The White Sox are banking on 27-year old righty swinging Carlos Quentin staying healthy in 2010 as the starting right fielder. Quentin played in only 99 games last season for the White Sox and he was 83 of 351 (.236 avg, .779 OPS) with 47 runs scored, 21 homers, 56 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. The White Sox think that a return to health will help Quentin hit more to his career norms of a .254 batting average with a .840 OPS. Quentin didn’t play in any games in RF last season but that is his natural position so the White Sox hope he feels more at home there in 2010.

34-year old lefty swinging Mark Kotsay played in 12 error-free games in LF last season while showing average range. Kotsay also had 1 assist from RF as he has a decent throwing arm.

27-year old righty swinging Jayson Nix can also handle RF if the need arises for the White Sox. Nix played 4 error-free games in RF for the White Sox last season and he showed outstanding range there.

PROJECTED GRADE IN RF FOR 2010: B

29-year old righty swinging Alex Rios is looking to get his career back on the right path in 2010. He played in 41 games for the White Sox after being claimed off waivers from the Blue Jays last season and he was 29 of 146 (.199 avg, .530 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 3 homers, 9 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Overall with the White Sox & Blue Jays, Rios played in 149 games in which he was 144 of 582 (.247 avg, .691 OPS) with 63 runs scored, 17 homers, 71 RBIs and 24 stolen bases. Rios has a career batting average of .281 with a .775 OPS in 850 games in his major league career so the White Sox hope he can hit those numbers in 2010. Rios played in 42 games in CF last season and he made 2 errors while showing good range.

34-year old lefty swinging Mark Kotsay played in 67 games for the Red Sox & White Sox last season in which he was 52 of 187 (.278 avg, .717 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 4 homers, 23 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Kotsay played in 5 error-free games in CF last season while showing poor range. But, Kotsay has always been a decent defender.

32-year old righty swinging Andruw Jones was once one of the best all-around CF in all of baseball when he played with the Braves. He played in 82 games for the Rangers last season and he was 60 of 281 (.214 avg, .782 OPS) with 43 runs scored, 17 homers, 43 RBIs and 5 stolen bases.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CF IN 2010: B-

32-year old lefty swinging Juan Pierre came over from the Dodgers in a trade over the winter and he will be the White Sox’ new starting LF. He played in 145 games for the Dodgers last season and he was 117 of 380 (.308 avg, .757 OPS) with 57 runs scored, 0 homers, 31 RBIs and 30 stolen bases. Pierre has the ability to hit over .300 with 100+ runs scored and 50+ stolen bases if he can stay healthy in 2010. Pierre didn’t make any errors in 94 games in LF last season while showing below average range. He only had 1 assist from LF last season as he has one of the weakest throwing arms in all of baseball. Pierre is a winner and he will fit right in with the White Sox.

27-year old Carlos Quentin can play LF if needed in 2010 but he will be the starting RF for the White Sox. He played in 88 games in LF last season while making 2 errors. Quentin also showed off a rocket arm in LF with 6 assists there in 2009.

32-year old righty swinging Andruw Jones played in 12 error-free games in LF for the Rangers last season while showing good range. Jones has always been a good defensive player and he would excel if needed in LF in 2010.

34-year old lefty swinging Mark Kotsay played in 4 error-free games in LF last season while showing average range. He will likely play a few games in LF in 2010 for the White Sox.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR LF IN 2010: B

The White Sox will likely use a few guys at DH in 2010 but the bulk of the work will likely be done by 32-year old righty swinging Andruw Jones and 34-year old lefty swinging Mark Kotsay. Jones played in 82 games for the Rangers last season and he was 60 for 281 (.214 avg, .782 OPS) with 43 runs scored, 17 homers, 43 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. If Jones could just hit his career batting average of .257 (.826 OPS) the White Sox would be happy with him. Although it would make sense to platoon these two guys Jones didn’t hit well against lefty pitchers in 2009.

Mark Kotsay will also get P.T. in the outfield and at 1B in 2010. When he is playing 1B it’s likely that Paul Konerko will get to DH. Kotsay played in 67 games for the Red Sox and White Sox last season in which he was 52 for 187 (.278 avg, .717 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 4 homers, 23 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Kotsay hit .290 with a .766 OPS against righty pitchers last season.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE DH IN 2010: D+

28-year old lefty swinging Mark Teahan came over from the Royals in a trade over the winter and he will be the new starting 3B for the White Sox in 2010. Teahan played in 144 games for the Royals last season and he was 142 for 524 (.271 avg, .733 OPS) with 69 runs scored, 12 homers, 50 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Teahan has not improved much since his rookie season as he is pretty consistent as a hitter. He has averaged 68.6 runs scored, 11.8 homers, 58.6 RBIs, 8.4 stolen bases and 114.8 whiffs per season over his career. Those are very sub par numbers for a starting 3B in the majors so the White Sox better hope the light bulb finally shines over his head. Teahan made 11 errors in 107 games at 3B for the Royals last season while showing below average range.

42-year old Omar Vizquel will backup Teahan at 3B in 2010. He played in 20 error-free games at 3B for the Rangers last season while showing below average range. 27-year old righty swinging Jayson Nix can also handle playing 3B if needed. He played in 12 games there for the White Sox last season and he made 1 error while showing poor range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 3B IN 2010: C-