C - AJ, I have to think they will work something out, perhaps another 1 year deal with an option depending on performance for about $5 million a season. Depending on what they do with AJ will tell us what they think of Tyler Flowers. They could let AJ go, resign Castro for 1 year, 1 million, and have a rotation at catcher next season (or sign some other veteran backup to go with Flowers). This probably depends on how much flexibility they have with their payroll, but I'd prefer to retain AJ for at least one more season.
1B - Again, it probably comes down to Paul Konerko's desire to stay in Chicago on a 2 year deal (maybe 3 with an option) at less than what he is making now ($12 million per). There will probably be a team on the market who is willing to pay more than what the White Sox are offering, and maybe more years so Konerko will have a choice to make here. Again, I'd prefer to sign him to a 2 year, $20 milllion deal, perhaps making him a DH in the 2nd year although he's still pretty solid at 1B.
2B - G.Beckham
3B - I lean to giving this to Morel. They already gave $5 million to Teahan and he's not a starting player. As a utility guy, I'm ok with him, and Guillen will find ways to get him on the field 3 or 4 times a week at 3B, 2B, and RF. As for Morel, he's already considered to be a good defensive player so that would be an improvement over this season already.
SS - A.Ramirez
LF - J.Pierre (although it would be nice to find a late inning replacement for him).
CF - A.Rios
RF - Unknown. Carlos Quentin will hit 20-30 HR, but will also be extremely inconsistent, and injury prone. My guess is that Williams will look to move him in the trade market, perhaps for another OF or just for younger pieces for the future. I don't see the White Sox spending much money in free agency and Williams often fills holes via trades so I think it's either Quentin or some other veteran player who may be in a similar position on another club.
DH - Unknown. This would be the one area where the White Sox can obviously improve offensively. It's possible that Quentin slides into this role to keep him focused on only hitting, but they need to fill this hole with a 20+ HR guy who can bat 5th or 6th in the lineup.
SP - This staff doesn't have a #1 starter, and it may not have a #2 starter. I see a bunch of #3 type starters - Danks, Floyd, Buerhle, Jackson and Peavy make a solid rotation, each guy is capable of shutting down the opposition on any given day, but just as easily, can give up 6 ER in 5 IP. Peavy will probably be brought back slowly so I don't expect him to be ready until at least May, perhaps June although the projects appear more optimistic. He needs to brought back slowly though given the injury and money owed. There has been some thought that they move either Buehrle or Jackson in the last years of their contracts for younger talent, and use the money to either re-sign Konerko or add another offensive player, and with Chris Sale getting experience this year, there's a good chance that they could go this route, and fill an opening with him. Freddy Garcia could still be brought back as well, but I have little interest in this idea.
RP - Bobby Jenks will not be back. He's due to make $7 or $8 million next season. Who's the closer? It could be JJ Putz, assuming they resign him. They could decide on giving the closing role on either Santos or Sale as well. Thornton will be in his setup role, but this bullpen was burnt out by August so Ozzie will need to either find more rest along with the way for his key guys or work in more of his other bullpen options.
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