Sox Make Deal, Kenny Talks Money

First off the basic news, the Sox have acquired relief pitcher Tony Pena Jr. from Arizona for minor league player Brandon Allen.

This is a small move but it helps, Pena has a live arm and can help in middle relief.

The bigger story to me, was Kenny Williams comments about Sox attendance and how that might hurt his ability to make a deal. Here's the story from Toni Ginnetti of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Now here's the quote that got to me and remember I wasn't there to see the facial expressions when Kenny said it or to hear exactly how he stated it, what inflection was in his voice, if any...whether he raised his voice for example. I'm just reading it on the page:

''Money is more of an issue now because we expected a little more [fan] support than we've gotten."

At first glance this reminded me of his comment when he was introduced as G.M. in November 2000... you remember, "I can't ask the owner to spend a dollar if he only has fifty cents..."

Now maybe he immediately remembered the feedback the organization took from the fans over that one because he quickly added this:

''It's a reflection of the economy, and I don't know if we've been consistent enough or exciting enough for people to get behind us yet. Maybe we were a little aggressive [in preseason attendance projections], and that obviously is going to have an impact on what we can and cannot do. We might have to take a lot closer look at it."

I appreciate Kenny saying this. The fans are not at fault here.

If you want Sox fans to come out in a tough economy you give them a reason to make the choice and spend their dollars at U.S. Cellular Field.

That means you don't ignore a buyer's market in the off season where quality players could be had for very reasonable prices...you don't tout off season moves like Wilson Betemit, Brent Lillibridge, "Corky" Miller and Bartolo Colon as being the "answer" and expect Sox fans to get all excited about it and you don't have an overall off season ticket price increase while trimming payroll the second most in MLB. Also factoring in as Kenny stated was inconsistent, mediocre play at best.

To me the best answer in a tough economy where you are trying to hold on to every fan and advertiser you can get is to actually spend more,,,give the fans a solid reason to come out. Let them say to themselves 'we have to see these guys!' Make advertisers have to think twice about leaving because you are winning games and generating excitement. "Retrenchment" is no way to do that.