QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED IN UPCOMING WEEKS

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:07:33 PST

With players set to report to Arizona for Spring Training 2008, the Chicago White Sox still have numerous questions to be answered. Who's playing third? Who's leading off? Who's at second? 4th and 5th starters? Most importantly, will Jim Thome ever make it to Cooperstown to deliver his 500th Home Run ball? Let's start from the top of the order.
With Jerry Owens coming off a .267 average with 32 stolen bags and a .324 OBP, he seems to be the front runner in my mind for the Sox leadoff man. Don't be surprised if defector Alexei Ramirez raises some eyebrows this March. Second base is a 3-way race between the aforementioned Ramirez, Danny Richar, and the almost perfect posterior Juan Uribe. I hope and pray everyday that Kenny Williams makes a move and ends Uribe's tenure with the Sox. He has made his contributions, especially in 2005, but really Juan, "Thanks, but no thanks." Danny Richar has too much potential to be sent down to AAA, and Ramirez's versatility in the field has him winning a bench job over Uribe. 3rd base? Josh Fields. Enough said. I love Joe Crede but he has played his last regular season game with Sox. I see him looking healthy and being dealt before the season opener. Maybe to the revamped NL West? With 2 rotation spots open, you can almost guarantee John Danks getting one of them with Gavin Floyd, Lance Broadway and others competing. I think it will be Floyd, but if he continues his struggles at the ML level, then I hope to see Broadway called up sooner than later. I'm not sure if it was his stellar performance against the Royals last September, or if I have a tiny man-crush on him, but I think he is the future of the Sox starters. And as for Mr. Incredible, "Stay positive," you and Chuck (his dad) will make your long-awaited trip to the Hall of Fame sometime soon. Congrats Jim, you deserve it.

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QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED IN UPCOMING WEEKS