A good game to play as we play out the string is speculating about what Kenny Williams will attempt in making the 2008 roster.  One tendency we have remarked on before is his ability to pick up players at the low point of their value, as he did with Contreras, Dye, and Thornton.  The rumored waiver claim for Tejada would fit that pattern, giving the Sox a marked upgrade at shortstop that would have been unlikely a year ago.

Shortstop is not the only position that needs an upgrade for next season.  Even if Dye resigns and Owens manages to earn a starting spot, at least one more outfielder who can actually do something other than make outs will be required to turn the offense around.  Erstad is not that man, but a former teammate of his might be.  In recent weeks, Tony LaRussa's comments indicate that he has lost patience with Jim Edmonds, and today the Post-Dispatch reports that Edmonds would not veto a trade.  Edmonds is increasingly fragile as he enters his late thirties and is in the middle of his worst season (83 OPS+ to date) since arriving in the majors.  Yet he has been an above-average offensive contributor as recently as last season, and perhaps St. Louis's price for Edmonds might be a reasonable one for a deal.  What the Cardinals might want is open to speculation, given that Walt Jocketty is rumored to be leaving at the end of the year.  One of the pitchers might do it, or an outfielder like Brian Anderson...if the team wants salary relief.  

Edmonds may not be the most desirable option for the White Sox, but picking him up would fit Williams's behavior, and at least he has shown the ability to hit in the past five years.  Getting him would decrease the probability Erstad haunts our nightmares beyond this October, and that alone is reason enough to consider a trade.