Let's not freak out about 8-man bullpens (or anything right now, really)

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I'm typing these words on Feb. 25. If my math is correct, there are 40 days until the White Sox play a game that counts in the regular season standings.

This time of year is filled with optimism and excitement. It's also filled with reporters trying to meet story quotas. James covered a few of the stories on Wednesday, such as tweets like this:

(HOLYCRAP! HOLYCRAP! HOLYCRAP! HOLYCRAP! HOLYCRAP! HOLYCRAP! HOLYCRAP!)

And then there are tweets like this:

All this is to say that, while it's fun to devour every single column inch written about the team as Spring Training gets into full swing, freaking out over every single report is a waste of your time and energy. There just isn't a whole heckuva lot to talk about right now, which is why good beat writers like Dan Hayes try to find fun tidbits like asking about LaRoche's beard.

Seriously, though, check that thing out.

Good work, Adam.

The point is that there are going to be stories worth caring about, and there are going to be stories worth glossing over without giving it a second thought.

There are also going to be stories that seem important, like Tuesday's news that the White Sox might consider opening the season with an eight-man bullpen.

“We’re pretty open to it,” Ventura said. “You could take the other route where you bring an extra pitcher. With the versatility we have we have some options on how we are going to go early in the year. With some days and probably have some rainouts and things like that, but you want to be protected all the way around.”

The point of this post isn't to argue whether or not it's a good idea for the White Sox to employ an eight-man bullpen (it isn't), worrying about this possibility (assuming you're smart and against it) isn't the best use of your time.

As I mentioned above, we've got more than a month until the White Sox break camp with the 25 guys they plan to compete with in 2015. What's more, those 25 guys can change in the blink of an eye.

Just last season, the White Sox broke camp assuming Nate Jones was going to be their closer. Jones faced a grand total of five batters all season. In 2011, they broke camp with both Brent Lillibridge and Lastings Milledge, because they couldn't decide which guy to bring with them. Milledge got four at-bats in two games and was designated for assignment on April 7, never to see the light of day again.

I'm not saying it's pointless to pay attention when Robin Ventura says it's possible for the White Sox to break camp with eight relievers. Saying that would be akin to me saying don't read any of the stuff posted on this site until the games start to matter. And I'm DEFINITELY not saying that.

I'm just saying that a lot can change. Don't rule anything out, but keep in mind that nothing is set in stone with this roster until, well, actually, until ever.