http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnBubnHgXWw

For some reason, I just can't see Paul Konerko talking about his new pet monkey.

On the heels of last week's surprising deal for Nick Swisher came the hot rumor of Paul Konerko going to Los Angeles/Anaheim for either Howie Kendrick or Chone Figgins and Ervin Santana.

While such a deal would make plenty of sense for the White Sox, I would be absolutely shocked if it were to ever come to fruition.

For one thing, the Konerko to Anaheim rumor seems to come up every year. Last year it even came up twice, during the offseason and prior to the trading deadline. Someone out there who's deeply entrenched in the seldom accurate rumor mill seems to love fantasizing about Konerko in Angel red.

From a realistic baseball viewpoint though, this deal makes no sense for the team from Orange County. After their signing of Torii Hunter, they have no place for Garrett Anderson other the DH slot. With young and improving Casey Kotchman at first, they seem to be in good shape at that position as well. Meanwhile, their current options at shortstop next year are Erick Aybar, Macier Izturis and Brandon Wood. Kendrick and Figgins are about the only other options to play middle infield for the halos on their current roster. I don't see how they could justify trading either of these guys straight up for the aging Konerko. Throwing in a talented young starter like Santana would make the trade not only foolish, but unbalanced in favor of the Sox.

As much as I love Paulie, there's no way he's worth both Santana and either of these players at this stage of his career. He's basically a one-dimensional player while Figgins is one of the better base-stealers in the game, a lock to hit .300 or better and can play any position...

Read the full post at Bugs and Cranks

• ArmchairGM Phils Get Hosed by Baseball Prospectus, Arlen Specter Fights Back Feb 19
• ArmchairGM To the People Who Don't Believe Baseball is a Sport... Feb 19
• Bugs and Cranks Sandy Koufax Is Scary, Magical. Dodgers Arrive At Camp Feb 19
• AOL Fanhouse International Pastime: One Man's Hope for Baseball in Cambodia Feb 19
• ArmchairGM SF Giants: Spring Training Notes Feb 19
• Ball Hype La Salle Shocks St. Joe's, Fans Storm the Floor at the Palestra Feb 19
• Mr. Irrelevant Ryan Newman Has Friends in Low Places, Literally Feb 19
• AOL Fanhouse La Salle's Win Against Saint Joe's Could Mean Three Bids for Atlantic 10 Feb 19