Positional Previews: Third Base pt. 1

And now we find ourselves with the most hotly debated and interesting positional battle for the 2008 Chicago White Sox - Josh Fields or Joe Crede? Did Fields display enough offensive firepower to overcome his below average defense? Could Joe Crede possibly come back strong from back surgery and return to his maddeningly average production of the past?

I must start off by saying I am extremely biased in this debate - as I have long disliked Joe and long loved Josh. Crede has been one of my least favorite players on the team since 2003. Joe's light bat and lack of discipline at the plate was infuriating. Despite his reliable defense, I always wanted the White Sox to find a player with more upside at the position.

When Kenny Williams took Fields with the 18th pick in the 2004 draft, it was clear that he felt Crede was not a guarantee to man the hot corner on the Southside for the entirety of his career. Perhaps it was his lack of production at the big league level, or it was the presence of super agent Scott Boras - something forced Williams to invest in reinforcements for the homegrown fan favorite.

After the world series run in 2005, and the following deifying of Crede, many expected him to be signed long term. But Williams did not budge, insisting to go year to year on Crede until he hit free agency. Boras, renowned for his insistence on all of his players testing the market, was not interested in a discounted deal that would buy out some of Joe's free agency. Crede had the best year of his career in 2006, hitting .283/.323/.506. His maddening lack of plate discipline stuck out like a sore thumb. Still, Joe won the silver slugger over Alex Rodriguez and the other AL 3rd basemen.

Fields, meanwhile, was enjoying his first season in the International League with the Charlotte Knights. Posting an impressive .304/.373/.513 line, Fields earned a September call up and consideration for the future. Entering 2007, there was talk of Fields eventually shifting to LF to accommodate Crede. But shifting Fields to LF takes away all of his value, as his offense is much more valuable at the hot corner than at the corner OF spots.

When Crede was lost for the year in June, Fields was called up to get a look in what was already a hopeless season. After struggling mightily in his first month (.218/.274/.333), Fields caught fire in July (.265/.333/.490). His slugging percentage rose every month and he displayed the type of progression that bodes well for his major league future. Josh played LF for almost a month and looked absolutely lost - prompting a return to 3B in the last week of the season. His lack of ability in the OF was on full display and he was not conditioned for OF work. The consensus was then to let Fields improve at 3B, now and for the future.

So now the speculation has run rampant. Talks of Crede to the Giants for Noah Lowry (yes, he of the 1:1 K/BB ratio) have hit the press. I wouldn't take Lowry, I'd rather fill the bullpen in Birmingham with 1-2 B- prospects than pay Lowry to put up numbers Lance Broadway could replicate.

Unfortunately, I have a sneaking suspicion that Joe will be starting at 3B on opening day. I hope I'm wrong...

Tomorrow: Positional Previews: Third Base pt. 2 - why Crede should be moved. What would he bring back? What are the projections for each player?
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