Mailbag: Will Podsednik shift to center?

01/30/2006
It's hard to believe that in a little over two weeks from today I'll be answering mailbag questions from the lovely Western metropolis of Tucson. It seems as if the 2005 season just ended -- that's what happens when success extends the year an extra month.
White Sox fans already seem to be in mid-season form, judging by their reaction during a sold-out SoxFest this past weekend. There were so many memorable moments that it's impossible to list them all without missing a few, but the reaction to Paul Konerko every time he was announced certainly was befitting of a player who gradually is becoming the face of the franchise. Scott Podsednik and Joe Crede also seem to be achieving rock-star status.
As always, manager Ozzie Guillen was in rare form. I realize some of the autograph lines were a little long, but there were so many other activities going on that I'm guessing it was difficult to get upset. By the way, congratulations to the eight readers who knew that first baseman Frank Chance managed the Cubs and outfielder Fielder Jones managed the White Sox the last time the two met in the 1906 World Series, a question from last week's mailbag.
Is there any truth to the rumor that Scott Podsednik will move back to center field and Brian Anderson will start in left field? -- Marci, Chicago
I really don't see Podsednik moving back to center. Everything I've heard has Anderson with the first chance to take over Aaron Rowand's job in the middle of the outfield, including comments from Podsednik, Guillen and general manager Ken Williams this past weekend.
In fact, when Guillen was asked at Saturday afternoon's question-and-answer session with the fans if Anderson would be playing center or left, Williams quickly chimed in with "center field." Of course, the on-field alignment ultimately is up to Guillen, and his ideas on Rowand and Podsednik in center and left seemed to change a couple of times last Spring Training. But with their specific skills, including Anderson possessing a better arm, I see the rookie in center and Podsednik staying in left.
After watching Joe Crede this past postseason, I've noticed that he's really taken some huge strides. Do you think he'll ever be inclined to sign a multi-year deal with the Sox? He's a clutch player and fun to watch, so I hope to see him on the South Side for years to come. -- Travis, Granger, Ind.
Crede's future situation with the team is an interesting one, especially with all the off-the-field intangibles involved. Scott Boras serves as his agent, Crede has to continue maintenance on two herniated discs in his lower back and Josh Fields, the White Sox first-round pick from the 2004 First-Year Player Draft, is considered a top prospect in the organization at third base.
There really aren't any immediate contractual worries with Crede, who the White Sox have control over through 2008. I talked to the talented third baseman at SoxFest. He was very happy how his recent negotiations turned out, a contract handled for the White Sox by Dennis Gilbert, the special assistant to chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and former super agent in his own right.
Crede simply is focused on the year ahead. He considers the White Sox home, even after his good friend Aaron Rowand was traded to Philadelphia. Because of that trade, though, he understands anything can happen in Major League Baseball.
Basically, Crede could sign a long-term deal in the future or be traded for pitching -- there's no clear-cut answer, at this point. Personally, I think Crede is going to put up big numbers for the White Sox in 2006 -- how about .270, 25 home runs and 90 RBIs?
When I was looking over the list of non-roster invitees, the name Carlos Lee caught my eye. I heard somewhere that he is the younger brother of the former Sox slugger with the same name. I was wondering how far along he is in terms of development and if he has any chance to back up A.J. Pierzynski -- if not this year, then the next? -- John, Lansing, Ill.
John, Carlos Lee is the younger brother of former White Sox slugger and current Milwaukee Brewers All-Star Carlos Lee, but don't look for him to be backing up Pierzynski and Chris Widger any time in the immediate future. The young right-handed hitter is versatile, having originally come into the organization as primarily a third baseman, much like his brother. But he's still clearly learning the catching position.
The numbers indicate that his offensive game has picked up with each year in the Minors. Lee hit .289 with a career-high 14 home runs and 48 home runs for the offensively-charged Class A Winston-Salem Warthogs in 2005, playing 36 games behind the plate, two at first base and the rest as designated hitter. Lee also struck out just 33 times in 294 at-bats. Of course, he also walked only 14 times.
Make the trip to Tucson if you want a look at the younger Lee, as he was extended a non-roster invite to Spring Training. Guillen is very liberal with his use of younger players during Cactus League games, even if Lee is reassigned early.
I was wondering if this trade was possible ... Jose Contreras, Jermaine Dye and Joe Borchard for Andruw Jones. With Jones in center, we could put Anderson in right field.-- Josue A., Chicago
No, I really don't think this trade is possible, although Williams did have past interest in Jones. The White Sox general manager made it clear during SoxFest that any remaining trade would involve his team getting pitching in return. So, throw in Tim Hudson or Kyle Davies, and we have a deal -- as if I have any say in the matter.
I really think the Sox have to sign Jose Contreras to a contract extension because he was the ace last year, especially in the second half of the season. What's your take?
-- Juan, Houston
Juan, from the sound of things this past weekend, a contract extension with Contreras still isn't close to being achieved. It's certainly not about a lack of effort on the White Sox end.
I continue to hear and read rumors regarding the Mets and Phillies having interest in Contreras, but as I mentioned in the previous answer, Williams isn't making any move without getting pitching in return. He wants Guillen and pitching coach Don Cooper to have the best pitching staff in baseball this season and for the next two or three seasons to come, so he's not going to get rid of a frontline performer such as Contreras without strengthening the arms core in his pursuit of a second-straight title.
The White Sox will go to Spring Training with six starters and will break camp with six starters, with Brandon McCarthy beginning the year in the bullpen. He gives the South Siders flexibility in a number of different ways, including resting starters pushed to the limit innings-wise. I also believe that Contreras will pick up where he left off in the second half of 2005 and win somewhere in the range of 17 to 20 games.
Do you think the decision of Freddy Garcia and Javier Vazquez to play in the World Baseball Classic will affect negatively later on in the upcoming season? Do you think that they will be able to handle the extra innings pitched over the course of the season? -- Joshua, Washington, Ill.
Pitching seems to be the central theme of this week's mailbag. It's hard to comment on what positive or negative affect the WBC will have, considering it's the first year of the competition. Although Williams has said all the right things concerning the tournament, there's no question he would rather have Garcia and Vazquez with the team in Tucson, and not putting even controlled wear and tear on their arms.
Garcia and Vazquez are both seasoned veterans and know how to get themselves ready for a season. They also have 11 seasons with at least 200 innings pitched between them. The WBC didn't sneak up on them either, so they adjusted their schedule accordingly. Even with those considerations and preparations, McCarthy could become very important to this team in 2006.
It occurred to me that in addition to the great chemistry within the team, the birth of four babies to Sox players last year was a source of good karma. Any chances this will happen again? If it does, I know we'll win another World Series. -- Clyde, Hoffman Estates
Clyde, there was no official word issued during SoxFest as to whether players are trying to increase their family size in 2006 in order to bring back a good championship vibe. There was a great deal of talk from relatively new dads such as Pierzynski, Crede and Konerko of how most of their offseason has been spent taking care of their wonderful children.
"It is tough raising two girls, but it's a lot of fun," said Crede, whose second daughter was born two days prior to the White Sox clinching the American League Central title in Detroit.
"You have to be ready to have kids, I'll just say that," added a smiling Konerko, whose son Nicholas, born on Oct. 18, already has witnessed a White Sox World Series title and a parade through Chicago. "Since I've been home from the World Series, this is the first time I left town to go anywhere."

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