NewsInbox: How will the roster look in 2010?
Beat reporter Scott Merkin answers fans' questions
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com
10/30/09 5:37 PM EST
CHICAGO -- In looking back at this past week, one day specifically, I'm going to make a suggestion to Mayor Daley and the political authorities in the city.The date of Oct. 26 should become a Chicago holiday.
After all, this date represented the fourth anniversary of the White Sox finishing off Houston during their World Series sweep of 2005. It's also the day in 1984, 25 years ago, when Michael Jordan scored 16 points in his NBA debut at the historic Chicago Stadium. The one-time White Sox Minor Leaguer also went on to lead the Bulls to six NBA championships and won a few scoring titles along the way.
Not every citizen of Chicago stands as a huge sports fan. But everyone in Chicago respects these two events, even if they don't follow these particular teams. Just an idea for our esteemed Mayor to think about.
Let's peruse this week's Inbox and see what issues are on your mind.
Do you think Kenny Williams should look to sign a true third baseman and move Gordon Beckham to shortstop and move Alexei Ramirez back to second?
-- Rafal, Elmwood Park, Ill.
Barring some sort of trade or unexpected free agent signing, the infield of Beckham, Ramirez, Chris Getz and Paul Konerko is set from third to first. And while Beckham certainly didn't come to the Majors as a "true third baseman," having played there previously in just seven games for Triple-A Charlotte, he really developed on the job. Beckham looks like a natural moving toward the line, moving to his left or even coming in on slowly-hit ground balls.
Just another example as to how Beckham is a true baseball player at its purest form. There's one more factor to consider in your proposed move. White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen believes Beckham would be solid at shortstop but added during a recent conference call as to how Beckham currently would be better suited at third base. When the White Sox drafted Beckham at No. 8 overall in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, they believed this scenario could play out where he ended up at third or second.
Is there any possibility that the White Sox would look into a trade for Carl Crawford? I don't think Tampa can afford both B.J. Upton and Crawford, and they're desperate for a relief pitcher. Bobby Jenks is far from done. What do you think?
-- Ed, Mokena, Ill.
Jenks certainly would make sense for the Rays, who really seemed to lose any sort of September momentum when their closer-by-committee situation broke down. I also remember arguing with a reporter from another media outlet on a Chicago television show a few years ago as to how Crawford would be a better fit for the White Sox than Alex Rodriguez.
Crawford has the perfect skill set to be a force on the South Side, with enough power to take advantage of U.S. Cellular Field, and the raw speed and baserunning ability to fit into Guillen's ideal system. With that said, from talking to people close to the Rays, it doesn't sound as if Crawford will be on the trading block during the upcoming Hot Stove period. As for Upton, even following his slightly down season in 2009, the Rays still would want maximum return for a player of his immense talent. See the 2008 American League Division Series against the White Sox, as an example.
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Either player would make sense for the White Sox. It will take a great deal more than Jenks to make this happen, and I don't know if there's a good match. But the White Sox certainly have had past interest in Crawford.
Why did we trade Jim Thome?
-- Steven, Chicago
Williams honored his word by presenting Thome with a viable chance to win a World Series, and at that point, the White Sox were all but out of playoff contention. Remember, Thome basically allowed himself to be traded to the Dodgers, at that point, because he could have vetoed any deal.
To get a full view of what Thome meant to Chicago fans in his four years here, I know a solid number of White Sox fans who adopted the Dodgers during the postseason with Thome's presence serving as the lone reason.
Have the White Sox considered Jayson Nix as their starting second baseman? Nix can hit as many home runs as Paul Konerko and steal as many bases as Scott Podsednik, and with work, he can be a great second baseman. Can we expect Nix as the starting 2010 second baseman?
-- Rob, Tinley Park, Ill.
I'll give you Nix possessing a great deal of power, but putting him in the same class of long-ball potential as Konerko or same class of speed as Podsednik is a bit of an overstatement. Getz simply needs to stay healthy, and he should hold on to the second base job, as I mentioned above. The White Sox like the intangibles Getz brings to the lineup equation, such as base stealing ability, his defense and keeping the lineup from getting too right-handed.
Nix serves the purpose well of that super-sub role played previously by players such as Pablo Ozuna. But Guillen did sound an offseason warning to Nix, in that he wants him to cut down on the strikeouts in 2010 in order to maintain that roster spot.
What do you think was Alex Rios' problem adjusting to the White Sox?
-- Nancy, Chicago
There apparently were a few mechanical flaws in Rios' swings, but I really believe he just ran into a serious offensive funk that was exacerbated by his high profile move from Toronto to the White Sox. Rios might not ever hit .310 with 25 home runs and 100 RBIs for the South Siders, but I guarantee you his future numbers will be closer to his past success than the disastrous finish of 2009.
Starting the season with the White Sox, instead of joining them late, should help Rios' comfort level, which will make a significant difference.
Williams seems to love to make a splash in the offseason, and I have a gut feeling he is going to trade for Roy Halladay, giving us the best pitching staff in baseball. Who do you think Toronto would want in return?
-- Joe, Joliet, Ill.
The White Sox starting staff doesn't need much tweaking as is. I know the White Sox didn't have what the Blue Jays wanted for Halladay at the past Trade Deadline, although a new general manager now is running Toronto. Any deal for Halladay most likely would send Gavin Floyd or John Danks to Canada, but I don't see it happening. This rotation is set, from one through six, with Daniel Hudson in play.
Will Jordan Danks be ready for the Majors this year? Could he really play a significant role?
-- Caren, Lockport, Ill.
I've been told that Jordan Danks was Major League-ready with the glove last season. He battled through a few nagging injuries in 2009, so I would be surprised if he didn't start the season in the Minors. But by 2010, he could join his brother, John, as a fixture on the White Sox roster.
I love reading your Inbox, but I have a tongue-in-cheek suggestion for you. Maybe you should stay away from the Blackhawks, that is if you want them to win.
-- Winnie, Wooddale, Ill.
Thanks, Winnie, and point well taken. Aside from a charity event I purchased, where I get to ride the Zamboni in between periods with a few friends, I will stay away from the Blackhawks until the Stanley Cup Finals.
Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
