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.

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.

RUMBLINGS OF A SAMARDZIJA DEAL

I'm not sure what to make of it, but on Friday night when there were rumblings of a big trade involving Oakland, Jeff Samardzija's name was mentioned, as were the White Sox as a possible landing place. That wasn't the big deal Oakland pulled off, as it sent Josh Donaldson to Toronto in a deal I didn't understand, but that doesn't mean Oakland is done yet.

Susan Slusser, who covers the Athletics and was the first person to start tweeting about a big trade coming, sent out these tweets as well.

Again, source tells me that #Athletics nearing major deal that involves Samardzija for several players, team targeting hitters.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) November 29, 2014

I'm told 10 teams have expressed interest in Samardzija; #RedSox and #WhiteSox among them. But he is not in deal as @Ken_Rosenthal says.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) November 29, 2014

Now, that doesn't mean anything, as it's not a shock that the Sox would at least check in on the availability of Samardzija. But then late Friday night, just before I curled up into bed, this tweet made its way into my timeline.

WHITE SOX HAVE CHECKED IN ON JUSTIN MASTERSON

We don't know who it's going to be, or how he's going to get here, but at some point the White Sox are going to get a right-handed starting pitcher this winter. The current starting rotation consists of Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, John Danks and then there's Carlos Rodon waiting in the wings. Should Danks not be traded at some point, that's four lefty starters in the rotation.

That's not really a terrible thing, but you want to find a righty to throw in there somewhere, and the Sox just don't have a realistic option available aside from Hector Noesi, but you don't want to go into next season guaranteeing Noesi anything.

So Rick Hahn will find a starter, and I like where his head is at according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The paper says the White Sox have "inquired" on Justin Masterson. This is an idea I can get behind.

IS MIGUEL MONTERO NECESSARY?

Tyler Flowers had his best season with the White Sox in 2014. That's a good thing, but like most things, it's all relative.

Flowers had set the bar rather low for himself, and it's somewhat sad that a season in which he finished with an OBP of .297 and an OPS+ of 95 could be considered a career year, but that's the situation Flowers finds himself in. It also leaves the White Sox in a position in which they have to wonder whether or not an upgrade is something they should pursue, or if the money should be spent elsewhere.

The fact they've apparently checked with the Diamondbacks on Miguel Montero might give us an indication about how they feel. Montero is still owed $40 million over the next three seasons, which is a sizeable investment for this White Sox team to make. But the question is whether or not it'd be worth it.

THE WHITE SOX AREN'T GOING TO TRADE ALEXEI RAMIREZ

I guess anything is possible. The Cubs could one day win a World Series. Jay Cutler might one day lead the Bears to a Super Bowl win. A leaked nude photo of Kate Upton with my jizz on her back instead of Justin Verlander's could one day make it's way through the internet.

Who knows?

But while things may be possible, that doesn't mean they're probable, and that leads me to all these trade rumors surrounding Alexei Ramirez. The White Sox have reportedly talked to a number of teams about their malnutritioned shortstop, though Rick Hahn says he's not shopping him.  He's just listening, as any good general manager would do. The two teams we've seen mentioned are the Mets and Dodgers, with the Dodgers apparently pushing harder than anybody else.

Let them push, they aren't going to get him barring some ridiculous offer. Sure! We'll take Clayton Kershaw!