Mayor Daley was honored with a framed photograph of Chicago, manager Ozzie Guillen received security through 2012 and White Sox fans left with plenty of encouragement as SoxFest wrapped up Sunday.
That optimism can turn to confidence if the Sox can gain more clarity in the next two months in three areas: the development of rookie third baseman Brent Morel, the health of pitcher Jake Peavy and the competition for the fifth starter.
From listening to Guillen and other Sox executives this weekend, it’s sounding more like it’s Morel’s job to lose. The addition of slugger Adam Dunn stretches a lineup that can afford less production and more defense — the latter being Morel’s forte.
Morel, 23, showed a sampling of his talents during the final 41/2 weeks of the regular season. Although he batted only .231, he hit three home runs, including his first major league home run that traveled over the center-field fence at U.S. Cellular Field.
Unlike the 2006 season (when Brian Anderson lost his starting center-field job), the Sox have some insurance at third with Mark Teahen and Omar Vizquel. General manager Ken Williams said Morel could play as few as four games a week and still grow at the major league level.
The Sox have tempered their optimism over the recovery of Peavy, who has been throwing off a mound 61/2 months after suffering a detached latissimus dorsi muscle below his right shoulder.
If Peavy is ready by the start of the season, Sale could be dispatched to the bullpen and give the Sox the luxury of three lefty relievers, which would allow Guillen to play matchups as soon as the sixth inning.
Guillen admitted Sunday that closer Bobby Jenks told him he was healthy enough to pitch the final weekend of the season but that he opted to use Sale to see how he could handle the role.
“I’ve got a job to do,” Guillen said after revealing that Jenks was upset. “I got to see if this kid could do it in this situation.”
If Peavy isn’t ready, Sale would compete with former first-round pick Phillip Humber and Lucas Harrell for the fifth spot in the rotation.
Extra innings: Farm director Buddy Bell stressed the need not to rush outfield prospect Jordan Danks, who struck out 151 times and batted .243 at Triple-A Charlotte last season. “We’ve got to be patient,” Bell said.
Outfielder Jared Mitchell, the Sox’s first-round pick in 2009 who rehabbed his ankle injury while playing in the Arizona Fall League, will report to the Sox’s minor league camp to “ease him in,” Bell said.
Sponsored Link: Save up to 40% on Chicago White Sox gifts
