A Saber-Slanted Baseball Community

No need for a second take. That really is Gordon Beckham's name penciled in at second base for the White Sox' exhibition game today against Australia's World Baseball Classic team. Does that mean we can add a new name to the position battle with the camp's biggest logjam? Not so fast, says manager Ozzie Guillen, who insists his prized prospect remains a shortstop. The highly touted first-round pick (eighth overall) from last June's draft belted his second home run of spring training Thursday in a 5-4 split-squad loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Glendale, Ariz. Afterward, bench coach Joey Cora revealed that Beckham will be making some cameos around the infield.

Brian Roberts always seems to be linked to the Chicago Cubs in trade rumors, but White Sox general manager Kenny Williams loves the guy and is trying to acquire him. The two sides have discussed former Mount St. Joe pitcher Gavin Floyd as a starting point in trade talks. The Orioles might need more, though the White Sox would want it to be straight-up, since they'd be surrendering a 17-game winner. I edited UribeAuction's original link and text to point to the source. But here's a link to his site because we still value his contributions here

Jayson Nix is changing Sox in attempt to rejuvenate his career. The Rockies' opening day second baseman has agreed to a deal with the Chicago White Sox, according to contract details received by The Denver Post. With Kazuo Matsui lost as a free agent to the Houston Astros, Nix won the position in spring training, edging out Clint Barmes and Marcus Giles. Nix, however, got off to a slow start offensively and was designated for assignment at the end of April. He rebounded in Triple-A and was eventually chosen for Team USA in the Beijing Olympics. He was injured in China, hit in the left eye on a bunt attempt against Cuba. Nix, 26, was the 44th overall selection in the 2001 draft. Nix will make $400,000 if on the White Sox's major league roster.

Prior to tonight's game at Tampa Bay, the Chicago White Sox returned Danny Richar from an injury rehabilitation assignment at Class AAA Charlotte, reinstated the infielder from the 15-day disabled list and optioned him to Charlotte.