The Latest White Sox Fire Sale -- Thome and Contreras

Remember White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf's infamous "fire sale" late one season in the 1990s earned him the (continued?) enmity of many fans who still thought the team had a chance in the race? Reinsdorf thought otherwise, and he pared down his salaries (which he himself had done so much to inflate) and settled for whatevertheheck the Sox could deliver that year.

Now comes news that the Sox, who dropped from second to third in the AL Central this week, have sent Jim Thome to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Jose Contreras to the Colorado Rockies in return for some shiny trinkets and firewater.

Actually, the Sox got something else. Reports the Chicago Tribune:

The Sox traded designated hitter Jim Thome to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Class A infielder Justin Fuller, 26, and dealt pitcher Jose Contreras to the Colorado Rockies for Triple-A pitcher Brandon Hynick, 24, who threw a seven-inning perfect game on June 30 for Colorado Springs. The Sox sent cash to the Dodgers and Rockies in both deals.

As much as I agree that this is probably Fire Sale, Part II, I don't think the Sox were exactly surging to an upset finish at the end of this season. Besides, we won our World Series already this century. We can wait.