The Sports Xchange
MLB Team Report – Chicago White Sox – INSIDE PITCH
The blueprint for the White Sox the entire offseason was to keep a pitching staff intact that they felt could be one of the best in the Central Division, if not the entire American League. While spring training didn’t go exactly as they hoped for that group from a health standpoint, the organization had no reason to believe that the pitching still wouldn’t carry the load.
With Jake Peavy re-signed and Gavin Floyd having his team option picked up, the hope was a comeback from injured left-hander John Danks, to go along with emerging left-handers Jose Quintana and Chris Sale, would give the Sox an upper-level starting unit. Danks, who had season-ending surgery on his shoulder last August, struggled in Cactus League play, however, and was notified that he would have to start the season on the 15-day disabled list, working his way back in minor league starts.
Even without Danks, the Sox feel they will have enough to pitch with anyone, especially because of a hard-throwing bullpen. Addison Reed will start the year as the closer, but the addition of free agent Matt Lindstrom, along with Jesse Crain once he’s up and healthy, and Matt Thornton, gives manager Robin Ventura options.
As sure as the Sox are about their pitching, there are lingering questions about a lineup that all but disappeared at times last season, including the last month of the season when the Sox coughed up first place to Detroit because of the failure to score runs consistently. And it isn’t like they made improvements to the group, adding Jeff Keppinger to play third base, but losing the consistent bat of A.J. Pierzynski at the catcher position.
All eyes will be on Tyler Flowers, as he not only has to step into a huge void left by Pierzynski, but also handling a pitching staff that the Sox feel is playoff-caliber. He had a solid spring, but they need to see what he can do on a daily basis once the lights go on.
The good news for Sox fans is even though there was a change in general manager in the offseason, as Kenny Williams took a baseball operations role and Rick Hahn took over his seat, the philosophy stayed the same: The team is built to win now. The Sox have the pitching to do just that, especially if Opening Day starter Chris Sale continues to emerge as an ace in his second full season as a starter. There’s a reason Sale was given a five-year, $32.5 million contract extension this spring. They feel like he is the face of the pitching staff moving forward.
Once Crain (groin) and Danks are healthy, which should be mid- to late-April, the Sox feel they can set an early tone in the division by over-powering the opposition with pitching. If the offense can get boosts from the likes of Gordon Beckham and some consistency from Dayan Viciedo, the Tigers will have to be looking over their shoulder all season long.
With Paul Konerko a free agent after the season and even thinking about retiring, this could be the ultimate closing act for one of the best hitters in Sox history. His teammates would love nothing more than to send him off with one more season to remember.
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MLB Team Report – Chicago White Sox – NOTES, QUOTES
–RHP Dylan Axelrod will take over the spot LHP John Danks was hoping to occupy in the rotation, topping LHP Hector Santiago in a spring battle for the role. Axelrod had seven starts last season, including solid outings against Baltimore, New York and Boston. He had a 3.21 spring ERA through March 27. Meanwhile, Santiago began last season as the closer, but after he struggled he was sent to the minors to stretch out as a starter. He was recalled later in the year and looked solid. The Sox figure to carry both on the roster.
–LHP John Danks was informed on March 20 by Robin Ventura that he would be opening up the season on the 15-day disabled list, after the veteran allowed 20 earned run in his four Cactus League starts. Danks had August surgery on his shoulder, and while he stayed on schedule with his rehab, it was evident that the southpaw was not ready to break camp with the major league team. The plan is to let him get his stuff back to speed in extended spring and in minor league games, and hopefully have him back by late April. “Yeah, it’s not about me, I guess,” Danks said. “It’s a team game. We’re here to win ballgames no matter who’s doing that. I would like to be there but certainly would understand if they wanted me to wait a little bit and someone else was throwing a little better for April or whatever it is.”
–LHP Leyson Septimo (left shoulder strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 22. He hadn’t pitched since early March. Septimo, 27, made 21 relief appearances for the White Sox last season, going 0-2 with a 5.02 ERA.
–LHP Chris Sale was officially named the Opening Day starter by manager Robin Ventura just one week after he signed a five-year contract extension for $32.5 million, which could reach $60 million with all the built-in incentives. It made it easier for Ventura when RHP Jake Peavy even gave his endorsement that Sale should be on the mound against the Royals in that first game. “My knees are shaking just thinking about it,” Sale said. “It’s going to be fun, going up there and having our fans from day one. You know the Cell is going to be electric and the fans will be screaming, going nuts. I called my dad the other day and said, ‘When am I going to wake up?’ ” Sale went 17-8 with a 3.05 ERA in his first full season as a starter in 2012.
–RHP Jesse Crain had a setback with the strained right adductor (groin) that had been slowing him down most of spring camp, and now it looks like he could start the season on the DL. Crain pitched in a minor league game on March 20, struggled and left without talking to reporters. The following day he admitted that there was a setback. “It got tight and ended up being swollen,” Crain said. “I threw about 10 to 12 more pitches, flipping it in there. From the first 10 pitches to the last, there’s a pretty big difference of velocity. Hopefully it’s part of the process of getting it stronger.” With Crain likely down, that opened the door for RHPs Brian Omogrosso and Ramon Troncoso to battle it out.
–C Tyler Flowers showed throughout camp that he can not only be an upgrade over A.J. Pierzynski defensively, but maybe even offensively, with how well he was swinging it throughout Cactus League play. Hitting coach Jeff Manto was sure sold on Flowers. “The more camp goes on, the more optimistic I’m getting” Manto said about Flowers. “There is no real big timing mechanism that he needs. I’m really optimistic about what I’m about to see.” Manto said it’s about keeping it simple for Flowers. “Trying to keep it as simple as we possibly can be right now,” Manto said. “Cut a lot of fat out of his swing. We know there will be adjustments day-to-day and series-to-series, but right now he’s in a great place. There are no tricks or magic dust. Let’s just keep this thing as simple as we can.”
BY THE NUMBERS: 2.19 — The ERA for LHP Chris Sale through the first half of last season, to go along with a 10-2 record. Sale was 7-6 with a 4.03 ERA post All-Star break, but the Sox feel that with a full season now under his belt, he will be stronger in the second half. That’s why he was named the Opening Day starter.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I don’t think there’s really much to say besides it sucks, it’s not what you’re looking for. I put in a lot of work and feeling healthy again for the first time in a long time. Hopefully it translates. I had a good talk with them. They’re really pleased with my attitude and how I’ve been playing, my health. It’s just one of those things where there’s really not enough room right now.” — 3B Brent Morel, on being sent to the minors, after he came into camp looking to win the third-base spot he won last season out of camp.
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MLB Team Report – Chicago White Sox – ROSTER REPORT
The White Sox were hoping to flex their pitching muscle throughout spring camp, but instead had two arms go down for the start of the season, losing LHP John Danks (recovering from August shoulder surgery) and RHP Jesse Crain (groin). Neither injury is believed to be serious, but it was still a speed bump for a team that will try and put together a full season, after coughing up first place to Detroit late last year.
ROTATION:
1. LHP Chris Sale
2. RHP Jake Peavy
3. RHP Gavin Floyd
4. LHP Jose Quintana
5. RHP Dylan Axelrod
The starting staff is tabbed as the strength of the Sox going into 2013, but the group that shows up Opening Day isn’t expected to be the one that keeps them in a pennant chase come September. That’s because LHP John Danks had to start the season on the disabled list, after his shoulder still wasn’t where it needed to be after August surgery. The hope is to have Danks up and running after April.
The nice thing for the Sox is they feel like they have depth in the rotation, starting at the top with Sale, Peavy and Floyd. If Quintana can overcome an inconsistent second half in his first full season, it gives them another young weapon.
Axelrod will take Danks’ spot until the lefty is healthy, but LHP Hector Santiago could also see some spot starts if they feel a lefty is a better matchup on that given day.
BULLPEN:
RHP Addison Reed (closer)
RHP Nate Jones
LHP Matt Thornton
RHP Matt Lindstrom
LHP Hector Santiago
LHP Donnie Veal
RHPs Brian Omogrosso/Ramon Troncoso
Veteran RHP Jesse Crain was expected to start the season on the disabled list, slowed this spring with a strained groin that wouldn’t heal. Once Crain is up and running, which is expected to be no later than the end of April, he will likely push Omogrosso or Troncoso back to the minors.
What the Sox really like about the bullpen, however, is it is filled with hard throwers, as well as versatile arms that can close if Reed hits a sophomore slump. Thornton, Lindstrom and Crain, when he’s healthy, can all close if need be. All eyes will also be on Jones, who the Sox feel can be a late-inning bridge to get the ball to Reed.
LINEUP:
1. CF Alejandro De Aza
2. 3B Jeff Keppinger
3. RF Alex Rios
4. DH Adam Dunn
5. 1B Paul Konerko
6. LF Dayan Viciedo
7. SS Alexei Ramirez
8. C Tyler Flowers
9. 2B Gordon Beckham
Manager Robin Ventura played with different looks from his lineup throughout Cactus League play, and that included the middle of the lineup, where he started off looking at Dunn in the No. 5 spot, behind Konerko and Rios. But with only two lefty bats in the lineup, Ventura moved Dunn into the cleanup spot late in spring, trying to protect his slugger between Rios and Konerko. It’s still a work in progress.
The hope is that the bottom of the lineup can be a strength, especially with Viciedo and Ramirez down there in front of Flowers and Beckham. This could be a huge year for Beckham, who is getting to the point where he could be breakout or bust. They have been waiting for the former No. 1 pick to display consistency at the plate, and this season is as good as any for that to happen.
RESERVES:
C Hector Gimenez
INF Conor Gillaspie
OF Dewayne Wise
INF Angel Sanchez
Wise single-handedly carried the Sox for a stretch in August last season, and that was enough for the organization to re-sign the veteran to be a key backup outfielder, as well as another option in the leadoff spot when De Aza needs a breather.
Gillaspie had a huge spring and lived up to the expectations the Sox had in him when they acquired him. He will have plenty of at-bats, just because the Sox will carry 12 pitchers. Sanchez will give Ventura another versatile infielder and late-inning defensive replacement if need be. Gimenez will back up Flowers at the catcher spot, but had a good enough spring to show the coaching staff that there won’t be much of a drop-off when they play him.
MEDICAL WATCH:
–LHP John Danks (left shoulder surgery in August 2012) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 22. He was pitching in Cactus League games and staying in a regular rotation in March, but he wasn’t deemed ready for the start of the season.
–3B Jeff Keppinger (right shoulder pain) spent a few days on the shelf, and he was slowed throughout most of the spring due to the issue. He guaranteed manager Robin Ventura that he would be ready for the start of the season.
–RHP Jesse Crain (left groin strain) hopes to avoid the disabled list at the start of the season. The Sox want to be extra careful with the veteran, so they might bring him along slowly.
–LHP Leyson Septimo (left shoulder strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 22. He hadn’t pitched in a spring game since March 7.
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