Chicago White Sox Want Chone Figgins: An Excellent Idea

With a 2009 to forget, the White Sox have their eyes set on 2010. According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Figgins will be Chicago's prime free agent target. And with the contracts of Jim Thome and Jose Contreras off the books, it just might be plausible.

Here's why Chone Figgins would be a great addition to the White Sox:

1. Speed

Chone Figgins is fast. He hasn't had less than 34 stolen bases in each full season that he has played. The White Sox have Scott Podsednik, who has swiped 25 bags, but the reality is he's getting older and his legs won't be as trustworthy next year. Other than Podsednik, the White Sox don't have a real base-stealing threat that gets on base often.

2. On-base percentage

Chone Figgins currently has a .402 on-base percentage (and a .363 career on-base percentage). The White Sox need more men who can get on base. The current leader on the White Sox is Paul Konerko, who is fifty points lower at the .353 mark. Chicago is in the bottom part of the league that has opportunities to bat with runners on base.

3. Defense

Chone Figgins is arguably the best defensive third baseman in the American League. I love watching Gordon Beckham improve, but his .949 fielding percentage will not get the job done next year. Beckham can be shifted back to shortstop, and Alexei Ramirez can be shifted back to second base, where he was arguably a much better defender. This would be great because Chris Getz's inconsistency has left a hole at second base.

4. The Lineup

Chone Figgins would solidify the White Sox lineup. The "youth movement" didn't have the success Kenny Williams wanted, but Figgins would provide a veteran leader and bat to the White Sox lineup:

1. Figgins-3B
2. Beckham-SS
3. Pierzysnki-C
4. Konerko-1B
5. Dye-DH
6. Quentin-LF
7. Rios-RF
8. Ramirez-2B
9. Podsednik-CF

Kenny Williams didn't have the best 2009...or well at least to the naked eye. The Jake Peavy trade created a hole in the fifth starter role that cost the White Sox nearly every time. Alex Rios has yet to be productive. And Tony Pena was nothing short of a bust.

However, Williams managed to get rid of an awful Jose Contreras and a non-producing Jim Thome. With those contracts of the books, Chicago can make a push for Figgins that would make the White Sox offense even more potent.