What's the roster right now?

[Whitesox029]

Expanding on the other lineup thread, it looks to me like the 25-man roster is nearly set, assuming no other trades:

Starters:
C Flowers or Pierzynski
1B Konerko
2B Beckham
3B Keppinger
SS Ramirez
LF Viciedo
CF De Aza
RF Rios
DH Dunn

SP Sale
SP Peavy
SP Danks
SP Floyd
SP Quintana/Santiago

Bullpen:
Santiago/Quintana
Reed
Thornton
Crain
Jones
? [Septimo/Omogrosso/Axelrod]

Bench:
Flowers/?
Wise
Jordan Danks?
Brent Morel?
?

To sum up: it looks like there's one utility IF spot to be won in ST, and one bullpen spot with three main competitors. For the bullpen, I give Septimo the edge because it balances the pen out at 3 lefties and 3 righties. The IF spot will probably be very much up for grabs, but Angel Sanchez probably has a head start on any competitors. I'm assuming Morel and Jordan Danks will both make the team, since Morel has put in his minor league time already, and Jordan Danks showed a lot of upside in his time with the team in 2012.
If Pierzynski comes back, catchers are set. If not, they will probably acquire a veteran to spell Flowers. I wouldn't mind seeing them go with either Miguel Olivo or Kelly Shoppach.

Thoughts?

[PalehosePlanet]

Danks and Morel -- esp. Morel since he can only play one position -- are far from sure things at this point.

Also, I'm almost positive we'll be going w/7 RP's instead of 6 from the start of the season, rather than waiting 2-3 weeks. Donnie Veal is pretty much guaranteed to make the team as a lefty specialist, and is held in higher regard by the organization than the Septimo/Omogrosso/Axelrod trio you mentioned.

That leaves four bench spots, of which Wise and the backup Catcher will take two. With the last two spots open, one needs to be filled with a true utility IF'er. The last spot can be a PH/OF/IF...doesn't really matter.

[JB98]

I think Omogrosso would come to camp ahead of Axelrod and Septimo in the battle for the last bullpen spot. Although, reports indicate Coop likes Septimo for some reason.

[Chez]

Originally Posted by JB98

I think Omogrosso would come to camp ahead of Axelrod and Septimo in the battle for the last bullpen spot. Although, reports indicate Coop likes Septimo for some reason.

**cough** Donnie Veal ** cough**

[JB98]

Originally Posted by Chez

**cough** Donnie Veal ** cough**

I've already got Veal as a given.

Reed, Thornton, Crain, Jones, Veal, Omogrosso and whichever one of Quintana and Santiago is not in the rotation.

I think that's your bullpen right now. Wouldn't be surprised to see a veteran added before the offseason is over.

[LITTLE NELL]

I don't know how others feel but I would not mind seeing Lilibridge back in Sox pinstripes. I think he was released by the Indians back in November.

[WhiteSox5187]

Assuming AJ walks and Flowers becomes the primary catcher, who is the backup? Gimenez?

[JB98]

Originally Posted by WhiteSox5187

Assuming AJ walks and Flowers becomes the primary catcher, who is the backup? Gimenez?

Believe so, yes.

[russ99]

Originally Posted by LITTLE NELL

I don't know how others feel but I would not mind seeing Lilibridge back in Sox pinstripes. I think he was released by the Indians back in November.

Don't forget that the Sox got Angel Sanchez in the Rule V draft. He's got to stay on the roster all year or has to be offered back to the Angels.

Sanchez is the bench infielder.

That means Wise and Sanchez are set for the bench with two more spots open, likely filled by FAs:

An experienced catcher to split time with Flowers (assuming A.J. is gone as is being rumored)

One more hitter with either versatility or some pop in the bat. Maybe Lillibridge fits the bill, but I'd think he'd prefer to play somewhere with a chance to start.

[KRS1]

I'd like to see one veteran bat and arm traded for something young and significant for us to build into the lineup or the mound. I could, however, very well see us running out this squad and waiting out value and team performance for the deadline.

[CWSpalehoseCWS]

I think it would look something like this:

Lineup
1. De Aza, CF
2. Keppinger, 3B
3. Dunn, DH
4. Konerko, 1B
5. Rios, RF
6. Viciedo, LF
7. Ramirez, SS
8. Flowers, C
9. Beckham, 2B

Bench
Gimenez, C
Sanchez, IF
Danks, OF
Wise, OF

Rotation
1. Sale
2. Peavy
3. Floyd
4. Quintana
5. Danks

Bullpen
Omogrosso, LR
Jones, MR
Veal, MR
Septimo, MR
Thornton, LSU
Crain, RSU
Reed, CL

I think Jordan Danks will be in Charlotte though and the Sox will sign/acquire another veteran IF. Septimo is out of minor league options, and that always usually helps a player make the team out of ST, unless he straight up is disastrous.