Wild deadline ends with new (38-year-old) Kid on the block

July 31, 4:43 PMChicago White Sox ExaminerJJ Stankevitz

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Ken Griffey Jr. has 608 home runs in his illustrious career.

Last night, at 2:00am, rumors were swirling around the White Sox.

There was talk of a massive three-team trade involving the White Sox, Athletics, and Dodgers that would send closer Huston Street to the South Side, shortstop Orlando Cabrera to Los Angeles, and prospects to the Athletics.

Nick Swisher's name was even bandied about in talks. Everything was pointing to a nail-biting, insane finish to the non-waiver trading period that ended Thursday at 3:00pm.

Well, there isn't going to be a new Street in Chicago, but there is a new "Kid" on the block.

Okay, so Ken Griffey Jr. can't exactly live up to his nickname of "The Kid" at age 38. But, regardless of age, production, loss of speed, whatever—he's still Ken Griffey Jr., maybe the best player to play the game since Willie Mays.

And he's a member of the Chicago White Sox.

The Sox sent reliever Nick Masset and Triple-A second baseman Danny Richar to Cincinnati for the future Hall of Fame outfielder, who will wear No. 30 after Nick Swisher gave his number up to Griffey. Griffey's debut will take place Friday night in Kansas City.

The acquisition of Griffey likely means that Paul Konerko, who was hitting .214 with nine home runs, 35 RBI, and a paltry .661 OPS, will see his play time drastically reduced. Griffey will see time in center field while Swisher will see action at first base, his natural defensive position.

Griffey certainly provides an offensive upgrade over Konerko, as he comes over from Cincinnati hitting .245 with 15 home runs, 53 RBI, and .787 OPS. However, he has been hitting the ball well as of late, posting a .271 batting average and a .927 OPS in the month of July.

Perhaps entering a pennant race will energize Griffey, who hasn't seen the postseason since his glory days with the Seattle Mariners. Of course, it's unfair to expect Griffey to hit like he did in the late 1990's, but if he can hit above .260 with a respectable OPS and provide another positive veteran presence in the clubhouse, the move will pay off.

The biggest concern with Griffey, who has lost more than a few steps as he has aged, is his defense—and the White Sox plan to thrust him into center field, where he hasn't played regularly since 2006. Scouts have rated Griffey as one of the league's worst defensive right fielders, so it's easy to see why many are a bit antsy about Griffey patrolling center field for the White Sox.

However, Griffey isn't as big of a downgrade in center from Swisher (who, again, is not a natural center fielder), who will be a defensive upgrade from Konerko at first base.

Griffey does give the White Sox a lot of flexibility between Swisher, Konerko, Jim Thome, and Jermaine Dye, so it will be easy for Ozzie Guillen to give one of these players a day off to keep them fresh down the stretch.

Sox fans shouldn't expect Griffey to be the single piece that separates them from the Minnesota Twins, who go into Thursday night's tilt 1.5 games back of the White Sox. However, Griffey can be a part of a group that will have to include Jose Contreras, Joe Crede, and Scott Linebrink—all of whom are currently on the disabled list—that can (not will) be the reason why the White Sox separate from the Twins.

Regardless, though, Ken Griffey Jr. is who he is. In my opinion, Griffey has been the most enjoyable player to watch play the game of baseball in my lifetime. Even though he's not getting any younger, it's going to be a joy to watch Ken Griffey Jr. suit up in silver and black, even if it's only for a half-season.

And, remember: when Griffey is inducted into the Hall of Fame seven years after he retires, you'll see the Chicago White Sox on his plaque.

Hopefully, he'll have won a World Series with the White Sox, too. He nearly was traded to the White Sox in 2005, but Reds ownership blocked the deal.

He's got his chance now, and who knows? Maybe this pennant run will re-energize him.

Griffey deserves to win a World Series ring, and hopefully he'll get that this year.