Chicago White Sox 2007 Preview
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by user kelsdad
Wins last three seasons: 83, 99, 90
2006 Stat Rankings: Offense: 2, Pitching: 8, Defense: 7
Park Factor: U. S. Cellular Field; Rank 5 of 30, high advantage to offense, in last three years #1 in ML for homers.
Opening Day: April 2 v. Cleveland
Possible Opening Day Lineup:
Darin Erstad LF
Jim Thome DH
Paul Konerko 1B
Jermaine Dye RF
Joe Crede 3B
Juan Uribe SS
If you could put the label "underachiever" on any team, it would apply to the 2006 White Sox. GM Kenny Williams has said the White Sox should have reached the 100 victory mark last season, and with that said, decided on a roster tweaking instead of an overhaul, feeling a bounce back season in 2007 would be attainable with minimal changes.
Pitching: Despite the trade of 17 game winner Freddy Garcia to Philadelphia, and prospect Brandon McCarthy to Texas, the Chisox rotation is still deep. From Philadelphia, the Sox picked up former #1 pick Gavin Floyd, and lefty Gio Gonzalez, a former top prospect in the Sox organization traded as part of the Jim Thome deal. From Texas, lefty John Danks and righty Nick Massett are the two prospects closest to being Major League ready. The top four of Jose Contreras, Jon Garland, Mark Buerhle and Javier Vasquez are all capable of 15 wins and 200 innings each, with Floyd the odds-on-favorite to win the fifth spot, although Danks and knuckleballer Charlie Haeger figure to at least offer Floyd some competetion. The bullpen likely will consist of lefties Matt Thornton, Boone Logan and 6'10" Andrew Sisco, acquired from Kansas City. Mike McDougal, Nick Massett and David Aardsma are the righties, leading up to closer Bobby Jenks. The White Sox forced Jenks to remain in Chicago in the off-season and put him on a work-out and diet program in an attempt to get his weight down, and subsequently his stamina up, from last season's 290 pounds.
Offense: A.J. Pierzynski is the catcher, his .296 average and 16 homers are a perfect compliment to the bottom of the line-up, and his grittiness is an asset both on the field and in the clubhouse. The Sox picked up former Devil Ray Toby Hall to be the back-up. Despite receiving serious attention from both the Angels and Orioles on the free-agent market, Paul Konerko re-signed with Chicago at what some felt was a bargain rate. Finally comfortable with a swing change initiated two years ago, Konerko and his new, shorter swing saw his average jump 30 points in '06, all the way to .313. His OBP, slugging increased and his strikeouts decreased. Tadihito Iguchi is solid if not spectacular at second base, has good range both right and left, and has good hands and is above average on turning the double play. Has developed bad habits offensively, most due to trying to pull everything. Is susceptible to pitches on the outer half, especially from lefthanders. Initally concerned Jose Uribe would miss most of, if not all, of the 2007 due to legal issues in his native country, everything now appears he may miss none. Uribe is an impatient, all or nothing fastball hitter with holes throughout his swing, which is why he hits ninth even though he managed 21 homers in '06. He is somewhat awkward on defense, fielding the ball off the wrong foot, sometimes unable to switch from glove to hand when charging, but nonetheless gets the job done. Joe Crede hit thirty homers last season in part to adopting Konerko's approach at the plate, and is slightly above average defensively. Crede disappointed the Sox in the off-season by not having a herniated disk surgically repaired, Ozzie Guillen has made it clear if Crede misses significant time because of the injury his days in Chicago would be over.
Left-fielder Scott Podsednik underwent groin surgery the end of January and is not expected to return until the second week of the season. With the only part of Podsednik's game at least major league average being speed, the question remains how much will he contribute even if he does return healthy? Perennial prospect Brian Anderson returns to center, even though he struggled offensively in '06. His defense kept him in the line-up, and with the questions regarding Podsednik, figures to remain there and hopefully show the offensive promise expected. A small adjustment with his hands in 2006 Spring Training allowed Jermaine Dye to improve on how he handled pitches on the inner half, and he responded with a career year. The problem is Dye is 32 years old, never came close to the numbers he put up last year, so it's unlikely he'll do so again. And defensively he has begun to slip, having virtually no lateral movement although still has a plus arm.
Bench: The White Sox signed former Diamondbacks prospect Luis Terrero to provide insurance for either Anderson or Podsednik and also have lefty swinging Ryan Sweeney. Free-agent Darin Erstad signed a one-year deal and will start in left until Podsednik returns, and could replace Anderson if he continues to struggle on offense. Super sub Rob Mackowiak could also see time in the outfield, and likely will see infield time as well. Light-hitting Pablo Ozuna can play both infield and outfield but also has defensive issues so will not be counted on for extended playing time. The Sox were preparing to start the season with Alex Cintron at short if the Uribe situation hadn't resolved itself. A likely starter on some other teams, Cintron is a switch-hitter with experience at third and second, and provides Guillen his only bonafide speed option off the bench
Contributing rookie: Josh Fields. Chicago's first round pick in 2004, Fields hit .305 with 32 doubles and 28 stolen bases at Triple A Charlotte in 2006, is major league ready now. Earmarked to replace Crede at third no later than opening day 2008 regardless of Crede's back situation, the White Sox sent Fields to winter ball in Venezuela to learn left field in an attempt to get him in the lineup this season.
Key player: Anderson. With the absence of Podsednik and the anticipated decline of Dye's numbers, Anderson must contribute offensively, if not will leave the Sox with three holes in the outfield, and even on a team as balanced as they are, that might be something which can't be overcome without disrupting the chemistry with a trade.
