We, whitesox fans, often, but this year especially, have a lot of opinions and suggestions to Kenny and Ozzie regarding our lineup, team, and the farm system. In all of those suggestions I never hear anyone mention this crucial point: for us to develop our team we must get rid of Jim Thome.

A great team guy, awesome person, sure to get into Hall of Fame on the first ballot. But the only thing he has been doing to us since he got here is build up our hope for great potental but fail more often than not when we need him. His main problem: too predictable. The oposing team staffs know what Thome is looking for and what they need to do to get him out. Sometimes opposing pitcher will have a mental lapse or just just simply make a mistakes that gets crushed over the wall. But at the times when the game is ON and everyone is alert and executing Thome is a sure out.

With our payroll already stretched developing whatever is left in the farm system to become a major league player is crucial here. With Alexei and Swisher being very flexible in which position they play we sure could find ways to rotate people like Dye, Konerko, Owens, and Fields between DH, 1B, and OF positions. I better see Owens fail (but learn) to execute sac bunt, steal a base, do something than see Thome square up and strike out with 2 outs and 2 on.

Again, awesome baseball player historically. Great career. And I am half ashamed to write this, but I thought someone should speak out. I cannot wait until he is gone next year (team has an option for '09 which I don't know why would they pick it up).