October 26, 2005. That date is an official Holiday to all White Sox Fans. Many Sox fans call it the greatest day of their lives. Nearly everyone remembers where they were and who they were with that day. They also remember the feeling of triumph, relief, satisfaction, catharsis, and glory that came permanently attached to our collective psyches from that day forward.While that day will never be forgotten, the past four season since then won't be forgotten as well. Over those years, many personnel changes have taken place. Some good (Thome, Danks, Floyd, Thornton, Ramirez, Quentin), many bad (Rob Mackowiak, Nick Swisher, Orlando Cabrera, Toby Hall), and some just dreadful (Jeff Nelson, Mike MacDougal, Darin Erstad, Octavio Dotel, Andrew Sisco) that have amounted to just one division championship since that day.
What has also taken place since that day is an erosion of warm and fuzzy feelings between skipper Ozzie Guillen and General Manager Kenny Williams. Rumor is, (and I believe it), Kenny is still not happy about Ozzie's comments in June of 2008 where he threw Kenny under the bus for acquiring such lousy players. Their relationship was permanently damaged from that point on, and indications are that this season could be Ozzie's last as manager if the team doesn't reach the postseason. So much so, that Kenny let Ozzie pretty much call the shots on player moves this offseason. Gone are mainstays such as Jermaine Dye and Jim Thome. In their place, the Sox acquired Juan Pierre, Andruw Jones, Mark Teahen, and Omar Vizquel. The White Sox and Ozzie have made no secret that their plan is to manufacture runs, play much better defense, and win with superior starting pitching. Will it work? Here's what I see:
HOW THEY PLAN TO WIN GAMES - LINEUP : You know for a lineup, the White Sox have one helluva pitching staff....Seriously, the Sox lineup is a bit of a head-scratcher to put it mildly. They got rid of one leadoff hitter who's not really that good (Podsednik) for another leadoff hitter who's also not really that good in Juan Pierre. A healthy Carlos Quentin will help in terms of a power in the middle of the lineup. Paul Konerko will have to be Paul Konerko (.280, 30 HR, 90 RBI). A reinvented (and GOOD) Alex Rios is pretty much a requirement if this lineup is going to score runs at an above average and consistent pace. Mark Kotsay and Andruw Jones will have to become a two headed monster named "Kotsdruw". I'd be thrilled if Mark Teahen hit .270. A.J. Pierzynski will still be the owner of the ugliest swing to ever hit .300, and Gordon Beckham will make the All Star Team this year - you heard it here first.
HOW THEY PLAN TO WIN GAMES - PITCHING : The White Sox keep telling people they have arguably the best starting rotation in baseball. On paper, they have a pretty good argument. Despite what Michael Lewis and Billy Beane will tell you however, baseball isn't played on paper, or on a stat sheet, or in a computer program. Mark Buehrle, Jake Peavy, Gavin Floyd, John Danks, and Freddy Garcia are so unstoppable that they have a collective ONE Cy Young Award among the five of them...OK maybe that's not fair to judge it based on that standard but still...Given their depth 1-5 and the fact that the first four have thrown over 200 innings at least once in their careers, I like the White Sox chances in that respect. The bullpen will have some question marks, specifically with Bobby Jenks at closer. Despite what people say, Bobby Jenks is a pretty vital piece. His days of throwing the ball 100 MPH are over, but he still must be able to close games out if the rest of the bullpen is to take proper shape. The way it will take shape is newcomer Sergio Santos, Tony Pena, Randy Williams, and Scott Linebrink handling the 7th innins. Thornton and JJ Putz will need to shut down the 8th inning and get the ball to Jenks in the 9th.
Prediction : PAIN mostly, but I believe the White Sox pitching will give them the edge in their division. They certainly won't be slugging teams to death by scoring 5 runs a game, but their rotation (as long as it stays healthy) and solid enough bullpen should get them 85 wins. 85 wins should be plenty to win the awful AL Central Division. Their defense, particularly on the left side of the infield and much more range in the outfield, will be much improved from last seasons Butcher Shop of a roster. I think they'll end up being destroyed by either the Rays, or the Red Sox in the postseason, but Ozzie should be able to keep his job by winning another division title.
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