Chicago White Sox
2010 Record: 88-74
752 RS, 704 RA, Pythagorean Record: 86-76
Manager: Ozzie Guillen
GM: Ken Williams
Free Agents:
Ramon Castro, C ($1.2MM Club Option); Jesse Crain, RP (3, $13MM); Adam Dunn, 1B (4, $56MM); Paul Konerko, 1B (3, $37.5MM); Will Ohman, RP (2, $4MM); A.J. Pierzynski, C (2, $8MM); Alexei Ramirez, SS ($2.75MM Club Option); Matt Thornton, RP ($3MM Club Option); Omar Vizquel, SS (1, $1.75MM).
Minor League FA:
Brian Bruney, P; Ozzie Chavez, SS; Alexis Fonseca, C; Ian Gac, 1B; Angel Garcia, P; Jeff Gray, P; Josh Kinney, P; Shane Lindsay, P; Seth Loman, 1B; Donny Lucy, C; Dallas McPherson, 3B; Lastings Milledge, OF; Miguel Negron, OF; Adam Ricks, C; Nate Sutton, 2B; Drew Thompson, 2B; Daryle Ward, 1B; Brandon Watson, OF; Austin Yount, C; Matt Zaleski, P.
Rule V Pick:
None
Trades:
Received Kyle Cofield (P) from the Braves for Scott Linebrink (P) and cash.
Waiver Claims:
Phil Humber, P (from the Athletics).
Players Lost:
Jon Adkins, P; Greg Aquino, P; Cole Armstrong, C; Ryan Braun, P; Charlis Burdie, P; Mariano Chevalier, P; Buck Coats, OF; Raymond Copenhaver, P; Fernando Cortez, 2B; Nelson Curry, P; Trey Delk, P; Freddy Garcia, P; Rene Garcia, P; Bobby Jenks, P; Andruw Jones, OF; Mark Kotsay, OF; Josh Kroeger, OF; Ryan Lee, OF; J.J. Putz, P; Manny Ramirez, OF; Jeremy Reed, OF; Michael Richard, SS; Luis Rodriguez, SS; Salvador Sanchez, OF; Clevelan Santeliz, P; Goldy Simmons, P; Marcus Spencer, OF; Jeff Tezak, 2B; Erick Threets, P; Carlos Torres, P; Randy Williams, P.
Top 15 Prospects
1. Chris Sale, LHP
2. Brent Morel, 3B
3. Dayan Viciedo, 3B
4. Jared Mitchell, OF
5. Eduardo Escobar, SS
6. Trayce Thompson, OF
7. Jacob Petricka, RHP
8. Gregori Infante, RHP
9. Tyler Flowers, C
10. Andre Rienzo, P
11. Addison Reed, RHP
12. Jon Gilmore, 3B
13. Thomas Royse, RHP
14. Josh Phegley, C
15. Brandon Short, OF
This system is starting to build itself up, but it’s still rather weak compared to other teams. Chris Sale is #1, if he can stick in the rotation; if he’s a reliever for the long term, he loses value. Being a reliever was the way to get him to the Majors fast. He’d drop to #3 or 4 as a reliever. Brent Morel will take over third in Chicago; he can hit well and is pretty good defensively. Dayan Viciedo will have to move to first eventually. After that, I’m not impressed much.
2010 Review:
Had it not been for a hot summer, the White Sox season would have been forgettable. The team started slow, got going during the middle of the season (even getting into first place), then faltered down the stretch.
A big surprise was Paul Konerko; he hit .312 and 39 homers, leading the offense. While he was getting up there in age, he was playing for a contract.
Adding Manny Ramirez did little to help the team; think Ken Griffey Jr. a couple of years ago.
The pitching was middle of the road. The team boasted 4 starters with double digit wins; they also had 3 with double digit losses. Overall, they had a 4.09 ERA as a staff. The bullpen was in constant turmoil, as closer Bobby Jenks did not look good (4.44 ERA).
2011 Preview:
This team has made huge strides this off-season. On top of keeping free agents Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski, they added slugger Adam Dunn as their DH. They will strike out often (between Dunn and Carlos Quentin) though.
The rotation is pretty much the same; the team is hoping Jake Peavy is healthy and returns to form. The bullpen has been re-constructed; closer Jenks was non-tendered and will be replaced by Matt Thornton. Setting up Thornton will be Jesse Crain (from the rival Twins) and Will Ohman.
Overall, this is the most improved team in the division. With the Twins losing their bullpen and half their infield, the White Sox should pass them in the standings.
From the Bloggers:
Paul Nealy, Through the Fence Baseball: The 2005 World Champions come in to 2011 with high expectations. After once again fading down the stretch in 2010, the White Sox have made significant offseason moves in order to stay competitive in the AL Central.
With the addition of Adam Dunn, the White Sox figure to improve what was already a very potent lineup. Dunn will compliment Alex Rios and Paul Konerko, both coming off big bounce-back years. Carlos Quentin put together another solid year in 2010 despite a handful of injuries; he remains capable of MVP-type numbers if he can string together a full season of Abs.
Sandwiching this powerful middle of the lineup is a combination of solid veterans and promising young talent. Juan Pierre looks to lead off again, and this guy continues to outperform his age. He’ll turn 34 in this his 13th season; perhaps his baggy uniform that makes him seem more like an old-timer. His .340 OBP leaves a little to be desired for a lead-off batter, but his 68 steals last year were a career high at age 33. Following Pierre will be touted prospect Gordon Beckham, coming off a sophomore slump in 2010. Beckham got off to a horrible start in 2010 and seemed to have turned it around before going down with an injury in September. Another player with intriguing upside is the other side of their double-play tandem: Alexei Ramirez. Ramirez is in a contract year and overall has provided nice pop from the SS position over the past three years.
The White Sox brought back A.J. Pierzinzki for one more year while their likely catcher-of-the-future Tyler Flowers gets some more seasoning in the minors. Finally, the Sox will likely slot rookie Brent Morel at third. Casting doubt on this lineup are questions about age, health, and a touch of streakiness. However, when everyone is healthy and hitting, this lineup is as good as any in the league.
On the mound, the Sox lost some big-name veterans in starter Freddy Garcia and relievers Scott Linebrink, Bobby Jenks, and J.J. Putz. They still sport a pretty solid rotation with Edwin Jackson, Mark Buerhle, Gavin Floyd, and John Danks, and a healthy Jake Peavy would more than make up for the departure of Freddy Garcia. None of these guys is a dominant shut-down type of starting pitcher, but it’s a good mix of youth and veteran leadership. Rookie sensation Chris Sale may round out the rotation at some point if Peavy can’t get healthy or one of the other guys breaks down. Otherwise, he will pitch out of the bullpen and may even close.
The bullpen has always been a volatile subject for the White Sox, but as it stands it looks pretty good. Matt Thornton looks to be the favorite to close, but newly-acquired Jesse Crain is capable of filling that role as well should Thornton or Sale falter.
Defensively, the Sox have improved slightly over the past few years to become middle-of-the-road in terms of fielding percentage. No one player stands out as either rgreat or bad. Rookie Brent Morel is known for his glove and should shore up the infield defense even more.
The White Sox should contend again this year in what will be a competitive AL Central once again. If nothing else, the day-to-day musings of Ozzie Guillen will keep it interesting.
Prediction:
1st Place