I think it's official (and painfully obvious) that the Chicago White Sox run for the AL Central Division title is over.  With that in mind, where do the Sox go for 2010.  Here's some thoughts:

• Infield: The Sox entire infield will be back next year.  Gordon Beckham will have a year of major league experience under his belt.  Hopefully, he'll take ground balls all winter long and learn to move laterally at third.  If I were Kenny Williams, I would dangle Alexi Ramirez as trade bait.  Getz/Nix will be back and I would imagine if one of the big three were coming back, it would be Paul Konerko, who is under contract for a couple of more years.  I would sign Mark Kotsay as his backup. I would also see if anyone wants Brent Lillibridge.  He's pretty useless.
• Outfield: If Jermaine Dye comes back, it will be with a totally new, one year deal.  I can not see the Sox bringing him back his option because he's 35 and slows down the second half of the season.  This doesn't mean I don't appreciate Jermaine or what he's done for the team, I just know he's not the same player he was four years ago.  If J.D. is going to be with the Sox next year, it will be a new deal, say two years at less than he is making now.  Otherwise, I would decline his option and let him go DH in Texas or where ever. That said, if it were up to me, I'd move Q to right, play Alex Rios exclusively in center (you might as well, you are stuck with him) and open up left for Scott Podsednik.  Now, we all know that Scotty Pods is lightning in a bottle and in even numbered years he stinks (2002, 2004, 2006, 2008) so, if the Sox want to really make a splash, they should try to acquire Carl "The Answer" Crawford from the Rays (sorry, Ranger, I know I am coveting another team's players again.) 
• DH: I think you might be shocked at what happens here.  The Sox as an organization are about two things: Character and marketing.  It is entirely possible that Jim Thome is brought back to chase his 600th home run in a Sox uniform for those two reasons, then given the Carlton Fisk treatment after he gets there.  Thome could come cheaper than Dye because he won't want multiple years and is more interested in getting 600 than he is in making a huge salary and might be a cheaper alternative at DH than Dye.  That could give Kenny more flexibility to go out and sign a free agent or make a trade to fill a need. If they do re-sign Thome for a home team discount, incentive laden contract, remember where you saw it first.
• Catcher: A.J. has been the second best player on this team next to Scotty Pods.  He'll be back next year.  The fight for the backup role will be interesting.  I'm not sure what Ramon Castro's contract status is, but he'll be competing against Cole Armstrong and Tyler Flowers. I think Flowers gets one more year at Triple A to get regular at bats.  Whomever backs up A.J. will only catch about 40 games anyway.
• Starting Pitching: Freddie Garcia has been more snake bit than awful and would fit as the fifth starter if the Sox chose to re-sign him.  The big four are fine, provided Jake Peavy is 100% healthy.  Daniel Hudson and one of the pitchers acquired from the Yankees may also fit the fifth spot.  Keep your eyes on John Danks as either an issue next season or possible trade bait.  He doesn't want to sign an extension and that is usually a red flag to Kenny Williams.
• Bullpen: Big, big changes are needed here.  I think it is entirely possible that Bobby Jenks will be traded in the off season. Octavio Dotel is definitely gone, and he should take Tony Pena and Scott Linebrink with him.  Outside of Matt Thornton and D.J. Carasco, there is no one here that really is worth keeping.  That includes the big boy.

In summary, the needs in order are bullpen, shortstop and bench.  Don't look for Jared Mitchell (who I think is going to be really good) or the Cuban Sandwich until 2011. 

The only thing for certain is that next spring we will not be debating the merits of Brian Anderson vs. Jerry Owens.

Good luck, Kenny!