The White Sox traded 2B-S Ray Durham and cash considerations to Oakland for RHP Jon Adkins on Thursday. I would have been disappointed if Chicago had let the trading deadline pass without dealing Durham. While he's in his 13th year with the White Sox and provides good production for a second baseman, Durham will be a free agent at the end of the season and Chicago has several talented options in the minors with which to replace him.

Unfortunately, White Sox GM Ken Williams received a poor package for Durham. Actually, he didn't even receive a package, just one player. Oakland drafted Adkins out of Oklahoma State University in the 9th round of the 1998 draft. He was diagnosed with a partially torn elbow ligament in 1998 and attempted to avoid surgery by resting that season. Oakland assigned him to A+ Modesto in the California League in 1999. Adkins pitched through August before injuries put a halt to his season; the rest had not been sufficient to prevent him from needing Tommy John surgery. He was able to return from the surgery in 2000, and spent most of his time after he was healthy back at Modesto. Last season the A's moved him up to AA Midland in the Texas League for the majority of the season, giving him a brief promotion to AAA Sacramento in the Pacific Coast League.

Adkins has shown acceptable skills when healthy, but reportedly he currently only possess two pitches, limiting his upside as a potential starting pitcher. His numbers at AAA this season show the problem. In 97 IP, Adkins has allowed 139 H and 9 HR with a 76:33 K:BB. The 24-year-old is entirely too hittable even at the AAA level. While he might be able to achieve a moderate amount of success as a reliever, he doesn't seem capable of starting. Evidently the Adkins' diet not only slims payroll but also eliminates that pesky talent from your system.

Regrettably, even though he accepted a AAA pitcher with mediocre prospects at best, Williams wasn't able to avoid paying part of Durham's contract for the rest of the season. As previously discussed, the current trade market has dictated that teams looking to unload pending free agents with big salaries likely need to send cash along with the player in order to attain desirable prospects. While the teams aren't able to fully unload the players' salaries from their expenses, they are able to acquire something to show in later years for money spent now. Ideally it would be a championship banner, but those clubs not in contention can add talent to assist them in upcoming pennant runs.

Williams failed to acquire significant talent for the future and likely didn't substantially reduce their costs, so the only goal he actually achieved with this trade was clearing room for their minor league talent to move up to the majors. Chicago is expected to recall Willie Harris to fill Durham's roster spot and to start at second base.

In 360 AB at AAA Charlotte in the International League, Harris has 102 H, 16 2B, 5 3B, and 5 HR with a 33:61 BB:K and 32/46 SB% for a .283 BA, .345 OBP, and .397 SLG. His plate discipline still needs work, but as long as the White Sox make sure they give him instruction in the majors and leave him in the lineup to work through any problems he encounters, he might as well be in the majors. However, if they intend to have him sit when he struggles, he should stay in the minors until September roster expansions in order to spend more time on his strike zone judgment. The Sox certainly have the resources to cover second without calling upon Harris for another month.

Meanwhile, Oakland has acquired a very nice bat for their lineup at minimal cost. Durham isn't likely to stay with the A's beyond this season considering they have two prime second base prospects, but he will give them a good boost for the final stretch to the playoffs. Manager Art Howe hasn't quite decided where he plans to play or bat the 30-year-old switch hitter.

He has expressed interest in maintaining the playing time of Mark Ellis, who the A's currently favor over Esteban German for their second base job. Howe suggested that Durham could receive at-bats at DH and possibly even in centerfield. Durham's reluctant to move away from second but would likely cooperate if asked. Although he also prefers to hit second, he should take over as the A's leadoff hitter.

Oakland has a very solid roster with the exception of only three players: Randy Velarde, Mike Magnante, and Jeff Tam. Tam doesn't really count as he'll return to the minors as soon as Ted Lilly rejoins the team following his DL trip. The A's placed Lilly on the disabled list Wednesday with an inflamed shoulder but don't expect him to need anything more than a bit of rest.

Magnante has an 11:10 K:BB in 27.2 IP with 36 H and 1 HR allowed for a 5.20 ERA. The A's will probably want to carry 11 pitchers for the rest of the season, but there's no reason not to cut down to 10 when they reach the postseason, especially with 2 of Cory Lidle, Aaron Harang, and Ted Lilly likely moving to the bullpen during that time.

While the A's could keep Velarde, he really doesn't contribute to the team, particularly now that they have another second baseman. The club should remove Velarde from the roster either via trade or waivers and fill the roster spot with someone with more production potential. Adam Piatt was demoted in order to make room for Durham. Although Piatt hasn't excelled during his most recent stint on the roster, his youth alone gives him an edge over Velarde. Tim's also suggested that the A's take this opportunity to promote German, particularly if they can get Durham to play centerfield. He won't be any worse than Velarde, and it would give Oakland a chance to evaluate him, before determining whom they want as their long-term second baseman.

Derrek Lee should definitely be a player the A's look into acquiring. If the team could pick up another first baseman, that would allow them to use Scott Hatteberg in a more flexible role. I doubt Oakland GM Billy Beane has finished making trades.