 |
 |
 |
|
White Sox camp report
PHOENIX -- Five things to know about the Chicago White Sox:
1. Still no Joe Crede trade after a winter and spring's worth of speculation, and the way things stand, don't expect the White Sox's opening day third baseman to be named until very close to the March 31 opener in Cleveland. The Sox still would like to make room for top prospect Josh Fields, but if they don't unload Crede (San Francisco remains interested, and the Dodgers have a situation at third base with injuries to Nomar Garciaparra and Andy LaRoche), Fields might go back to Triple-A Charlotte. "His health is good, he's fielding great, he's hitting horse----. Real bad," manager Ozzie Guillen says of Crede, who is due $5.1 million this season and hitting .135 with a .179 on-base percentage this spring. But as Guillen says, Crede's back has held up well so far this spring. "I don't worry about Joe," Guillen says.
2. Second base is an issue, too. Rookie Alexei Ramirez, who played for Cuba in the 2006 World Baseball Classic, hasn't particularly established himself as much as the Sox hoped this spring. But they ran Juan Uribe through waivers this week to gauge interest, and Danny Richar, the third man in competition, suffered a broken rib this week and will be out six to eight weeks. Guillen is planning to start Pablo Ozuna at second on opening day, however, because he likes the matchup with Cleveland's C.C. Sabathia.
3. Key issue is the bullpen. Specifically, getting to closer Bobby Jenks, who last season scooped up 40 saves and, at one point, retired 41 consecutive batters. New in set-up roles this year are Scott Linebrink and Octavio Dotel. It was imperative for general manager Kenny Williams to do something because last year's bullpen blew 23 saves and was 19-25 with a 5.49 ERA. While Linebrink and Dotel will be asked to help shore that up, a couple of returning relievers need to tidy up, too: Right-hander Mike MacDougal turned in a 6.80 ERA, and lefty Matt Thornton's 4.79 ERA was in no small part because he issued 26 walks in 56 1/3 innings. Get the ball over the plate, son, and give yourself a chance.
4. Newcomers Orlando Cabrera and Nick Swisher have changed things both on the field and in the clubhouse, and Guillen is especially excited to see what the Gold Glove-winning Cabrera will bring in 2008. "He knows how to play the game, how to push," Guillen says.
5. The opening day rotation is locked in, barring late-spring injuries: Lefty Mark Buehrle, right-hander Javier Vazquez, lefty John Danks, righty Jose Contreras and righty Gavin Floyd.