Suddenly, the talk is that the leader in the clubhouse for the Chicago White Sox center field job is DeWayne Wise.

Wise is having a great spring, hitting .412.  He even got to hit leadoff yesterday and had two hits and a steal.  This is good news for the Sox in several respects.

The first is Wise could become the kind of leadoff hitter Orlando Cabrera was in that although he's not suited to the role he could do a competent job of getting on base and setting the table for the boppers in the middle of the order. 

Second, should Wise win the job, the Sox will have a huge decision to make on Jerry Owens who is out of minor league options.  They could keep him on the roster, hope he clears waivers and send him to Charlotte if he does or show him the door.  Options two and three are my personal favorites. 

Even if Wise doesn't hit leadoff, he's still a much better option at this point than Owens who can't hit, can't throw and is having issues running the bases.

What the Sox are discovering 2½ weeks into spring training is that most of us casual observers nailed it,  the Sox do not have a major league caliber center fielder on the roster, just a bunch of role players.  At this point, Wise is the best of the role players and that is finally being acknowledged by Kenny, Ozzie and everyone else.

I've seen some comments on some of the boards and blog sites that rip Wise saying he's a career minor leaguer and if he had any talent he would have made it by now.  Truthfully, if Wise can hit, catch and throw decently, I'm okay with it.  Many of the fans ripping Wise also ripped Scott Podsednik early in his Sox career. 

The Sox have few options right now.  They can continue the competition with Wise, Owens and Brian Anderson, scour the waiver wires for available players or make a trade.  Be aware, with the uncertain economy and MLB set to take a projected 17% hit at the gate, trading for a proven veteran with a high price tag goes against the philosophy of "The Chairman."  Surely Kenny Williams is aware he has a gaping hole in center, but like so many people in these troubled times, he has to choose budget over improvements.  Wise is an acceptable band-aid with Brian Anderson spelling him as a defensive replacement and against tricky lefties.

Based on what we've seen of this team so far, we understand it is your prototypical White Sox team: Long on power, long on pitching, short on speed and defense.  DeWayne Wise won't really upset the apple cart that much if he becomes a starter. 

Lightning Round

• Clayton Richard was inconsistent again, giving up five hits, two runs and three walks yesterday against the Royals.
• Jose Contreras and Bartolo Colon will get some work in a game Sunday and Monday respectively.  I'm happy they've rehabbed so soon, but I would be much happier to have them late in the season rather than early.  Either way, it's a tribute to both of their work ethic and Dr. Herm that they are back so fast.
• Anyone else concerned that the Sox got hammered by both Cleveland and KC this week?  I'm talking drummed.
• Our boy Sergio Santos has been sent to the minor league camp.
• Jayson Nix, who has turned some heads in spring training, may get to play today after being out a week with an injury.  My question is can Ozzie give Nix, Brent Lillibridge, Chris Getz and Gordon Beckham enough of a look at second to make a determination?  Right now, Nix and Getz are the leaders, but Lillibridge is the second fastest guy on the team next to Jerry Owens who may or may not be on the opening day roster.  Lillibridge has been bothered by the flu.
• Randy Williams continues to throw well.  He's the next guy on our darkhorse list.
• Kelvin Jimenez and Franklyn German, thanks for playing.  Please collect your prizes at the door on your way out.