Now that the procedural matters have been taken care of and the University of Michigan, my alma mater, has once again fallen short of an NCAA Tournament bid, let's move on to this week's questions. Remember, it's 20 more days until the White Sox begin defense of their title.

Scott, do you think the trade for Alex Cintron was made due to Tadahito Iguchi's struggle at the plate this spring? Thanks.
-- Rick, Madison, Wis.

Rick, although Iguchi has just two hits in 21 at-bats, I can honestly say that the White Sox aren't exactly concerned with his poor Cactus League numbers. In fact, Ozzie Guillen told us the other day that he relayed a message to Iguchi, through his translator, to relax and not put any extra pressure on himself with the switch to a lower spot in the order. Iguchi said that he tried something new in his offensive approach early on in spring, which didn't work, and he has looked better at the plate since going back to the old form.

As for the Cintron acquisition, it was just another case of Ken Williams getting his desired player without even having to give up a top prospect in return. Cintron makes the White Sox better in so many ways.

He's a switch-hitter, a top-notch pinch-hitter and he allows Rob Mackowiak to stick strictly to a reserve role at third base and in the outfield. Mackowiak can spell rookie Brian Anderson in center without Guillen having to worry about only having Pablo Ozuna in reserve on the infield.

It was another tremendous move on Williams' part, adding reserve pieces who could start for many other teams.

I was looking through a book on the White Sox and realized that some of the past Sox teams have had nicknames. Some of those nicknames were "The Hitless Wonders" in 1906 and the "Go-Go Sox" in 1959. What nickname would you give the 2005 White Sox team?
-- Mike, Plainfield, Ill.

Mike, how about "The History Makers" or "The Miracle Workers?" We also could try "The Impossible Dreams" or "Team Chemistry." If anyone has better ideas, and I would guess that pretty much everyone has better ideas than the ones I just presented, send them in to the mailbag.

Hey, Scott, do you worry about our bullpen? It just does not seem like we have the depth we had last season?
-- Joey, Chicago

Joey, when you sent this e-mail early last week, I wasn't as concerned with the bullpen as I am at the time I'm writing this answer on Sunday. Dustin Hermanson's back issue seems to have re-emerged, although nobody knows at this point the seriousness of the setback.

The bullpen still has stalwarts such as closer Bobby Jenks, and Cliff Politte and Neal Cotts, who will both step up to setup roles in 2006. Brandon McCarthy should do a solid job in the hybrid role held by Luis Vizcaino during the regular season and Orlando Hernandez during the playoffs. Javier Lopez also has been very impressive during Spring Training.

But the White Sox look as if they might need a temporary replacement for Hermanson. Guillen mentioned everyone from Armando Almanza to Spring Training phenom Boone Logan to hard-throwing right-hander Agustin Montero. I thought Mark Buehrle made a very salient point Sunday, though, after he worked five typical Buehrle scoreless innings. With the talented White Sox starting staff having the ability to work deep into games, there's less of a reliance on the bullpen after the first three or four relievers.

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"I know I want to go out there and go as deep as I can in a game," Buehrle said. "I think whatever we've got here in Spring Training, we've got enough to fill those holes."

If Buehrle is not worried, then I guess you shouldn't be either, Joey.

Will our Spring Training [0-6] start project the start of our regular season?
-- Matt, Chicago

Let's see, Matt. How do I put this tactfully, with political correctness? There is absolutely no correlation between Spring Training struggles and the regular season record. If you need proof, check out the club's 14-18 Cactus League mark in 2005 and how they ultimately finished the campaign.

If your memory needs jogging, Matt, think Juan Uribe throwing out Orlando Palmeiro at first base, a World Series sweep, and my Champagne-soaked clothes making a trip to the dry cleaners for a third straight week. If you want a little better barometer of the team, check out the final week of spring when the regulars play more frequently and play deeper into games.

Hey, Scott. I have a question about youngster Josh Fields. What do you think are Josh's chances of making the team and possibly spelling Joe Crede at third base every week or so?

I know we have Mackowiak, but he can play almost any position and can replace a different person other than Crede. If Josh does not make the team and is subject to Triple-A, do you think he has a good chance at getting called up for some spot starts or coming up in case Crede gets injured?

I really like this kid, and I think he could be a good replacement for Crede in the near future. I read that article on him, where Ozzie said he has increased tremendously in his defense and has good power. These encouraging words sound like he could be just as good as Crede soon. What are your thoughts on the "new" Josh Fields?
-- Joe, Schererville, Ind.

Fields will not start the 2006 season with the White Sox, but he could be ready for Major League competition sometime during the current year. Guillen talked about how much Fields has developed overall as a player from the last Spring Training, and Fields has told me how good he feels with his swing where it's at currently. He's showing power to all fields, pardon the pun.

As for how the Crede-Fields scenario plays out at third, that situation will be decided in the future. For now, Fields has raved about the time Crede has spent helping him during Spring Training.

When do you think the youngster Ryan Sweeney will get his chance to play in a game for the Sox after Opening Day has arrived? He has been tearing it up offensively in Spring Training for the last three years for the Sox and yet has never had a chance to get in a real Major League game. Do you think 2006 is his year or will he be stuck in Double-A all year again?
-- Russ, Dubuque, Iowa

Russ, I know you want to see the hometown boy make good, but the operative word in your question is "youngster," as Sweeney just turned 21 during the first week of Spring Training. It's amazing how close the left-handed-hitting outfielder already is to the Majors.

Sweeney has opened more than a few eyes during Spring Training. Actually, it's hard to imagine how a .294 career Minor League hitter, and an individual who hit .298 last year as a 20-year-old in the prospect-rich Southern League, could be overlooked. But with his sore right wrist closer to 100 percent, Sweeney has a fluidity back in his swing, as talked about by hitting coach Greg Walker, and is hitting with authority once again.

As one of the top prospects in the organization, Sweeney probably will start the season with Charlotte and have the chance to play every day. But don't put it past Guillen to bring back the talented Sweeney early in the season, if needed. In fact, depending on how a few roster scenarios play out, there's a slim chance Guillen could break camp with Sweeney -- make that very slim. But it worked for Neal Cotts a few years ago.

Watching Team USA take on Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, I noticed Mario Valenzuela starting in right for the Mexican squad. I was just wondering why this guy isn't with the Sox organization any more.
-- Pat, Milwaukee

Pat, Valenzuela basically had his time with the White Sox, but he didn't produce. He hit 25 home runs and drove in 66 runs during his final season with Charlotte in 2004, but injuries and the inability to deliver consistently against Major League competition during Spring Training left him as a six-year Minor League free agent, who the White Sox chose not to re-sign after 2004.

With all due respect to Valenzuela, judging by what he has done since and the top outfield prospects in the White Sox system, he does not appear to be missed. Apparently, he is remembered by a few White Sox fans, as three people sent in questions about Valenzuela this week.