Tough decisions loom ahead for White Sox

Posted September 14, 2009 11:00 pm

Scot Gregor

It's still too early to completely close the book on the White Sox, only because they're playing in the forgiving AL Central.

But it's late enough in a season mired in mediocrity to examine the status of some key players:

Jermaine Dye

The numbers: In the first half, Dye played like an MVP candidate, batting .302 with 20 home runs and 55 RBI. Since the break, the 35-year-old right fielder is batting .166 with 5 HR and 17 RBI.

Behind the numbers: Dye's extended slide has had a crippling effect on two fronts: the Sox' playoff hopes and his future.

A key hit here and there from Dye and the White Sox likely aren't still flailing to reach .500.

And forget about that $12 million club option for 2010. Dye is looking at a hefty pay cut on the free-agent market this winter, be it from the Sox or another club.

Jake Peavy

The numbers: He still is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA since the July 31 trade that brought the 2007 National League Cy Young Award winner over in a trade from the San Diego Padres.

Behind the numbers: It has been a season to forget for Peavy, who missed more than two months with an ankle injury and then took a line drive off his pitching (right) elbow in an Aug. 24 rehab start with Class AAA Charlotte.

He's signed through 2012, with a $22 million club option for '13, so there is plenty of time for Peavy to get healthy and make an impact.

As for 2009, it looks like Peavy is going to make his Sox debut against Kansas City this weekend at U.S. Cellular Field.

Why don't the White Sox just shut him down? One line of reasoning is Peavy won't have to start completely from scratch in spring training if he gets back on the mound this season.

Alexei Ramirez

The numbers: Not bad offensively - .276, 15 HR, 65 RBI.

Behind the numbers: Ramirez has been disappointing defensively. Returning to his "natural" position, the shortstop ranks a respectable fifth in the AL with a .968 fielding percentage.

But Ramirez has drawn the ire of manager Ozzie Guillen for his uninspired play at times, and catcher A.J. Pierzynski has personally gotten in Ramirez's face for poor positioning.

Thought to be the Sox' long-term answer at shortstop heading into the season, Ramirez can only hope he gets another chance in 2010. He should, although Gordon Beckham is an intriguing alternative.

Scott Linebrink

The numbers: Linebrink was outstanding in the first four months of the season, giving up just 3 earned runs in 29 innings of work from April 16-July 1.

Behind the numbers: The 33-year-old relief pitcher has been in a downward spiral ever since, and you have to wonder how bad Linebrink really hurt the back of his throwing shoulder last July.

Regardless, the White Sox still owe Linebrink $10.5 million for 2010-11, so a trade is next to impossible. Maybe another off-season of rest will help revive his wipeout split-finger fastball.

Alex Rios

The numbers: Thought Jermaine Dye's bat was MIA? Since being claimed off waivers from Toronto Aug. 10, Rios is hitting .140 with 1 HR and 3 RBI in 26 games. The 28-year-old outfielder can't even draw walks, as his .156 on-base percentage painfully points out.

Behind the numbers: Rios has had plenty of past success, and the Sox are hoping he forgets about the rocky transition and starts fresh in 2010. With a guaranteed $59.7 riding on the next five seasons, the pressure is only going to intensify.

Bobby Jenks

The numbers: He ranks seventh in the AL with 28 saves, but he has blown five opportunities.

Behind the numbers: Jenks is arbitration eligible again this off-season, and he will be looking for a boost from his current $5.6 million salary.

He's still a quality closer, and the White Sox don't have a replacement ready to step in. The Sox weren't interested in offering Jenks a multiyear contract last off-season, and that figures to be the case again this winter.

Still, they should bring Jenks back on another one-year deal.

Sox scouting report White Sox vs. Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field TV: Channel 9 Tuesday; Comcast SportsNet Wednesday and Thursday Radio: WSCR 670-AM Pitching matchups: The White Sox' Freddy Garcia (1-2) vs. Ian Snell (4-2) Tuesday at 9:10 p.m.; TBA vs. Ryan Rowland-Smith (3-3) Wednesday at 9:10 p.m.; Gavin Floyd (11-10) vs. Brandon Morrow (1-4) Thursday at 5:40 p.m. At a glance: After losing two of three to the Angels, the White Sox wrap up their West Coast trip at Seattle. The Sox are 3-2 vs. the Mariners this season (1-2 at Safeco). Pitching for a job with the White Sox next season, Garcia has made 4 straight quality starts. Carlos Torres, Daniel Hudson and D.J. Carrasco are the candidates to start Wednesday. Next: Kansas City Royals, Friday-Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field