LET'S SEND DAYAN VICIEDO TO BALTIMORE NOW

I love dogs. I own a dog. Dogs are great.

I also have a friend who is married to a woman who works at an animal shelter, and every time I look at my Facebook feed there's an update from her about some dog that needs a home. This woman, bless her heart, is constantly trying to find these mangy looking mutts a place to live. It's a noble cause, but it's also incredibly annoying because it's not just dogs that need homes that she's posting. It's basically any damn dog she comes across ends up flooding my Facebook.

She makes me hate dogs I've never even met. Maybe I subconsciously hate her and I don't know it, and this hatred is manifesting through the dogs. I don't know. All I know is that I want to adopt these dogs and then release them into the local forest preserve.

Run free, Fido! Get back to your roots.

So why am I telling you this?

MY SABER SOX LINEUP

There was a bit of a debate amongst Sox fans on Twitter this morning about lineup construction and the way things are always done. It started because the White Sox signed Melky Cabrera, and we're all assuming that Cabrera will bat second in the lineup.

He's the ideal two-hole hitter!

At least, that's the common conception based on the way that managers have always filled out their lineups. But there are arguments that there are better ways to construct your lineup, ways that, by and large, most managers don't utilize.

Sabermetricians (henceforth to be referred to as NERDS in a loving manner, for I do appreciate the NERDS and would consider myself a bit of one when it comes to baseball) used years worth of data to determine whether or not the way that lineups are put together really is the optimal way to do things.

Turns out they aren't, at least not according to the data.

ROBIN VENTURA'S APPEARANCE ON INTENTIONAL TALK

I recommend avoiding anything with Kevin Millar as a general rule, but at least Robin enjoyed himself.

LACTOSE INTOLERANT: LEFT FIELD OPTIONS BESIDES THE MELK MAN

We know the White Sox need to upgrade left field. The White Sox know they need to upgrade left field. Rick Hahn himself basically went on the radio earlier this week and said it. While he spoke in his typical measured tones, if you read between the lines of what he was saying you could hear his brain screaming "Dayan Viciedo is so bad please don't make me go through another season with him as my left fielder."

That's why there have been all those rumors about the White Sox and Mariners talking Viciedo, with most of the talking coming from the White Sox end of things. Maybe the Sox are hoping that if they say Seattle's interested in Viciedo enough that it will eventually come true. Like an exasperated Jedi mind trick.

I don't know that it will work no matter how many times that Sarah McLachlan commercial plays.

SARAH MCLACHLAN WANTS YOU TO TRADE FOR DAYAN VICIEDO

Don't let Dayan go to the kill shelter.

IS SEATTLE A MATCH FOR DAYAN VICIEDO?

As sure as the sun will rise in the east and set in the west the Seattle Mariners will be interested in trading for Dayan Viciedo. Like Captain Ahab in his never-ending search for that damned white whale, the Mariners have long been connected to Viciedo. They've wanted him for years.

Time and time again you hear of rumors connecting the Mariners to Viciedo, but it never actually materializes. The White Sox were never ready to give up on Viciedo before, at least not at a price Seattle was willing to agree to. But things have changed with the Sox this winter. On Tuesday the Sox let it be known that Viciedo was available. They've seen enough.

And it seems the White Sox are much better anglers than Captain Ahab could ever hope to be, for their bait had barely made a ripple in the water before the Mariners had shown up.

WHITE SOX TO GO AFTER EVAN LONGORIA?

It's been a fun winter already, but apparently things could get more interesting.

The Score's Bruce Levine was on the Mully and Hanley Show Wednesday morning, and during his appearance he speculated about the possibility of another big trade for the White Sox. According to Levine, he believes there'd be mutual interest between the Sox and the Rays in doing a deal for Evan Longoria.

Which, if true, well excuse me I need to go fan myself for a few minutes.

What's not clear is if Levine is just pulling this idea out of his ass, or if he's seen or heard any possible chatter between the two sides, even if they're extremely preliminary discussions. All I know is that I found out about the talk this morning, and now I can't stop thinking about it.

Evan Longoria has taken over my mind.

WHO WANTS DAYAN VICIEDO?

The #WhiteSox, who are searching the marketplace for another OF and bullpen help, are telling teams that LF Dayan Viciedo is available.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 10, 2014

It's nice to know that the White Sox aren't done.

It's even nicer to know they don't want to keep Dayan Viciedo if they don't have to.

I have nothing against Viciedo, but it just hasn't worked out. It's best for all involved to move on at this point. I'd take anything with a pulse in return.

TIME TO GET BACK TO ENJOYING OURSELVES

The excitement is back. I've sat here at my laptop for a while now getting ready to write a post breaking down the moves the White Sox have made, but it all feels so secondary. I've already shared my thoughts on the money they're giving David Robertson, and they haven't changed.

I don't like spending that much on a closer. Never have, never will. But I can live with it because I understand it.

As for the Samardzija trade, how can any reasonable fan be anything other than thrilled? You get a great starter you can slot between Chris Sale and Jose Quintana, and you don't have to give up any top prospects to do it. If the Sox can't sign Shark long term you get the draft pick when he leaves next winter. A draft pick that replaces the second round pick you lose by signing Robertson.

There. That's the analysis. Let's get to the emotions.

MARCUS SEMIEN IS THE CENTER OF THE SAMARDZIJA TALKS

I don't know if the White Sox are going to end up with Jeff Samardzija or not, but if what Jeff Passan tweeted earlier tonight is true, it's nice to know that the price isn't getting insane.

Sources: If the White Sox do deal for Jeff Samardzija, return would be Marcus Semien and prospects. A's would slot Semien in at shortstop.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 9, 2014

White Sox reticent to give up high-level prospects because Samardzija under contract for only one year. Anderson, Montas may not be in play.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 9, 2014

I'd be more than happy giving up Marcus Semien and a couple other guys that aren't top prospects like Tim Anderson for Samardzija.

DAVID ROBERTSON IS EXPENSIVE

It was a pleasant surprise to turn on the computer Monday morning, the first day of the winter meetings, and see that the White Sox were already being connected to some big names. The USA Today said that the White Sox were still the "frontrunner" for Jeff Samardzija, and then there was the New York Post saying the Sox were interested in David Robertson.

I don't feel the need to write about a possible Samardzija trade just yet because there are simply too many variables. I'd much rather wait until it actually happens (if it happens), because then I can actually evaluate it. I like the idea of adding a pitcher like Samardzija to the rotation, but with the looming question of his free agency, plus whatever the cost would be to get him, it seems silly to speculate wildly before anything happens.

I have feelings about Robertson, though, because all it takes to get him is money. A lot of money. And that's where my opinions on the matter come in pretty clearly.

But first, this is what the New York Post had to say.