White Sox second base job up for grabs
GLENDALE, Ariz. - While every position player but shortstop Alexei Ramirez and new left fielder Melky Cabrera has been spotted at Camelback Ranch, the White Sox officially get started Tuesday with their first full-squad workout of spring training.
There is one regular job up for grabs - second base.
"There's a competition there," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura. "There are four guys that are going after a job. Even with Gordon (Beckham) coming back, he has a shot to do it. His versatility is another reason to bring him back, but with (Carlos) Sanchez and Micah (Johnson), there's an opportunity there that hasn't been there in the last couple years. You go through spring training and see who's able to kind of make a step forward and go from there."
Beckham was the Sox' starting second baseman from 2010-14, but declining offensive production landed him with the Angels in August via a trade.
He rejoined the White Sox on a one-year, $2 million contract in late January and is likely to be the utility infielder.
Johnson, who stole 88 bases in the minor leagues in 2013, rates as the favorite to win the spot.
"I don't know if he's the favorite, but you're looking at the guys that have possibility to do it," Ventura said.
The fourth candidate at second base is Emilio Bonifacio, who is currently the Sox' reserve outfielder. Tyler Saladino might also get a look.
Getting to know you:
With so many new pitchers in training camp, Don Cooper carries around a sheet of paper with all of their names.
The veteran pitching coach said this is the most depth the White Sox have had in a long time.
"There are a lot of good arms here," Cooper said. "(Frank) Montas has got a big arm. (Raul) Hernandez has a big arm. (Michael) Ynoa, big kid, big arm. I'm acquainting myself with those guys for sure. The last four days, the word depth comes to mind for me because we have more and bigger and better arms than we've had in the last few years."
Sox pitchers will throw live batting practice for the first time Tuesday, with Chris Sale and Jeff Samardzija both scheduled to take the mound.
Who's on first?
The White Sox signed Adam LaRoche to take over at designated hitter, but he was a Gold Glove first baseman with the Nationals in 2012.
Jose Abreu is willing to share time with LaRoche at first, but he'd prefer being on the field as much as possible.
"My main goal is to play every day at first base or whatever position that Robin (Ventura) decides that I can help with the team," Abreu said.