It's all Dust In the Wind....

The White Sox got thier man today, signing right relief pitcher Dustin Hermanson to a 2yr/$5.5 million deal with a $3.5 million option in 2007. Hermanson will pitch in the setup role to closer Shingo Takatsu and will possibly close if Shingo cannot get the job done in his second season. I have to admit this makes the palehosers pen pretty solid with Shingo, Hermanson and the lefty Demaso Marte. Although none of them are a dominate closer, the two setup guys have proven to be effective in that role and Shingo seemed capable at closing for half a season even though he throws a variety of 80 MPH junk at hitters. Now the Sox are gonna turn their attention to another starter with Matt Clement seeming to get the most interest out of them since Jared Wright has moved on to the Evil Empire.

Heres a quick rundown of some other signings going on today:

- Jon Lieber to the Phillies for 3yr/$21 million. This rounds out thier rotation and fills all of thier holes for next season leaving them pretty much finished for the offseason.

- The Padres inked former Cardinal pitcher Woody Williams to a 1yr/$3.5 million deal with very easily attainable incentives to turn it into at 2yr/$14 million deal. All Williams basically has to do is stay healthly and pitch well enough to remain in the rotation. The move also effectively makes David Wells go out to find another team since his top two choices, San Diego and Philadelphia, have signed other pitchers to fill out thier starting staffs.

- Matt Mantei, who expressed interest in becoming a Cub earlier in the offseason, signed a 1yr/$750,000 deal with the Red Sox. If he's health for the next season he will really help the ballclub, but thats a major if.

- Al Leiter is officially back to the Florida Marlins with a 1yr/$7 million contract. The deal also calls for $1 million donated to his charity on top of the salary.

- There must be something in the water in Minneapolis. Brad Radke turned down more lucrative and longer offers to return to the Twins yesterday, and today 3B Cory Koskie told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that he will return to the Twins to take a 2yr/$9 million offer if they include a no-trade clause. The thing is that he has recieved at least one offer better at 3yrs/$16 million offer from another team. Crazy things are happening in Minnesota.

- And since i was accused of being a Nomar Garciaparra anti-homer, heres an article on how he could return to past glory. I agree with most things this guy has to say, however I think 95% of people would agree that Nomar was never a 'good' defensive shortstop. If Nomar turns it around and is back to his old form next season I'll be the first to admit I was wrong about him, but I just cannot see why Hendry would want him back over Renteria at this point in both thier carrers, especially with the Cubs need for a leadoff hitter.