News and Notes

While you should check out MLB.com and whitesox.com every day, keep an eye out for some very interesting big-picture White Sox features over the next week. Also, if you haven't done so already, take a look at Ken Williams' comments on Alex Rodriguez and the issues stemming from this ongoing matter in a Tuesday article on whitesox.com. They are most articulate and put the whole steroids issue into an interesting historical and even ethical perspective.

--As for today's news, Dayan Viciedo arrived and was much smaller than I expected. From the descriptions, I was thinking the late Andre the Giant with a glove and baseball bat. He looks to be in very good shape and looks comfortable in the White Sox clubhouse, with the help of fellow Cubans Jose Contreras and Alexei Ramirez. I believe Josh Fields will be the White Sox third baseman throughout 2009, but I just have a feeling Viciedo is going to make a big impact somehow before the season is complete--think Miguel Cabrera with the Marlins in 2003.

--If fans are hoping for an Ivan Rodriguez signing to back up A.J. Pierzynski, don't hold your breathe, as my mom would say. Williams basically put that specific rumor to rest at SoxFest, and it appears as if any back-up will come from the catchers in camp.

"I think we got the guys here," said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, as to whether he wanted Williams to add another veteran catcher.

So, it looks as if the reserve role will be played by Chris Stewart, Donny Lucy or Corky Miller. Cole Armstrong is a left-handed hitter, so he probably won't back up Pierzynski, while Guillen admitted that top catching prospect Tyler Flowers would become the team's starter if something happened to Pierzynski.

Pierzynski has been a lightning rod for controversy throughout his career, which might be a good thing, because he seems to adeptly handle any troublesome situation thrown at him. But he's also an indvidual who would probably play all 162 games at a taxing position if Guillen allowed.

"We've been lucky with AJ, and I appreciate what he does," Guillen said. "He goes out there without complaining. One thing about A.J., people can say whatever they want, but he goes about his business the right way and I appreciate that.

"Me and A.J. got problems every other week, but that's the same way he's got problems with his wife, his mom and kids. He's got problems with everyone. But one thing about A.J., he shows up to the park every day to win, not just to show up."