Around the Horn: Middle Infielders

02/01/2006
Revamping the 2005 World Series champion White Sox no longer is a job solely held by Kenny Williams.
It was the South Siders' general manager who got rid of nine players from the franchise's first title team since 1917 during this current offseason, not to mention trading away a prime outfield prospect. But manager Ozzie Guillen clearly has a few ideas of his own to shake up the team.
His biggest decision centers on a lineup switch involving his two middle infielders, Tadahito Iguchi and Juan Uribe. Iguchi, 31, had 511 at-bats during his first year in the Major Leagues and all but four of those at-bats came from the second slot in Guillen's batting order. The remaining four were pinch-hit appearances.
But Guillen has decided to make a change, or at least implement the change in Spring Training to see how it works. It's a slight alteration Guillen believes will benefit Iguchi, Uribe and his team in general. The free-swinging Uribe moves to the order's second spot, from his previous eighth or ninth perch in 2005, while Iguchi drops to a more traditional run-producing niche in the lower middle.
"It's up to Uribe," said Guillen of the possible change. "If Uribe does in Spring Training what I want him to do and what's best for the team, I will make that move.
"If not, if it doesn't work, I will move Iguchi back to second. I know I can get a lot more from Iguchi in [the] six or seven spots."
Iguchi came to Chicago with 149 career home runs during parts of eight seasons with Japan's Fukuoka Daiei Hawks, including 99 spanning his last four seasons. He was accustomed to hitting anywhere from third through fifth in the lineup, with three seasons of at least 89 RBIs and a career-high 109 in 2003.
That particular role changed almost immediately upon his arrival in the United States. Iguchi hit behind leadoff hitter Scott Podsednik, consistently giving himself up to advance the runner or get the runner in with less than two outs, focusing completely on the betterment of the team. Williams has told a story in regard to Paul Konerko from 2004, when he was in pursuit of 40 home runs and the team was completely out of playoff contention, but he still gave himself up in a late-season at-bat by hitting to the right side with a runner on second.
Now, picture that sort of situation transpiring almost every day, and it becomes Iguchi's rookie season. It's of little wonder Guillen often referred to Iguchi as his Most Valuable Player. Iguchi certainly had his share of impact moments, including a three-run home run off Boston's David Wells in Game 2 of the Division Series, erasing a 4-0 deficit in front of sold-out frenzied home crowd.
Although he never complained about hitting second, Iguchi did tell the media through his translator that he felt more comfortable hitting lower in the order. Guillen's plan for change, coupled with Iguchi's second full season in the Majors, could make for an All-Star combination where the second baseman is concerned.
"Last year, this kid went through a lot of [stuff]," Guillen said. "He doesn't know the pitchers or the leagues. Every day was a challenge for him and he did a tremendous job to get used to this league."
"I'm looking forward to Spring Training with him," hitting coach Greg Walker continued of Iguchi. "During the season, you don't have a lot of room for work. Spring Training is great for a new player, but last year, it was all about getting to know who he was. Now, we know who he is. He's very observant."
"For a guy like Iguchi, it's got to be easier the second time around," Konerko added. "He didn't know anyone and still had a great year."
The White Sox have a great support system for both Iguchi and Uribe, in super utility men Pablo Ozuna and Rob Mackowiak. Ozuna can play either of the infield positions up the middle, while Mackowiak is more comfortable at second or on the corners.
Guillen's team also has one of the best double-play combinations in all of the American League. Iguchi committed 14 errors at second, three of those coming in one game against Texas, but made all the routine plays and turned some of the tough chances into silky-smooth efforts. Uribe is one of the most unorthodox defensive shortstops in the game, according to Guillen, who was a pretty fair player at the position during his day.
Anyone who watched Uribe gobble up everything hit to him during the postseason realizes what an incredible talent he possesses. During a SoxFest seminar, it was mentioned that if Derek Jeter made the same plays Uribe did during the ninth inning of Game 4 of the World Series, they would be looped on a special highlight reel for eternity.
Uribe's main question entering 2006 centers on his ability to show the same sort of patience exhibited by Iguchi at the second slot. The free-swinging Uribe hit .174 with a .208 on-base percentage from the No. 2 hole over 23 at-bats last year, but he hit .285 with a .331 on-base percentage and 39 RBIs over 260 at-bats in the same lineup location during his breakout campaign of 2004.
If Uribe handles the assignment, not only does Iguchi get a chance to flex his muscles but he also can use his legs a little more. Iguchi picked up a career-high 44 stolen bases in 2001 for Fukuoka, but didn't run as much in 2005 because of the prospect of Konerko and Jermaine Dye hitting behind him. The chances will be more plentiful lower in the order.
The talent is there to make this important move with Uribe. The trial-and-error process begins in one month.
"It's definitely worth trying," said Walker of Uribe's move in the order. "He's a physically off the charts talented player, and by hitting him second, you can get him more disciplined and to swing more in the zone, using the whole field. Late in the lineup, he gives away too many at-bats. We can get his talent harnessed and get more results from him."
"I will cut Uribe's swings, bunting and that stuff," Guillen added. "I think it will be better off for him. He will see better pitches to hit. He has [Jim] Thome or Konerko behind him and hopefully that will work."

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/