I think the issue with Flowers is that he hasn't advanced far enough to hand him the keys next year with basically the same starting staff. His defense is a work in progress, and his hitting has regressed. I guess just see what happens this season and go from there. If AJ has a good season, I hope they give him a 2 year deal, and trade Flowers. Maybe Josh Phegley will go up the organizational ladder without Flowers there.
No surprises, but I'm going into this season very skeptical about the bullpen. It's going to be wait and see, but I have no faith in Linebrink. Putz has a dead arm. Yeah, that could be normal spring training stuff, but with him, you don't know. Santos started pitching a year ago, and if not for his lack of options, would be at AA at best. Jenks? We'll see if he can stay healthy. If the offense is going to be sub-par, the Sox are going to have a lot more close games, and thus more save opportunities. Bobby has to save 85-90% of his chances.
They need to make a rule change about position players converting to pitchers, and option years. Santos really has no business making the team, no matter how well he's done this spring.
If Castro needs to start the season on the DL, I don't think Flowers makes it. They have room to add Lucy, so just leave Flowers at AAA and let him play.
vs. Kansas City on whitesox.com and radio
Vizquel, Teahen, Quentin, Jones, Kotsay, Pierzynski, Lillibridge, Marrero, Shelby
Leesman starts.
vs Texas
Pierre, Beckham, Rios, Konerko, Ramirez, Castro, Nix, De Aza, Gallagher
Floyd starts.