BigSoxHurt35
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Chicago White Sox
2010 Results: 88-74, second place
Runs Scored/Runs Allowed: 752/704
Pythagorean Record: 86-76
Free Agents: 1B Paul Konerko, C A.J. Pierzynski, LF Manny Ramirez, OF Andruw Jones, 1B/OF Mark Kotsay, SP Freddy Garcia, RP J.J. Putz
Prospects on the Verge: SP Chris Sale, 3B Brent Morel, 3B Dayan Viciedo, RF Stefan Gartrell, C Tyler Flowers, CF Jordan Danks
Building For: A return to the playoffs
Strengths: Pitching
Biggest Holes: First base, designated hitter, third base, catcher
Targets: C Victor Martinez, 1B Adam Dunn, 3B Adrian Beltre, Konerko
The White Sox don't need to worry about pitching. Their bullpen is deep, and their rotation is four-strong with lefty Chris Sale, the 13th pick in this year's draft, the favorite to win the fifth spot, and Jake Peavy due back early in the season after rehabbing his reattached shoulder muscle. Their lineup, however, is a mess. It doesn't help that general manager Kenny Williams spent last winter filling holes with unproductive bats such as Mark Teahen, Juan Pierre and Omar Vizquel, the last of whom just had his option picked up despite the rapid approach of his 44th birthday. It also doesn't help that their best hitter from the just-completed season, Konerko, is a free agent.
The White Sox have significant holes at four positions and if they are serious about contending, they need to be aggressive in filling them. That means Victor Martinez, not more A.J. Pierzynski behind the plate, and a run at Adam Dunn for first base, with popular incumbent Paul Konerko as either the fallback or the right-handed companion in a powerful 1B/DH combo. If they do that, they can roll the dice on Brent Morel at third base given the dearth of free agent options. If they don't, they should make a run at Adrian Beltre, because, for the long run, Morel is nothing special, and the closest Dayan Viciedo got to ball four last year was when he was facing the Rays' bullpen.
The problem, of course, is that the ChiSox already have about $80 million committed for next year, because Williams also likes to collect big contracts ($12.5 million to Alex Rios, $16 million to Peavy, more than $8 million each to Pierre and Edwin Jackson). Arbitration-eligible closer Bobby Jenks, who earned $7.5 million last year, is likely to be non-tendered, but arbitration raises to John Danks and Carlos Quentin will eat up that savings. The White Sox are going to be expensive next year no matter what they do this winter. The question Williams and owner Jerry Reinsdorf need to answer this offseason is whether or not they'll be an expensive mediocrity or a very expensive success.
Read more: Tigers have cash to catch Twins - Cliff Corcoran - SI.com
2010 Results: 88-74, second place
Runs Scored/Runs Allowed: 752/704
Pythagorean Record: 86-76
Free Agents: 1B Paul Konerko, C A.J. Pierzynski, LF Manny Ramirez, OF Andruw Jones, 1B/OF Mark Kotsay, SP Freddy Garcia, RP J.J. Putz
Prospects on the Verge: SP Chris Sale, 3B Brent Morel, 3B Dayan Viciedo, RF Stefan Gartrell, C Tyler Flowers, CF Jordan Danks
Building For: A return to the playoffs
Strengths: Pitching
Biggest Holes: First base, designated hitter, third base, catcher
Targets: C Victor Martinez, 1B Adam Dunn, 3B Adrian Beltre, Konerko
The White Sox don't need to worry about pitching. Their bullpen is deep, and their rotation is four-strong with lefty Chris Sale, the 13th pick in this year's draft, the favorite to win the fifth spot, and Jake Peavy due back early in the season after rehabbing his reattached shoulder muscle. Their lineup, however, is a mess. It doesn't help that general manager Kenny Williams spent last winter filling holes with unproductive bats such as Mark Teahen, Juan Pierre and Omar Vizquel, the last of whom just had his option picked up despite the rapid approach of his 44th birthday. It also doesn't help that their best hitter from the just-completed season, Konerko, is a free agent.
The White Sox have significant holes at four positions and if they are serious about contending, they need to be aggressive in filling them. That means Victor Martinez, not more A.J. Pierzynski behind the plate, and a run at Adam Dunn for first base, with popular incumbent Paul Konerko as either the fallback or the right-handed companion in a powerful 1B/DH combo. If they do that, they can roll the dice on Brent Morel at third base given the dearth of free agent options. If they don't, they should make a run at Adrian Beltre, because, for the long run, Morel is nothing special, and the closest Dayan Viciedo got to ball four last year was when he was facing the Rays' bullpen.
The problem, of course, is that the ChiSox already have about $80 million committed for next year, because Williams also likes to collect big contracts ($12.5 million to Alex Rios, $16 million to Peavy, more than $8 million each to Pierre and Edwin Jackson). Arbitration-eligible closer Bobby Jenks, who earned $7.5 million last year, is likely to be non-tendered, but arbitration raises to John Danks and Carlos Quentin will eat up that savings. The White Sox are going to be expensive next year no matter what they do this winter. The question Williams and owner Jerry Reinsdorf need to answer this offseason is whether or not they'll be an expensive mediocrity or a very expensive success.
Read more: Tigers have cash to catch Twins - Cliff Corcoran - SI.com
