Chicago White Sox preview
Despite a five-game losing streak in late September, the White Sox forced a
one-game playoff with the Twins and earned a spot in the ALDS, where they
quickly were dismissed by the A.L.-champion Rays. However, Chicago was without
MVP candidate Carlos Quentin after Sept. 1. This year's Sox are missing some
familiar faces (Nick Swisher, Joe Crede, Orlando Cabrera, Javier Vazquez) and
breaking in some new faces.
THREE QUESTIONS
1. Are the kids ready?
There are still some veterans in this lineup, but the team should start four
players who have fewer than 500 career at-bats. At third base, 26-year-old Josh
Fields, back from a knee injury, is expected to win the job, though 19-year-old
Cuban phenom Dayan Viciedo will get a long look this spring. The second-base
competition features Brent Lillibridge (25), Jayson Nix (26) and front-runner
Chris Getz (25). In the outfield, Jerry Owens (28) has the early edge over
Brian Anderson (26) in center. Alexei Ramirez, 27, is much less of a concern
after his breakout season in 2008, but he is moving from second base to
shortstop. In the rotation, Gavin Floyd, 26, and John Danks, 23, both will look
to build on outstanding 2008 seasons. The team has been waiting on Anderson,
Owens and Fields to step up for a couple seasons, but that has yet to happen.
2. How's the back end of the rotation looking?
A lot different than it did a couple of weeks ago. At that point, youngsters
Clayton Richard and Jeff Marquez were the front-runners, with Aaron Poreda also
in the mix. Now, the White Sox are raving about the speedy recovery of Bartolo
Colon and Jose Contreras, who wasn't expected back until after the All-Star
break. Colon had minor surgery in the fall to remove bone chips from his
throwing elbow, and Contreras tore his left Achilles' tendon last August. As
excited as the White Sox are about their progress, remember that Colon has won
a total of 11 games over the past three seasons and basically quit on the
playoff-bound Red Sox late last season. And Contreras is 17-23 with a 5.17 ERA
the past two seasons. Richard and/or Marquez should be ready for a call-up.
3. Which uniform will Jermaine Dye be wearing by August?
Another offseason of trade rumors, another spring training with Dye still in
White Sox camp. This time, his name popped up in trade rumors involving the
Reds, Braves and Angels. Dye is entering the final year of a two-year, $22
million deal (forget about the $12 million mutual option for 2010), making him
prime trade bait if the White Sox get off to a slow start and decide dump
veteran bats before the trading deadline. In his four seasons with Chicago, Dye
has averaged 35 homers and 95 RBIs. Although he is 35, there's still plenty of
pop in his bat, and durability isn't an issue for a guy who missed only eight
games last season. With Dye's bat at the heart of what is an impressive heart
of the order, Chicago won't be as offensively challenged as many fear.
PROJECTED LINEUP
1. CF Jerry Owens.
Has only a .321 OBP in 381 major league at-bats.
2. C A.J. Pierzynski.
Not a prototypical No. 2 hitter, but hit .284 there in '08.
3. LF Carlos Quentin.
Perhaps the MVP front-runner before wrist injury.
4. DH Jim Thome.
Has averaged 37 HRs, 98 RBIs since 2006.
5. RF Jermaine Dye.
More HRs (137) than any A.L. outfielder since 2005.
6. 1B Paul Konerko.
Hit .217 in first half; .270 in second half.
7. SS Alexei Ramirez.
Breakout star slugged .490 after All-Star break.
8. 3B Josh Fields.
Hit 23 homers in 100 games in 2007.
9. 2B Chris Getz.
Double-digit steal totals all four years in minors.
PROJECTED ROTATION
1. LHP Mark Buehrle.
Eight consecutive seasons with 200-plus innings, double-digit win totals.
2. RHP Gavin Floyd.
His 17 wins led team in breakout season.
3. LHP John Danks.
ERA dropped by more than two runs in 12-win campaign.
4. RHP Bartolo Colon.
A long shot to stay healthy, effective.
5. RHP Jose Contreras.
Win totals have dipped past three seasons.
PROJECTED CLOSER
RHP Bobby Jenks.
Still effective, despite dip in strikeouts
(11.4 K/9 rate in 2005; 5.6 K/9in 2008).
GRADES
Offense: B. A healthy Quentin will add a much-needed boost to a 3-4-5 that
compares favorably to any team's. But Chicago doesn't have a true leadoff
hitter, and the move away from depending on the long ball and toward
manufacturing runs will work only if the guys at the top -- and bottom -- of
the order get on base.
Pitching: B. There's not much concern about the top three in the rotation --
Buehrle is an automatic, and it's tough to imagine Floyd and Danks regressing
much -- but the back end is a real question mark. Jenks anchors a bullpen that
will be impressive if Octavio Dotel and Scott Linebrink can stay healthy.
Bench: C. Wilson Betemit provides a bit of pop and Dewayne Wise is a nice
fourth outfielder, but there are several unproven bats (Anderson, Lilibridge,
Nix) on the bench. Plus, the backup catcher situation is unresolved.
Manager: B. Few managers are as controversial, and few managers are as
successful. In five seasons with the White Sox, Guillen is 433-378 (.534) with
two division titles and a World Series championship on his resume. His isn't a
style that would work everywhere, but it works in Chicago.
Sporting News prediction: In a wide-open division that could feature five teams
separated by a handful of games, the White Sox are a notch below the Twins and
Indians -- and maybe even the up-and-coming Royals. So much depends on whether
Chicago can get meaningful contributions from its young players.
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