Every team seems to have holes in their team except for the Yankees, who lost the World Series. But no team will have more holes than the White Sox, who have 10 free agents out there and available to all the other major league ball clubs.
The White Sox Free Agents are:
-Tony Graffanino
-Carl Everett
-Frank Thomas (Mutual Option)
-Roberto Alomar
-Sandy Alomar Jr.
-Bartolo Colon
-Scott Sullivan
-Esteban Loaiza
-Tom "Flash" Gordon
-Jose Valentin
Knowing the free agents, the question is what wholes need to be addressed.
For starters:
1st base-Paul Konerko. This guy is not going to cut it. He has over average fielding but so do other first basemen in the MLB. The past two dismal seasons have been s*** in my opinion, and I feel there is a need for an upgrade.
Beastly's upgrade for '04: Scott Spezio, 1b Anaheim Angels.
How the move will work: Trade Konerko to the O's for Jason Johnson, and minor leaguers.
2nd base-Roberto Alomar. Alomar, who was acquired by the White Sox in early July, seemed to carry this team since acquired. I thought he could play a few more years with a diminished salary for this team, which would give Willie Harris, Aaron Miles and Jorge Nunez some much needed time for seasoning.
Beastly's Verdict for '04: Roberto Alomar
How the move will work: For him to catch the veteran's cold to cut his salary by 50 percent. The Sox would only pay about 3-4 million per year, which is not bad for a cheap organization.
Shortstop-Jose Valentin. Valentin, who also was acquired by the White Sox in trade before the 2000 season along with Cal Eldred had been a fan favorite before 2003. It seemed as though people hate him now, but talk is that he will return to the Pale Hose for a reduced salary. The guy banged out twenty nine homeruns in '03, yet his average went down at least twenty points from the previous year.
Beastly's take for '04: Jose Valentin
How this will work: 50 percent paycut.
Other Positions that have holes
Centerfield
Catcher
Pitchers
Replacements
Centerfielder-Rowand
Catcher-Burke
Pitcher-Colon's replacement-a lesser Free Agent if we cannot re-sign Colon...and our bullpen we can always add too with Adkins and Hawkins from Minnesota
All I can say White Sox fans that this offseason will be interesting.
Offseason