I live in Southeastern Wisconsin (part of the time) where yesterday all hopes of spring were dashed by fifteen inches of snow.  Whatever hope there was of warmer weather and melting snow was replaced by snow covered roads and a closed airport.  Once again, reality trumps hope.

And even though they were warm and dry in Tucson, the optimism that was coming out of the Chicago White Sox camp has been replaced by,  to quote Aerosmith, the "same old story same old song and dance."

Ozzie is back on the warpath about his team lacking intensity.  Pitchers who were counted on to perform in vital roles (you know who you are Nick Masset and Mike MacUseless) are getting lit up.  Hitters (Joe Crede) aren't hitting.  And all roads leading to Kenny Williams pulling off a trade are blocked. 

So, now what?  Playing in baseball's toughest division, with two playoff ready teams and the Twins may be a problem.  And so far this spring, we've had a whole lot of questions with not a whole lot of answers.  For example:

• How healthy is Crede really?  His defense has been good, but he's been swinging the bat like a player who was out the second half of last year with back surgery.  He's certainly not 100% and probably in the 60-70% range.  Not only does this hurt the Sox offensively, it takes away Kenny's biggest and best bargaining chip.  Hopefully, it's just a matter of timing and Crede will respond in May and June and Kenny will be able to move him.  It's too bad Crede is a Scott Boras Client, because if they could re-sign him, the market for Josh Fields is there, far more so than for Crede.
  
• Who's on second?: The Juan Uribe waiver story was a non-issue, so it's his job to lose.  If the Sox can't move him (which seems to be their intent right now) playing time for Alexi Ramirez will be very limited.  Will the Sox let him start the season on the big league club or will they do the right thing and send him to Charlotte for at bats?  Once the season starts, Ramirez will be in for a rough ride trying to adjust to everyday major league pitching.
• Has Brian Anderson earned a roster spot?:  Based on the numbers, yes he has, but then what do you do with Jerry Owens?  Do you platoon Anderson and Owens (which makes sense) or do you just use Anderson as a fourth outfielder?  If you do that, what happens to Carlos Quentin?  Does Quentin start the season on the DL or does he make the roster too?  Will Kenny try to move Anderson now that Anderson is showing his stuff again? And are you really going to carry six infielders (Konerko, Uribe, Cabrera, Crede, Ozuna and Ramirez), five outfielders (Quentin, Swisher, Dye, Anderson, Owens) a DH (Thome) and two catchers and only 11 pitchers?  If your goal is twelve pitchers, then something has to give.
• Who is your long man? Nick Masset has been getting bombed like Baghdad lately while Ehren Wasserman has had two strong weeks.  The difference between the two is that Masset is out of options and not getting a roster spot will force him to go to the waiver wire where someone will pick him up.  So, do you make a decision based on who is the best player or by not cutting a player you still believe in?  How about this, waive Mike MacUseless and then you have room for them both.
• How Healthy is your setup man?: So far this spring, your new go to guy in the seventh Scott Linebrink has been plagued with migraines and back issues?  This can't be a good sign, can it?
• Is Toby Hall the backup catcher you really want?:  He can't hit and can barely throw.  Aren't Donny Lucy or Cole Armstrong better options?  Seriously.  The fact is, if Hall continues not to be able to make contact (his spring average is .000) Ozzie will not have an confidence in him and never play him, this wearing down A.J. Pierzynski to the point of exhaustion and ineffectiveness.  Good thing Kenny has Sandy Alomar Junior's number on speed dial.
• How good is your starting rotation?: The top two are okay, not great, just okay.  Contreras will be a mystery until the season starts.  Pink Gavin Floyd has pitched well of late and John Danks has been okay.  These guys aren't world beaters by any stretch, but if they can go six to seven innings a start, hope the offense shows up and their bullpen can seal the deal, they could be effective.  That's a lot of ifs though.

More questions than answers.  And, by the way, the season begins in nine days.  That is if it would stop snowing.