The White Sox haven’t won the American League Central Division since 2000 despite a power-packed lineup and a cozy playpen at U.S. Cellular Field.
After a winter of major remodeling to their pitching staff and lineup, the Sox are thinking big, manager Ozzie Guillen going so far Thursday to say “I think this team will win the division.”
Is the optimism just so much off-season talk, or are the White Sox finally going to get it right. Let’s take a look on the eve of SoxFest weekend.
5 REASONS FOR OPTIMISM
A real leadoff hitter
1. History–even during these steroid-induced power years–has proved teams don’t win a World Series without a leadoff man. With the acquisition of Scott Podsednik, the Sox have one in the mold of Tim Raines and Lance Johnson, a hitter who can get on base and run. Instead of the clogged-bases teams of the recent past, the Sox should be able to manufacture more runs with their speed.
Strong starting rotation
2. With the addition of Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez to Mark Buehrle, Freddy Garcia, Jose Contreras and Jon Garland, the Sox have five legitimate starting pitchers, thus avoiding the black-hole fifth starter problem of last year. In short, it gives the Sox a chance to win every day, especially now that Garland has been moved down to the No. 5 spot.
Deeper bullpen
3. GM Ken Williams said he doesn’t “know if people understand the magnitude of [acquiring] Dustin Hermanson and Luis Vizcaino.” Both proven late-inning pitchers, they give the Sox the ability to close games from the sixth inning on, something that was problematic last summer. That should allow all five starters to stay fresh for the, ahem, playoffs.
Players with something to prove
4. Frank Thomas and A.J. Pierzynski could find themselves scrambling for any kind of job at this time next winter if they don’t have big on-field seasons and show once and for all that they are not me-first guys. Both are proud veterans who should respond to the challenge.
Another year older
5. Guillen talked a good game last year, but he and his young set of coaches were woefully inexperienced. Much of last season was spent learning the intricate details of their jobs and getting to know personnel. This season, they should get to spring training with a running start, knowing full well what to expect.
5 REASONS FOR PESSIMISM
Power down
1. U.S. Cellular Field is the easiest park in the AL to hit home runs, but the Sox did not re-sign right fielder Magglio Ordonez and traded left fielder Carlos Lee, resulting in a potential loss of 70 homers and 200 RBIs. Their replacements at the corners, Jermaine Dye and Aaron Rowand, combined for 47 and 149. It’s a dangerous gamble in a park with an exploding scoreboard.
Infield defense
2. Once Omar Vizquel signed with San Francisco, the White Sox defense took a major hit. On a team built with pitching, the Sox have Juan Uribe moving to shortstop–a new, albeit more natural position–Willie Harris still at second and Paul Konerko with limited range at first. Former shortstop Guillen will spend plenty of time during spring training working on double-play fundamentals.
Shaky Shingo
3. While he got by with his slow-and-slower approach last season, Shingo Takatsu is far from your prototypical bullpen closer. At 35, he showed signs of unsteadiness last season and now American League hitters have had a year to study whatever that is he throws. Part of the reason Hermanson was signed was as insurance in case Takatsu goes in the tank.
Health and age
4. The aging Thomas (37 in May) and Dye (30) have a history of major injuries. Hernandez (35) is coming back from shoulder problems and Contreras (33) is believed to be older than Hernandez. If Thomas or Dye is lost for an extended period, the Sox–again–will lose key components from the heart of their batting order.
Budget battle
5. Williams has had to be creative to keep the White Sox competitive, but he is hampered from adding big-time players halfway through the season and picking up top-notch free agents in the off-season. His budget is near $70 million, or almost two Carlos Beltrans short of what the Cubs are spending.
