Nothing expected, but Williams quiet

MINNEAPOLIS - Since the beginning of last week, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams has been adamant about standing pat before today's nonwaiver trade deadline.

"The climate is awful,'' Williams said when the Sox were in Detroit over the weekend. "But that's from our perspective. From our vantage point, I'm really not seeing anything that makes any sense. As a matter of fact, the things that are in front of us right now would do nothing but harm us for the present and the future.''

Williams was front and center during all three games against the Tigers at Comerica Park. But the GM rarely has been seen during the first three games against the Twins at the Metrodome, which might indicate a deal is in the works.

It's worth noting that Williams has made a whopping 55 trades since replacing Ron Schueler before the 2001 season.

With Scott Linebrink on the disabled list and not expected back until mid-August, and Boone Logan and Nick Masset struggling, Williams might be shopping for some bullpen help.

The Atlanta Braves' Will Ohman, formerly with the Cubs, is rumored to be on Williams' target list, as is (to a much lesser extent) the Colorado Rockies' Brian Fuentes.

Williams also is rumored to be interested in Seattle Mariners starter Jarrod Washburn and listening to trade offers for shortstop Orlando Cabrera and Masset.

Before Wednesday night's game, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was again asked if he thought any moves were coming.

"Not right now,'' Guillen said. "I just talked to Kenny a couple of minutes ago and we don't have anything in mind. The only moves I expect to be made is when we have (Jose) Contreras, (Joe) Crede and Linebrink back in the lineup, then we'll be fine.''

Pudge reaction: White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen wasn't surprised that his close friend, Tigers catcher Ivan "Pudge'' Rodriguez, was traded to the Yankees on Wednesday.

Detroit got relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth in exchange.

"New York needs a catcher and the Detroit Tigers need a reliever,'' Guillen said. "It's a good trade for both. Obviously, Pudge is going to be a free agent next year, and I think Pudge is in a good situation right now. I think Pudge is the type of guy that likes that situation, and I believe he's going to help those people.''