advertisement

Maybe it’s time to give Konerko some help

Go ahead and continue the Paul Konerko Hall of Fame talk. Heap as much praise as you want on the White Sox’ classy captain.

But know this about Konerko — he can’t carry the Sox’ offense on his back all season.

Konerko’s trying, there’s no doubt about that, and his 2-run homer in the first inning Monday night staked the White Sox to a 3-0 lead over the Cubs at U.S. Cellular Field.

But after that, it was all zeros for the Sox. Again.

It was all boos for Adam Dunn, again, as the $56 million designated hitter went to the plate four times against Carlos Zambrano and struck out … bingo … three times.

And it was the usual mixture of groans and shrugs for the White Sox fans in the mixed crowd of 36,005 when other usual suspects like Alex Rios and Juan Pierre — update, he grounded out to second base again — failed to step up and give Konerko some needed help.

Not surprisingly, Konerko was not pointing any fingers before going out and clearing the fence for the fourth straight game.

And Konerko was giving credit to Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano after the Sox fell 6-3 to their struggling North Side rivals.

Think his power numbers (39 home runs, 111 RBI) were a fluke last year? With 20 home runs and 58 RBI in 74 games this season, the 35-year-old Konerko is on pace to easily surpass both totals.

That might help him finish higher than fifth in American League MVP voting, Konerko’s slot in 2010, but the Sox desperately need to find some more offense or the season is going to really slip away.

That’s why I asked general manager Kenny Williams about Dayan Viciedo before the White Sox fell flat against the Cubs after Konerko provided such a promising start.

“I admire the focus, hard work and the thought that (Viciedo) knows he’s put himself in a position to where he’s ready and going to be a major contributor, but also in keeping his focus on the job at hand, and keeping his head and (butt) in Charlotte against having his head in Chicago,” Williams said. “That’s not easy to do all the time and I admire him for that. But right now we’re going to hold tight.”

Why?

Why not bring up Viciedo from Class AAA Charlotte, where the right fielder is just tearing up International League pitching (.332, 11 HR, 49 RBI in 67 games) this season?

According to Williams, Sox manager Ozzie Guillen still doesn’t think the time is right to add Viciedo.

“Ozzie likes the team that he’s running out there every day,” Williams said. “If it turns out he wants a little more offense and change up the mix a little bit, we know we can tap into him at moment’s notice. And (Guillen) knows he can get him at a moment’s notice if he wants to change up the mix.”

Why am I suddenly thinking about two off-seasons ago, when Ozzie allegedly didn’t want Jim Thome, and last off-season, when Kenny wanted Dunn?

I think the obvious snag for Ozzie with Viciedo is Pierre.

Ozzie loves Pierre, who is having a subpar season (.256, .317 on-base percentage, .298 slugging percentage).

If he asks for Viciedo, Carlos Quentin moves from right field to left, Pierre sits on the bench and maybe Alexei Ramirez lands in the leadoff spot.

Guillen is as loyal as they come, especially to a hard worker like Pierre, but he might want to go talk to his general manager.

ŸFollow Scot’s White Sox reports via Twitter@scotgregor, and join the conversation on his Chicago’s Inside Pitch blog at dailyherald.com.

Guillen stays focused on the here and now