Odds and Ends: Choo, Inge, Lohse, Francona

Uribe, Richar, Alexei Ramirez, Jason Bourgeois, Chris Getz. Second base is by far the Sox deepest position, I sincerely doubt they'd trade for Ellis. Just too much talent at the position.

OF COURSE the Giants considered Casey! He's got "savvy" and "swagger"!

If kenny was interested in ellis, the a's would have included him in the swisher deal as a throw in

Casey would "OK" but Ortmeier should get the AB's to prove he can handle the job.

"The Giants briefly considered Sean Casey, who is "really good at life" according to Aaron Boone."

So he's the anti-Arod?

Yeah I wouldn't say it is necesarily a need, but I would definately go after Ellis if I was KW. Maybe include Richar in the deal, and also give them Nick Masset or a guy like that. Then the White Sox could have a dependable option at second base, and another guy who can just get on base and be productive late in the batting order.

Why should they keep on playing Uribe just because they paid him? If it weren't for all those empty home runs he's hit, he'd be worthless. His defense isn't even as good as it was in '05.

While the adjective 'clutch' gives me hives, Ellis is a very nice defender and an adequate hitter. His career OPS+ is 100, making him just average, but his glove is solidly above-average. He's not cheap at $5m next year, but that seems market rate.

Ortmeier I find less impressive, certainly at 1B. His bat was going to be fringey even when he was playing a decent RF. I don't care how good your glove at first, and Ort's is as shaky as you'd expect from a converted RF, you've got to hit. A career 781 OPS in the minors -- the minors! -- is not getting you there.