There are a lot of "ifs" flying around the South Side of Chicago these days and the success of the 2010 White Sox depends on where said "ifs" land.  The Sox could go either way this season; they are strong in just about every category but they are also vulnerable in those categories too.  Here is the Athomeplate.com Top 9 "ifs" for the White Sox in 2010.

"The Chicago White Sox will win the American League Central in 2010..."

Ozzie Guillen certainly is a unique character with rough edges.

Photo by Keith Allison, used under creative commons license.

If Jake Peavy is ready for a full healthy season
Flat out, Jake Peavy is a pitching stud and would be the staff ace on just about any team in the majors.  However, the question revolves around the ankle injury he sustained last year prior to his trade to the Sox.  Granted he did come back late in the season and make three starts with tremendous success so it would appear he is fine.

If Paul Konerko is still the guy
Paul Konerko has been "Mr. White Sox" since 1999; crank out over 300 HR and 1000 RBI in 11 years and lead the team to a World Series and you will never pay for a meal in Chicago again.  Ironically, his skills are not eroding, but they are due to start. Konerko has been a horse for the Sox with over 1600 games played in 11 years.

If Juan Pierre can transition to the American League
This looks to be a great fit for Chicago; Pierre had 70 SB in a platoon role during his two seasons with the Dodgers.  He has made a commitment to his game by rooming with fellow base stealer Chone Figgins during spring training in Arizona and assuredly will be the prototypical leadoff man the Sox have been looking for.  Only issue is that during his 10-year career, he has never played in the American League.  There may a decline in his overall game but it should be negligible.

If Andruw Jones can get close to his numbers circa 2007
Jones was a complete dumpster fire with the Dodgers in '08, but a closer look last year with the Rangers shows that he may be back on track. Jones was never considered an excellent hitter; his career average is .257. Last year with Texas he hit just .214, but it was a lot better than the .158 he hit for the Dodgers.  His K/AB ratio went down as well and his slugging and OPS were back in a tolerable range.  2008 may very well have been an aberration.

If Bobby Jenks can become an elite closer
Some would say he is in fact already an elite closer and others would disagree.  One thing Jenks is though is a closer in the traditional mold.  He is Goose Gossage's clone in the sense of his fearless and brash persona.  Jenks will always keep it interesting though and if he slips or needs a break, having Putz there will be nice.

If Alexi Ramirez will be able to adjust to American baseball
MLB.com's Jessie Sanchez says it is time for Ramirez to be the leader of the Chicago infield; probably a good idea.  He seems to be a player capable of doing just that, but time will tell.  He has a great tutor this season in Omar Vizquel who was signed as a utility infielder but the implied task is to guide Ramirez to the next level.

If Ozzie Guillen can make it through one more season without being fired
There is a fine line between being colorful and a liability.  Personally I love Guillen and I think his honesty is refreshing, but I don't base my financial success on bad press.  Objectively speaking, Ozzie and his mouth will have a job as long as the White Sox are in the hunt for the playoffs.  If they lose and he shoots off like he assuredly will, he will be fired quicker than you can say Jack Robinson.

If Kenny Williams is willing to pull the string at the right time
Trader Ken likes to deal and he has proven in the past he won't shy away from making a trade.  The problem could be that he doesn't always make the right trade at the right time.  Smarter baseball people can make a better assessment, but there is a good chance if the Sox are in the hunt come summer, they might need a legit third baseman.

There is a lot that has to happen in the Sox favor for them to win this year and the reality is that one problem could beget another problem.  If Peavy falls Buehrle will move into the No. 1 position. Is he still capable of handling that role?  If Pierre doesn't figure out the American League and cannot be the everyday leadoff man, who will fill that role?  What about Carlos Quentin and Mark Teahen?

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