FanHouse Rob Mackowiak

Because of all the trading they've been doing lately. They got rid of a declining Scott Linebrink for a trio of prospects, they traded for Scott Hairston, they acquired Morgan Ensberg, Rob Mackowiak and Wilfredo Ledezma, and they signed Shea Hillenbrand to a minor league deal. Predictably, the series of deals, coupled with the firing of hitting coach Merv Rettenmund, not to mention the recent string of losing, has left Hoffman quite disappointed:

"I think today's (moves) caught people off guard," Hoffman said. "There's a bit of scrambling around not knowing what happened or why. I'm a big believer in clubhouse chemistry. ... It's dangerous. There are only so many spots. Its musical chairs and you better get a chair."

Those complaints from Hoffman came only a week after he termed the trade of setup man Scott Linebrink "incomprehensible." While I'm not a member of the Padres clubhouse, I do have to say that team is better off with the moves they've made. Their bench is significantly stronger, just as GM Kevin Towers reasoned. Maybe they're losing not because of the lack of chemistry, but because there's only so long a pitching staff can dominate at the rate the Padres had been without having a good offense to pick them up. Had the Padres been playing better, I'm not so certain you'd be hearing the same complaints.

Previously at FanHouse:
Padres Can Hitting Coach Merv Rettenmund, Resurrect Wally Joyner
The Morgan Ensberg Saga Goes to San Diego
Padres Acqure Rob Mackowiak From White Sox
Brewers Trade for Scott Linebrink

While we all still wait to find out what the White Sox are going to do with Jermaine Dye, it doesn't mean Kenny Williams has just been sitting around with us. No, he's killing time by making other trades, including sending Rob Mackowiak to the Padres for a minor leaguer.

The Padres, continuing the makeover of their bench, are close to acquiring outfielder Rob Mackowiak from the White Sox for a minor leaguer, according to major-league sources.

This move follows the Padres adding outfielder Scott Hairston to their bench in a trade with the Diamondbacks earlier this week.

Mackowiak will be remembered in Chicago mostly for all the balls he misplayed out in centerfield and left field the last year and a half. This move is probably good for him and the Padres because he really is a more valuable player in the National League than the American League.

He can play just about anywhere in the field, and has, so he'll be a valuable commodity for Bud Black to have on his bench during the stretch run.

Previous at FanHouse:
Deadline Deals
Major League Mongering
Is Jermaine Dye Staying In Chicago?

Brian Anderson said he wanted out of Chicago so he could get some regular playing time, and on Sunday afternoon the White Sox gave him what he asked for. Anderson has been sent down to Triple-A Charlotte.

''It's a little frustrating,'' the 2003 first-round draft pick said. ''I did really well in spring training and broke with the team but haven't been able to do much. It's not my decision, but maybe it's best for me to get some playing time. I'm 25 and need to be playing, whether it's here or Charlotte or somewhere else.''

Anderson has been struggling mightily so far in limited playing time with the White Sox. He's only hitting .118 in thirteen games, but most of those games have been as a defensive replacement.

The fact is that the White Sox could absorb Anderson's lack of offense last season because they scored enough runs, and his defense was superb. It's not the same story this season. Even before Jim Thome was placed on the disabled list, the White Sox have been struggling to score runs. Now that Thome is out, it's become even more obvious.

Hopefully Anderson will be able to get his act together in Charlotte after getting some regular at bats. With Scott Podsednik's injury concerns, the White Sox could really use Anderson's glove in the outfield because the current duo of Rob Mackowiak and Pablo Ozuna in left field isn't exactly comforting to White Sox fans.

The Sox won't call anybody up to replace Anderson until Tuesday because Ozzie Guillen wants to weigh his options, but he's leaning towards Luis Terrero.


Previously at the Fanhouse:
Brian Anderson Wants Out Of Chicago
Jim Thome Likely Headed To DL