Chicago White Sox: Anyone for Change?

Change. Change! Change? Pick one. Change is in the air. It's everywhere. It's the official mandate. Pick your arena, whether it be sports, politics, economics. Change, it's hip. It's cool. It's all that. We are being promised change at every turn, and we have never been more welcoming.

The defending Central champion 2008 White Sox not withstanding, their change is palpable, too. Not in recent memory has a defending division champion hinted at wholesale change, while maintaining a resemblance of commitment, to winning. Either way, let's get down with some good ol' change.

Change how? If the '09 campaign started today, the 2009 Pale Hose would bear an eerie similarity to the '08 division champion squad. The '08 group exhibited a championship heart, overcoming key injuries while limping to cross the finish line first. 

It was courageous. It was inspirational. Their quick playoff exit didn't sting, at least not in the same vein as the Cub debacle. There was solace in the fight exhibited.

While the Sox were churning their way to the division title, the feeling was that the consensus of the '08 Chisox did not change at all. That this team, heroic finish aside, in its present makeup, would not have a chance of competing in '09.

Translation: At best, the Sox picked up speed, the necessary component of change, at one position: centerfield. That is, of corse, if Jerry Owens is the everyday CF/ leadoff man. Brian Anderson, relative to the '08 Sox, is also an upgrade in the swiftness department. Anderson, unlike Owens, cannot leadoff. Both also have plenty to prove in terms of being everyday offensive major league players.

The move of Alexi Ramirez to short is understandable. This, a move that wouldn't be considered if Gordon Beckham was targeted to be the future at the position. Beckham, most likely, becomes the second sacker of the future, as it appears the organization is sold Beckham can never be the defensive shortstop Ramirez is.

Speaking of second base, the three-headed monster of Getz, Lillebridge, and Nix brings speed to the table but an unproven status in terms of hitting. Even if one of the three wins the nod at second, with Ramirez at short, the Sox are marginally a faster team than they had with Cabrera and Ramirez up the middle. Offensively, there is work to do to bring that combination up to '08 standards.

Orlando Hudson makes about as much sense as anything the Sox can do. Again, with other lesser expensive speed options available, it is unlikely the Sox bite. Hudson does bring with him gold glove abilities and leadoff potential. Moreover, he would be an asset, trade-able if the time comes, or facilitate the move of Beckham to either third base or the outfield, if the fit is there.

Hudson has a recent trend of injury. That, coupled with a depressed market, could make him more appealing from a cost standpoint. In a perfect world's market value, he is probably out of the question.

Any remaining high-profile free agents are virtually out of the question as well.

The free agent loss of Mark Teixeira may once again open talks between the Angels and Sox, for the likes of Konerko or Dye. One or both must go if the Sox are serious about the transformation to a more mobile team.

Dayan Viciedo, the Cuban import, is an interesting entity. It's hard to imagine the Sox signed him to a four-year deal to allow him to spend two of those years in the minors. It's hard to imagine him spending a full year in the minors.

If the Sox are confident in this young man's abilities, will he be the third baseman of the future or possibly first base if Konerko is traded? Will Josh Fields keep the spot warm for him, get traded, or keep it warm, then get traded?

Can Fields play first if need be? Can Beckham play third? Can either Viciedo or Beckham play the outfield? I'm getting confused, please help.

Change? It's hard to imagine there will not be considerable change. But in the end, will the Sox have the same makeup with different players? The same slow, powerful middle of the lineup, only now with a windfall of pinch runners and guys changing positions.

Patience is a virtue as we wait for the Beckhams and Viciedos of the world. Their developments, specifically defensively, will no doubt impact future moves. 

That is why Konerko, Dye, and Thome represent a situation where at least one, and preferably two, have to go to necessitate the kind of change that is sought. Trading Thome would take divine intervention.

The Angels provide what may be the only avenue for trading Konerko and the shelf life of Kenny's affection for Chone Figgins has yet to reach its expiration date. Dye, fits the mold of an aging asset, that the Sox historically trade before its too late. I would be floored if he is the opening day right fielder.

I still stand by my Dye for Homer Bailey prediction. Either Bailey or someone else's Bailey, that is.

Otherwise, we may very well be  looking at the same "feast or famine" type team we witnessed in '08.