Breaking down the Sox: Third base belongs to Fields
Second in a series
Editor's note: As the countdown continues toward the April 6 opener for the White Sox, Daily Herald Sports Writer Scot Gregor will offer his analysis of each position on the team and the key issues facing the club this season.
Q: What are your thoughts and memories of the recently departed Joe Crede?
Gregor: In 16 years on the Sox beat, two of the better guys I've dealt with were slick-fielding third basemen. Robin Ventura was the best, and the dry wit is still missed. The White Sox have been honoring their former stars with statues on the outfield concourse, and Ventura's should be coming soon.
I remember Crede when he was fresh off the remote fields of Westphalia, Mo. That was back in 1999, and he always carried himself with that same humble air. He will be missed, and hopefully his back holds up in Minnesota and beyond.
As for memories of Crede on the field, his play in the 2005 postseason - particularly in the World Series - was the stuff of legend.
Q: Is the third base job Josh Fields' to lose or will Cuban import Dayan Viciedo have a legit shot at winning it?
Gregor: Fields has to lose the job. You can't dismiss Viciedo, especially since he could be following in the footsteps of countryman Alexei Ramirez. But while Ramirez brought a polished game from Cuba, Viciedo is still a kid (19) and the Sox aren't going to push him.
Fields showed he can hit in 2007 (23 HR, 67 RBI in 100 games). The White Sox aren't expecting him to field like Crede, but the former Oklahoma State QB is healthy this year and Fields is a good enough athlete to make all the routine plays.
Q: How much patience will Ozzie have with Fields, and is it all about his defense?
Gregor: Ozzie demands defensive excellence from all of his players because that's how he put food on the table for 16 seasons as a slap-hitting major-league shortstop. But know this about Ozzie - he always overlooks fielding miscues if the effort is there. Don't forget, Crede led all AL third basemen with 20 errors last season. If Ozzie senses a lack of mental preparation, that's a different story.
Q: How important was it for Fields to work out with Joey over the winter? Was his work ethic in question before?
Gregor: It wasn't like Fields and Cora logged long hours working over the winter; it was just a couple of days in January. But Fields made an obvious "commitment," as GM Kenny Williams put it, and he scored a lot of points in the process.
When he was first coming up, Fields typically balked at playing winter ball. He's taking his job much more seriously these days.
Q: Fields was a little floppy when he tried the outfield a couple of times. Can Viciedo play outfield? What do you see as his role on the team if he makes it?
Gregor: Supposedly, Viciedo can play the corner outfield spots, but he is better suited at third base. Down the road, he might replace Jim Thome as the White Sox' designated hitter, or play first base if Paul Konerko slides over to DH. The Sox are pretty sure Viciedo is going to hit. Finding him a position is the tricky part.