--3B Josh Fields and OF Jerry Owens are getting the benefit of the doubt from general manager Ken Williams on their dismal 2008 seasons, mostly because both were injured. "The fact of the matter is, I have confidence in the players we're bringing back," Williams said. "Obviously, a couple of them had setbacks. But Josh Fields and Jerry Owens, it's very simple -- they were battling injuries. I'm not going to hold that against them. I know the type of talent they possess. And I think they're going to be assets to us. It's that simple." Fields battled a bum knee that was surgically repaired this fall, and Owens had a groin injury last spring that cost him his starting job.
--SS Alexei Ramirez has started his offseason workout program in Miami, taking rookie Dayan Viciedo under his wing. But come spring training, while Ramirez will get most of his work at shortstop -- taking over those duties from Orlando Cabrera -- he will still see a bit of time at second base just in case, according to manager Ozzie Guillen. Guillen wants Ramirez ready in case Chris Getz stumbles and Brent Lillibridge -- a natural shortstop -- wows the staff. --RHP Bobby Jenks is still waiting for contract talks to begin even though both sides want to avoid a spring arbitration hearing. Jenks, who moved his offseason home to the Chicago area two years ago, would like a multiyear contract extension and is looking for his first big professional pay day.
--OF Dewayne Wise was a starter in the outfield the final month of the regular season and into the postseason, but he is being counted on as a backup at this point. Owens and Brian Anderson will battle for the center field job, and even if Jermaine Dye is traded, Wise is being looked at as a speed option off the bench.
--INF Juan Uribe still is on the free agent market, but GM Ken Williams reiterated that the White Sox are no longer interested in bringing Uribe back.
BY THE NUMBERS: 22 -- Combined stolen bases for Orlando Cabrera (19) and Nick Swisher (3) last season. With both gone, the White Sox have to figure out a way to improve on the 67 total stolen bases they had in 2008.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "In the trade department, I don't get involved, because I don't know anything about budgets. I don't know anything about it -- just give me talent and I manage the talent. I think Kenny, I never ask him anything. He asks me what I need and what I like to do. I told him what we should be doing, and since I'm manager of the ballclub, we do it." -- Manager Ozzie Guillen, on general manager Ken Williams going with a youth movement this offseason.
