It seems to me that Pierre was what the White Sox could afford once the Dodgers agreed to pay $10.5 million of the $18.5 million left on the horrific five-year deal he received after his one unproductive season with the Cubs. But Williams would have been so much better off to just say no and figure out how to fill the leadoff spot elsewhere, even if he had to cross his fingers on Jordan Danks, who is hitting .250 with a .331 on-base percentage for Triple-A Charlotte. He definitely should have gotten off the telephone when Dodgers GM Ned Colletti mentioned Ely.
Arguably the best pitcher in the Southern League a year ago, Ely is a Homewood-Flossmoor High School product who grew up rooting for the White Sox. He's an easy guy to underestimate because he doesn't light up the radar gun, but he is in the process of seizing an unexpected opportunity with the Dodgers.