CHICAGO -- Ken Williams spoke of frustration with the current trade market, but originally wouldn't give a reason for that frustration during a talk with the media Friday evening. As that conversation moved on, though, Williams gave a bit of insight to the issue he was having.

His frustration seemed to emanate, in part, from dealing with a new, younger breed of general managers.

"Everyone has their own strategies," Williams said. "The way we do business is not the way someone else does business. I'm not the guy to play games with and do a lot of back and forth with."

Williams explained that he talked to "a number of guys today," apparently meaning veteran general managers, who shared his assessment and frustration with the new landscape.

"We've always done business the same way. It's straight between the eyes," Williams said. "When we say we are going to call you, we are going to call you. If we can't talk to you about a given subject at that particular time, I'll call you to say I can't talk about that given subject. The lines of communication will always be open and be above board for everything.

"This cloak-and-dagger stuff is different. This is baseball, it's not espionage going on somewhere. We aren't talking about military secrets. It's baseball. Give me a break."

Thornton an example for Jackson

CHICAGO -- When Matt Thornton first joined the White Sox in a 2006 Spring Training trade with Seattle for Joe Borchard, the left-hander carried a reputation of having great stuff and the potential to be an elite pitcher once he could control that great stuff.

Four years later, the hard-throwing left-hander is an American League All-Star.

Thornton walked 67 combined over 89 2/3 innings during the 2004 and 2005 seasons for Seattle. He issued just 52 free passes in 184 appearances over the past three campaigns for the White Sox.

One of the American League's best relievers stands as living proof of how White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper could be able to work wonders with Edwin Jackson's control issues once he officially arrives in Chicago.

"He simplified things for me," said Thornton of the improvement made by Cooper upon his mound approach. "Instead of sitting there and trying to pitch to hitters' weaknesses, and analyzing scouting reports and making those kinds of pitches, you just stick to your strengths."

"It looks like we've got to be down with the first three pitches to get ahead and to simplify it," Cooper said. "[Jackson's] an experienced guy. Heck, he threw a no-hitter this year, so that means his stuff is there. We just have to continue to help him command it better and better."

Cooper already has watched video of Jackson, who has issued 60 walks in just 134 1/3 innings this season, and pointed to the walks and home runs allowed as targeted areas of improvement for the right-hander. Jackson has given up 82 long balls in the past four years.

A large part of Thornton's development came from confidence in his own ability and the confidence shown by the White Sox. Jackson should find that same feeling immediately, with his debut tentatively scheduled for Wednesday night in Detroit.

"We have a solid bullpen behind him, so he needs to give us six or seven strong innings," Thornton said. "And some days, if you want to go five and keep us in the game, we can pick up the rest from there. It's a good pick up for us."

Beckham not worried about clearing the fences

CHICAGO -- The question put to Gordon Beckham concerning his skills as a power hitter seemed to amuse the White Sox second baseman.

"Yes, I am. For sure," said Beckham with a broad smile. "I have five home runs on the season, I think? I'm a power hitter."

With some people in the White Sox organization comparing Beckham at his high point to a Michael Young sort of player, hitting 35 or 40 home runs in a season won't be a staple of Beckham's game. His 2010 doubles total has jumped up to 20, an area where his extra-base power will most prominently be displayed, and Beckham simply seems to be happy to be taking good swings once again.

"I think when you see me hit balls down the right-field line and then hit balls down the left-field line in the same game, I think that's good," said Beckham of something he did during Thursday's victory over Seattle. "That means my swing is taking whatever pitch is there.

"I'm not even trying to do that. That's the swing plane that I have, and when I'm doing that, I'm in a good place. It's good to see, it's good to feel."

Words of praise for departing players

CHICAGO -- The White Sox and D-backs both had kind words for their players who were traded off as part of Friday's deal sending Edwin Jackson to the White Sox for Daniel Hudson and Minor League hurler David Holmberg.

General manager Ken Williams had a chance to talk to Hudson as the deal became official.

"[Hudson] was a little bummed. And I'm always bummed when I have to tell somebody that," said Williams. "He is getting an opportunity, an opportunity to grow into a rotation in a situation where he can be allowed to make mistakes that a young a guy can make and that growth is going to result in a promising career.

"I told [D-backs general manager] Jerry [DiPoto] just that, 'You're getting [a good] young man and you're getting [a good] pitcher.' Listen, we don't have to win deals here. We just have to get the guy we want that fits into our equation."

D-backs manager Kirk Gibson described Jackson as what seems to be a perfect fit for the White Sox clubhouse.

"He always had energy, I felt like he always touched everybody with positive vibes," Gibson said. "I have nothing but good things to say about Edwin. We hate to lose him, but at the same time, we've picked up an important part for our future."

Third to first

Paul Konerko's streak of four straight games with a home run came to an end Friday. He came close to extending the streak with his leadoff double off the right-center-field wall in the fourth and his long sacrifice fly to left in the seventh. ... Dayan Viciedo picked up his first career three-hit game Friday and is now batting .322.. ... Sergio Santos has made seven straight scoreless appearances and 11 in a row without an earned run, covering 11 2/3 innings. ... White Sox starting pitchers are 27-9 with a 2.70 ERA and 37 quality starts in the last 46 games.