Chicago White Sox: 5 Potential Batting Orders for the South Siders in 2013

The Chicago White Sox have lineup questions that must be answered before the 2013 season begins. It will be up to second-year manager Robin Ventura to squeeze every ounce of offensive production out of the White Sox batting order.

It will not be an easy task.

See, a lot has changed for the White Sox offense since the end of the 2012 season.

Gone to free agency are veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski and third baseman Kevin Youkilis. They have been replaced by infielder Jeff Keppinger and—for the moment, at least—Tyler Flowers.

While Keppinger may actually bring an offensive skill set that is better fitted to the White Sox, Flowers looks to be a less-than-ideal option at the plate.

Then, there is always the feast-or-famine left-handed-hitting strikeout machine, Adam Dunn.

White Sox team captain Paul Konerko is another reason for concern. How he responds to an offseason procedure to remove bone fragments from his wrist will be critical to how successful the White Sox are from an offensive perspective.

And those are just a few of the offensive storylines White Sox fans have had the privilege of following this offseason. Oy.

So, with a pitching staff that can carry the White Sox into October, here are five potential lineups to start the season.

How It Is All Put Together

With the exception of one scenario, each lineup presented consists of personnel already with the White Sox.

Each lineup also operates under the assumption that Paul Konerko will see the majority of his action at designated hitter this upcoming season.

Since these potential lineup variations are the musings of an overly optimistic—yet selectively cynical—White Sox fan, they are not ranked.

The Convenient Way

This White Sox lineup is, in essence, a carryover from last season. The players may be different, but the lineup is the same.

It is what I believe to be the most likely one coming out of spring training.

It would be a mistake to open the season against the Kansas City Royals with this batting order.

1. CF: Alejandro De Aza

2. 3B: Jeff Keppinger

3. 1B: Adam Dunn

4. DH: Paul Konerko

5. RF: Alex Rios

6. LF: Dayan Viciedo

7. SS: Alexei Ramirez

8. C: Tyler Flowers

9. 2B: Gordon Beckham

Say Goodbye to Flowers

If Ventura goes with this variation to begin the season, White Sox fans will not have to suffer through any Ron Karkovice-like at-bats from Flowers.

Josh Phegley is as ready as he will ever be, and he does not need another year of seasoning at Triple-A.

This is also a glimpse into what the lineup would look like if Adam Dunn and Alex Rios were to switch spots.

1. CF: Alejandro De Aza

2. 3B: Jeff Keppinger

3. RF: Alex Rios

4. DH: Paul Konerko

5. 1B: Adam Dunn

6. LF: Dayan Viciedo

7. SS: Alexei Ramirez

8. C: Josh Phegley

9. 2B: Gordon Beckham

Say Goodbye to Gordon Beckham and Hello to Carlos Sanchez

Carlos Sanchez makes the team as the starting second baseman out of spring training in this variation.

As a result, Gordon Beckham becomes the best utility infielder in baseball and the White Sox have the added versatility of a switch hitter in the order.

1. CF: Alejandro De Aza

2. 3B: Jeff Keppinger

3. RF: Alex Rios

4. DH: Paul Konerko

5. 1B: Adam Dunn

6. LF: Dayan Viciedo

7. SS: Alexei Ramirez

8. C: Tyler Flowers

9. 2B: Carlos Sanchez

Welcome to Town, Justin

At best, this lineup is fantastically absurd.

It requires the Arizona Diamondbacks to not only send Justin Upton to the White Sox for Alexei Ramirez and pitching, but for Upton to switch positions.

Also note that the infield is completely different than it was at the end of last season.

Won’t happen, but it would be nice.

1. CF: Alejandro De Aza

2. 2B: Jeff Keppinger

3. RF: Alex Rios

4. DH: Paul Konerko

5. LF: Justin Upton

6. 1B: Adam Dunn

7. 3B: Dayan Viciedo

8. C: Josh Phegley

9. SS: Carlos Sanchez

The Time for Viciedo Is Now

Here is a thought. If Viciedo is here to stay—and he is the No. 3 hitter of the future—why would the White Sox wait to move him?

This order would keep Rios in a position to provide Konerko with some protection and pushes Dunn down to sixth.

Win. Win. Win.

1. CF: Alejandro De Aza

2. 3B: Jeff Keppinger

3. LF: Dayan Viciedo

4. DH: Paul Konerko

5. RF: Alex Rios

6. 1B: Adam Dunn

7. SS: Alexei Ramirez

8. C: Josh Phegley

9. 2B: Carlos Sanchez

@MatthewSmithBR