sox-r-us Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Based on the explanation general manager Ken Williams offered Thursday, it appears the Sox are left with a "who's on first" routine. "As I told Nick, be prepared to play the bulk of your games in center field," Williams told reporters after trading three minor-leaguers to Oakland for Swisher on Thursday. Swisher played 57 games in center last year, although he is considered a corner outfielder, as is Quentin. "What his versatility allows us to do is give Owens a chance to come back and show he's ready to be that spark plug like [scott] Podsednik was a couple of years ago [for a World Series winner]," Williams said. "If he does that, he has a shot to play center field and Swish has a chance to go to left field. If Carlos Quentin shows all the things he can do … we have flexibility to put Swish in center field and Quentin in left field. Maybe a combination of both. "We have Alexei Ramirez to factor into the equation in a variety of positions as well. Swish also gives us a chance to give [Paul] Konerko some time off at first base or [Jim] Thome some time off against tough left-handers at the DH spot, and get Konerko or [right fielder] Jermaine Dye off their legs." The Sox ended last season with Owens in center and Podsednik and Josh Fields in left. Fields has been promised third base and Podsednik has been released. Owens, by far the fastest and best base-stealing threat among the outfielders, has been promised nothing. "A lot depends what he shows us in spring training. What we've decided to do is remain flexible," Williams said. "We have some very good young players with high upsides. They're going to show us which direction to lean toward when the season starts." And what about Anderson, who started in center after Aaron Rowand departed from the 2005 World Series champs? "Anytime you have competition, there's a chance," Williams said. "Whoever shows up ready to compete and shows us they deserve the job [gets it]. Last year we had Gavin Floyd penciled into the fifth starting spot, and John Danks took it. "Brian has further to go, and he knows that, but if I had given up on him he would be gone right now. I'll let him know when that time comes. As of right now, we have some very good possibilities with this team and very good flexibility." Swisher says he is willing to do whatever is necessary. "Competition is something I love," he said. "Last year I got to play a decent amount in center and I got to learn from one of the best in Mark Kotsay. I'm not the fastest guy (three stolen bases) or have the most tools, but from watching and learning. … I'm going to go out and do my best." ====================== I love the fact that with Quentin, Alexei, Owens and Swisher, now we can platoon a lot of these guys day to day and even within a game from start to end. Resting Thome against left handers and starting Swisher at 1B or RF and moving Paulie or Dye to DH is a great example of some of the flexibility Ozzie will have now. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...-home-headlines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxAce Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Honestly, it's finally starting to kick in how young we have gotten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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