Sox' fortunes? Inquiring minds want to know
TUCSON, Ariz. -- The White Sox haven't played a meaningful game since … let's go with last June.
Today, they'll try to start picking up the shattered pieces from a forgettable 2007 season with the first of two intrasquad games.
Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, for one, is looking forward to seeing the game, even if it is just a scrimmage.
"It's always good when you see the guys perform in the game,'' Guillen said. "You've got a better view of what we have, a better view of how good they are. When you've got the games, it's more fun and easier for me to start thinking about what kind of a ballclub we're going to have.''
After the White Sox completed a series of fundamental drills Sunday, here are the top 10 questions heading into the exhibition season, which opens Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies.
Q:Are the Sox going to bounce back and be competitive this season?
A: It's always hard to get a read this early in training camp, but there are some good signs.
New shortstop Orlando Cabrera is already a presence in the clubhouse, and the addition of his bat and glove are even more important.
On the practice field Sunday, Cabrera spent a lot of time giving personal instruction to Pablo Ozuna and Alexei Ramirez, and he even had a talk with Guillen.
"He's got some ideas, real good ideas, and we're going to use those,'' Guillen said. "We talked about how we're going to approach competing in this division, what we need to get done. I talked to him for 10 minutes about what we need to get done. He's going to help me with that.''
Q:Who has the most to prove this spring?
A: Jose Contreras. He was the White Sox' opening-day starter last year, but Contreras has slid to the No. 4 spot after going 10-17 with a 5.57 ERA.
While he never made any excuses, Contreras didn't appear to be completely healthy in 2007, especially when he was losing 9 straight starts from June 24-Aug. 22.
Contreras has looked good so far, and a return to form would take a lot of pressure off young starters John Danks and Gavin Floyd.
Q:: Who is due for a big season?
A: Jermaine Dye. After finishing fifth in MVP voting in 2006, the right fielder put up so-so numbers (.254, 28 HR, 78 RBI) last year.
Dye was slowed by a strained quadriceps and sore knee. If he can stay healthy, the White Sox' offense is going to benefit.
Q:Who is going to play third base?
A: Guillen has been saying Josh Fields from the start of camp, but Joe Crede is also in the picture.
Crede had to deal with some pain in his left hand last week after being hit by a Mike MacDougal pitch, but his surgically repaired back is holding up well so far.
Q:Suppose Crede shows his back is completely healthy?
A: It's a near lock he'll be traded, probably to the San Francisco Giants. Crede is eligible for free agency at the end of the season, and his agent, Sox nemesis Scott Boras, has already told general manager Kenny Williams that Crede is going to test the market.
Q:Any other trades in the works?
A: The White Sox have four players competing for playing time at second base -- Juan Uribe, Alexei Ramirez, Pablo Ozuna and Danny Richar, who has yet to arrive in camp.
They can all play multiple positions, but look for one of them to be moved. If Ramirez is as good as he's looked so far, Uribe is likely to be wearing a new uniform.
Q:How does the bullpen look?
A: The Sox are going to keep seven relief pitchers -- and all-star closer Bobby Jenks, Scott Linebrink, Octavio Dotel, Matt Thornton and MacDougal appear to be locks.
The final two spots should go to Boone Logan and Ehren Wasserman.
Q:Any contract extensions in the works?
A: The White Sox would like to lock up Jenks, who is still a year away from salary arbitration. They'd also like to sign Cabrera, who is eligible for free agency at the end of the season.
Q:Is Guillen really back to being the "Old Ozzie?''
A: Yes, he is, which means the Sox had better not go through the motions in the Cactus League like they did last spring.
Q:Realistically, can the White Sox contend in the rugged AL Central?
A: The Tigers are loaded with quality hitters, but their pitching looks a bit suspect. And the Indians have a potential season-long contract distraction with ace starter C.C. Sabathia. If everything comes together for the Sox, let's go with definitely maybe.