In case you missed it, Sox manager Ozzie Guillen became a US citizen earlier this week. I guess after 21 years in Major League Baseball, Ozzie is as American as he's ever going to get. The test had him a little nervous, but after he passed (without one wrong answer, he wants you to know) Guillen came out his usual self, cracking jokes and spewing one-liners. One of the questions on the test asked him to name the mayor of Chicago, to which Guillen replied 'Me' before correctly answering. Guillen also celebrated his 42nd birthday on Friday. How many 42 year olds do you know that have won a World Series -- as a manager? Mr. Popular will be featured in upcoming issues of Playboy, Maxim and Sports Illustrated.

**In his 'Rumblings & Grumblings' column on ESPN.com, Jayson Stark mentions the Phillies inquired about acquiring one of the Sox "excess" starting pitchers in exchange for All Star Bobby Abreu. Yesterday's Philadelphia Inquirer also mentioned this rumor.

Abreu is a heck of a talent, but the Sox aren't willing to add his enormous salary to the books, displace their current outfield, or sacrifice their top notch defense. In some other scenario it might work, but for now it's probably not very practical. Don't be surprised, however, if you see Abreu's name pop up in connection with the Sox further down the road.

*Sox Transactions, Week of 1/16: -Signed 3B Joe Crede to a one-year, $2.675 million contract -Signed OF Ben Grieve, RHP Agustin Montero, INF Jorge Velandia and OF Darren Blakely to minor league contracts and invited them to Spring Training.