Hello Mark Kotsay

So Brian Anderson finally got his wish. He was traded this afternoon to the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Mark Kotsay and cash. This will either be the best possible move for Anderson or the nadir of his career. At least he wasn't traded for a bagful of bats.

With an outfield of Baldelli, Drew, Bay and Ellsbury (sounds like a law firm), I have a hard time thinking that Brian will crack that outfield. He's still got Chris Carter and Chris Duncan to worry about passing too. Barring injury, I think Anderson is done playing until at least September, when the call ups are on the team.

As for Mark Kotsay, he is six years older than Brian, with a slightly better bat. He can play the outfield and some first base. He had back surgery in the offseason and is on the wrong side of thirty. Still, he provides versatility and a veteran presence, if he comes to the parent club.

Mark has postseason experience in 2006 with the A's and in 2008 with the Red Sox. He technically should have a ring from the 1997 Marlins team, but he did not appear in the postseason with them. He played 14 games as a rookie for Florida in 1997.

Is another trade on the horizon? Maybe so. If not, the Sox are getting a slight upgrade for Anderson in the batting department, with somewhat similar defense. The only downside is that he's 33 and coming off of back surgery. At least Kenny didn't trade for Griffey again.

Welcome to Chicago, Mark! You'll love it here.

2006 Topps 52

I still think 2006 Topps 52 is a great set. This set does retro well. Topps has used their 1952 design to overkill the past decade. This set doesn't show it though. For some reason this seems fresh and new, yet old school.

Although, the Boone Logan card looks absolutely goofy. I don't really want to know what he's doing. If I had to speculate, I'd say maybe he's making faces at children. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check eBay for it. I won't dignify the blog with that unique pose.

Anyway here's the checklist of this fantastic set of White Sox cards. Yes, I included the Debut Flashbacks card too.

72 - Boone Logan
100 - Sean Tracey
127 - Brian Anderson
151 - Agustin Montero

DF18 - Frank Thomas

The Frank Thomas Debut Flashbacks looks nice. It shows him in the 1990 uniform, right before the change to the pinstripes. Sean Tracey looks nothing like the man that Ozzie Guillen made cry. Brian Anderson looks like he's trying to turn his back on the White Sox out of frustration. Agustin Montero seems like he's being very cautious for some reason. Maybe he got wind of what was going to happen to Sean Tracey when he wouldn't throw at a batter in retaliation.

Now, the interesting news. Topps 52 is coming out in 2007. Same design. Hopefully different players. This is what causes collectors to cry overkill. Shouldn't it be Topps 53? Maybe even Topps 51. Like I said, it's a great looking card, but two years in a row? I suppose everyone in the major leagues will have a 1952 Topps card in their own image eventually. I guess I could live with that. Originality suffers the more one goes back to the well. It's great to look back. I enjoy doing it, but there's also something to be said about living in the present.