For good of the team, try Fields in left now
There still is well over a month to go in the regular season, and the White Sox are in the perplexing position of evaluating young talent while playing out the string.
They have a lot more time to make some decisions for 2008 and beyond, but a recent comment from manager Ozzie Guillen is worth repeating.
When asked about the glut of rookies who have made their way to the South Side this season due to injuries, ineffective performances and trades, Guillen said he doesn't need an extended period of time to determine who can -- or can't -- help the White Sox bounce back into contention next year.
In other words, talent is going to shine through, regardless of the level.
That is a heady statement, one that should be heeded by players such as center fielder Jerry Owens, new second baseman Danny Richar and outfielder/infielder Andy Gonzalez.
It's not my call, but none of the trio looks like he's going to make much of an impact down the road. At this stage, they've performed more like run-of-the-mill bench players, although Richar deserves a longer audition.
That's not to say the Sox' crop of kids has been a total flop.
A year ago, general manager Kenny Williams was touting Josh Fields as a burgeoning all-star. Fields still was playing at Class AAA Charlotte, and Williams' lofty praise was greeted with some expected skepticism.
But Fields, 24, has made the most of the opportunity that finally presented itself in early June. That's when incumbent third baseman Joe Crede decided he could no longer deal with debilitating back pain.
Crede had season-ending surgery, and that opened the door for Fields. After a slow start, the former Oklahoma State quarterback has blossomed into a terror at the plate, and his numbers already can be projected at 30-35 home runs and 100 or so RBI over a full season.
Fields has been OK defensively, but like most other major-league third basemen, he is no Joe Crede.
So here's a thought: Over the final six-plus weeks of the season, why not shift Fields to left field?
Guillen briefly touched on the topic last week, saying Fields' glove would hurt the White Sox less at third than in left, but I'm not so sure about that.
Fields might be a little slower than expected, but he has played some left field in college and the minor leagues, and he is not averse to the switch.
As for Scott Podsednik, who currently is patrolling left field for the Sox, his long history of injuries will be another team's concern in 2008.
So why not see how Fields performs the rest of the season as a left fielder? Williams balked at such a move a year ago, saying a position switch could destroy Fields' overall confidence.
With many players, that would be a legitimate concern. In the case of Fields, who has a knack for focusing on whatever task is in front of him, the guess here is he'd make the move with little or no trouble.
And if Fields showed he could make a go of it in left, Crede could come back next year and pick up where he left off at third.
Williams already is heading into a hectic off-season. Before it arrives, he could make his life a lot easier by giving Fields a shot in the outfield.
In the process, Williams would be making the White Sox a much stronger team.