The White Sox are going to have some hard decisions to make this winter. This is how I would go about these decisions if I were the GM of the White Sox:

Paul Konerko: 34-year old righty swinging 1B Paul Konerko played in 149 games for the Pale Hose last season and he was 171 of 548 (.312 avg, .977 OPS) with 89 runs scored, 39 homers and 111 RBIs. Konerko is going to be one of the most sought after free agnets on the open market. VERDICT: I would definitely try to re-sign Konerko because he has been excellent in his career for the White Sox. The 1B market is flooded with good options if I would miss on Konerko.

Mark Kotsay: 34-year old lefty swinging OF/1B/DH Mark Kotsay turned in a decent year as a backup. Kotsay played in 107 games for the White Sox last season and he was 78 of 327 (.239 avg, .683 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 8 homers and 31 RBIs. VERDICT: I would only bring back Kotsay on a deal with a low base salary plus incentives.

Omar Vizquel: 43-year old switch hitting infielder Omar Vizquel actually bumped Mark Teahan out of his starting job at 3B last season. He played in 108 games for the White Sox last season and he was 95 of 344 (.276 avg, .673 OPS) with 36 runs scored, 2 homers, 30 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. VERDICT: I would offer Vizquel about $1 million bucks to return as a utility man but he might actually find a better deal than that on the open market.

Ramon Castro: 34-year old righty swinging catcher Ramon Castro played in 37 games for the White Sox last year and he was 32 of 115 (.278 avg, .832 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 8 homers and 21 RBIs. The White Sox have an option for 2011 on Castro. VERDICT: I would pick up Castro’s option as he’s a pretty decent back up catcher.

A.J. Pierzynski: 33-year old lefty swinging catcher A.J. Pierzynski played in 128 games for the White Sox last season and he was 128 of 474 (.270 avg, .688 OPS) with 43 runs scored, 9 homers, 56 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. VERDICT: Pierzynski’s bat is starting to go and he has never been a good defensive catcher. I would let him go.

Andruw Jones: 33-year old righty swinging OF/DH Andruw Jones still has a ton of power but that’s about all he brings to the party. Jones played in 107 games for the White Sox last season and he was 64 of 278 (.230 avg, .827 OPS) with 41 runs scored, 19 homers, 48 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. VERDICT: I would let him go.

Manny Ramirez: 38-year old righty swinging OF/DH Manny Ramirez played in 24 games for the White Sox last season and he was 18 of 69 (.261 avg, .739 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 1 homer and 2 RBIs. Ramirez played in 90 games overall last season for the White Sox & Dodgers and he was 79 for 265 (.298 avg, .870 OPS) with 38 runs scored, 9 homers and 42 RBIs. VERDICT: He’s gone.

Freddy Garcia: 35-year old righty Freddy Garcia had a solid year for the White Sox in 2010 as he started 28 games in which he was 12-6 with a 4.64 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. VERDICT: I would let Garcia walk because the White Sox have a loaded rotation already. I would consider signing Garcia back if Jake Peavy has problems in his rehab.

J.J. Putz: 33-year old J.J. Putz pitched in 60 games (0 starts) for the White Sox last season and he was 7-5 with 3 saves, a 2.83 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. Putz only allowed 41 hits in 54 innings last season while whiffing 65 batters as he looks like he’s back to top form. VERDICT: I would re-sign Putz with the promise that he could compete in spring training for the closer’s job.

Matt Thornton: 34-year old lefty reliever Matt Thornton pitched in 61 games for the Pale Hose last season and he was 5-4 with 8 saves, a 2.67 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. He gave up only 40 hits in 60 2/3 innings while whiffing 81 batters last season. Thornton is probably the nastiest lefty reliever in all of baseball right now. The White Sox have a $3 million dollar option on Thornton for 2011 with a $250,000 buyout. VERDICT: I would have already picked up Thornton’s option.

I think a lot like White Sox’ GM Kenny Williams. I also love the line from the AC/DC song “Have a Drink On Me” when singer Brian Johnson howls “Don’t worry about tomorrow, take it today!” With that in mind I would start pushing chips to the middle of the table. The White Sox need a big bat so with that in mind I would trade 3B/1B Dayan Viciedo, righty starting pitcher Carlos Torres and outfielder Jose Martinez to the Brewers for Corey Hart. Hart would then become the full time RF for the White Sox opening up DH for Carlos Quentin. I wouldn’t stop there though as I would call up the Orioles and offer them outfielders Jordan Danks and John Shelby & righty starting pitcher Jeff Marquez to them for righty starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie. He has been very effective this season despite his numbers and getting out of Baltimore would help his confidence. I would then set my sites on lefty reliever Scott Downs of the Blue Jays. Starting pitcher Jhonny Nunez and OF/1B Christian Marrero would likely be enough to seal the deal. If the White Sox could add Corey Hart, Jeremy Guthrie and Scott Downs to the team they would be incredibly hard to beat.

The White Sox are 43-38 on the season which has them in 3rd place in the A.L. Central, 1 game behind the Tigers. The White Sox have a glaring hole at DH and GM Kenny Williams will leave no stone unturned in his pursuit of one. He has already made offers to the Nationals for Adam Dunn but they don’t seem too interested in moving him. I think the White Sox are going to aim big as they always do. I think the will be watching the Brewers really closely as Prince Fielder would be a very nice fit for the Pale Hose. I see Jose Bautista, Luke Scott, Jorge Cantu, Corey Hart, Lance Berkman and Adam LaRoche being on Williams’ short list. The expanded list would likely include guys like Lyle Overbay, Ty Wigginton, Cody Ross, Dan Uggla and Derek Lee. Make no mistake the White Sox will have another big bat by July 31st even if Kenny Williams has to overpay to get one.

G.M. Kenny Williams is not known for his patience and I think it’s starting to grow thin. With that in mind I think he’s getting ready to make some big moves in a attempt to revive the offense. A.J. Pierzynski is on the Rangers’ wish list and the White Sox think that Tyler Flowers is ready to handle the everyday job behind the plate. I have a feeling that Williams is going to hold out for a decent prospect like outfielder Engel Beltre and I think they will make that deal. Bobby Jenks and J.J. Putz are being heavily scouted by the Phillies right now. I think the White Sox are more motivated to trade Jenks. I think they would want a return like Ben Francisco, Antonio Bastardo and Scott Mathieson for him and I have a feeling that Ruben Amaro would pull the trigger on that kind of move as they are going to have a hard time making the playoffs without a closer they can count on. Then if I were in Kenny Williams shoes I would call up the Orioles about Ty Wigginton offering up 3B Brent Morel, SP Carlos Torres and Jayson Nix. If all three of these moves were made it would make the White Sox better positioned for the future and probably the present as Wigginton would be a huge upgrade on Gordon Beckham right now.