White Sox General Manager has made it publicly known that Josh Fields will not be moving to the outfield next year in order to make room for Joe Crede's return. This pretty much ensures the Sox will move Crede this winter.

Prior to Thursday, the most logical trading partner looked to be the Yankees. They needed a reliable third baseman to replace Alex Rodriguez and had a bevy of both established players and prospects that the Sox would have gladly accepted in exchange for Crede.

Now that ARod has basically signed his career over to the Yankees with a 10-year deal, the Yankees need Crede about as much as the Patriots need a quarterback.

The Yankees had also been courting free agent Mike Lowell to replace ARod and are still considering bringing him in as a first baseman. If Lowell signs with the Yankees, the White Sox and Red Sox should immediately engage in talks regarding Crede. The Red Sox also have plenty of players the Sox would be interested in and would be able to afford a long-term deal with Crede at the end of the year. Crede would be a defensive upgrade for the Red Sox and would replace Lowell adequately in the lineup as a clutch RBI guy to hit behind Big Papi and Manny. He's also much younger than Lowell and likely still has his best years ahead of him.

Prior to last season's trading deadline, a deal was in the works to send Manny Delcarmen to the Sox for Jermaine Dye. Delcarmen could be a key piece again to any Crede trade proposals as well.

If Lowell re-signs with the Red Sox however, Williams may have a really hard time finding a trading partner for Crede.

The Phillies, who are also heavily pursuing Lowell, would be the next logical candidate. But they don't have many players or prospects that fit the needs of the White Sox. Maybe if they're able to sign Aaron Rowand it could make Shane Victorino available. Victorino could make a nice platoon partner with Jerry Owens in left. The Phillies bullpen though doe...

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