless of what side of the plate they swing the bat. "When you have good left-handed hitting, the need for a right-handed hitter off the bench is diminished quite a bit," said Williams from his home in Arizona on Sunday afternoon. "It's overplayed a little." News and features: • Takatsu: Fans 'made a difference' • White Sox Spring Training quick hits • White Sox eager to check out new faces Multimedia: • GM Ken Williams on Sox's offseason moves • MLB.com's Scott Merkin on White Sox's offseason • A.J. Pierzynski conference call Info: Schedule | Ballpark | Tickets MLB.com's complete coverage During SoxFest at the Hyatt Regency in January, manager Ozzie Guillen identified a right-handed hitter off the bench as one of the minor concerns still to be addressed for the White Sox. That particular player was to join Ross Gload and Timo Perez, two left-handed hitters who absolutely excelled in reserve during the 2004 campaign. Williams made it clear Sunday that these right-handed options already exist, especially when a healthy Frank Thomas returns. With the slugging designated hitter in the lineup, either switch-hitting Carl Everett, Aaron Rowand or Jermaine Dye will be available, depending on the starting lineup for that day. Those temporary bench options don't even factor in backup catcher Ben Davis, who is a switch-hitter, and utility infielder candidates Wilson Valdez and Pablo Ozuna, who both hit from the right side. Although the 40-man roster currently sits at 39, it's unlikely Williams will add another veteran to compete for a backup role. The opening doesn't necessarily increase the chances for non-roster invitees such as catchers Jamie Burke and Chris Widger or outfielder Tony Alvarez, all of whom are right-handed hitters. Basically, Sunday's trade centered on getting something for Escobar, before the White Sox had to give him up without any compensation. "We had six outfielders, and the fact of the matter is that Alex would have to make the team or go through waivers," said Williams of Escobar, who the White Sox claimed off waivers from Cleveland on Aug. 16 of last season. "In reality, he might have been a guy that we could have afforded the luxury of carrying," Williams added. "But he might have been the first guy out if we had to add anyone. Then, we would have had to put him through waivers." Williams still remains high on Escobar, something he conveyed to the 26-year-old Sunday morning. Escobar was limited to just 62 games last season, between Cleveland and Triple-A Buffalo, because of a navicular fracture in his right foot. But Escobar was said to be healthy and ready for Spring Training. Owens, who turns 24 on Feb. 16, gets equally higher marks from the White Sox general manager. Williams, along with White Sox scouts Bill Young, Doug Laumann and Gary Pellant, all had the chance to watch Owens during the Arizona Fall League, where the potential leadoff hitter finished with a .270 average, 19 runs scored and three stolen bases for the Peoria Javelinas. "I didn't even realize that (Williams) had seen me in person," said Owens from his home in Newhall, Calif., located 25 minutes north of Los Angeles. "The news was a little unexpected, but I'm excited to be with a new organization, in a new place." During the 2004 season with Class A Savannah, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound left-handed hitting Owens posted a .292 average, with one home run, 37 RBIs and 30 stolen bases. He was a second-round selection of Montreal in 2003, but played only two games for Class A Vermont because of a separated shoulder suffered when he crashed into an outfield wall. He also had hernia surgery during the season. Football actually stood as Owens' sport of choice until he turned 21, having played wide receiver for UCLA and on the same high school team as Baltimore Ravens' quarterback Kyle Boller. He eventually transferred to The Masters College in California to pursue a baseball career. Although Owens' style of play doesn't mirror the more powerful approach shown by former Oklahoma St. quarterback Josh Fields, the White Sox's 2004 first pick in the First-Year Player Draft, their late commitments to exclusively playing baseball are somewhat similar. Williams only hopes the fleet-footed Owens produces the same solid numbers as Fields did with Class A Winston-Salem, either as part of the Warthogs or with Double-A Birmingham. It's a good risk to take, in exchange for a player who seemed to be an outfield luxury, more than a necessity. "He was a target right from the inception of our conversations," said Williams of Owens. "I like his upside a lot." "I've made huge strides, in terms of knowledge of the game, since I was drafted two years ago," Owens added. "Playing in the (Arizona) Fall League, around guys who have been in pro ball for five or six years, helped me learn the ins and outs of the game. I even watch baseball on television differently -- it's more of a study than just entertainment."

GMs know busy time right around the corner By Mel Antonen, USA TODAY A couple of nights ago in Tucson, general manager Kenny Williams' sleep was disturbed at 1 a.m. when his dog, Sage, was barking at a roaming coyote. Atlanta GM John Schuerholz burns the phone lines nearly all year round. His work has paid off with perennial first-place finishes. By Ric Feld, AP So, as long as he was up, he flipped on his computer and studied opposing team rosters. "I couldn't help myself," the Chicago White Sox's GM said. "I went over every club. I focused on players I might be able to get in July." Rosters for the 30 teams are virtually set, and spring training camps in Arizona and Florida will open next week, so, with the exception of preparing for arbitration cases, the two weeks before camps open is generally a time to relax. The New York Yankees' Brian Cashman, who spent most of his offseason getting three new starting pitchers, including Randy Johnson in a trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks, says this is usually the quietest time of the year for GMs. There is still unfinished business, with 12 arbitration cases yet to be settled. The three-time AL Central champion Minnesota Twins avoided arbitration with pitcher Carlos Silva, but they still have to work out salary differences with two other key pitchers, Johan Santana and Kyle Lohse. If a salary for this season can't be worked out before a scheduled arbitration hearing, the two sides present their case before a panel of three arbitrators that will choose either the team's or player's salary for this season — a process teams like to avoid. "We hope to get something accomplished with both," Twins GM Terry Ryan says. Dave Dombrowski of the Detroit Tigers says GMs never stop looking for ways to improve the team, and Wednesday, he traded for Chicago Cubs reliever Kyle Farnsworth. In past years, teams' rosters are usually set by the end of December, so that team promotions could start after the New Year. Lately, however, big-name free agents — the last two being Carlos Delgado with the Florida Marlins and Magglio Ordonez with the Tigers — have waited until January or February to sign. Atlanta Braves GM John Schuerholz doesn't worry about the sport's business side stretching deeper into the offseason. "These are big decisions involving millions of dollars that could affect the franchise for a long time," he says. "We need all the time we can get." Williams can relate to that. He's already preparing for the July 31 trade deadline, another time of the year when general managers are swamped with telephone calls involving possible trades. "It's not really work," Williams says. "You got to have fun. I appreciate this job every day. It's a privilege to be doing this." He's done a lot of trading and signing in the past three offseasons but has lost three consecutive division titles to the Twins. This offseason, Williams has reshaped the White Sox from a team that relied on power to one that has more pitching, speed and defense. He said he got tired of watching his team offensively explode one night and then get shut down for two or three nights. Chicago's new players include outfielders Jermaine Dye and Scott Podsednik, catcher A.J. Pierzynski, relievers Dustin Hermanson and Luis Vizcaino and starter Orlando Hernandez. On Tuesday, Williams had a light day in Tucson. He came into the office, answered some e-mail and had one call, from manager Ozzie Guillen. Then, Williams spent the afternoon playing golf with Dye. "Ozzie wanted to talk about the practice, but I told him that was his job," Williams said. "We have been doing a lot of work. We need about a week to recoup

Cassey Cassem long distance dedication from whitesox management to Willie Harris. The song entitled " Cry me a river" by Justin Timberlake. Willie Harris this is your long distance dedication.

thank you mmm beer for compliment. I will continue find more news everyday about whitesox even if it means using my translation button lol.

Honda I dont care if we havent see him. Thing is no one wanted harris to start and ozzie and kenny knew that when they looked at 2b poisiton. Im all for it.

Of course it is the papers across the seas make it a very big deal over there. Im done looking for translation its done deal phew.

the person write article writes it prior to it. I remember when he wrote the article saying davis and burke to be top catchers. Next day Aj signs

score just reported there ya go people

japanbaseball.com is reporting as well.

Finally done helping you people with iguchi news. It's tough find this information. Anyways, no more poor translation we got him and now time for me to sleep.

Guys sorry for poor translated but when I went translated thing thats what came up with lol.

In order to challenge to the American major league, Daiei Inc. (the present software bank) from the Inokuchi resources benevolence infielder which had become freedom contract (30), setting the intention which joins an organization in the white socks on the 24th, it became clear. After American Illinois state Chicago which has center during this month does to enter, physical checkup receiving the possibility that it makes a contract formally. According to the authorized personnel, as for the condition which is presented 2300000 dollar annual salary (approximately 237000000 Yen) 2 year contract of plus payment by the job. Formally if it decides, Matsui 稼 head middle (メッツ) the measure league member who continues is born as a Japanese infielder. Also the Takatsu retainer our pitcher has been on the register in the white socks. (Cooperation, as for amount presumption) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- the sphere dignity where optimistic makeshift pushes up the bull pen 36 sphere mitt With the free acquisition framework optimism the makeshift pitcher who enters (Akehiro) on the 24th, at the JT interior practice place of Sendai city entered into the bull pen after 2 months. From pitch form of big windup, let stand the catcher to the cartridge straight 36 spheres. That here 2 days, physical condition such as heat generation was destroyed, being, you could see variation in system sphere, but, you gathered the eye around with the sphere kind of dignity which pushes up the mitt. This person "however insecurity it was in convalescence, with as a first day was good", that the circumstances which will be been relieved. As for the Ono pitcher coach whom it watches over "the thing is different. We want appealing steadily ", you said. http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/hochi/home.htm http://asia.news.yahoo.com/050124/kyodo/d87qer781.html

guys my friend said that its under espn insider about iguchi so please check

of course were mentioned lol ozzie guillen only reports what happeneds to him everyday

Measure transfer was desired, Daiei Inc. the Inokuchi resources benevolence infielder which retreating/quitting group is done (30) on the 15th, visited America strictly confidential in freedom contract. The Richard moth person of the representative (70) with negotiation circumstance is verified at the locale, the schedule which contacts with the lead socks authorized personnel who is increasing the self-introduction to ヤンキース and the acquisition which are Inokuchi transfer desired club. From the Daiei Inc. retreating/quitting group statement approximately 1 month half. It directed to measure transfer, the vicinity of Inokuchi more and more became busy. To measure transfer, Inokuchi moved secretly. This day morning, as for fly away to the United States from Tokyo, is in order to be born the measure league member "IGUCHI" who, is not other things. The schedule which stays in Tokyo the urgent sewer was modified to this week end, the sea was crossed. Being strictly confidential, there is also a sufficient reason which visits America. As for in the origin of the moth person of the representative, offer having reached so far formally just the lead socks. Also the white socks interest had been shown, but the Inokuchi side has cut off. Coming here, is informal, but ヤンキース which is made Inokuchi idea directing to acquisition, with the pattern which starts moving, it is the big reason to which that makes passage Inokuchi strictly confidential. Now off, the ヤ troop the トニー ウォーマック infielder which FA is done (35) reinforces from カージナルス. It was thought that effect is produced on the Inokuchi ヤンキース entering, but whether ウォーマック 35 years old you call there is also an age, can overcome 1 season the question mark is attached. If Inokuchi is acquired, because it can prepare combined use plan, as for betting stop on Inokuchi investigation of below water you say that it was not. Also Inokuchi at the beginning the transfer deciding beforehand fixed case was one condition, sealing "regular position guaranty". "Position those which you grasp by your own power" and, has set the determination which gains the seat of the correct second base hand with capability. As for the latest American stay it may be 4 days, being it is the schedule which contacts with the authorized personnel of the ヤ troop and the レ troop. The moth person and after verifying negotiation circumstance, it means ahead transferring to start the squeezing job of the team in earnest. Okinawa doing to enter in late November, in just Inokuchi which continues training, there is also a possibility of releasing practice to 2 clubs. "Most we would like to go to the team which is appraised", the Inokuchi measure transfer which says, finally entered into last stage. http://www.nikkansports.com/ns/baseball/ml...41216-0008.html

I think its nen

by the way, there is no whole in joe crede's glove

With Bill Melton and Dave Willis

* flying under the radar* kenny negotiating right now lol

anyone agree that A. J. will get 15-18 home runs and 80-90 rbi's?

thats not the difference. I did hear him clearly what I wrote about 3 yrs 5-6 mil. Its same offer if it was 2 yr. Bruce levine years probably not wrong but in terms of money wrong.

bruce hearing iguchi wants 3 yrs 5-6 millon. Sox from him not backing down from orginal offer.

Garcia will not be here due to visa problems

bruuuuceeeeeeeeee will be live from soxfest

I take it nuttin so far.