Kelly Dransfeldt

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Two games into the 2004 season and the White Sox have one glaring hole. It's not at closer. It's not at second base. The White Sox need a right-handed utility guy.

Jose Valentin has proven he can not hit left-handed pitching (literally, as he has struck out every single time). Willie Harris still appears to be overmatched by many pitchers in the majors. While Juan Uribe should prove to be a suitable replacement for one or the other against lefties, the White Sox still need another guy. Tony Graffanino is in Kansas City. The man the White Sox need on the 25-man roster is Kelly Dransfeldt.

Dransfeldt hit .419 in spring training and displayed solid defense. Dransfeldt would provide a much-needed boost to a team that will struggle against lefties with Valentin and Harris in the lineup. He has all the qualities to become the "next Tony G."

Whenever a piece needs to be filled, another piece needs to be removed. The first logical choice is the bullpen. Twelve pitchers are not needed, especially in April. Adkins would be the first choice, but he's shown he can get batters out. Takatsu has become Gary Glover 2004 as the only bullpen guy yet to see action. Unfortunately, the team will probably keep twelve pitchers on the roster for a while.

That leaves Timo Perez. Kenny Williams' latest pointless transaction is the fifth outfielder on a team with two All-Star caliber outfielders, a quality center fielder, a left-handed bat off the bench, and a back up to the center fielder playing second base. Matt Ginter may have run out of chances here, but why is Timo Perez getting one?

Dransfeldt proved his worth in spring training. Not only that, but he would bring more versatility to the White Sox than Perez. Dransfeldt can play all over the infield and he can even shift to the outfield in an emergency situation. The outfield still has Gload as the primary backup with Harris being able to spell Rowand if necessary.

The need to recall Dransfeldt will be stronger if Valentin and Harris continue to struggle (especially against southpaws). The White Sox can not afford two automatic outs in the lineup. While Kelly Dransfeldt might not be a future star, like Tony Graffanino, he'll give the Sox a fighting chance.