Yesterday, Milwaukee dealt OF-L Scott Podsednik, RHP Luis Vizcaino, and a player to be named later to the White Sox for OF-R Carlos Lee. Chicago wants to build their team around pitching, defense, and speed, which obligated the club to divest themselves of a quality young power hitter in favor of an ostentatious base stealer and a superfluous reliever.

Podsednik received attention for his prolific and successful base stealing last season, but his 2004 production marked a dramatic decline from the numbers he posted as a rookie in 2003. You can observe the difference in his lines below.

Year:  BA/OBP/SLG on H/2B/3B/HR with BB:K and SB% in AB
2003:  .314/.379/.443 on 175/29/8/9 with 56:91 and 43/53 in 558
2004:  .244/.313/.364 on 156/27/7/12 with 58:105 and 70/83 in 640

Even when Vizcaino was struggling to fine-tune his control, I found his strikeout skills intriguing and felt he deserved a prominent bullpen job. The 30-year-old harnessed his control last season and proved an effective setup man for the Brewers. However, he's a flyball pitcher and almost certainly will encounter difficulties upon moving from Miller Park to U.S. Cellular. Furthermore, following their acquisition of Dustin Hermanson, Chicago did not need another high profile reliever. In short, the White Sox wasted resources on an unneeded pitcher who very likely will not meet expectations. Unless Chicago opts to carry twelve pitchers, Vizcaino probably will push RHP Jon Adkins out of the White Sox's opening day bullpen.

Although Lee and Podsednik both are 28 years old, Lee tucks six seasons of major league experience under his belt while Podsednik possesses only two. Lee typically exercises solid plate discipline and in 2002 he demonstrated outstanding patience, indicating potential beyond his already substantial production. The White Sox complain about his outfield defense, however a minor defensive deficiency should not be allowed to interfere with fitting a bat with his power skills in the lineup. Lee even owns useful speed.

Podsednik helps break up the string of right-handed batters in the White Sox lineup, and he could rebound. Vizcaino's homer rate might not shoot off the charts, and Chicago may deal one of their other relievers for something useful rather than gild their lily of a bullpen. The player to be named later could be an outstanding prospect. Unfortunately for White Sox fans, that batch of possibilities stacks up against the probability of Carlos Lee providing another power packed performance that will look like a bargain when compared to the salaries established for sluggers this off-season.

Lee's current contract sets his 2005 salary at $8M, and the Brewers hold an $8.5M option for the 2006 season, which Milwaukee can buyout for $500,000. While $16.5M for two is not inexpensive, I'd much rather have a 28-year-old Lee at that price than a 39-year-old OF-L Steve Finley at $14M for two. Podsednik signed a two-year, $2.45M extension this summer, so Chicago saves a considerable sum while the Brewers take on a large chunk of payroll with this deal. However, while Podsednik could be a steal at that price if he resurrects his rookie production, the amount is perfectly in line with the bench-like production he provided in 2004.

After trading Vizcaino in addition to RHP Dan Kolb, Milwaukee's search for a new closer grew more difficult, but the Brewers have proven adept at developing stoppers so that aspect of the trade does not concern me. Overall, I believe Milwaukee General Manager Doug Melvin made an astute trade for his organization while White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams significantly damaged his team's ability to contend for a post-season berth in 2005.