Being ousted in the first round of the postseason by Tampa Bay and taken to the wire in the Central Division race by Minnesota didn't go unnoticed by the White Sox, who saw speed on the basepaths and on defense counter their power-first approach.
That's why they took a step back, trying to mimic the speedier team they had in their 2005 World Series run. It's also what the Rays and Twins bring to the field. When asked about the team's youth movement, general manager Ken Williams said manager Ozzie Guillen is "liking what we have done so far with the athleticism and what he sees in front of him coming up and potentially playing with it as we get closer to spring training."
Guillen, however, also knows that with all the young players being counted on in 2009, the challenge for him and his coaching staff has gotten tougher.
"It will be a different camp because we have to get it done from spring training, right from the beginning," Guillen said. "Obviously, having kids play, they have to show me they can do things, a lot of little things, to help the big boys around. I think it will be more fun.
"You have to be a better baseball team. I'm not talking about baseball players; I'm talking about a baseball team, the way they play and the way they should be playing and the way they should do stuff.
"The last couple of years we relied too much on home runs and power, and right now, the way baseball is going right now, we had to get better for not just this year, but 2009, 2010, 2011. That's why we have to get those kids on track and make it happen."
Josh Fields has already gone to Miami to work on his defense under the daily tutelage of bench coach Joey Cora and Guillen, and Jerry Owens and Brian Anderson will battle for outfield spots.
The White Sox also want to give Dayan Viciedo a serious look at third, as well as Chris Getz at second base.
"I would rather be too young than too old," Guillen said. "You can work with young kids. You can make them work the way you want to."
