White Sox quick hits

[SSH2005]

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb...t=.jsp&c_id=cws

White Sox quick hits

 

By Scott Merkin / MLB.com

 

TUCSON, Ariz. -- After waiting 88 years for a World Series championship, it would seem that the White Sox bought themselves a little bit of a grace period for the upcoming season after their 2005 heroics. But anyone who is familiar with general manager Ken Williams or manager Ozzie Guillen knows the lowering of expectations has never been remotely part of their outlook.

 

Just as the White Sox weren't satisfied by simply reaching the playoffs in 2005, they aren't satisfied with just one title. Williams did his best to improve a team that won 99 games last year and finished 11-1 in the postseason. Guillen leaves Spring Training believing that another October celebration certainly is not out of the question.

 

Team strength: Defense of the 2005 World Series title begins and ends with starting pitching for the White Sox. Mark Buehrle, Freddy Garcia, Jose Contreras, Jon Garland and Javier Vazquez represent one of the strongest starting five in all of baseball. If any of them stumble or suffer an injury or two, Brandon McCarthy is waiting in the wings in the bullpen. Possessing one of the best changeups in all of baseball, McCarthy could be a second or third starter for most other teams.

 

Achilles heel: While the front five in the rotation are virtually unparalleled, the bullpen has a few more question marks. Dustin Hermanson starts the season on the disabled list due to a return of back problems, and closer Bobby Jenks has struggled during Spring Training. Cliff Politte and Neal Cotts are coming off All-Star caliber seasons, but they will be joined by McCarthy, making his first foray into full-time relief work, and left-hander Boone Logan, who has never pitched a full season above Advanced Rookie competition.

 

Top newcomer: Buehrle joked recently that with the way Vazquez has pitched this spring, it should be the right-hander starting on Opening Day and not Buehrle. Although Jim Thome provides a much needed power source and an important form of lineup protection for Paul Konerko, Vazquez makes the White Sox most essential trait even stronger.

 

Ready to make The Leap: If confidence counts for anything, then Brian Anderson should be in the running for American League Rookie of the Year when the 2006 season is said and done. It doesn't hurt that the White Sox center fielder also can hit for power and average and has exhibited strong defensive ability anchoring the outfield. The team's 2003 first-round pick only needs to fit into the overall team scheme and not worry about trying to stand out.

 

On the hot seat: From the first pitch of the playoffs to the last out of the 12th postseason game, Joe Crede was the White Sox Most Valuable Player. Crede needs to carry over that same sort of clutch hitting into the 2006 season, coupled with his Gold Glove defense at third base. With 2004 first-round pick Josh Fields waiting in the wings at third base after a strong spring showing, Crede must take another step up toward elite status with his overall game.

 

You can bank on: There are few players in baseball as steady as Konerko, both on and off the field. The White Sox first baseman was named team captain by Guillen for 2006, but truth be told, he was handling that role long before it became official. As for production, penciling in Konerko for a .280 average, 40 home runs and 100 RBIs is a pretty safe bet. Those are the basic numbers he has put up over the past two seasons.

 

Litmus test: If the six pitchers in the bullpen find their defined roles, as they appear to be doing this spring, and this team avoids a myriad serious injuries, then the White Sox should once again be a prime World Series contender. Watch how the White Sox survive close games, as the champions from 2005 won 61 times in contests decided by two runs or less.

 

Games you don't want to miss:

 

Indians, April 2-5: American League Central's top two teams open 2006

Angels, May 9-11: Rematch of the American League Championship Series

Cubs, May 19-21: City bragging rights on the line at U.S. Cellular

A's, May 22-24: Frank Thomas scheduled to make his Chicago return

Indians, Sept. 8-10: Last home match-up with the Indians