It's one of the many reasons why Guillen is great for Chicago and just as great for baseball. Now, let's open the mailbag.

Hey, Scott, I just wanted to say that I couldn't be happier with the signing of Dayan Viciedo. He seems like a player that can help us win, but my question is, when do you think he'll actually make an impact on the White Sox? Is there any chance we'll see him come up this year?
-- Mike, Crystal Lake, Ill.

If the 2009 season were to start tomorrow -- and let me add that the April weather in Chicago probably will be the same as it is at Thanksgiving -- then Josh Fields would be the team's starting third baseman. I still don't believe Viciedo will leave Spring Training with the White Sox, though he certainly will be given every opportunity to make the team. If Viciedo is big league ready -- and it should be added that he has not officially signed yet -- the White Sox most likely won't hesitate to bring him with them from Glendale, Ariz.

Take Aaron Poreda's situation, as an example. Ken Williams said at the General Managers Meetings how he didn't have the left-hander on his original 2009 roster, but watching the hard thrower's progress in the Arizona Fall League helped change his mind. The White Sox certainly are flexible in regard to giving young talent a chance.

Nonetheless, Fields will have the third-base job, barring some sort of major, unforeseen trade on the horizon, and I believe a healthy Fields will have an outstanding bounce-back season. Guillen expressed a great deal of confidence in Fields when I talked to him over the weekend, and I think that's an important detail in the equation.

I find it interesting as to how many fans already have anointed Viciedo as the next Rookie of the Year/Most Valuable Player all rolled into one, without seeing him play one inning. From all the reports I've heard, he's going to be an outstanding player for many years to come. But he needs a chance to find his way, much like Alexei Ramirez did in April last year, and that might include a month or two in the Minors.

I wanted to play general manager for a bit, and run some trade scenarios past you that should fit our needs:

What do you think of trading Paul Konerko to the Angels for Chone Figgins and then trading Fields and Chris Getz (and maybe a prospect) to Baltimore for Brian Roberts? The final piece of the puzzle would be to re-sign Jon Garland to the rotation and use Clayton Richard and Poreda in the bullpen to develop them in the Majors. I know it's easier said than done, but I wanted your opinion on that scenario. Thanks for hearing us out as always.
-- Alex, Northlake, Ill.

Remember, again, Konerko has earned full no-trade veto power as a 10-year veteran with five years playing for the same team, and I don't see him going anywhere but back to first base with the White Sox. If the Orioles don't sign Roberts to a contract extension and make him available, it will take much more than Fields, Getz and a prospect, with all due respect to Fields and Getz, to come close to prying him loose. And Garland is not coming back to the White Sox.

Sorry to snow on your Hot Stove moves, Alex.

Why is Octavio Dotel still on the team? He underperformed during the final part of last season. It seemed that he either recorded a strikeout or gave up a home run, mostly the latter toward the end of the season. I correspond with lots of White Sox fans across the country, and no one I spoke with wants him on the team next season.
-- Sol, New York

Dotel struggled over the final two months, when the defined bullpen assignments were readjusted due to injuries, and the 12 home runs given up by the right-hander stand as too big of a total for a late-inning reliever. He often could be pretty dominant, and the strikeout-home run result is one you have to deal with for a pitcher who is not afraid to challenge opposing hitters with his best pitch in the fastball.

I disagree with your White Sox circle of fans, Sol. A healthy combination of Dotel, Matt Thornton, Scott Linebrink and Bobby Jenks really shortens the game for the White Sox and gives the team a great back end of the bullpen.

It is my opinion that people make too much out of the leadoff position. As you probably have heard a million times, they really only lead off their first at-bat. Isn't speed important at every position in the lineup?

Have a question about the White Sox? E-mail your query to MLB.com White Sox beat reporter Scott Merkin for possible inclusion in a future Inbox column. Letters may be edited for brevity, length and/or content. First Name, Last Initial: Hometown: Email Address: Question:

Would you agree that this "station-to-station" hitting from the Nos. 3, 4 and 5 batters isn't working for the White Sox? Would you also agree that the White Sox have to put in a speedy center fielder? I would gladly sacrifice a little hitting number for a guy who can roam that outfield, especially in the bigger ballparks, and get anything that comes out that way.
-- Bill, Plainfield, Ill.

Guillen talked about the whole concept of speed when he briefly met with the media Saturday night. He talked about not necessarily wanting to add a guy who can steal 70 or 80 bases in a season, but he wants more of a speed upgrade in terms of scoring from first on a double, going from first to third on a single or not turning a single into an extra-base hit by being unable to cut off the ball in the outfield. The White Sox manager wants aggressiveness as much as speed.

Let me warn people again about moving away completely from the slower, but power-packed middle of the White Sox order. Putting a team such as the Twins into a hitter-friendly ballpark such as U.S. Cellular Field would never work. The White Sox simply need a better balance between those power and speed factions.

With the trade of Coco Crisp to the Royals, the White Sox should jump all over David DeJesus. He is a good center fielder and just what the White Sox need at the top of their lineup. Boone Logan, Ehren Wassermann, Jerry Owens and a B-level prospect would get him. Your thoughts?

P.S.: Please pick my question for once. I send one of these every week.
-- Nick, Chicago

Nick, ask and you shall receive. Sorry for the Mailbag neglect over the past month or so.

DeJesus always seems to come up with a big hit or two against the White Sox, and he certainly would be a solid addition -- just an extremely talented player. I'm not sure if he's necessarily a leadoff man or if his best defensive spot is center field. I also don't think four players would be needed to acquire DeJesus, though the Royals are looking for relief help. I've heard rumblings of Mark Teahen being on the trade block, meaning if that move happened, DeJesus probably would be switched to a corner outfield slot and stay in Kansas City.

I would like to know if John Shelby III will get a shot at making the team out of Spring Training. His numbers look good, and they have at least two outfield spots potentially open.
-- John, Chicago

Shelby had another strong Minor League season in 2008, hitting .295, with 15 home runs, 37 doubles, 80 RBIs and a team-best 33 stolen bases for Class A Winston-Salem. He received high marks from the White Sox during a brief Cactus League callup last spring, and has earned the same high praise from Lisa Winston, one of our MiLB.com gurus.

The 2009 outfield is pretty well set, with center field being the only open spot -- I'm not sure where the second open outfield slot comes into play. But Shelby's arrival certainly is something to keep on the radar in the next year or two.