White Sox fans, I was sitting in Section 106, Row 16, Seat 14 yesterday watching the Sox & Rockies wrap up their Interleague Series, and who did I see in the lineup? Alexei Ramirez, who should be the everyday second baseman the rest of this season, in center field. Also, for the third straight game, Juan Uribe started at second despite a batting average around the dreaded Mendoza line at .200. I have seen enough of Uribe, and so has ESPN Radio 1000's Carmen DeFalco, a fellow Sox fan. In Ramirez, he's not only the future, but he's played too damn good both offensively & defensively to warrant being benched. He puts the ball in play, and he's come a long way from an early season average of .100, plus has been real good with the glove, especially at second. As for Uribe, he lacks patience at the plate, plus I heard Carmen mention something about a .280 On Base Percentage for #5. I don't know what the Sox see in Uribe, but enough is enough! More Ramirez, Less Uribe, and if the Sox have to eat Juan's salary, so be it! Ramirez & occasionally Pablo Ozuna should be at second the rest of the way. I better see #10 at second tomorrow night vs. the Pirates, or I'll be as disappointed as I was seeing Uribe.

Ozzie wanted to load the lineup with righties for the first 2 games of the series. With Quientin and Konerko out yesterday, that left Swisher at first and Alexi in the outfield. Uribe did get the game tying hit on Friday, but Alexi has clearly earned this 2nd base job, and will be starting there farily regularly I'd imagine. I do not have a problem with Uribe getting a start every 6 or 7 games though, just to keep him fresh. He can play 2B, SS, and 3B. He will be used with the 6 upcoming games in NL parks with double switches, and if Konerko goes go to the DL he will probably be used more. Alexi looks like he could turn into one hellava big league player.

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Well, Uribe better start learning his old position again, shortstop! I think Ozuna occasionally relieves Crede at third, but other than Ramirez, I don't think Orlando Cabrera has had much of a break from the lineup since the Sox got him from Anaheim in the offseason trade for Jon Garland. If there's anyone who might need a break, it's Orlando.

Alexi is a natural shortstop. Thats where he played in Cuba.

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Ramirez is a true shortstop by trade, but he has proven to be a good second baseman this season, both at the plate & with the glove. To me, unless Uribe was being showcased for a potential trade out of Chicago, Ramirez should be starting the rest of this season at second base. It was a bit of a buzzkill not seeing Alexei where he should be, even though he did play centerfield in the made-for-ESPN "World Baseball Classic" a couple years ago for Cuba. I do believe that Ramirez will shift full time to shortstop for the Sox, possibly as soon as Spring Training '09. It'll be part of a new look Sox infield, featuring Josh Fields replacing Joe Crede at third and Danny Richar at second. You know where I stand concerning Crede, agent Scott Bora$, and Jerry Reinsdorf's animosity towards Scott. As for Richar, his 2008 season appears to have taken a step back due to a rib cage injury and visa issues, while Chris Gest has been tearing up the ball in Triple "A" Charlotte this season. I do think Richar, Fields and/or Gest could be among the September call-ups if not sooner...