Top Ten potential moves on the Southside

This season on the Southside was full of surprises for many Sox fans. They won 89 games including an exciting one-game playoff with the Twins. While they will start off the year AL Central champs, we can all assume the Central will be ready to bounce back and earn its claim as "The best division in baseball." In order for the Sox to remain at the top come next October, some moves will need to be made. Below are ten moves/non-moves that people should take note of.

10. Steve Stone



I realize this is not on the field but to viewers who will be watching games the majority of the Summer, continuity with this all star cast could make it fun, or unbearable.

9.Ken Griffey Jr.
I love Junior as much as any other kid that grew up in the '90s, but to give a 37-year-old who hit .260 and doesn't field his position well anything more than $6 million just seems unreasonable. The $2 mil. buyout seems to be the more likely path.

8. Will Ozzie be around?



This could just be a personal thought that remotely died once Brian Anderson made a diving catch to seal the Central. But Ozzie went through more scrutiny this year than he ever has and he spent much of the year with a frustrated scowl on his face. When the going gets tough, Ozzie has stated on multiple occasions that he is more than willing to hand in his pink slip. I don't know what the Sox would do without Ozzie, who is arguably the best baseball has to offer.

7. Sort out the outfield
Quentin will be there, and Dye could, and probably will be in the outfield also. But below them is a Hodge-podge of young, unreliable #4 outfielders. Wise, Anderson and Owens will battle for the job in center, and truthfully, I have little faith in any of them offensively. Wise and B-And will most likely be in the 25-man lineup come April, but I would like them to move Owens if possible because he is the one with the most upside.

6. Re-sign Uribe?



I know. I don't like it either. But Ozzie has a good relationship with the man with the worst goatee in baseball. And if Uribe is willing to take a deal between $2-3 million, I say they go for it. He can play anywhere in the infield and defensively was a solid replacement for Crede. He committed only seven errors in 57 games at 3rd (Crede had 20 errors in 97 games) and played the position really well overall. I don't know if you can find much better of a player for the little price tag.

5. No more OC
The Sox cannot possibly want to re-sign Orlando. Yes, he was solid as a player, but off the field he just did not click with teammates. Ozzie despised him and he was a baby. Not to mention his strikeout against Balfour was one of the more embarrassing moments of the Sox '08 season. Who calls out a pitcher-during his at bat- and then strikes out on two fastballs over his head?

4. Need for a middle infielder
Alexei will be moving to short this year if they do not take Cabrera back. This leaves a hole at second. The current front-runner is Chris Getz, who owned a .302 average with a .366 OBP in triple-a this Summer. If it comes down to Getz, I guess the Sox could live, but Kenny Williams has roughly $10 mil. burning in his pocket and there is a deep 2B free agent pool. I would like to see them bring in a speedster who they know is going to get on base for the boppers to bring him in. Orlando Hudson is my favorite option, but Brian Roberts, Felipe Lopez and Cesar Izturis are all likely options also.

3. Javier Vazquez



Javy has the best overall stuff in the rotation, but had a difficult time showing it all year. Not to mention his lack of ability to come ready to play in must-win games. V still has a lot of value, and the Sox could get a good size ransom in return for the veteran. Javy's stock did take a hit however when Ozzie called him out late in the season and Vazquez responded with a poor outing. I think if Kenny can deal JV for a young higher-prospect pitcher, the move should be made. Regardless, he should not be wearing a Sox uni come spring training.

2. A back-end starter



Floyd, Danks and Buerhle will be the foundation of the rotation in 2009, regardless of what happens with the rest of the pitching. I like Clayton Richard, but put no faith in the 25-year-old even, though he looked good down the stretch. If Richard is given a starting position, it would also make him the third lefty in the rotation, which is not a terrible thing, but would put pressure on finding a way to fill the fifth spot with a righty. Derek Lowe and Jon Garland could make a nice fit. Freddy Garcia could also be a serviceable #5 at a cheaper price.

1. Veteran departure



It pains me to say this, but trading Jermaine Dye or Paulie could be the best option for the Sox. Dye will be 35 by the start of the 2009 season and is already at the downside of his career, which has been an impressive one. He will surely be a top-ten vote-getter for this year's AL MVP and that alone could help his stock, which will fade after every season. Paulie will be a little more difficult of a move, because he has a no-trade clause that he will surely use. Rumor has it the Giants have an interest in Konerko, but that would be an unlikely destination because they are rebuilding and PK wants to play for a contender. Paul's stock is not nearly as high as it was going into last year, when there were rumors of acquiring Chone Figgins in exchange for the first baseman. While Dye's stats will not taper too much from this season, I cannot picture Paul being much of a contributor to the Sox in '09.