General manager Ken Williams believes the White Sox will be.

While Williams has refused to call this offseason "rebuilding," there is no question that the team has gone through a transition from the club that squeaked out the Central Division title in 2008 with a one-game playoff win over Minnesota.

Gone are Javier Vazquez, Nick Swisher, Orlando Cabrera and Joe Crede, and in come youngsters Jerry Owens, Chris Getz, Josh Fields and Jeff Marquez.

"I like this team," manager Ozzie Guillen said of the 2009 roster. "We have more athletes and can do more on the bases."

While that might be true, it remains to be seen. By the end of last season Vazquez, Swisher and Crede were all but non-factors, while Cabrera gained a reputation as a clubhouse cancer. The White Sox offense was criticized for being too homer-oriented, and that was one change Guillen wanted.

As it stands heading into camp, the club is faster with Owens projected to be the leadoff hitter and Getz also giving Guillen some speed if he wins the starting second base job.

Brent Lillibridge, acquired from Atlanta in the Vazquez trade, also can hit leadoff if he were to win the starting job at second.

In going with speed and youth, however, they also sacrifice experience.

What Guillen did make obvious was that no jobs will just be handed out.

"These young guys better be ready to come in and work," Guillen warned. "If they think they will just be given a starting job, there will be problems."

For now, Dye, Paul Konerko and Jim Thome will stay together, and the Sox hope that trio can carry the middle of the lineup. A healthy Carlos Quentin (broken wrist) is expected to once again be a force, and Alexei Ramirez can move to his natural position, shortstop.

While the White Sox bullpen will return almost in total, the same can't be said for the rotation.

John Danks and Gavin Floyd took huge strides in 2008 and are Nos. 2 and 3 in the rotation behind Mark Buehrle. If Bartolo Colon can stay healthy, the White Sox believe they are solid one through four. The question then becomes the fifth spot, where Marquez, Clayton Richard and Lance Broadway will compete.

The lingering storyline that will carry into camp, however, is whether Dye will be around. The White Sox have been trying to move the outfielder and his $11 million in salary but were unsuccessful. They now seem fine with keeping their right fielder, but for how long?

WHERE, WHEN: Camelback Ranch, Glendale, Ariz. First exhibition game is Feb. 25 against the Los Angeles Angels.

TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: 1B Paul Konerko had one of the worst starts to a season in his career in 2008 but seemed to finally get a grip on it, hitting .333 in August and .260 in September. He also had nine of his 22 homers in the last four weeks. He showed up in the postseason, batting .313 with two home runs against Tampa Bay. "He found some peace in the game," hitting coach Greg Walker said of Konerko. Don't be shocked to see Konerko bounce back with 35 home runs in 2009.

TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: RHP Bartolo Colon is being counted on to anchor the starting rotation for the club, but that might be asking a lot for the aging pitcher. While Colon could be effective when he is healthy, when is the last time he stayed healthy? That means youngsters Jeff Marquez and Clayton Richard would really have to grow up quickly.

AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Ozzie Guillen became the first manager in White Sox history to guide the club to more than one playoff appearance in his tenure. Guillen has gone 433-378 in his five seasons and could face his biggest test this year with the White Sox transitioning with youth. He has already set the stage for this spring on what needs improvement, making sure a bunting field was built in the new facility.