greasywheels121 Posted February 3, 2006 Share Posted February 3, 2006 http://whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/ar...t=.jsp&c_id=cws White Sox Spring Training quick hits By Scott Merkin / MLB.com 2005 record 99-63; won the American League Central; beat Boston, 3-0, in the American League Division Series; beat the Angels, 4-1, in the AL Championship Series; beat Houston, 4-0, in the World Series. Projected batting order 1. LF Scott Podsednik: .290 BA, 0 HR, 25 RBI in 2005 2. SS Juan Uribe: .252 BA, 16 HR, 71 RBI in 2005 3. RF Jermaine Dye: .274 BA, 31 HR, 86 RBI in 2005 4. 1B Paul Konerko: .283 BA, 40 HR, 100 RBI in 2005 5. DH Jim Thome: .207 BA, 7 HR, 30 RBI in 2005 6. C A.J. Pierzynski: .257 BA, 18 HR, 56 RBI in 2005 7. 2B Tadahito Iguchi: .278 BA, 15 HR, 71 RBI in 2005 8. 3B Joe Crede: .252 BA, 22 HR, 62 RBI in 2005 9. CF Brian Anderson: .176 BA, 2 HR, 3 RBI in 2005 Projected rotation 1. Mark Buehrle, 16-8, 3.12 ERA in 2005 2. Jose Contreras, 15-7, 3.61 ERA in 2005 3. Freddy Garcia, 14-8, 3.87 ERA in 2005 4. Javier Vazquez, 11-15, 4.42 ERA in 2005 5. Jon Garland, 18-10, 3.50 ERA in 2005 6. Brandon McCarthy, 3-2, 4.03 ERA in 2005 Projected bullpen Closer: Bobby Jenks, 6 saves, 2.75 ERA in 2005 RH setup man: Cliff Politte, 2.00 ERA in 2005 LH setup man: Neal Cotts, 1.94 ERA in 2005 The new guys Thome, DH: The left-handed slugger came over from Philadelphia, in exchange for center fielder Aaron Rowand and two Minor League pitching prospects, after battling through an injury-plagued 2005 campaign. General manager Ken Williams' goal was to provide a big bat to protect Paul Konerko in the order, while manager Ozzie Guillen wanted power from the left-hand side. Thome not only will be a boost to the offense, if healthy, but also serves as a quality clubhouse presence. Vazquez, RHP: The White Sox strong suit grew even stronger when Vazquez was added as a sixth starter in the rotation. Vazquez, who was picked up from Arizona for Orlando 'El Duque' Hernandez, Luis Vizcaino and Minor League phenom Chris Young, should thrive under the leadership of Guillen and pitching coach Don Cooper. Rob Mackowiak, IF/OF: Williams spoke of pursuing this super-utility player for two or three years, but finally brought the deal to fruition by sending left-handed reliever Damaso Marte to Pittsburgh during the Winter Meetings in Dallas. Mackowiak will become the White Sox version of the NBA sixth man, having previously played every position but pitcher and catcher. Guillen plans to get Mackowiak plenty of at-bats. Prospects to watch Anderson, OF: With the starting center field position his to lose, Anderson currently sits a little bit above the prospect level. The laid-back and engaging first-round draft pick from the 2003 First-Year Player Draft has the potential to become a five-tool player, showing flashes of brilliance in 2005 with two home runs in one game off Seattle phenom Felix Hernandez. Jerry Owens, OF: If Anderson doesn't earn the job in center or falters over time, then the fleet-footed left-handed hitter could quickly take his spot. Owens was acquired from the Nationals last offseason for Alex Escobar and doesn't have much baseball experience, having previously played wide receiver for UCLA. But Owens reminds some of a young Otis Nixon with his style of play, having led the Southern League in hits and average in 2005. Josh Fields, 3B: Playing in his first full baseball season, the former Oklahoma St. quarterback finished strong for Double-A Birmingham in 2005. He needs to work on patience at the plate, but Fields is gradually progressing as a possible replacement for third baseman Joe Crede three or four years down the road when Crede becomes a free agent. Lance Broadway, RHP: The team's top pick from the 2005 First-Year Player Draft could seriously contend for a spot in the White Sox rotation in the next two or three years. His fastball tops out at 91 or 92 mph, but he has pitchability -- an intangible scouts love. Broadway has a plan on the mound, along with a hard-breaking curve, which could make him a solid third or fourth starter. Charles Haeger, RHP: After going through a brief retirement period during the 2003 campaign, Haeger bounced back to win 14 games between 2005 stops with Class A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham. The knuckleballer has been studying tapes of Boston's Tim Wakefield during the offseason in preparation for his first trip to Major League Spring Training. Ryan Sweeney, OF: There was a time, in the not too distant past, where Sweeney was even if not a step ahead of Anderson in regard to outfield prospects within the organization. A wrist injury sapped the left-handed hitter's power in 2005, but a player Anderson calls "The Natural" should be ready to bounce back in 2006. Returning from injury Thome: Right elbow surgery and chronic back pain shut down Thome for most of the 2005 season. But Thome doesn't seem worried about handling the back issue with his daily maintenance program, and he is already taking 125 to 130 swings per batting-practice session, four times per week, during his offseason rehab. Podsednik, OF: The talented leadoff hitter had two hernias repaired during the offseason, including a sports hernia, which limited his base-stealing ability down the stretch in 2005. Podsednik feels strong, although the White Sox will be careful with the key to their offense during Spring Training. Dye, OF: See Podsednik above. The World Series Most Valuable Player also had offseason hernia surgery, but he is healthy and on target for Spring Training. Crede, 3B: Two herniated discs in Crede's lower back hampered the slick-fielding third baseman for the final three months of the season. But two weeks of rest in late August, brought about by a fractured middle finger on his right hand, led to a fantastic final six weeks for Crede. Much like Thome, maintenance is the key for Crede's back. Dustin Hermanson, RHP: The White Sox closer was the team's Most Valuable Player of the 2005 season's first half, but back problems limited his availability during the second half. Bobby Jenks has taken over the closer's role, but Hermanson will be a key contributor in the setup role. Williams has stated on a couple of offseason occasions that Hermanson's back has been progressing nicely. Ross Gload, 1B/OF: After announcing his presence at the Major League level with a tremendous September in 2004, shoulder problems basically sapped all of 2005 from the left-handed-hitting reserve. Gload has his work cut out for him to earn the final roster spot for 2006. On the rebound Vazquez: The biggest concern in regard to Vazquez is not his 11-15 record or 4.42 ERA with Arizona in 2005. The right-hander needs to cut down on his home runs allowed at hitter-friendly U.S. Cellular Field, after yielding 35 home runs over 215 2/3 innings. A.J. Pierzynski, C: The White Sox catcher arguably was the most important offseason pick-up prior to the 2005 season and handled the pitching staff masterfully, not to mention coming up with key hits consistently. But Pierzynski is one of the top offensive catchers in all of baseball and should improve on his career-low .257 average. Long gone Frank Thomas, DH: It was not exactly the easiest or most amicable departure for the face of the White Sox during the past 16 years, who signed as a free agent with the Oakland A's. But the White Sox went in a different direction with Thome, allowing the slugger with 448 career home runs and his surgically repaired left navicular to move to the West Coast. Rowand, CF: The defensive gem not only was the prototype for the White Sox "Grinder Rules" but also embodied the spirit of this championship team as much as anyone else on the roster. The affable center fielder became expendable in the Thome trade due to the organization's plethora of top outfield prospects. Carl Everett, DH: Stepping in for the injured Thomas during 2005, the switch-hitter was a solid run producer for the World Series champions. Much like Thomas, though, Everett became expendable after Thome was acquired and first baseman Konerko re-signed. Everett signed as a free agent with Seattle. Hernandez, RHP: The veteran right-hander battled injuries to his right shoulder for a good portion of the 2005 campaign. But no friend or foe of the White Sox will ever forget his sixth-inning magic during Game 3 of the Division Series at Fenway Park, pitching out of a bases-loaded, nobody out situation, and protecting a one-run lead. Vizcaino, RHP: As a middle reliever behind one of the best starting rotations in baseball, Vizcaino's workload was scattered, at best. But he improved his efforts on the mound with each month, and now has returned to the National League, joining El Duque as part of the package sent to Arizona for Vazquez. Marte, LHP: One of the most dominant left-handed relievers in all of baseball during the 2002 and 2003 seasons fell on tougher times during the last two years, especially struggling with his control. He also fell out of favor with Guillen and was moved to Pittsburgh in exchange for Mackowiak. Geoff Blum, IF: Although the switch-hitter only spent three months with the White Sox, his game-winning, 14th-inning home run during Game 3 of the World Series is one of the most important blasts in the history of the franchise. Blum left via free agency for San Diego. Willie Harris, IF/OF: Blessed with an immense amount of talent, Harris lost his starting second base slot to Iguchi and didn't adjust to the reserve role until later in the season. The fleet-footed infielder scored the game-winning run in the Game 4 World Series clincher but was not offered arbitration and eventually signed with Boston. Timo Perez, OF: The left-handed-hitting outfielder provided key veteran leadership for the White Sox young Hispanic players and also served as a consummate pinch-hitter and defensive replacement. Perez was not offered arbitration and still is looking for a new job. Chris Young, OF: Young never played a Major League inning for the White Sox, but Williams admitted that his inclusion in the trade with Arizona made him one of the first players to come off the general manager's three-year board with a look to the future. Young could be part of the Diamondbacks' lineup at some point in 2006. Triple play: Three questions that need answers 1. Will the city of Chicago need to plan for another White Sox parade in late October? The New York Yankees were the last team to repeat as World Series champion, winning three straight titles from 1998 through 2000. Before the Bronx Bombers, it was the Blue Jays winning two straight in 1992 and 1993. The White Sox certainly are in position to win again, with the team possibly being even stronger overall than it was after the four-game World Series sweep of Houston. Intangibles such as injuries and clubhouse chemistry will play a huge role in the team's ultimate 2006 success. 2. How many starts will Brandon McCarthy receive? The lanky right-hander made 10 starts in 2005, while El Duque, who effectively fell into the fifth starter's role, made 22. McCarthy will serve as the sixth starter, much as he did in 2005, but there's still a good chance the young phenom could receive 15 to 18 starts. The White Sox plan to use McCarthy out of the bullpen but also to spell the front five starters, who piled up not just a high innings total but also pressure-packed innings last season. 3. Can Brian Anderson adequately replace his mentor in center field? If confidence and bravado count for anything, Anderson has a good shot at not only anchoring the middle of the outfield but also winning the Rookie of the Year Award. Anderson has the potential to be a five-tool talent, but all Guillen wants from the soon-to-be media star is to catch the baseball in the field and make contact at the plate. The bottom line The great chemistry that was such an important part of the White Sox championship effort originally was fostered in Tucson last February. It's something the White Sox will have to work on again in 2006, according to veteran leaders such as Konerko. Otherwise, the White Sox simply need to stay healthy and prepare for their quest to repeat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedoctor Posted February 3, 2006 Share Posted February 3, 2006 man, the last time i had a quick hit i just couldn't stop coughing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted February 3, 2006 Share Posted February 3, 2006 QUOTE(thedoctor @ Feb 3, 2006 -> 01:45 PM) man, the last time i had a quick hit i just couldn't stop coughing. well that quick hit was nice and smooth.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted February 3, 2006 Share Posted February 3, 2006 QUOTE(thedoctor @ Feb 3, 2006 -> 12:45 PM) man, the last time i had a quick hit i just couldn't stop coughing. Give me I call, I can upgrade it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allsox Posted February 3, 2006 Share Posted February 3, 2006 Pretty good analysis with the exception of the batting order....Think it's Thome 3rd with Dye 5th with Gooch ahead of AJ in the 6, 7 spot....Rather have AJ driving in Gooch than vice versa.... Otherwise, pretty scary that most of the publications have said barring injury that the White Sox should get back to the playoffs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted February 3, 2006 Share Posted February 3, 2006 QUOTE(Allsox @ Feb 3, 2006 -> 07:21 PM) Pretty good analysis with the exception of the batting order....Think it's Thome 3rd with Dye 5th with Gooch ahead of AJ in the 6, 7 spot....Rather have AJ driving in Gooch than vice versa.... Otherwise, pretty scary that most of the publications have said barring injury that the White Sox should get back to the playoffs Ahhh, hell yes it's good to be the KING! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted February 3, 2006 Share Posted February 3, 2006 Hopefully that is the lineup, as that's the one I originally called. JD deserves to hit in the 3-hole. If he does, he'll have a huge year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted February 3, 2006 Share Posted February 3, 2006 QUOTE(aboz56 @ Feb 3, 2006 -> 08:15 PM) Hopefully that is the lineup, as that's the one I originally called. JD deserves to hit in the 3-hole. If he does, he'll have a huge year. I agree - he got put there in the playoffs and did quite well. He'll have his ups and downs, but damn, this lineup is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchtower41 Posted February 3, 2006 Share Posted February 3, 2006 QUOTE(Allsox @ Feb 3, 2006 -> 01:21 PM) Otherwise, pretty scary that most of the publications have said barring injury that the White Sox should get back to the playoffs anything short of the playoffs would be a huge disappointment. It feels werid to have expectations, but then I look at our team on paper again and realize why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted February 3, 2006 Author Share Posted February 3, 2006 I like Dye in the 3 spot too, but I'd like to see Gooch and AJ flip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted February 3, 2006 Share Posted February 3, 2006 I think I still like Thome in the 3 spot, because Thome's massive OBP numbers will give PK and Dye more RBI opportunities. But I do like the idea of Thome hitting behind PK too. Heck, the difference could come down to the performance of Iguchi and/or Crede (or even Anderson). If one of those other 3 righties provides enough pop to give Thome some protection and drive him in when he gets on base...then he might do well hitting behind Konerko. If a few of those guys struggle...then we really can't afford to have people pitching around Thome every time. We could afford to have them do it with Dye, as long as they have to pitch to JT and PK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBigHurt Posted February 3, 2006 Share Posted February 3, 2006 QUOTE(Allsox @ Feb 3, 2006 -> 01:21 PM) Pretty good analysis with the exception of the batting order....Think it's Thome 3rd with Dye 5th with Gooch ahead of AJ in the 6, 7 spot....Rather have AJ driving in Gooch than vice versa.... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> My thoughts exactly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted February 3, 2006 Share Posted February 3, 2006 Just curious, but where did Thome spend most of his time in the lineup when he was with the Indians? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted February 3, 2006 Share Posted February 3, 2006 QUOTE(kyyle23 @ Feb 3, 2006 -> 02:19 PM) Just curious, but where did Thome spend most of his time in the lineup when he was with the Indians? In 2002, he hit #4 for 447 of his 480 at bats. To go back farther I'll have to find someone other than ESPN who gives me that stat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapse Posted February 3, 2006 Share Posted February 3, 2006 Jim Thome: 1st: 1 AB 2nd: 11 AB 3rd: 963 AB 4th: 1853 AB 5th: 1490 AB 6th: 720 AB 7th: 512 AB 8th: 333 AB 9th: 35 AB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted February 3, 2006 Share Posted February 3, 2006 QUOTE(Kalapse @ Feb 3, 2006 -> 05:27 PM) Jim Thome: 1st: 1 AB 2nd: 11 AB 3rd: 963 AB 4th: 1853 AB 5th: 1490 AB 6th: 720 AB 7th: 512 AB 8th: 333 AB 9th: 35 AB Hmm, seems he has the second to most experience in the 5 hole. I wonder if thats what the author was thinking when he made his projected lineup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 That lineup doesn't really make much sense. It doesn't break up the righties and lefties and Dye is not a #3 hitter. How many teams bat a guy with a career .334 OBP third? I seem to remember reading some Tribune articles in which Ozzie even said that he would probably go with a 3-4-5 of Thome, Konerko, and Dye. And in a recent SoxFest Tribune article, Konerko was telling Ozzie that he thinks it would be a good idea for him to bat behind Thome. Podsednik Uribe Thome Konerko Dye Iguchi Pierzynski Crede Anderson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heads22 Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 Dye has a sparkling average of .230 for his career hitting fifth. Remember when a ton of people hated him in April of this past year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapse Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 QUOTE(Heads22 @ Feb 3, 2006 -> 11:53 PM) Dye has a sparkling average of .230 for his career hitting fifth. Remember when a ton of people hated him in April of this past year? I remember a certain poster calling him "Jermaine Die" but he was banned long ago . . . or was he? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heads22 Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 Also, I will totally not be surprised to see Tad in the 3-hole at some point this season, especially if the average is up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 QUOTE(Kalapse @ Feb 3, 2006 -> 11:56 PM) I remember a certain poster calling him "Jermaine Die" but he was banned long ago . . . or was he? NUKE called him 'Jermaine Dead'. Unfortunately, he's still with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 (edited) Dye has a sparkling average of .230 for his career hitting fifth. Remember when a ton of people hated him in April of this past year? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/5610/s...er&type=Batting 1,083 AB's | .252 AVG | .312 OBP | .442 SLG | .754 OPS That's Dye's career line batting fifth. His numbers are the best in the #4 spot and still pretty good in the #6 spot. Edited February 5, 2006 by SSH2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RME JICO Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Feb 4, 2006 -> 12:30 AM) Podsednik Uribe Thome Konerko Dye Iguchi Pierzynski Crede Anderson That lineup is more realistic with Thome providing protection for Konerko and the lefties being broken up a little. It will be nice to have 3 full time lefties in there with Mack coming off the bench as another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 QUOTE(Kalapse @ Feb 3, 2006 -> 04:27 PM) Jim Thome: 1st: 1 AB 2nd: 11 AB 3rd: 963 AB 4th: 1853 AB 5th: 1490 AB 6th: 720 AB 7th: 512 AB 8th: 333 AB 9th: 35 AB Guess he didn't work out in the leadoff role.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heads22 Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 QUOTE(The Critic @ Feb 5, 2006 -> 09:31 AM) Guess he didn't work out in the leadoff role.... What about the two hole. Someone obviously thought he did well enough the first time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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