Hello Javier. Welcome to the White Sox. We've acquired you and some cash for a playoff hero, a bloated sack of potatoes, and a shiny new metallic object that will bring hours of enjoyment for its new owners. Mind AJ's wrestling gear as you step in. You might want to avoid the lanky, acne-riddled righthander over in that corner because I think you just took his starting job. No worries, though, he should have his job back once we get rid of some excess baggage we picked up on Arbitration Highway via the path to Eternal Playoff Glory. Sorry about the dust, we're still under construction after last October.Now Javy, we do have a few concerns. For example, the last time you were in the American League (2004 with the Yankees), you had the worst year of your career. The last time we checked, we still don't have the pitchers batting here, so that hasn't changed. Thought we should let you know. Another thing is that you, considerate advocate of the common fan that you are, have become a veritable horn o' plenty when it comes to bleacher souvenirs, giving up 33 and 35 in the past two seasons. You may be happy to know that the cozy confines of the Cell will enable you to continue your charitable efforts with little interruption.
Not all of the news is good, however. Your current contract runs through 2007, paying you 11.5 and 12.5 mill/per, after which you'll be up for arbitration. It seems the White Sox will really want to keep you, however, since the $5 mill + El Duque ($4.25 mill) + Vizcaino ($2 mill) pays for you this year, and the money that they don't spend on Garland now can go to you, and for less total years and salary, since Garland is looking for AJ Burnett money. Also, since you're only turning 30 this coming season, you'll most likely still be productive through 2007 while the Sox still maintain a 5 deep rotation. Being productive means more of that robust 7.8 K/9, 1.27 WHIP, and 200+ IP (basically, being Freddy Garcia). So get comfortable, because you may not be leaving Chicago anytime soon. Sure is a shorter flight from here to Puerto Rico than from Arizona, right? Hope you like cold Aprils and beating the Twins and Indians.
Love, Kenny Williams.
