The White Sox have cut loose outfielder Jerry Owens. Owens lost out to DeWayne Wise and Brian Anderson in a battle for the starting CF job this spring. Owens played in 17 games this spring for the White Sox going 14 for 61 (.230 avg, .604 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 5 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Owens played three years for the White Sox appearing in 117 games in which he was 102 for 381 (.268 avg, .633 OPS) with 49 runs scored, 1 homer, 18 RBIs and 35 stolen bases.

UPDATE: Owens cleared waivers and he will start the season in AAA-ball. At some point in 2009 I have to think the White Sox will give Owens another shot.

The White Sox have placed 2B Jayson Nix on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right quadriceps. Nix played in 7 games this spring for the White Sox in which he was 6 for 13 (.462 avg, 1.255 OPS) with 1 run scored. His injury hurt him big time as he was battling Chris Getz for the starting job at 2B this spring.

The Rays have returned Rule 5 Pick Derek Rodriguez to the White Sox. Rodriguez pitched in 49 games (1 start) last season in AA+AAA and he was 5-2 with 2 saves, 3.29 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. He whiffed 88 batters last season in the minors in only 79.1 innings while allowing only 54 hits. It’s good that the White Sox got Rodriguez back from the Rays as he is a talented pitcher.

The White Sox have traded 25-year old righty swinging shortstop Sergio Santos to the Giants for future consideration. Santos played in 112 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 89 for 390 (.228 avg, .607 OPS) with 51 runs scored, 5 homers, 47 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. This is no loss for the White Sox as they have way too many players ahead of Santos on the depth chart to keep him around.

The White Sox have signed 29-year old switch hitting outfielder Tim Raines Jr. to a minor league deal. Raines played in 128 games in AAA-ball last season in which he was 156 for 502 (.311 avg, .876 OPS) with 96 runs scored, 18 homers, 78 RBIs and 29 stolen bases. Raines has also played in 75 games in his major league career in which he was 34 for 160 (.213 avg, .544 OPS) with 24 runs scored, 7 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Raines last played in the majors in 2004 with the Orioles. Raines has the speed that manager Ozzie Guillen likes so he could get a chance at some point in 2009 for the White Sox.

38-year old lefty swinging DH Jim Thome can still hit homers with the best of them. He played in 149 games for the White Sox last season and he was 123 for 503 (.245 avg, .865 OPS) with 93 runs scored, 34 homers and 90 RBIs. Thome hasn’t started to show his age yet so the White Sox expect another solid season from him as long as his back doesn’t start barking.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: B

It will likely be either 26-year old righty swinging Josh Fields or 20-year old righty swinging rookie Dayan Viciedo as the starting 3B in 2009 for the White Sox. Fields played in 14 games for the White Sox last season and he was 5 for 32 (.156 avg, .417 OPS) with 3 runs scored and 2 RBIs. He also played in 79 games between A+AAA ball last season in which he was 71 for 285 (.249 avg) with 42 runs scored, 10 homers, 36 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. The White Sox are hoping that Fields gets back to where he was in 2007 when he whacked 23 homers in only 100 games for them. He is the favorite to win the starting job.

Dayan Viciedo is a big time talent who is the #2 prospect in the White Sox’ minor league system according to Baseball America. He has already played three seasons of professional ball in Cuba despite being only 20 years old. In those three seasons, Viciedo has played in 233 games in which he is 237 for 801 (.296 avg) with 134 runs scored, 32 homers, 131 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. The White Sox would probably be smart to start him off in the minors but put him on the fast track to the Windy City.

Veteran Wilson Betemit will likely be the backup 3B when the 2009 season begins. He played in 21 games at 3B for the Yankees last season and he made 3 errors while showing poor range. He’s a better defender at 2B or SS but he does have some pop in his bat.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: C

27-year old Alexei Ramirez has tons of upside especially with the bat as he has the same skill set as Alfonso Soriano. He played in 136 games for the White Sox last season and he was 139 for 480 (.290 avg, .792 OPS) with 65 runs scored, 21 homers, 77 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. Ramirez might have some growing pains defensively as he showed poor range at shortstop in 16 games there last season for the White Sox, but he only made 1 error. The sky is the limit for Ramirez.

If anything were to happen to Ramirez either Wilson Betemit or Brent Lillibridge would take his spot. Betemit is the better hitter and he was solid for the Yankees at shortstop last season making no errors while showiing good range in 14 games there. Lillibrige showed outstanding range in 23 games at shortstop for the Braves last season but he also made 6 errors.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: B+

The White Sox have four players they will probably consider for the 2B job this spring. Wilson Betemit has the most power, Brent Lillibridge has the most speed, Jayson Nix is probably the best defender but rookie Chris Getz might have the best all-around game of this bunch. The 25-year old lefty swinging Getz played in 10 games for the White Sox last season and he was 2 for 7 (.286 avg, .572 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 1 RBI and 1 stolen bases. He also played in 112 games in AAA-ball last season in which he was 122 for 404 (.302 avg, .814 OPS) with 61 runs scored, 11 homers, 52 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. Getz didn’t make any errors in 7 games for the White Sox at 2B last year while showing outstanding range.

26-year old righty swinging Jayson Nix won the starting job at 2B last spring for the Rockies but he lost it quickly due to problems with his bat. Nix played in 22 games for the Rockies last season and he was 7 for 56 (.125 avg, .395 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 2 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Nix also played in 67 AAA games last season in which he was 80 for 264 (.303 avg, .964 OPS) with 63 runs scored, 17 homers, 51 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Nix did show outstanding range in 20 error-free games at 2B last year for the Rockies.

25-year old righty swinging Brent Lillibridge is a shortstop by trade but he will throw his hat in the ring at 2B this spring. Lillibridge played in 29 games for the Braves last season and he was 16 for 80 (.200 avg, .576 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 1 homer, 8 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He had trouble making contact with the Braves having struck out 23 times that season. Lillibridge also played in 98 games in AAA-ball last season in which he was 78 for 355 (.220 avg, .638 OPS) with 46 runs scored, 4 homers, 39 RBIs and 24 stolen bases. Lillibridge will really have to improve his all-around game if he wants to make it with the White Sox in 2009.

The wild card in this derby is 27-year old switch hitting Wilson Betemit. He is far and away the best hitter of this bunch. He played in 87 games for the Yankees last season and he was 50 for 189 (.265 avg, .718 OPS) with 24 runs scored, 6 homers and 25 RBIs. He has played in 496 games in his major league career to date and he has a batting average of .260 with a .762 OPS. Betemit only played 3 games at 2B last season for the Yankees and he made 1 error. You know how much Ozzie Guillen loves offense so Betemit could win either the starting 2B or 3B job this spring.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: D+