The case for Paul Konerko

For all of the offensive problems Dewayne Wise and Brian Anderson have experienced over their Major League careers, they're forcing the White Sox into a difficult decision once Paul Konerko returns next week.

Konerko, who's been out with an oblique problem, is hitting just .215. Anderson's modest .232 is about his low point for the season, but much better than his .118 mark in 2007. Wise is a career .210 hitter in just over a half season of Major League work, but he's entered Thursday over .300. Konerko's numbers are the worst of the bunch right now, and Anderson is the best defensive player in the group. While he and Wise play center, not first (Konerko's spot), starting centerfielder Nick Swisher moved over to first while Konerko rested. The Sox could leave Swisher there and platoon the centerfielders, meaning Konerko would be out of a starting spot.

Fantasy Impact: Swisher is the only player guaranteed to contribute regular at bats, but it would be surprising to see Konerko dropped out of the lineup right away. His track record is nothing short of very good, and the Sox are more likely to throw him in the fray to see if he can sink or swim before they make a move. Konerko will be expeted to pull out of the funk, and if he can't, Anderson and Wise will become no better than part-timers, not exactly attractive to fantasy owners.