The White Sox are mostly keeping things quiet here, but their GM Kenny Williams is very aggressive and it’s very likely that they’d consider trades for several of their veterans big-name players. That could include outfielder Jermaine Dye as well as pitcher Javier Vazquez and first baseman Paul Konerko. Dye, coming off a huge year, would have terrific value.

Konerko didn’t produce as much in 2008 due to a hand injury, but could be a backup plan for any team that loses out for star free agent Mark Teixeira (Angels? Yankees?). Vazquez is an innings-eater who needs to be more aggressive.

If the White Sox can unload some big contracts, they might consider free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson, who may be pursued by the Yankees, Mets and Dodgers, as well as others. It’s likely that the White Sox move terrific rookie second baseman Alexei Ramriez to shortstop, which could open a spot for Hudson.

http://www.fannation.com/si_blogs/hot_stove/posts/21021

I think trading Jenks could give us the best gain with the least loss.

that when you do this you are immediately looking for another closer.

Epstein said [Julio] Lugo is 100 percent recovered from his quadriceps tear and likely will play winter ball in the Dominican. There has been talk that the Mets and White Sox have interest in Lugo. The White Sox appear willing to move Vazquez.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/11/05/sox_interested_in_japan_hurlers/

The White Sox are always wheeling, dealing, and “suggesting” and have talked to the Mets about closer Bobby Jenks.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/11/07/like_others_sox_are_biding_time/

The Red Sox apparently have dropped out of talks with the White Sox for starter Javier Vazquez. But one executive insists White Sox GM Ken Williams can “get a lot” in trade for Vazquez, although it might take some time. The Mets remain a possibility. … The White Sox and Yankees have talked several times, including at length late Wednesday night, perhaps about outfielder/first baseman Nick Swisher. Williams and Yankees GM Brian Cashman are close. Could Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano be part of a swap? He is owed at least $27 million for the next four years and has fallen out of favor. Swisher is due $21 million for three years.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-07-whispers-gm-meetings,0,622293.story

“The White Sox are in an ideal position with” Javier Vazquez if they wait until Peavy, CC Sabathia, et al are placed and then shop him, Rosenthal argues. The 32-year old righty will make $23 MM through 2010, which he calls “a bargain for a pitcher who has produced four straight 200-inning seasons, albeit with a 49-51 record and 4.41 ERA.” On the other hand, Vazquez has also hit the 200-strikeout mark in each of the last two seasons.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/11/rosenthals-la-4.html

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/2008_orgpit.shtml

scroll down to closers

GM Ken Williams, perhaps baseball’s biggest risk taker, is listening to offers on closer Jenks (the Mets are trying to swing a deal for him before doling out free-agent riches to Fuentes or Rodriguez), and even Dye, as well as innings-eater Javier Vazquez. And, of course, first baseman Paul Konerko remains another trade possibility, especially for the teams that lose out in the Teixeira sweepstakes.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/jon_heyman/11/11/heyman.storylines/index.html