AL Central (Spring Training Notes)

Chicago White Sox Without the employment of Joe Crede, the White Sox will be evaluating the play of Josh Fields at the hot corner. The Sox will have Fields starting in their spring training opener on Wednesday, giving him the early opportunity to impress. Fields took over third base in 2007 when Crede was sidelined with his first back injury and he emerged as a power threat, hitting a very Crede-like .244/.308/.480 with 23 home runs in 418 plate appearances. Injuries and the play of Crede and Carlos Quentin kept Fields in the minor leagues until July at which point he was recalled and hit a putrid .156/.229/.188 in 35 plate appearances. His defense at third has been atrocious which he has been attempting improve by fielding ground balls all off-season indicates that the White Sox will probably start the season with a very weak link on their left-side. Veteran starter Mark Buehrle echoed the sentiments of having a consistent player at the position, telling Phil Rogers "We...