Whitesoxclub.com | Chicago White sox News, whitesox Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div> The White Sox won the Central Division in 2008 but didn't exactly have an offseason worthy of them once again being the favorite to repeat. The left side of the infield that started last Opening Day is gone, as is their No. 2 starting pitcher from last year, Javy Vazquez. General manager Ken Williams has refused to call 2009 a rebuilding year, instead saying it is a transition year. That remains to be seen, considering that center field, second base and third base will all have competition in the spring.</div>ARRIVALS: 3B Dayan Viciedo (free agent from Cuba), RHP Kelvin Jimenez (claimed on waivers from Blue Jays), INF Wilson Betemit (trade with Yankees), RHP Bartolo Colon (free agent from Red Sox). DEPARTURES: RHP Javier Vazquez (traded to Braves), LHP Boone Logan (traded to Braves), OF Nick Swisher (traded to Yankees), LHP Horacio Ramirez (free agent, signed with Royals), C Toby Hall (free agent, signed minor league deal with Astros), INF Juan Uribe (free agent, signed minor league deal with Giants). SPRING FOCUS: Ozzie Guillen already knows that his camp will be filled with daily questions concerning his young players, especially considering at least eight players will be battling for three spots in the lineup and at least one spot in the rotation. Guillen's hope is that all the competition will bring out the best in the youth movement. The goal is for players to win jobs rather than get them by default. PROJECTED ROTATION: 1. LHP Mark Buehrle 2. RHP Gavin Floyd 3. LHP John Danks 4. RHP Bartolo Colon 5. RHP Jeff Marquez The "Big Three" have the White Sox coaching staff sleeping well at night. After that, however, all bets are off. Veteran Bartolo Colon is recovering from a cleanup surgery and will be slowed during the spring, while youngsters Marquez, Clayton Richard and Lance Broadway all are looking to impress. Marquez has the upper hand, but that could change. If no one steps up, general manager Ken Williams won't be afraid to explore acquiring a veteran if need be. PROJECTED BULLPEN: RHP Bobby Jenks (closer) RHP Scott Linebrink RHP Octavio Dotel LHP Matt Thornton LHP Clayton Richard LHP Aaron Poreda RHP D.J. Carrasco Guillen has fallen in love with the idea of having seven relievers the last two years, and if that is indeed the case that will open the door for rookie prospect Aaron Poreda. The hard-throwing southpaw has been dominant in the minors, and Williams has already indicated that he will get a serious look this spring. The back end of the bullpen was as good as there was in the AL through the first half of last season, at least until Linebrink had shoulder problems. Linebrink said he is 100 percent, and if he holds up, along with Jenks, Dotel and Thornton, the White Sox can once again shorten games. PROJECTED LINEUP: 1. CF Jerry Owens 2. C A.J. Pierzynski 3. LF Carlos Quentin 4. DH Jim Thome 5. RF Jermaine Dye 6. 1B Paul Konerko 7. SS Alexei Ramirez 8. 3B Josh Fields 9. 2B Chris Getz/Brent Lillibridge The middle of the lineup will allow Guillen to do only so much. But where the big changes are coming is at the top and bottom of the lineup as the White Sox look to return to the speed they showed in the 2005 season. Owens will get first crack at the leadoff spot, but Getz will also get playing time there this spring. The sleeper in all of this could be Lillibridge, who is a grinder with base-stealing ability. Guillen would like someone to emerge as a No. 2 hitter but said he thought Pierzynski did a solid job there last season. Guillen wouldn't be afraid to go back to him. PROJECTED RESERVES: C Corky Miller/Chris Stewart INF Brent Lillibridge INF Wilson Betemit OF Brian Anderson/Dewayne Wise The reserve spots could be the toughest decisions Guillen and his staff will have to make. They lack a proven backup catcher but need a warm body for that spot. Betemit gives them insurance at third base, and Lillibridge will give them depth up the middle. That means either Wise or Anderson could be odd man out. TOP ROOKIES: LHP Aaron Poreda jumped from Class A to Class AA Birmingham last season and was impressive in his time with the Barons, going 3-4 with a 2.98 ERA. After a dominant Fall League, he opened eyes as a possible big-league reliever. C Tyler Flowers, acquired in the Atlanta trade for Javy Vazquez, is a pure power hitter who will have all eyes on him this spring. He might be a year away, at least, but could also be a September call-up. MEDICAL WATCH: RHP Bartolo Colon (elbow surgery) still is recovering from the operation last fall and will be brought along slowly in spring training. RHP Jose Contreras (ruptured Achilles tendon in August 2008) likely will be on the shelf until at least July, and he could miss all of 2009 if there are setbacks. OF Carlos Quentin (broken right wrist in September 2008) was cleared for full baseball activity in December. He expects to be fully recovered by spring training.<div class="spacer10"></div><div class="gray_dots"></div><div id="body_footer_link">Play FOX Fantasy Baseball today </div><div class="gray

The White Sox won the Central Division in 2008 but didn't exactly have an offseason worthy of them once again being the favorite to repeat. The left side of the infield that started last Opening Day is gone, as is their No. 2 starting pitcher from last year, Javy Vazquez. General manager Ken Williams has refused to call 2009 a rebuilding year, instead saying it is a transition year. That remains to be seen, considering that center field, second base and third base will all have competition in the spring.

ARRIVALS: 3B Dayan Viciedo (free agent from Cuba), RHP Kelvin Jimenez (claimed on waivers from Blue Jays), INF Wilson Betemit (trade with Yankees), RHP Bartolo Colon (free agent from Red Sox).

DEPARTURES: RHP Javier Vazquez (traded to Braves), LHP Boone Logan (traded to Braves), OF Nick Swisher (traded to Yankees), LHP Horacio Ramirez (free agent, signed with Royals), C Toby Hall (free agent, signed minor league deal with Astros), INF Juan Uribe (free agent, signed minor league deal with Giants).

SPRING FOCUS: Ozzie Guillen already knows that his camp will be filled with daily questions concerning his young players, especially considering at least eight players will be battling for three spots in the lineup and at least one spot in the rotation. Guillen's hope is that all the competition will bring out the best in the youth movement. The goal is for players to win jobs rather than get them by default.

PROJECTED ROTATION:

1. LHP Mark Buehrle

2. RHP Gavin Floyd

3. LHP John Danks

4. RHP Bartolo Colon

5. RHP Jeff Marquez

The "Big Three" have the White Sox coaching staff sleeping well at night. After that, however, all bets are off. Veteran Bartolo Colon is recovering from a cleanup surgery and will be slowed during the spring, while youngsters Marquez, Clayton Richard and Lance Broadway all are looking to impress. Marquez has the upper hand, but that could change. If no one steps up, general manager Ken Williams won't be afraid to explore acquiring a veteran if need be.

PROJECTED BULLPEN:

RHP Bobby Jenks (closer)

RHP Scott Linebrink

RHP Octavio Dotel

LHP Matt Thornton

LHP Clayton Richard

LHP Aaron Poreda

RHP D.J. Carrasco

Guillen has fallen in love with the idea of having seven relievers the last two years, and if that is indeed the case that will open the door for rookie prospect Aaron Poreda. The hard-throwing southpaw has been dominant in the minors, and Williams has already indicated that he will get a serious look this spring. The back end of the bullpen was as good as there was in the AL through the first half of last season, at least until Linebrink had shoulder problems. Linebrink said he is 100 percent, and if he holds up, along with Jenks, Dotel and Thornton, the White Sox can once again shorten games.

PROJECTED LINEUP:

1. CF Jerry Owens

2. C A.J. Pierzynski

3. LF Carlos Quentin

4. DH Jim Thome

5. RF Jermaine Dye

6. 1B Paul Konerko

7. SS Alexei Ramirez

8. 3B Josh Fields

9. 2B Chris Getz/Brent Lillibridge

The middle of the lineup will allow Guillen to do only so much. But where the big changes are coming is at the top and bottom of the lineup as the White Sox look to return to the speed they showed in the 2005 season. Owens will get first crack at the leadoff spot, but Getz will also get playing time there this spring. The sleeper in all of this could be Lillibridge, who is a grinder with base-stealing ability. Guillen would like someone to emerge as a No. 2 hitter but said he thought Pierzynski did a solid job there last season. Guillen wouldn't be afraid to go back to him.

PROJECTED RESERVES:

C Corky Miller/Chris Stewart

INF Brent Lillibridge

INF Wilson Betemit

OF Brian Anderson/Dewayne Wise

The reserve spots could be the toughest decisions Guillen and his staff will have to make. They lack a proven backup catcher but need a warm body for that spot. Betemit gives them insurance at third base, and Lillibridge will give them depth up the middle. That means either Wise or Anderson could be odd man out.

TOP ROOKIES: LHP Aaron Poreda jumped from Class A to Class AA Birmingham last season and was impressive in his time with the Barons, going 3-4 with a 2.98 ERA. After a dominant Fall League, he opened eyes as a possible big-league reliever. C Tyler Flowers, acquired in the Atlanta trade for Javy Vazquez, is a pure power hitter who will have all eyes on him this spring. He might be a year away, at least, but could also be a September call-up.

MEDICAL WATCH:

RHP Bartolo Colon (elbow surgery) still is recovering from the operation last fall and will be brought along slowly in spring training.

RHP Jose Contreras (ruptured Achilles tendon in August 2008) likely will be on the shelf until at least July, and he could miss all of 2009 if there are setbacks.

OF Carlos Quentin (broken right wrist in September 2008) was cleared for full baseball activity in December. He expects to be fully recovered by spring training.

Play FOX Fantasy Baseball today