Kenny on the Iguchi trade:
"This was just a matter of our desire at this point to want to see Danny Richar play, potentially Andy Gonzalez a little bit over there as well, depending on how [manager] Ozzie [Guillen] wants to work the lineup. I wanted to make sure that we had a good read on what we had on Danny Richar before September, before the offseason came around. I wanted to make sure they have adequately answered some questions before going into the offseason."
Since arriving at Charlotte, Richar has shown off his offensive potential at the top of the order. Richar hit .346 in 32 games with the Knights, posting a .400 on-base percentage and a .556 slugging percentage. He also produced five home runs and drove in 15. According to Williams, Richar either will be a top-of-the-order hitter with the White Sox or provide the team with that double burst of speed at the bottom. Williams sounded excited to test Richar before the September call-up period, but he also wanted to let Richar's specific skills speak for themselves on the field.
"Our Minor League people and the guys that have been on rehab, the [Scott] Podsedniks of the world and [Darin] Erstads, have communicated their feelings about how good this kid is. I even hesitate to say such things, because all that does, he picks up the newspaper or hears the radio, and that puts a little more pressure on him. I don't want to do that. Let's just say we're going to like seeing him out here and evaluating him."
and on the
2B market:
"There was no market in this case among contending teams [for a second baseman]," Williams said, even the New York Mets were silent despite losing the services of injured infielder Jose Valentin. "I expected a call," Williams added of the Mets, none ever coming. "I made the phone call to the Phillies to see if they needed any help," he added of initiating the talks.
*****
Welcome Braden David Buehrle:
Mark and Jamie Buehrle welcomed their first child, a 7-pound, 11-ounce son named Braden David, into the world on Thursday morning. Mother and son are said to be doing fine, and Buehrle is scheduled to make his next start Saturday.
