The Skinny:
The 2010 Chicago White Sox are fairly well set at all positions. The starting rotation looks strong with a healthy Jake Peavy leading the way. The starters have experience and are innings eaters. The bullpen will be strong as well with Matt Thornton and Scott Linebrink handling mid-relief. Bobby Jenks is ready to go for another successful season and will benefit greatly by having former closer JJ Putz as his setup man. Around the horn and in the outfield will provide all facets of offense: speed, power and some grit, which the Sox have sought for years. The Sox and the rest of the American League Central have been playing a game of "who wants to win this year" for the last few seasons and this year it is anybody's to win.
2009 Regular Season Record: 79-83
Rank: 3rd Place in the American League Central, 7.5 games back
Home Park:Â U.S. Cellular Field
Old Socks:
2B - Chris Getz
3B - Josh Fields
OF - Jermaine Dye
OF - Scott Podsednik
New Socks:
OF - Andruw Jones
INF - Omar Vizquel
3B - Mark Teahen
OF - Juan Pierre
RP - JJ Putz
The White Sox have veterans who know what it takes to win. Konerko, Pierzynski, Buehrle, Vizquel, Jenks and others could probably will this team through the rough spots in 2010. The pitching staff will indeed eat innings and if they don't, the bullpen has the experience and ability to take over. This team resembles the 1983 division winning White Sox because they have a little attitude in their veins and they most likely win some ugly games.
Weaknesses: Depth on bench
The strengths could easily and quickly become weaknesses with an injury here or a less than stellar performance there. The bench has experience but who knows how much production is left. Depth would be the primary weakness.
Potential Lineup:
LF - Juan Pierre
2B - Gordon Beckham
RF - Carlos Quentin
1B - Paul Konerko
CF - Alex Rios
CÂ Â - AJ Pierzynski
DH - Andruw Jones
3B - Mark Teahen
SS - Alexi Ramirez
Rotation:
Jake Peavy
Mark Buehrle
Gavin Floyd
John Danks
Freddy Garcia
Closer:
Bobby Jenks
One question that needs answering:
What if and fill in the blank; Chicago's success is contingent on a whole bunch of "what-ifs" at just about every position.
Prediction:
Advice to my boss, don't ask a White Sox fan to make a prediction on the White Sox! Having said that, I think the Sox will fall short of making the playoffs; there are too many ifs to confidently pick them to win any more than 90 games. Regardless, they will not win the American League Central nor will they win the wild card; second place is where they will find themselves at the end of the season.
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