Sportsnation Poll

[Steve9347]

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/sportsnation...g?event_id=1893

 

The champagne stains weren't even out of the clothes before the Chicago White Sox had to start worrying about how to defend the franchise's first title since 1917. Such is life in the modern hot-stove era, especially when your team's best hitter spent the postseason putting on one heck of an audition for any team with a big bank account.

 

The White Sox are on top of the baseball world, and they've spent the early days of the offseason trying to stay there. Arguably the top free agent on the market, Paul Konerko is back in the fold with a five-year, $60-millon contract. And he has some new protection, coming in the form of slugger Jim Thome.

 

Elsewhere, the Sox have more options than they know what to do with for the rotation. Should they trade a veteran like Jon Garland or Orlando Hernandez to make room for super prospect Brandon McCarthy?

 

So are the White Sox ready to make another run at World Series glory?

[Balta1701]

1) Are the White Sox favorites to repeat as AL Central champs if they make no further major moves?

 

77.6% Yes

22.4% No

 

2) Can the White Sox repeat as World Series champs with their current roster?

 

66.3% Yes

33.7% No

 

3) Are you surprised the White Sox were able to retain Paul Konerko?

 

66.5% No

33.5% Yes

 

4) What do you think of Paul Konerko's new deal for $60 million over five years?

 

57.5% He's worth it

26.3% Too much money

16.2% Too many years

 

5) What did you think of the trade that sent Aaron Rowand to Philadelphia for Jim Thome?

 

39.1% Could go either way

26.9% Good move

18.5% Great move

15.5% Lousy move

 

6) How many home runs will Thome hit next season?

 

53.2% 30-39

35.1% Less than 30

10.7% 40-49

1.0% 50 or more

 

7) Is Brian Anderson (.295, 16 HR, 57 RBI, .829 OPS in 118 games for Triple-A Charlotte) capable of starting in center field next season?

 

73.6% Yes

26.4% No

 

8) Which pitcher should not be part of Chicago's starting rotation next season?

 

59.7% Orlando Hernandez

30.4% Brandon McCarthy

3.2% Jose Contreras

3.0% Freddy Garcia

2.2% Jon Garland

1.5% Mark Buehrle

 

9) Should the White Sox attempt to trade whoever loses out in the bid for the rotation?

 

63.9% No, you can never have too much pitching.

36.1% Yes, try and add another bat or free up money for free agents.

 

10) What should the White Sox do with Bobby Jenks?

 

76.7% Trust him as the closer, with Dustin Hermanson, Damaso Marte and Luis Vizcaino as insurance.

15.2% Keep him as the closer but pursue pricey veteran insurance like Tom Gordon, Bob Howry or Octavio Dotel.

8.1% Move him to set-up work and pursue a FA closer like B.J. Ryan, Billy Wagner or Kyle Farnsworth.

 

Total Votes: 19,129

Aside from the Thome trade not being a great move, and a few people underestimating the amount of HR Thome will have (and the fact that I'm overly hopeful), I don't think Sportsnation is very wrong about any of those.

 

I'm a bit disappointed that 30% don't think BMac should be starting though.

[SoxFan1]

I'm dissapointed that 10% of those Bozo's thought that MB, Jon, Fred, or Count should not be in the rotation!

[KeithFranklin]

Who proofed that poll. Hasnt Howry and Wagner already signed elsewhere?

[Felix]

Who proofed that poll. Hasnt Howry and Wagner already signed elsewhere?

The question was used in another Sportsnation poll a long time ago, and I guess they just copied and pasted it. Pretty lazy of them if you ask me

[Kyyle23]

Who proofed that poll. Hasnt Howry and Wagner already signed elsewhere?

 

Actually, Howry, Wagner AND BJ Ryan are mentioned as pursuables. Whoever made this poll is a moron.

[iWiN4PreP]

At least alot of the answers are pretty wise =)