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White Sox not left empty-handed They're stuck with slumping sluggers, but Sox still can find ways to light fire under offense Moves to pull the White Sox out of a season-long hitting malaise? Paul Konerko has a full no-trade clause, Jim Thome also has no-trade rights and manager Ozzie Guillen is signed through 2012. And while a high-level difference of opinion as to the capabilities of this year's Sox surfaced after Sunday's third straight loss to Tampa Bay, general manager Ken Williams pleads for patience while stressing the faith he has in the team he retooled last winter after a 90-loss season. Williams has repeatedly stated there are no better players available than the veteran hitters the Sox currently possess. And Williams, unlike a fed-up Guillen, envisions an offensive turnaround as long as the Sox's leadership remains upbeat and the veterans stay calm in the wake of a two-month malaise. After all, the Sox (30-26) remain in first place in the American League Central despite a tumultuous seven-game trip that saw shortstop Orlando Cabrera and Guillen have a public disagreement before mending their relationship. Then the offense stagnated after a brief renaissance. Nevertheless, after making wholesale lineup changes 21/2 weeks ago, Guillen is faced with making more changes to an offense that has too often failed through the first two months. Here are some possibilities: Move Alexei Ramirez up in the order Ramirez is a quick learner and the fastest of the Sox's position players. He has displayed great instincts, such as delivering an opposite-field single in a 12-inning win May 26 at Cleveland and bunting for a single with two outs in the eighth inning of Sunday's loss. Batting leadoff might be asking too much because he swings wildly at times. But he's good enough to consider putting in the second spot, at least against tough left-handers. Give Brian Anderson more at-bats That might mean sitting Nick Swisher, but Swisher is in a 2-for-14 funk and hitting .201 two months into the season. Swisher admittedly has put too much pressure on himself, especially after an impressive start in the leadoff spot. Anderson is the Sox's best defensive outfielder, so there would be an upgrade. As with Ramirez, he adds speed to a pedestrian lineup. Anderson appears comfortable in his part-time role but might flourish with more at-bats. He made the most of a start Sunday, ripping a double and scoring the Sox's third and final run. Rest Jim Thome and Paul Konerko Thome gave the Sox a spark Sunday by hustling out a leadoff double in the tenth. He continues to work as hard as any of the Sox's struggling starters. A lineup featuring Anderson in center and Swisher at first with Konerko as the designated hitter gives the Sox more speed. Sitting for a while could give Konerko time to rest his sore right thumb. He has only 12 extra-base hits—the same number as leadoff man Orlando Cabrera. Ramifications Juan Uribe's time will be cut with Ramirez keeping the second base job as long as he continues to hit. This could be a challenge for Uribe and the Sox's staff to keep Uribe sharp; he has been a full-time player since 2005 and is not known for his patience at the plate. Pablo Ozuna's status is also murky, as Ozuna has only 44 at-bats—one more than backup catcher Toby Hall. The Sox put Triple-A Charlotte infield prospect Chris Getz in the outfield last week to expand his versatility. This is Williams' team, but it's Guillen's lineup. So some form of change appears imminent.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 2, 2008 -> 11:13 AM) I would love to get Kemp in return for Uribe. No way, no how. It was interesting to hear, however, Steve Stone speculating this morning on the radio about possibly moving Orlando Cabrera. He said he had no inside knowledge, and didn't meantion what he would be looking for in return, but did say a Cabrera trade would allow the WSox to move Ramirez to his natural SS position, and then play Uribe for his defense.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Jun 2, 2008 -> 12:06 PM) Agreed to a certain extent, although Swisher is not a long-term option in CF. And as long as Anderson is hitting better than Swisher, I'd like to see Ozzie continue to give BA the nod a couple of days a week and give Swish some at-bats playing 1B and DH. If BA regresses to 2006 form, play Swish in CF every day. It's likely that JD will either be moved to DH next year or dealt in the off-season, which would move Quentin to RF, Swisher to LF, and open up a competition between Anderson and Owens in CF. This is basically Anderson's make-or-break year and Ozzie needs to see if he's capable of hitting well enough to be an every-day CF for the Sox next season. I wouldn't have an issue if they moved Swisher to 1B/DH to rotate with Konerko or Thome for the time being. I disagree about worrying about next season for Anderson. We're currently a first place team. Play Anderson because either he deserves the opportunity or because the other options are getting it done, not because we need to know if he can play fulltime next season.

QUOTE (tpezz27 @ Jun 2, 2008 -> 11:51 AM) This team has enough bad hitters in the lineup, the last thing we need is Anderson playing everyday. The month of May he hit .158 with a .200 obp and this is the guy you want playing everyday? 488 lifetime at bats and you have a career .219 hitter with a .278 obp....I want to see this Anderson designated for assignment not playing.... If Anderson hits .240-.250, and plays very good defense, I'd take that over one of the five guys in our lineup batting around .200 with an occasional HR, and average defense. I'm only suggesting playing Anderson regular on one of two conditions: 1) IF the White Sox DL Paul Konerko, Swisher moves to 1B, and Anderson gets regular time in CF 2) IF the White Sox bench Swisher for about a week, let him work privately and/or clear his head, give Anderson some time. Perhaps he doesn't hit any better than Swisher or Konerko have, but we have to shake things up for at least a few games because our offense isn't producing.

QUOTE (Jenks Heat @ Jun 2, 2008 -> 11:01 AM) DL Konerko, sign Bonds and risk Thome at firstbase. Gotta do something. No chance. Why not just bring up Fields and put him into the mix at DH and 1B? Yes, I realize he may struggle defensively at 1B, but at the rate the current offense is struggling, we need to take chance.

I would love to bring Fields up, and rotate him, Konerko and Thome. If he outplays them, then he stays in.

The most significant thing that will happen, if anything happens at all, will be putting Konerko on the DL. I highly doubt Kenny makes any significant trades anytime soon.

I'm sick of Hawk Harrleson making it sound as if every pitcher the Sox face has such tremendous stuff that day.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Jun 1, 2008 -> 01:35 PM) Efficient atbat for Dotel. Heart of our offense coming up.... Isn't that just a play on words ? The White Sox offense is just a bunch of popouts and strikeouts.

If Konerko isn't going to hit, and is apparently injured, DL him for a few weeks. I don't know that Anderson is ever going to be more than a .240-.250 hitter, but at least CF will be well taken care of defensively with so many low scoring games.

Our offense SUCKS. The pitching has been great, but these guys need to step it up else were going to battling .500 all season.

I'm coming close to putting Konerko on the DL for at least 15 days. Maybe he's washed up, but hopefully it's just this injury, but he is hurting the team. Thome and Swisher aren't helping either, but you can't replace everyone, and I'm only suggesting this as a temporary fix to get Konerko healthy. I'd seriously consider DLing Konerko, moving Swisher to 1B, and playing Anderson in CF for the next 15 days.

What is Buerhle's recent history vs. Cleveland? I know his last start (last Thursday) was very good, but doesn't he have a, at best, so-so historic performances against them?

QUOTE (fathom @ May 2, 2008 -> 06:28 PM) The Tigers are going to win the AL Central by 10 games. The only team even close to them is the Indians, especially if C.C. picks it up. The Sox, Twins, and Royals will be in the 70-80 win range. Sounds about right.

Given the lack of depth in the pitching staff, I would keep Masset for at least the first month of the season. Maybe he surprises, but even if he stinks, he'll probably only be used in games that are out of hand. He's really the only guy in our bullpen who can do this. If we do need an extra arm after the first month of the season, and Masset isn't getting the job done, then I think we make a move.

QUOTE(maggsmaggs @ Mar 29, 2008 -> 02:00 PM) BTW, I love the bell-shaped curve we got going in the poll numbers. I think it shows people are being optimistic but not entirely unrealistic.

Until they prove me wrong, and I hope they do, a rotation with Contreras, Denks and Floyd is going to struggle all season.

QUOTE(WCSox @ Mar 4, 2008 -> 01:56 PM) That didn't stop ESPN from hiring Michael Irvin. True, but as bad as he was, ESPN was trying to hit a homerun with a former big name player. Singleton is hardly a name player, and he was pretty bad at broadcasting.

QUOTE(Al Lopez's Ghost @ Mar 4, 2008 -> 08:23 AM) Score reports just now that Singleton is going to Baseball Tonight. Stone doing radio analysis. That Baseball Tonight would want a guy who can't speak in complete sentences, and has different pitches in his voice is very baffling.

I don't think Jerry Owens is being handed the job, but they clearly want him to grab the job so they move Quentin/Owens in/out depending on matchups.

It sounds like we got a bunch of crap for him, which should be all we expect to get back for him.

QUOTE(Greg The Bull Luzinski @ Jan 26, 2008 -> 12:40 PM) ... I remember the last time we heard this. Wasn't it about 1 year ago? They have to prove that to me....I like the fact they added some veterans who have had success, and part of Kenny's assessment is that MacDougle and Thorton will rebound to form 5 dependable options (along with Jenks, Dotel, and Linebrink). Kenny also mentioned that Boone Logan held lefties to a .230 average last season.

This morning, on White Sox Weekly, Kenny Williams says: - Joe Crede and Josh Fields won't be on the same team. He then says he won't be trading Josh Fields before backtracking and saying that you always have to leave the door open. - The key to the starting rotation is Jose Contreras. Denks and Floyd will be fine. - The bullpen will be amongst the best in the league. - Paul Konerko is not going anywhere. He has not had any trade conversations with the Angels about trading them. - 2B (Richar/Uribe, etc) is the one position that will be a training camp battle. - Kenny expects the flexibility of the roster to give Ozzie Guillen lot of different looks in the lineup, capable of going with a thumper lineup and just as easily going with more of a contact/speed lineup. - The payroll (currently) may have already exceed the revenue that they have expected to bring in. - Kenny doesn't believe in rebuilding as much as reloading. Any trades made will be to help the team win the WS. (Of course, this does leave room for Kenny to trade Crede for a minor leaguer, and for Kenny to say that he is adding pitching depth to the minors).

Kenny Williams said this morning that the White Sox are not working on a contract extension for Jenks, but are interested in working on a new deal for Cabrera.

They made a mistake in resigning Uribe to this 1 year deal, thought they could trade him, but can't because nobody wants him! Now, they are stuck with a guy making $4.5 million a year on the bench so why not see if he can beat out Richar at 2B ? I would hope that Richar would win this battle, but let spring training sort it out.