Guillen ready to go all in

Ozzie Guillen is one of a kind.

The Chicago White Sox manager puts himself out there – always – and you can't be surprised by anything he says. He tells it like it is, in salty language, with very little filter. And he's in midseason form already.

On March 15, he put his job on the table to the Chicago Sun-Times.

''Trust me, if this thing takes the wrong direction early on like it did last year, I swear to God, if it reaches that point, I'm going to [board chairman] Jerry [Reinsdorf] and saying: 'Look, don't let my contract make it so I'm holding you hostage; we can talk about something different. You can rip up my contract and do a new one, less years. You won't have to pay me for this,' ” Guillen said.

On March 20, Guillen wanted to see more from his team.

"I don't see the intensity," Guillen told the Chicago Tribune. "It's time for us to put the gas on the pedal and move on. Like I say, I don't want to be here right now. I'd rather be in Cleveland [for Opening Day]. "The last three days have been real bad. I don't see any push, and that's not going to happen. If I have to push the pedal, I'll do it."

It's an interesting year for the White Sox and Guillen, who were embarrassed by losing 92 games last season, two seasons after winning the World Series. GM Ken Williams brought in Orlando Cabrera, Nick Swisher and a few others to try to turn the tide. It might not be enough to catch the Indians and Tigers, and if things go sour, I'm sure Guillen will address it.

Other storylines for the White Sox this spring:

• Swisher gets on base and hits for power, and seems to be the definition of a clubhouse guy. He'll likely be a fan favorite and could become a star in a bigger market in Chicago.
• Second base is a problem spot. The White Sox could go with former Cuban national player Alexei Ramirez, former shortstop Juan Uribe (who might be released) or utility player Pablo Ozuna. And rumors are flying that the White Sox are very interested in Baltimore's Brian Roberts.
• Joe Crede is in a contract year at third base, but missed most of last season with back surgery. Josh Fields is waiting in the wings, and this is a big spring for both.

Photo: Manager Ozzie Guillen of the Chicago White Sox watches batting practice on March 3, 2008 in Surprise, Ariz. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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