Young fan big hit at 'town hall meeting'

It's Super Bowl Sunday, an opportune time to flash back to one of TV's best commercials of all time.

Remember the one in which weary Steelers defensive tackle Mean Joe Greene tossed his jersey to the kid?

At SoxFest on Saturday, 12-year-old Ethan Ellis experienced a similar situation.

After asking a detailed question about the White Sox' status at second base during a "town hall meeting" featuring GM Kenny Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen, Williams invited the youngster to sit next to him at the podium.

The Glen Ellyn resident was an instant hit, and he received an invitation to visit Williams' office at U.S. Cellular Field during the season.

Ellis continued pressing Guillen to name a starting second baseman, saying: "Make a decision, Ozzie."

Countered Guillen: "Come down to spring training the last week and you make the cuts. That's the worst part of this job."

Wheel and deal: GM Kenny Williams took some heat from Sox fans Saturday for adding so many unknown players this off-season while cutting ties with several veterans.

Operating on a tighter budget due to the flagging economy, Williams said he's been forced to be more creative and used the Nick Swisher trade to the Yankees as an example.

The Sox got two pitching prospects from New York - Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez - along with veteran infielder Wilson Betemit.

With the money saved on Swisher's $5.3 million contract for 2009, Williams said he was able to sign Dayan Viceido to a four-year, $10 million contract and had enough to sign Bartolo Colon to a one-year, $1 million deal that could increase to $3 million if he pitches enough innings.

"If you look at it, we got five guys for Swisher," Williams said. "We run a break-even operation."

Jenks excused: Closer Bobby Jenks didn't attend SoxFest due to a family emergency.