推 Axis:我自己喜歡一開頭This team performs the best when the 02/15 14:58
→ Axis:least is expected of it這句話，用在這幾年的白襪很貼切。 02/15 14:58
→ Belladonaa:光芒傳奇才一年 白襪是每年XD 02/15 15:37
推 kutar3d:年年不期待~ 02/16 19:31
推 huskie:原來白襪才是不期不待的始祖 XD 02/17 21:41
Athlon Baseball
2009 Chicago White Sox Preview
Forgive general manager Kenny Williams if he secretly prays for analysts to
overlook his White Sox. This team performs the best when the least is expected
of it, with the 2008 AL Central title the latest bit of evidence. The bar has
been raised for the upcoming season, but it is unlikely that anyone will see
the Sox among the American League’s elite after an offseason in which Williams
allowed free agents Joe Crede and Orlando Cabrera to walk while trading
innings-eater Javier Vazquez. The plan is to win with a younger, more athletic
lineup and the continued contributions from a strong starting rotation. For
that plan to work, the established sluggers in the middle of the order will
again have to deliver more than their share of long balls.
Rotation
Mark Buehrle’s the last man standing from the starting rotation that rolled
through the playoffs in 2005. He’s the one truly known commodity in a group
that now relies heavily on 2008 revelations John Danks and Gavin Floyd, who
combined for 29 wins and 401 innings. Danks was brilliant in the 1–0
tie-breaker victory over Minnesota, hinting at having the No. 1 starter
potential that was spoken about when he was a prospect with the Texas Rangers.
Floyd got off to a fast start and tired slightly. Both Floyd and Danks, who
entered ’08 as the No. 4 and 5 starters, respectively, need another strong
season to truly establish themselves. Bartolo Colon, who has only made 35
starts over the last three seasons, will have a spot if he’s healthy and
reasonably in shape. With Jose Contreras expected to be out until at least the
All-Star break after rupturing his Achilles tendon, there’s one spot open for
a group of candidates headed by Clayton Richard, newcomer Jeff Marquez and 2007
first-round pick Aaron Poreda.
Bullpen
Bobby Jenks, one of the best bargains in the majors the last four years, was
mentioned in trade talks over the winter. It’s hard to imagine how the White
Sox could have dealt him given the uncertainty of the bullpen behind him. Jon
Link, who led the Southern League with 35 saves, is considered a
closer-in-waiting but hardly seems ready. The key for this group is a return to
form from Scott Linebrink, who has three years left on his contract. He started
2008 fast but experienced shoulder problems, which exposed the weakness of
veterans Octavio Dotel and Matt Thornton behind him. Poreda or Richard are
options in the bullpen if they aren’t in the rotation and could have an
impact. D.J. Carrasco, sidearmer Ehren Wasserman, newcomer Jhonny Nunez and
possibly Contreras could contribute.
Middle infield
Alexei Ramirez was a top-flight second baseman as a rookie, playing so well
after taking over as a regular that he wound up second to Evan Longoria in
Rookie of the Year voting. He’s a skilled fielder with a flashiness born from
the instinct that carried him to the top level in Cuba, and the White Sox are
counting on him being just as strong at shortstop — his natural position — as
he was at second base. It’s unclear who takes over the lineup position held by
shortstop Orlando Cabrera a year ago, but rookie Chris Getz is first in line at
second base. He’s a get-on-base guy but could be hindered by the broken hand
that ended his 2008 season in September. Jayson Nix, Brent Lillibridge and
Wilson Betemit are available if Getz can’t make the jump from Triple-A.
Corners
Paul Konerko, the longest-tenured White Sox player, appears in decline, in part
because of continuing problems with his hips. His batting average has dropped
two years in a row, by an alarming 73 points in all. But he’s had at least 18
homers in each of his 10 years in Chicago, and there’s little reason to
forecast an end to that trend. Third base is unsettled, but don’t overlook the
possibility of Cuban Dayan Viciedo to step in as a 20-year-old. Viciedo has
40-homer power, especially in hitter-friendly U.S. Cellular Field, and should
benefit from playing alongside Ramirez. The Sox may be saying the job belongs
to Josh Fields, who hit 23 homers as a rookie in 2007, but he’s coming off an
injury plagued season that dropped his stock. Fields failed to take advantage
of an opportunity to replace the injured Crede last season, playing so poorly
that Juan Uribe had to step in. Fields’ fielding regressed, in part because of
injuries to his knee and hip. The Sox would love to see the 2006-07 model.
Outfield
The question here: Can the White Sox count on Carlos Quentin? Stolen from
Arizona after the 2007 season, he was a league MVP candidate before breaking
his right wrist on Sept. 8. He’s expected to be healthy but needs a fast start
to regain the confidence that helped him hit 36 homers and drive in 100 runs in
130 games. Jermaine Dye, in the last guaranteed year of his deal, is a good bet
for 30 homers and 90-plus RBIs but is becoming a load in right field. Seven
different players have started at least 20 games in center in the three years
since Aaron Rowand was traded, and it’s still an uncertain position. The Sox
hope speedster Jerry Owens steps up to be part of a platoon with Brian Anderson
at the least. A strained quadriceps sidelined Owens at the end of spring
training, knocking him out of the big league mix, and he went on to steal 30
bases and play error-free defense at Triple-A.
Catching
A.J. Pierzynski can hit a little — a good thing since it’s become child’s
play to run on him and the White Sox pitchers. This marked the third season in
a row his percentage throwing out runners has dropped. He’s 32 and has two
years left on his contract and would definitely benefit from catching less than
he did in 2008. But again, the Sox don’t have a high-level backup, looking to
journeymen Chris Stewart (a good receiver) and Corky Miller.
DH/Bench
Jim Thome returns after a strong second half that helped him reach the vesting
option in his contract. He’s still a feared slugger, but his on-base
percentage is in decline, the result of fewer singles. Health is now a
persistent concern with the 38-year-old, whose career home run total stands at
541. Lillibridge, a natural shortstop who can play everywhere in the infield
and even some center field, and outfielder Dewayne Wise are the top reserves.
Fields or Viciedo could provide power off the bench if they’re not starting at
third base.
Management
Ozzie Guillen can use his creativity to shape a team that has questions at both
the top and bottom of the lineup. He’s been asking for a more athletic team,
and he may finally have one in his sixth season on the job. Williams figures to
be active in adding midseason reinforcements after using the offseason largely
to add depth to a farm system depleted through his various trades.
Final analysis
In a best-case scenario, this is a 90-win nucleus. But few teams count more
heavily on young players than the White Sox. They’ll probably be as good as
the 26-year-old Floyd and 23-year-old Danks are near the front of their
starting rotation. That’s the same formula that blew up on Detroit after
Justin Verlander and Jeremy Bonderman got the Tigers to the 2006 World Series.
Young starting pitchers require help from strong bullpens, and it’s unclear
what Guillen can expect from the likes of Linebrink, Dotel and Carrasco.
Statistician
.659 >> Chicago’s winning percentage at home, the third-highest in the AL
behind Tampa Bay and Boston.
541 >> Career home runs for Jim Thome, who during 2008 moved from 22nd to 14th
on the all-time list, passing Mickey Mantle, Jimmie Foxx, Willie
McCovey, Frank Thomas, Ted Williams, Ernie Banks, Eddie Matthews and
Mel Ott.
3 >> Consecutive 30-save seasons for Bobby Jenks, the first time that’s
happened in White Sox history.
22 >> Starts, out of 33, in which John Danks allowed two earned runs or less.
13.6 >> Thome’s career home run rate, which ranks behind only Mark McGwire
(10.6), Babe Ruth (11.8) and Barry Bonds (12.9).
6 >> Opening Day starts made by Mark Buehrle, only one fewer than Billy
Pierce’s club record.
23 >> Number of times the Sox scored five or more runs in an inning.
4 >> Grand slams hit by Alexei Ramirez, a major league record for rookies.
Difference Maker
After back-to-back disappointing seasons for Arizona, Carlos Quentin blossomed
as a 25-year-old regular for the White Sox. He was leading the AL in home runs
when he broke his right wrist slapping his bat after a strikeout on Sept. 1. He
put together a huge season after not even being in the Opening Day lineup but
won’t sneak up on anyone in 2009. His ability to stay healthy is important, as
age makes the team’s other power hitters susceptible to injury. He seems to
lean over the plate as he bats, which is why he’s been hit with at least 20
pitches in each of his five pro seasons.
Beyond the Boxscore
Win or go home The 2008 White Sox became the first team ever to win three
consecutive elimination games against three different teams. Mark Buehrle beat
Cleveland to force a makeup game against Detroit. Gavin Floyd won that game,
helped by an Alexei Ramirez grand slam, and John Danks carried the Sox to a 1–
0 victory over Minnesota in a one-game playoff for the AL Central title.
Playing long ball The White Sox led the majors with 235 homers, including 143
at U.S. Cellular Field. No other team had more than 214 overall or 112 at home.
The Sox hit four or more homers in a game 11 times, with the crowning touch
coming on Aug. 14 against Kansas City. The Sox tied a major league record with
four consecutive homers, from Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, Alexei Ramirez and Juan
Uribe.
It starts with good starts The White Sox led the AL with 93 quality starts.
They were 67–26 when they got one of those and 22–48 when they didn’t. The
Sox have had 524 quality starts since Opening Day 2003, the most in the majors.
The fixture at first Konerko made his eighth consecutive Opening Day start at
first base, breaking the franchise mark that he had shared with Frank Thomas
(1991-97) and Earl Sheely (1921-27).
The sure thing Mark Buehrle turned in his eighth consecutive season with at
least 10 wins, 30 starts and 200 innings, the longest active streak in the
majors. He has 170 quality starts and 1,796.1 innings since the start of 2001,
both tops in the big leagues.
Rubber arm Matt Thornton appeared on back-to-back days 22 times, compiling a
2.37 ERA in the outings with no rest. He worked more than one inning in 43 of
his career-high 74 appearances. He held lefties to a .170 average and
right-handed hitters to a .218 average.
Farm System
2008 Top Draft Pick — A clutch hitter with power, Gordon Beckham carried
Georgia to the NCAA championship game. He was the Bulldogs’ starting shortstop
for all 197 games in his three seasons and peaked as a junior, hitting .474
with five homers and 20 RBIs in 14 NCAA Tournament games. He was the eighth
pick overall, the highest by the White Sox since 1990. Some scouts question
whether Beckham has the range to remain at shortstop. But his long-term
position probably depends as much on how Alexei Ramirez plays at short. He can
move to either third or second if Ramirez emerges as a long-time fit at short.
2007 Top Pick — Aaron Poreda, LHP, University of San Francisco
Only question about his mid-90s fastball is whether it will play best in the
rotation or out of the bullpen.
2006 Top Pick — Kyle McCulloch, RHP, University of Texas
Finesse starter was big winner in college but has stalled at Double-A.
2005 Top Pick — Lance Broadway, RHP, TCU
Went 2–0 in two White Sox starts but may need a trade to get a true
opportunity.
2004 Top Pick — Josh Fields, 3B, Oklahoma State
Confidence took a hit when he was sent back to Triple-A after hitting 23 homers
in 2007.
2003 Top Pick — Brian Anderson, CF, University of Arizona
Shows tools but has a .221 average in 269 big league games.
Other Prospects (age on Opening Day)
C Tyler Flowers (23)
Acquired from Atlanta, has big-time power but must prove he’s capable behind
the plate.
RHP Jon Link (25)
Nasty slider helped him lead Southern League with 35 saves and could make him
big league closer eventually.
1B Brandon Allen (23)
Commitment to conditioning resulted in improvement in every phase of the game.
RHP Jhonny Nunez (23)
Hard-throwing righthander could join the bullpen at some point this season.
CF John Shelby III (23)
Big league pedigree, speed and power could put him in picture in 2010-11.
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