Citing Pablo Ozuna's valuable versatility and Danny Richar's aching back, Ozzie Guillen indicated the race for the starting second base gig has narrowed to two: Juan Uribe and Alexei Ramirez.
Ramirez has looked great and exceeded expectations this spring, but his rough defense and inexperience will prevent him from breaking camp as an everyday player. So essentially, barring a trade, Juan Uribe is the first in line to be your Opening Day second baseman.
Uribe being first in line for anything but a Big Mac at McDonalds is not a good thing.
Once it becomes official, we'll hear Hawk, DJ, Ozzie and Chris Rongey gush on about how Uribe can "carry" the team when he's hot (whenever exactly that is). They'll wax poetic about his renewed dedication to the game and commitment to being in a contract year.
But in the end you know we'll get the classic Uribe: good for a few homers, a bunch of Tasmanian devil-corkscrew strikeouts and some fuzzy moments on defense. The most interesting work at second base will happen in Charlotte, where hot starts by Ramirez and Richar will earn them a quick promotion to Chicago.
Jason Bourgeois, who is hitting .324 this spring and has earned plenty of brownie points with bunts, stolen bases and Ozuna-like spark, and prospect Chris Getz could both elbow their way into the mix if uncertainty persists a few months into the season.
Furthermore, Phil Rogers mentioned Orioles' second baseman Brian Roberts, who would look sweet leading off at the Cell, in connection to the Sox on Sunday. All of which goes to show the Sox have myriad possibilities for Orlando Cabrera's double play partner. Unfortunately the least exciting one will get the first shot.
Before quietly being reassigned to minor league camp, pitcher Jack Egbert got a mere two innings of work in with the big club. Though he's obviously behind John Danks, Gavin Floyd and Lance Broadway on the depth chart, keep an eye on ol' Eggy. His minor league numbers have been dominant even though he doesn't have "Nintendo" stuff. If he puts up impressive H/9, BB and K rates to go along with a solid ERA at Triple-A this year, he could be up with the Sox before August.
Not much new on the Joe Crede trade front: Aaron Rowand gave his weekly "I Love Joe" speech but the Giants and Sox continue to balk at each other's demands. The Giants are offering scraps like Scott Williamson (who they released), Dave Roberts and Randy Messenger while the Sox want Jonathan Sanchez, who became more untouchable after Noah Lowry's injury.
Crede isn't doing himself any favors by batting .091 in 33 at bats so far this spring, but he'll be an Opening Day starter somewhere. I still think the best course of action is to set up a rotation for Crede, Josh Fields and Jim Thome. We're not going to kick ourselves for missing out on Randy Messenger here.
However, Bruce Levine mentioned the name Andre Ethier, who's stuck on the bench behind Matt Kemp in the LA outfield, in a possible Sox/Dodgers Joe Crede trade. Though I doubt it's on the table, I'd take Ethier in a second. Ethier, Carlos Quentin and Brian Anderson would be a heck of a back up outfield, and big time trade chips in July.
