He's thisclose to returning from a fractured hamate bone in his wrist. When he does return to the 25-man active roster, might Gordon Beckham be playing yet another infield position, even if it's temporary? Although White Sox manager Robin Ventura & GM Rick Hahn have downplayed such talk as Beckham continues his rehab assignment at Triple "A" Charlotte, could shortstop be in Gordon's future long term?

While RV & Hahn insist that Beckham will still be the second baseman when he returns to the 25-man big club possibly as soon as this weekend's Interleague series vs. the Miami Marlins, it is interesting to note that Beckham has been playing SS at the Sox' top farm team the last couple of nights during his rehab assignment. It's a position that Beckham hasn't played since dating back to his days at the University of Georgia and early on in the minors prior to joining the White Sox big club at third base in 2009 and second base a year later in 2010.

A big reason why the subject is now being addressed has a lot to do with Beckham's regular double-play partner, SS Alexei Ramirez, who might be available in a possible trade. While Ramirez leads all AL shortstops in RBI's and games, as well as ranks 2nd in hits, homers & extra base hits, there are some within the White Sox organization that question Alexei's baseball instincts & gun-shy pursuits of short fly balls in the outfield. It's also believed that Ramirez has big trade value because of his range, big play ability, speed & bat. Alexei's current contract, the second year of a 4 year, $32.5 million contract with a 2016 club option, also aren't considered drawbacks.

One possible snag in any such move. The organization's top infield prospect is switch-hitting SS Carlos Sanchez. According to White Sox Assistant GM Buddy Bell, Sanchez's best position is second base. A possible Ramirez trade might pave the way for Beckham to shift over to SS & Sanchez to take over at 2B.

Why would I call it a snag? Sanchez isn't doing all that good at Triple "A" Charlotte right now. Carlos is currently hitting just .220 with no homers, 10 RBI's & 8 stolen bases for the White Sox top farm team. He's not ready.

I love that Beckham is playing SS during his rehab assignment. It may never come to fruition in the majors but at least Hahn has it in his back pocket in case there's a trade for Alexei he can't refuse (hopefully he can package De Aza).

And don't get down about Sanchez, SHARKY. He's 20 years old and playing in Triple A. He's having a fine year.

Who cares? He still can't hit.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Don't tell the other 29 teams. Time to rebuild anyhow, so if you can get some prospects for him, go for it. He can play short as far as we know!

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"All crowds boycotting football games shouldn't care who sings or takes a knee because they aren't watching." - Nas

There are some pretty fucking mediocre players being run out at short by good teams.

Kozma, whoever Cincinnati puts out there, Angels... not a lot of studs at all. I think the vaunted NYY are starting Jayson Nix.

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1926-1931-1934-1942-1944-1946-1964-1967-1982-2006-2011

If Beckham was a Cub I could only imagine the outrage Sox nation would have over this pretty boy who had a Jerome Walton, Dwight Smith, Corey Patterson, etc.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

The Cubs have plenty of guys who can't hit.

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I loved Jerome Walton and Dwight Smith

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

He's not related to Carlos Sanchez, but Angel Sanchez...we hardly knew ye. CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman has Tweeted Angel (pronounced An-jel) has been waived. and could go back to Anaheim if not claimed via Rule 5. Might this mean Tyler Greene plays a position other than 2B when Beckham returns? Might Greene give Alexei Ramirez a breather at SS?

SHARK, you always talk about Alexei getting a breather. He's getting a breather today. I could see you in 1993 bitching that Cal Ripken wasn't getting a day off.

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Frank, that was a different time. Nobody's going to reach what Cal Ripken Jr. did ever again.

I'm also not alone in wondering when Alexei Ramirez is going to get a day off from RV's lineup. That's what inspired the thread. Guys who are actually paid to cover the Sox everyday are taking notice.

SHARK, some of the worst misinformation you will get about a MLB club comes from beat writers.

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1926-1931-1934-1942-1944-1946-1964-1967-1982-2006-2011

They're paid to cover this team though, not to mention talk about it on sports talk radio as well as on TV.

So you're saying being paid for something makes you good at it?

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

I think SHARK has missed the point... again.

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1926-1931-1934-1942-1944-1946-1964-1967-1982-2006-2011

Maybe Keppinger can play centerfield when Beckham comes back?

He had a great batting stance.

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@audioidkid

Two words...Fat chance.

Although Alejandro De Aza's leadoff job might be on borrowed time despite a 2 for 3 day yesterday with a run scored in the 8-3 loss to the Cubs.

Beckham is a cub, Darwin Barney.

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Darwin Barney and Gordon Beckham do wear the same number...#15. Barney has occasionally played a little SS to give the overhyped, overrated Starlin Castro a breather from the Cub lineup.

I actually think Barney is better, Barney could hit 14-15 hr in the cell.

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He's a good ballplayer. The big question regarding Darwin is this. Is Barney the long term guy at 2B for the Cubs or does he become expendable if the Cubs move Starlin Castro there?

As for Castro, with "MLB on FOX" in town for tomorrow night's game vs. the Diamondbacks, you know the subject is going to come up again whenever the Northsiders get the national attention. I wouldn't be shocked if Justin Kutcher & Bob Brenly, the FOX Sports' crew who will call the game, address the Castro position issue during the broadcast.

Beckham is going to hit even worse than his normal shitty self given the hand injury.

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

I hope not. He's been crushing it during his rehab assignment at Triple "A" Charlotte. 3 more hits last night.

Just the opposite I think.

Beckham will have such success after the hand surgery that in coming years people will tell of how coming back from Gordon Beckham surgery will make a player better.

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I wouldn't be shocked if Beckham is this team's new leadoff man when he returns to the active roster. Seriously.

I wouldn't be shocked if he becomes the new cleanup hitter.

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His best years might well be ahead of him.

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Beckham won't be batting 9th, TP. I think that's where Tyler Flowers and/or Hector Gimenez will be entrenched for the forseeable future.

Quite right!

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