White Sox Gutcheck Week One
I hate to be the kid on the corner that tells the Emperor he is naked, but I am afraid that is my calling in life. Let's do a gut check on where the White Sox are after a couple weeks of spring training:
- Goodbye Joe, You Gotta Go, Meo Myo: There is no doubt that Kenny Williams wishes to rid himself of Scott Boras client Joe Crede. Crede hit a home run the other day proving to those in attendance that he's probably, at least at this point, healthy. How that will translate in cold weather in April or the middle of August in anybody's guess. The bottom line is, a healthy Crede would enhance the Sox chance of at least fielding a competitive team in a very tough division. But since a deal is probably out of the question, Crede will be shipped off for spare parts or magic beans (prospects.) This reeks of 1997. Dump a productive player and get whatever you can because you are not sure you can re-sign him. Let's pray Josh Fields can shorten his swing and learn to move to his left quickly or third base will go from being a strength to a cesspool.
- Who's on Second?: Everything you read about the Sox second base situation is scary. Juan Uribe (who Kenny should unload but won't) is looking okay but not a world beater. Alexi Ramirez apparently hasn't played as much second as the Sox had thought, although he has a lot of potential. Potential is for Royals and Rays, not for a team that wants to compete. Danny Richar not was late for camp, but now says he had a bad back over the winter that apparently nobody knew about. Is he going to be the Sox new head case? Bottom line, if the Sox were happy with this motley crew, then why all the interest in Mark Ellis? And who can you possibly unload for him besides some really bad pitchers?
- Attack on Mac: Meanwhile, why in the hell is Mike MacUseless still around? It's obvious to me that the guy may be great on the side, but put his sorry butt on the mound and he turns to Jello. Unfortunately, when someone gives you a lemon, you should make lemonade as Ozzie Guillen clearly has, resigning himself to using MacUseless in games where the outcome is probably already decided. Four words: Change of Scenery. NOW.
- Taking the Lead: The leadoff spot is a hot topic as well. Jerry Owens, when he's not icing his groin, has done better than expected. Nick Swisher also has done okay, but is more of a five, six or seven hole hitter, given that you could go Thome, Konerko, Swisher (who hits from both sides)., Dye and then A.J. If Owens hits leadoff and Orlando Cabrera hits second, you've got that lefty-righty-lefty thing going on through the first seven guys in the lineup. And if Danny Richar climbs out of Ozzie's doghouse and wins the spot at second, you could have a lineup with five left handed hitters. Unfortunately, this doesn't help you solve C.C. Sabathia.
- Surprise, Surprise, Surprise: It looks like the biggest surprises in camp are Brain Anderson (who I said last week might surprise people) and a rule V catcher named Cole Armstrong. Toby Hall better get healed in a hurry if he doesn't want to lose his job.
- Fools on the Hill: Based on my math, it looks like the Sox will take probably take thirteen position players and twelve pitchers north. Also based on my math, there are four open slots on the pitching staff. That is, if you assume that you have five starters, plus the back end of the bullpen that includes Octavio Dotel, Scott Linebrink and Bobby Jenks. Then you make the assumption that both Boone Logan and Macuseless have slots Hopefully, the other two slots will go to the two best pitchers and not the guys who are thin on options. Keep your eye on Tomo Ohka, boys and girls and perhaps Lance Broadway as well. Honestly, if I were a betting man, it will most likely be Ehren Wasserman P.I. and probably Nick Masset, unless Ohka is dazzling and Pink Gavin Floyd gets lit up.
What do you think about just moving Fields to left field this year? Obviously, he probably would have started working there in the offseason if that was the plan, but it seems like a reasonable way to keep both bats in the lineup. The Sox can't afford to trade Crede for 40 cents on a dollar, they simply aren't that good. Unfortunately, that may be the only way to get rid of him. Fields is probably awful in left field, but if him and Crede both hit 30 dingers, I think it's ok.
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Hey Rick:
Great to hear from you.
I think Fields in left would have been a good idea had they not acquired Nick Swisher who is probably better in left than he is in center. That doesn't even include Carlos Quentin in the discussion.
My problem with Fields at third is that he plays like his feet are in cement and will allow a lot of hits, especially to his left. Given how shaky the Sox starters are to begin with (after Buhrle and Javy) this will cause a lot of problems.
I think the best case is to send young Josh back to Charlotte with Manny Trillio working with him everyday and then unloading Crede closer to the deadline rather than now. In addition to being a great third baseman, Crede is also a pretty good clutch hitter and if the Sox are going to contend this year, they need to get off to a great start.
Who knows? Maybe Kenny can get over Boras and work something out with Crede, at least through 2009. Then again, maybe Gavin Floyd will win the Cy Young. . .
Chip
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