Closer's an issue - but fielding certainly isn't

Despite the recent pyrotechnics from Bobby Jenks, the White Sox spent Thursday's off day as the American League Central's first-place team.

Jenks couldn't protect a 3-run lead at Minnesota on Sunday, and he blew a 1-0 game at Seattle on Wednesday.

As they prepare to open a three-game series at Oakland on Friday night, the White Sox appear to have a full-blown closer controversy on their hands.

Believe it or not, it's a problem that can be fixed.

Jenks has hit plenty of bumps before and kept on cruising. But if this is his final blowout, manager Ozzie Guillen has two in-house options: J.J. Putz and Matt Thornton.

It's not easy being on top, as Guillen has mentioned several times since the Sox pulled into first place on July 11.

But at least Guillen can sleep well when it comes to the Sox' defense.

Guillen, a slick-fielding shortstop for the Sox from 1985-97, has preached defense since he took over as manager in 2004.

He has a standout group this season - one that certainly stacks up to the 2005 World Series champion club that featured Joe Crede at third base, Juan Uribe at shortstop, Tadahito Iguchi at second base, Paul Konerko at first base, Jermaine Dye in right field and Aaron Rowand in center field.

Last weekend in Minnesota, a major-league scout was analyzing the effect the White Sox' dramatic turnaround has had on both leagues.

"I'm hearing about a lot of teams that are kind of hesitant to start moving guys before the (July 31 nonwaiver) deadline," the scout said. "They look at what the White Sox have done and think they can get right back in it, too."

Can they?

"Most of them, no," the scout said, "because they can't catch the ball like the White Sox."

Surprisingly - or maybe not, considering they often are rewarded on reputation - the White Sox didn't have a Gold Glove winner on the 2005 title team, not even starting pitcher Mark Buehrle.

Based on the lofty level they're playing at this season, the Sox have at least four players deserving of serious Gold Glove recognition. And that's not even including their best glove man - Omar Vizquel. We'll get to him after looking at these four candidates:

• Alexei Ramirez. Shortly before the all-star break, Guillen was asked about his 28-year-old shortstop.

"He's matured, but he's still learning about the position in the big leagues," Guillen said. "Right now I can truly say he's maybe the best shortstop in the American League. I like the kid from Texas (Elvis Andrus) and I like (the Angels' Erick) Aybar. Those two kids are pretty good."

Given Ramirez's astounding range, especially to his right, and ability to make strong throws, he has placed himself at the top of the list.

• Alex Rios. Yes, he made an awful throw at Minnesota on Sunday that allowed the winning run to score.

But the Twins likely would have won the game anyway, so it's not fair to place too much blame on the White Sox' center fielder.

With his standout speed, Rios has been making difficult catches look easy all season. And Sunday's gaffe aside, he has a cannon for an arm.

• Buehrle. The Sox' veteran starting pitcher finally won his first Gold Glove last season.

And Buehrle all but locked up his second fielding award on Opening Day, when he got his foot on a drive off the bat of Cleveland's Lou Marson.

The veteran lefty tracked the ball down and, with his glove, flipped it between his legs to Konerko, who caught it with his bare hand for the out.

"I think that was the best play I've ever seen," the Indians' Shin-Soo Choo said.

Not surprisingly, Buehrle leads all AL pitchers with 9 pickoffs this season. He has 72 since 2001, 27 more than second-place Andy Pettitte.

• Konerko. For as solid as the White Sox' infield defense has played this year, especially with Vizquel at third base, there have been some errant throws.

Not a problem.

Konerko is a rock at first base, and he already has scooped 35 balls (in 43 chances) from the dirt to record outs, according to STATS, Inc.

Among major-league first basemen, only Florida's Gaby Sanchez (43-for-52), Toronto's Lyle Overbay (41-for-53), Philadelphia's Ryan Howard (36-for-43) and San Diego's Adrian Gonzalez (36-for-50) have more picks.

So there are the Sox' four Gold Glove candidates.

Vizquel still is the White Sox' premier defensive player, even though he's 43 and didn't start playing third base until last season. But since he's not a "regular" at the position, it's highly unlikely Vizquel wins his 12th career Gold Glove this season.