By Mark Gonzales SEATTLE -- Opening day third baseman Mark Teahen could be relegated to a utility role when he returns from a finger injury because of the exceptional all-around play of Omar Vizquel.
"I don't know yet," manager Ozzie Guillen said Wednesday of Teahen's role once he returns from a right middle finger fracture. "He might be a (designated hitter), play a little bit of outfield and a little bit of first base and third base.
"I'm going to play him all over the place because I think Omar is playing pretty good. I don't think Omar (should) lose his job. I'm going to use him because he's a left-handed hitter. I'll try to move him more around to see how it works."
Photo: Mark Teahen and Paul Konerko. (AP / Jim Mone)
The Sox had acquired Teahen from Kansas City in the off-season with every intention of making him their full-time third baseman after he played various positions the past two seasons. But Teahen committed eight errors before hurting his finger May 30, and Vizquel has seized most of the playing time away from rookie Dayan Viciedo because of his all-around play.
"I'm going to put him there until the day he dies and he can't play anymore," Guillen said. "We know if (Vizquel) gets tired, we can put in Viciedo or (Brent) Lillibridge there. But the way Omar plays defense, I think that help us.
"I'm going to put him out there as long as he can. The way he's playing right now, he should be playing. We will give him a day off here and there. We will try to maintain him."
"I'm going to put him there until the day he dies and he can't play anymore," Guillen said. "We know if (Vizquel) gets tired, we can put in Viciedo or (Brent) Lillibridge there. But the way Omar plays defense, I think that help us.
"I'm going to put him out there as long as he can. The way he's playing right now, he should be playing. We will give him a day off here and there. We will try to maintain him."
Teahen ,he should be traded along with jenks and a AAA guy .. NOT Hudson or Viciedo.. Why is Ozzie only using his best hitter as a pich runner and not a PH .. Lillybridge has shown oover and over this year his bat is right on . Yet he never get a PH , just PR.. Ossie wake up start using him before you mess him up .. Use him as DH or something.. Some using JENKS perid..
The sox exploded once teahen went to the disabled list .
What idiot thought it was a good idea to sign this guy to a 3 year extension?
Teahan might work out better than Kotsay or Jones as DH. Definitely leave Vizquel at third spelled by Viciedo occassionally. Time to move Jenks now and replace with Putz. On paper he has 20/22 saves and still might look good to some teams that have not followed him closely. Reality is that he has unofficially blown a couple more saves, and he has lost his mojo.
I find it interesting the winning streak the sox are on with Teahan gone. let's keep it that way. seems like he is bad mojo for the clubhouse.
I'd say use him and Jenks as trade bait for someone that can get them through September. It's truly time for Jenks to go somewhere else or be put out to pasture. Real closers can come in and shut down the game. Jenks is nothing but drama and lately not of the good variety.
The only place Teahen should be going to is the minors or back to KC.
Kenny made a bad move by signing Teahen and he is just what I expected.
The Sox are lucky they had old man Vizquel as a back up plan.