Even after five weeks of spring training and several rounds of cuts, the clutter in the Sox locker room is enough to make anyone claustrophobic.

The organization is starting to look like the storage room of a made-for-Dr. Phil pack rat. There's of course Juan Uribe, Joe Crede, Pablo Ozuna and Toby Hall, all on the major league club despite myriad other options.

But there's also the outfield log jam with Nick Swisher and Carlos Quentin both in position to be everyday corner outfielders and Jerry Owens and Brian Anderson in line for center. That's not even counting Alexei Ramirez, who has enough competition with Uribe, Ozuna, Danny Richar and Jason Bourgeois in the infield.

If it weren't for the injuries to Owens and Richar, the Sox would have even more serviceable players collecting dust on the bookshelves. Once Owens and Richar come back, then what happens?

Even the bullpen could use just a little thinning out-Ehren Wassermann is set to take the last spot, but Nick Masset, and arguably even Tomo Ohka and DJ Carrasco could be plugged in there.

Basically, the roster could use a little spring cleaning. Maybe get an expert to come in and streamline things. And from a little spring cleaning, it's not far to make the leap to a major trade. Ken Williams likes to make big splashes-like a synchronized Bobby Jenks/Jim Thome cannonball into Lake Michigan splash.

This team isn't so good that it can't be disrupted with a major shake up-in other words, a major trade isn't going to ruin what the Sox already have cooking. As presently constructed, the best case scenario for the squad is an 85-87 win second place finish anyway.

While depth is usually a good thing (and I'm not arguing it's "bad" here), the Sox resources could be better allocated to make this team a contender. They have holes in too many other areas (most notably starting pitching) to hold onto a glut of similar middle infielders and corner outfielders. Somebody's gotta go, if just for peace of mind.

But, given Williams' track record, it could be the guy you least expect. Think about it, who holds more value than the middle-of-the-order hitters, all of whom have competent players behind them?

Before his 10 and 5 rights kick in, Paul Konerko could be dealt to a hitting starved team, paving the way for Swisher to play 1B and two of Quentin, Anderson or Owens to play everyday. A Jermaine Dye trade might fit that bill as well. Josh Fields could handle the DH duties if Jim Thome, for whom there would be a smaller market, was moved.

Williams has already complained that his anticipated busy spring of trades has been as quiet as Harpo Marx. With little to no rumors in play at the moment, could this be time for one of Williams under-the-radar blockbuster trades? There are still three days until Opening Day.

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Not a baseball note, but today was the big goodbye party to NBA reporter Sam Smith, who graced the Trib's sport section with equal parts NBA analysis and self-deprecation for 28 years.

His contract bought out, Smith will be leaving the paper Friday. KC Johnson, who's likely to take his gig, wrote a nice piece today in which he called Smith "this city's most influential basketball voice." Smith himself went out on a high note with a great summation of the Bulls season-long malaise which wouldn't have been complete without the requisite blockbuster trade idea.

Smith is a great writer: funny, unpretentious and insightful. Sure, a lot of his Monday morning trade ideas were eye-rollers, but how could you not like the guy? He obviously loved his job and didn't take himself too seriously, two qualities I value very highly.

Oh, and on top of all that, he is a Sox fan.

Sam, best of luck on your new career, whatever it may be. You will be missed.