Peavy high on 2011 White Sox

On Jake Peavy's conference call Tuesday, there was a surprise guest.

Toward the end of Peavy's talk with reporters on his health status, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen chimed in.

“You better be ready for spring training or I will get fired,” Guillen said.

That is highly unlikely, especially since Guillen's 2012 club option was picked up at SoxFest last month.

And the way Peavy sees it, the White Sox are going to be tough to deal with in the AL Central this season, even if he's not ready to go on Opening Day.

“To get a left-handed bat like Adam Dunn, I thought we were too right-handed dominate last year,” Peavy said. “Adam Dunn, I faced him a lot in the National League. You can talk about the strikeouts, but this guy gets on base and walks and our park might be the best of all the ballparks to hit in.

“He's hit at least 40 home runs for so many years in a row, and I cannot not see that not happening in our ballpark, especially with the protection of Paul Konerko, Alex Rios, A.J. (Pierzynski).”

Peavy also raved about the Sox' defensive potential, especially with third baseman Brent Morel joining shortstop Alexei Ramirez and second baseman Gordon Beckham in the infield.

“You keep hearing about the Morel kid,” Peavy said. “You see how far he's come.”

If Peavy is not ready to go when the season opens, there is a good chance Chris Sale could step in and take his place.

But like many of his teammates, Peavy thinks Sale makes the White Sox a much better team pitching out of the bullpen, and the 21-year-old lefty was 2-1 with a 1.93 ERA and 4 saves in as many tries as a rookie last season.

“I spent some time with Joe Mauer in Cabo (San Lucas, Mexico) this winter and he went on and on about the ability of Chris Sale,” Peavy said. “That speaks volumes when the best hitter in baseball says that about you. With that being said, the Twins are the team to beat and Detroit got better and they're excited.

“I think the AL Central is a great division with three great teams on paper. We have to play good baseball and we expect that to happen.”