Gonzales: Santiago Poised To Take Over Closer Role

(WSCR) Unlike Ozzie Guillen, new White Sox manager Robin Ventura is keeping his plans quiet.

Ventura has made it clear he won't announce his closer until opening day Friday in Texas. Still, in Tuesday night's exhibition game against the Astros, Ventura sent Hector Santiago to the mound in the ninth to preserve the team's lead.

The 24-year-old Santiago struggled early, loading the bases with one out, but got a key double play to get out of the inning.

"If you ask me who I think it's going to be, I think it's Santiago just based on how they've given him every chance to seize this job," Mark Gonzales told The Mully and Hanley Show. "Robin did say he wants someone who throws strikes with more than one pitch. Santiago certainly can do that. It lines up pretty well for him. (Matt) Thornton, he's superb in that eight-inning role, same with (Jesse) Crain. I think they might want to keep those guys in that spot. Once again, (Robin) is playing things tight to the vest and it wouldn't surprise me if he goes the other way."

LISTEN: Mark Gonzales on The Mully and Hanley Show

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Gonzales also said White Sox fans can expect to see a different Adam Dunn in 2012.

"I think (he'll be) at lot better than last year," Gonzales said. "I think his pitch selection is a lot better. The power is back, and I think that's even more important. This guy hit only 11 home runs last year. If he can duplicate it, even hit more, back to the 30 home run level, that would be pretty good. ... I think he's got a good chance to be back. Obviously, the pitching is going to get a lot tougher, but I think that he's in the right frame of mind."