Forget Sparta.
THIS IS TUCSON !!
Jobs will be won over the next six weeks, some will be lost. And it all starts on Saturday, when pitchers and catchers are expected to report for the start of White Sox Camp 2008.
Until the position players check in almost a week later, however, dont expect much drama. Unlike last spring, the starting staff is intact, and six of the seven bullpen spots are all but locks.
I dont see a lot of drama as far as who is going to be on this staff, pitching coach Don Cooper insisted on Tuesday. I have my own mindset right now on where it is, who I think, penciled in lightly. And lets face it, some guys are already inked in.
The one battle that will catch Coopers eye, as well as the eye of general manager Ken Williams, will come between Ehren Wassermann and Nick Masset.
The card:
Wassermann RHP age: 27
Pros: Limited right-handers to a .174 average and did not allow a home run in 33 appearances. Also, has that fearless look to him on the mound that manager Ozzie Guillen loves.
Cons: Lefties hit .533 off him, making him a right-handed specialist, while first batters faced hit .313.
Masset RHP age: 25
Pros: Was 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA as a spot starter, and has long relief stuff, as well as an ability to fill in when a starter goes down.
Cons: Is out of options and never grasped the idea of being a reliever. His 1-3 record and 7.75 ERA out of the bullpen were evidence of that.
The Frontrunner: If the season were to start today, Wassermann would be breaking camp on the 25-man roster. As for Masset, expect the pitcher to be moved near the end of camp if he doesnt change some minds. He is a power arm and has better stuff than Wassermann, but that means very little. See Andrew Sisco and David Aardsma.
