Sox' Ventura right to keep Viciedo in left field
Q. Robin Ventura said he wants to keep Dayan Viciedo in left field. If you were manager, would you consider moving Viciedo to third base?
A. There would have to be one very good reason for me to do that and, “our current third baseman isn't giving us enough offense” isn't good enough. At least, not in my opinion.
Though there was a time I felt the other way, I'm no longer concerned with halting Viciedo's growth by moving him from position to position.
The original thought is that having him play third base, then left field, then right field, and then back to third would only create confusion for the young player and stunt his offensive development.
He's gaining enough major-league experience at this point that I think he could be able to adjust to wherever he plays. Viciedo seems to be able to handle that sort of thing.
However, he has settled in nicely in his spot in the outfield having committed his first error of the season just a couple of days ago.
Let him be.
Plus, the talk of moving Viciedo is moot for now with Sunday's acquisition of third baseman Kevin Youkilis from the Boston Red Sox.
The Sox probably are best with Viciedo in the outfield.
Q. With Philip Humber joining John Danks on the DL, do the White Sox have enough in the rotation to stay in contention?
A. That totally depends on Gavin Floyd's continued improvement and the sustained success of Jose Quintana. If those two guys do just that, this team has enough to win the division.
Remember, the Sox aren't dealing with the Rangers or the Yankees. Detroit and Cleveland, like the White Sox, have flaws.
That aside, my concern with the Sox is their ability to keep their two best in Jake Peavy and Chris Sale healthy and fresh for a full season.
Q. The White Sox have a tough schedule coming up through the end of July. What are the keys to surviving the stretch?
A. Starting pitching is going to have to solidify itself, and the same goes for the bullpen.
For the month of June, the Sox find themselves toward the bottom of the American League in team ERA. That can't continue.
They also will have to start to find a way to win close games. Even after Sunday's victory, the Sox are 13-20 in games decided by 2 runs or fewer. That's a lot of wins that could've been had.
Q. Is Paul Konerko just going through a slump? Should there be come concern?
A. Concern? With Konerko? Only with injury. Otherwise, if he's healthy, I have no worries in waiting for him to work out of a slump. Because that's all it is: a slump.
As everyone knows, almost every hitter in the game will go through these periods throughout the season, and usually it's only a matter of time before that inevitability.
Konerko is one of the most successfully self-analytic hitters you've ever seen.
That guy's going to be just fine.
ŸChris Rongey is the host of the White Sox pregame and postgame shows on WSCR 670-AM The Score. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRongey and at chrisrongey.com. Subscriber Total Access members can email him questions each week via our online link.