Sox Machine reports that if Orlando Cabrera accepts arbitration, he would return in the utility role, as GM Ken Williams maintained Alexei Ramirez has a firm grip on the shortstop position.This seems a bit like a threat for Cabrera not to accept arbitration and if he does, he will likely be used as trade bait.
MLB.coms Scott Merkin reports Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is prepared to go with IF Chris Getz at second base in 2009. [If] we move [IF Alexei Ramirez] to shortstop, I dont mind having Getz there [at second] and have someone help him a little bit, said Guillen. The others in the mix at second would likely include veteran IF Wilson Betemit or IF Jayson Nix.
Alden Gonzalez, of MLB.com, reports the 50th annual Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team was announced Thursday, Nov. 20. The team includes Cincinnati Reds 1B Joey Votto, Chicago White Sox SS Alexei Ramirez, Tampa Bay Rays 3B Evan Longoria, Kansas City Royals SS Mike Aviles, Chicago Cubs C Geovany Soto, Oakland Athletics CL Brad Ziegler, Cincinnati Reds OF Jay Bruce, Minnesota Twins OF Denard Span, Texas Rangers OF David Murphy and Washington Nationals SP John Lannan.
The White Sox are believed to upgrade their infield in free agency and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports believes Orlando Hudson would be a good fit at second base with Alexei Ramirez moving to shortstop.Hudson would be a solid additon for the Sox as he batted .305 over 107 games with Arizona in 2008. That would allow Chris Getz and Jayson Nix to provide depth off the bench.
News: Alexei Ramirez emerged as one of the biggest surprises for the White Sox last season and now he's ready -- if needed -- to move from second base to shortstop. "I'd be extremely happy. I do feel it's my natural position, I feel it's the position that I've always felt most comfortable and natural in," he said. Ramirez started last season in center field on opening day and ended up playing in 121 games at second base after getting his chance when Juan Uribe was injured. He also appeared in 16 games at shortstop, but it was his quick bat that made him such a key addition and helped the White Sox win the AL Central. With the White Sox not expected to re-sign free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera, Ramirez could be asked to make the switch. "It's been a dream of mine to play shortstop at the major league level, but of course there have been much more experienced and much more seasoned players at that position," Ramirez said through a translator.
Analysis: At 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, the 27-year-old Ramirez earned the nickname the "Cuban Missile." He batted .290 with 21 homers, including a major league rookie record four grand slams, and 77 RBI. He finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year balloting to Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria. Ramirez is a top 10 Fantasy second baseman with top-five potential. With the added eligibility as a shortstop -- which he won't have in leagues that require 20 games in the previous year at a position -- Ramirez is justifiably a top-five second baseman on Draft Day. Our current projections for him would already slot him as a top-five Fantasy shortstop between Derek Jeter and Stephen Drew
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