Here's a juicy rumor, White Sox fans. The team's veteran starting catcher, Anthony John Pierzynski, could be on the move. That's the word from the Sun-Times following last night's 4-1 Sox win over the Rays at U.S. Cellular Field. Currently hitting just .182 and coming off a less than productive road trip in which A.J. went just 2-for-19 in Toronto & Cleveland, the talk of Pierzynski possibly being dealt comes as the veteran catcher is slated to be a free agent after this season. It also comes at a time where A.J. could be a "10/5 guy" in June. In baseball terms, that's a player with 10 years service and the last 5 with the same team. It also means Pierzynski could also block any potential trade if the Sox don't deal him by June.

The talk of a potential Pierzynski trade comes as A.J. was hoping to meet with General Manager Ken Williams about an extension and that didn't come to fruition. Pierzynski's earning $6.25 million this season, the final year of his current contract with the Southsiders. His slow start at the plate has nothing to do with his contract status. Needless to say, he's been one of the Sox key cogs since their World Series title season of 2005, and "would love to stay in Chicago," as A.J. told reporters after last night's game.

My feeling is that if they get something helpful in return, great. My guess is that they wouldn't, so they might as well let him walk after the season. I don't think Castro (if he ever gets healthy) is a good option as the primary catcher. Who are your other options? Tyler Flowers isn't ready yet (next year). Donny Lucy

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An awesome word that I don't see used nearly enough...

If the Angels are over the whole playoff thing they may take him now that Mathis has a broken wrist.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Even though he scuffled in Spring Training, Tyler Flowers is supposed to be the White Sox "catcher of the future", and was the key player in the Javy Vazquez deal the Sox made 2 offseasons ago with the Braves. Although Javy's now back in the A.L. with the World Champion Yankees for a second tour of duty, this deal's not looking so good in hindsight.

In the short term, get used to seeing Donny Lucy as this team's backup catcher. Ozzie seems impressed with how Lucy is working with the current pitching staff, and for now, Ramon Castro's foot injury recently suffered a setback. Castro appears to be sidelined longer than expected. For what it's worth, Lucy's hitting .500 in very, very limited action, and also hit his 1st homer up in Toronto last week.

Everybody on that pitching staff that is not named John Danks or Mark Buerhle is one of the primary reasons that AJ doesn't throw anybody out on the bases. AJ does not have a very good arm, but he doesn't get help from any of his pitchers in holding runners on.

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Frank, that's a very valid point. White Sox pitchers, other than John Danks and tonight's starter Mark Buehrle, do a terrible job in guarding runners, and opposing baserunners have no trouble at all stealing bases. Until the Sox do a better job, this disturbing trend will continue.

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SHARk, that is spot on analysis. If you are a pitcher on the south side and your name isn't John Danks or Mark Buerhle, baserunners are going to have a field day.

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In regards to AJ's GUILE: Dat GUI 'LE never throw anybody out!

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Is there any team they could send him to where he wouldn't be punched in the face the first day he walks into the clubhouse?

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maybe Toronto, no one cares about baseball there

Thank you, Joe Cowley...By the way, did anyone hear Cowley get ambushed yesterday on The FAN in Toronto, eh?

Those two Canadian sports radio hosers sure sounded like Cowley "had an agenda..."

I love how people rally to the aid of a beat writer as if he's a fellow fan. I should like such a relationship with my team's beat writer.

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Afternoons on the flagship would be a better outlet for his gushing White Sox love, which I suppose he's already doing anyway.

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June is still 1.5 months away.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Well, he's still 670 The SCORE's White Sox Insider, although Joe's name does NOT appear in the story that prompted this thread...Bernsy also wrote a little blur on 670thescore.com in the "Boers & Bernstein" blog, Curious...

Yeah, I know he's their Sox mouthpiece. That's why I said it.

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