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mrschroeder08 partyvancaptain pee_callus25 Tags 2010 Preview 5 Million Dollar Black Hole AAAA Aaron Heilman Aaron Miles Alfonso Soriano Andres Blanco Angel Guzman Aramis Ramirez Arizona Diamondbacks Atlanta Braves B.J. 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Chicago White Sox 2009 Record: 79-83 (3rd, AL Central) Key Additions: Andruw Jones (OF), Mark Teahen (3B/OF), Juan Pierre (OF), Omar Vizquel (INF), J.J. Putz (RP) Key Losses Jermaine Dye (OF), Scott Podsednik (OF), Chris Getz (2B), Octavio Dotel (RP), Josh Fields (3B/1B), Dewayne Wise (OF) Summary: Kenny Williams is one of the most interesting GMs in the game. The White Sox are always flying under the radar, only to sneak in and make big splashes. Oddly, the biggest splashes the White Sox made were not in the winter, but at the end of 2009. The acquisitions of Jake Peavy and Alex Rios are arguably the biggest changes to this team from this time last year. The questions now revolve around Peavy returning to form and Rios returning to actually giving a hoot. My biggest qualm of this team is this crazy idea of "DH by committee" that has caused them to rid themselves of Jermaine Dye and pass on reacquiring Jim Thome. And for what? For guys like Mark Kotsay and Omar Vizquel to DH? Let me say that again: OMAR VIZQUEL TO DH. This is not a good idea, in my mind, and it all goes back to this illusion of "Ozzieball". Ozzieball is about running. Ozzieball is about bunting. Ozzieball is not power, or striking out, or station to station. I mean look at 2005, when they won the World Seri- oh wait, they were 5th in HRs that year. Well 2006 was a decent year fueled by Ozzieba- no, they lead the league in HRs. Well two years ago, they made the playoffs with- nope they lead the league in HRs again. As much as Kenny and Ozzie want to deny it, their team has been fueled by the long ball, even their World Series team. They keep trying to move away from it to their own peril. Ultimately, that desire to chase the illusion of Ozzieball has left them with a disturbing prospect at DH. Don't get me wrong, this lineup has talent: a budding star in Gordon Beckham, proven sluggers in Paul Konerko and Carlos Quentin, bounce-back candidate Alex Rios and perennial headache A.J. Pierzynski. By in large, though, the lineup is what will hold the White Sox back. But as misguided as their lineup ideas are, the White Sox have constructed one of the best staffs in baseball. The rotation has four pitchers who can pitch at a top-level, including a Cy Young winner in Peavy and a man who has thrown a no-hitter and a perfect game in Mark Buehrle. The bullpen, despite worries about Bobby Jenks conditioning, has one of the most underrated lefties in Matt Thornton. J.J. Putz, if he comes back from his injury, could easily pick up the mantle of closer should Jenks falter. This staff is in great shape in 2010 in my estimation. Cubs Connection: Remember four years ago when the Cubs traded some good pitching prospects for speedy Juan Pierre? Over the next year, a lesson would be learned on the north side. Fast, slappy guy does not equal good lead off hitter. Pierre ended up playing in every game, stole 58 bases, and got on base at a HORRENDOUS (for a leadoff hitter) .330 rate. In the end he made more outs than anyone, and while the Cubs learned their lesson, apparently the White Sox were not paying attention. They are going to put that same fast, slappy, out-making machine at leadoff this season. Pierre's best asset is his speed, and if he doesn't get on base at a very high rate, what does it do? The old adage applies here: you can't steal first. Pierre is by all accounts a very hard worker, and a good clubhouse guy, so he has that going. In the end though, I think the White Sox will learn what the Cubs learned: HIGH SPEED + LOW ON-BASE + NO POWER = NOT A GOOD PLAYER. BIBGLBOOPSARG(tm) LF Juan Pierre 2B Gordon Beckham DH Mark Kotsay 1B Paul Konerko RF Carlos Quentin C A.J. Pierzynski CF Alex Rios 3B Mark Teahen SS Alexei Ramirez P Jake Peavy, Mark Buehrle, John Danks, Gavin Floyd, Freddy Garcia Closer: Bobby Jenks Predicted finish: First place in the AL Central. The AL Central is always a hard division to read, and the White Sox are one of those teams that will excel when you expect them to stink, and stink when they are supposed to compete. I think this pitching staff will give them a great boost, but the strange obsession with making a fast, weak team could handicap them against the Twins (ironically another perceived "slappy, speed" team with speedsters like Mauer, Morneau, Thome and Kubel). If they have some good seasons from Rios, Teahen and Ramirez, I can see them easily winning this division behind that pitching staff. Posted in: 2010 Preview, Chicago White Sox | ||