Inbox: Will Peavy regain ace form?

What is expected next season from Jake Peavy? I know he moved to a hitter's park in U.S. Cellular Field, but can we expect him to put up Cy Young-type numbers?
-- M.J., Skokie, Ill.

The White Sox expect Peavy to perform like an ace, much as he did in limited situations during the 2009 campaign, but general manager Ken Williams explained recently how it's not all about the mound performance with the right-hander. While speaking of Peavy at the General Managers' Meetings, Williams pointed out how Peavy's influence on the younger pitchers such as Gavin Floyd and Daniel Hudson, just sitting and talking with them about their craft during a game, will help their development immeasurably.

I've written before about Mark Buehrle's positive influence on John Danks, but as Williams said with a laugh, Buehrle's particular style of success and the easy-going way at which he executes it sort of stands out as unique to the craft. So, having Peavy enhances the rotation in more ways than just a full season's work from another Cy Young Award winner.

As for Cy numbers, the White Sox simply want Peavy to give them a chance for consistent victories -- just as they want from any of their remaining four or five starters. Peavy still has great movement on his pitches, is an intense competitor and his velocity will only get better with greater arm strength as he prepares for a full season. The Peavy addition already put the team one or two steps ahead of the game going into this offseason.

Should Gordon Beckham have finished higher than fifth in the Rookie of the Year voting?
-- Dan, Chicago

Yes. Should I move on to the next question?

All kidding aside, I don't think there was one definitive Rookie of the Year candidate in the American League from this past season. Beckham, Elvis Andrus, Rick Porcello, Jeff Niemann and eventual winner Andrew Bailey all had solid resumes. And while Bailey was absolutely dominant from start to finish and an Oakland All-Star, he was closing for a team never really in playoff contention.

Should that fact matter, or is the voting simply based on the numbers? Now, I've watched Beckham far more than the other candidates, but this young man came up June 4, learned a defensive position he had worked at for about one week prior and eventually moved to the second spot in the order for a team that was in contention in an albeit weak American League Central. Beckham's slump at the end of August and early September also coincided with the team's struggles. He was a true catalyst.

Beckham wasn't necessarily a slam dunk to win, but he was worthy of more than the fifth spot in the final voting. So, he'll take his two other Rookie of the Year awards -- as voted on by the players -- and focus on avoiding the sophomore jinx in setting his sights on a World Series title and All-Star status, in that order.

I'm a huge Scotty Podsednik fan. His positive energy at the top of the lineup is electrifying. Please tell us he'll be in a White Sox uniform for years to come.
-- Caroyln, Chicago

Here's what I know about the Podsednik situation. His camp wants a multi-year deal, and the White Sox aren't at that point. If Podsednik receives that sort of an offer from another team, then he probably will move on following a great 2009 comeback story from his couch in Texas in early April to one of the South Siders' most valuable contributors offensively by season's end.

If Podsednik does not get that offer as the offseason plays out and the White Sox have not moved on, then their working relationship could be revisited. And in speaking of Beckham above, the second baseman would probably serve as the team's leadoff man if the season started today. Of course, the season does not start today.

Are the White Sox most likely to choose a starting designated hitter (Jayson Nix, Tyler Flowers, etc.), trade for or sign a DH or have a DH rotation/platoon?
-- Mike, Evanston, Ill.

All of the above are possibilities. Sort of a cop out, right?

But this position probably won't be decided until near the end of the offseason, when a few highly valued free-agent bargains might be available. The White Sox certainly do have in-house candidates in veteran Mark Kotsay and Flowers, as Mike mentioned, although it would be hard to use Flowers as a DH if he's also the backup catcher. The White Sox have to decide as to whether they want Flowers to learn at the Majors with limited action behind the plate or play every day as a catcher in the Minors.

There also has been talk about Jim Thome returning, and that return certainly would be welcomed by everyone in Chicago. One clarification needs to be made, though, from Williams' early offseason comments on this matter. That move might be something the White Sox seriously consider, but it doesn't sound as if Thome will be a first-week signing when free agency opens. I could see it happening if both sides have a fit later in the process.

Jermaine Dye, Podsednik, Paul Konerko and Bobby Jenks are some of the original 2005 championship team members. Will Williams at least try to keep any of these guys for the 2010 season, or will he just be ignorant to the fact that these are the guys that gave him the trophy and let them go?
-- Chris, Joliet, Ill.

Williams isn't keeping guys for nostalgia sake. They always can be brought back for SoxFests of the future.

While he has a deep appreciation for all of the contributions made by these individuals, not to mention other players who have left such as Joe Crede and Aaron Rowand, Williams is constructing the best fit for a winner now. Some of these players, while living on in White Sox history forever, just don't fit that description in '10 and beyond.

Are there any possibilities of bringing Crede back this offseason, and maybe have him as a DH, just because of his injuries?
-- Andy, Elmhurst, Ill.

I actually joked with Crede about that possibility when I saw him in Minneapolis after the Twins were eliminated from the playoffs, but I would say there's a better chance of Wilson Betemit returning. And Betemit is not returning (he signed a Minor League deal with the Royals), which is probably a disappointment for fans sitting behind the visitors' dugout in search of souvenirs.

It was good to see Crede so upbeat following his third back surgery, genuinely excited for what the future holds for him. Crede was one of those easy guys to cover and a valuable contributor to the White Sox success.