-would it make me feel a little better about this abysmal offseason to sign him to a multi-year big bucks deal -- a little, I guess

-will they? no, not likely.

-is this another one-year placeholder? probably...

I just don't see the Sox doing anything meaningful for '07 aside from strengthening the bullpen (a bid deal but not the only thing most of us had in mind).

Yeah, the whitesox have better bullpen now. We moved some pitching and got young talent in return. Other than making me feel better about center field, I guess I'm not sure what you mean when you say this offseason "isn't what most people had in mind."

What exactly did you expect?

Cause next offseason, I expect Crede, Buerhle, Garland, and Podsednik to be gone. What we'll get in return, I'm not sure, but I EXPECT them to be gone and I expect to get some good return. If we don't, I'll be dissappointed.

As for this offseason, other than moving 1 or 2 pitchers, I guess I didn't expect much at all...