2008 White Sox

[BigSqwert]

You know I feel the same way, but I just get so annoyed when I see a post about how since the Sox haven't made the playoffs in two years, and they blame the HR because that has always been the Sox strength. I really believe some people think you could win 130 games if you had 9 Placido Polanco's, and that just wouldn't be the case.

9 Placido Polancos? That's like a new solar system on the diamond with the size of his head.

[RockRaines]

It sounds to me like the lineup may looking like this:

 

1. owens CF

2. Richar 2B

3. Thome DH

4. Kong 1B

5. Dye RF

6. AJP C

7. Fields LF

8. Crede 3B

9. SS?

[Balta1701]

It sounds to me like the lineup may looking like this:

If Joe is healthy, the rookies keep developing, and we somehow, someway find an upgrade over our .200 hitting SS, that's really not a bad lineup when it's together.

[fathom]

If KW is serious about contending next year, we can only have one of Richar, Sweeney, or Owens in the starting lineup. This article was so stupid, as that's just an awful team that is projected.

[Vance Law]

Khalil instead Uribe? Looks like his numbers would be considerably better at Comiskey. Here's Greene's numbers on the road for 3 years (2004-2006).

 

 

AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB HBP SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS

676 105 187 60 3 30 96 50 16 132 6 3 .277 .340 .507 .847

 

 

We'd only be giving up a year of Garland, saving $$ to spend elsewhere. Plus, how long till Greene's eligible for free agency?

Edited August 14, 2007 by Vance Law

[WCSox]

If KW is serious about contending next year, we can only have one of Richar, Sweeney, or Owens in the starting lineup. This article was so stupid, as that's just an awful team that is projected.

 

You win with pitching, not having a lineup of All-Stars from top to bottom.

 

[Gregory Pratt]

Doesn't help to have three guys hitting less than two fifty, though. These aren't the fifties anymore.

[CWSGuy406]

You win with pitching, not having a lineup of All-Stars from top to bottom.

 

The lineup this guy shows has just two WELL above average hitters -- Konerko and Thome. Then there's Rowand who figures to be slightly above average, and Crede and Pierznyski who figure to be slightly below average. The rest is dreck -- Owens sucks, Richar has potential but still has some things to figure out and there's not a chance in hell Sweeney is close to being a big-league average hitter yet.

 

And what pitching? When Nick Masset is in your starting rotation and Ryan Bukvich is in your bullpen, you shouldn't pimp your pitching. Don't get me wrong, the pitching looks like it could be pretty good next year, but not nearly good enough to carry that lineup of suck.

[WCSox]

Doesn't help to have three guys hitting less than two fifty, though. These aren't the fifties anymore.

 

No, it doesn't. Then again, it makes even less sense to throw money at more bats when you need more arms in your bullpen.

 

[fathom]

You win with pitching, not having a lineup of All-Stars from top to bottom.

 

Yep, and that's an awful starting rotation that's projected. If you're trading Garland, you better get someone that can help the 2008 team and a monster prospect.

[fathom]

No, it doesn't. Then again, it makes even less sense to throw money at more bats when you need more arms in your bullpen.

 

Ugh...the Orioles picked up relievers by spending money, have got good seasons out of those guys, and still can't compete because of the lack of offensive talent they have and lack of rotation depth.

[WCSox]

Yep, and that's an awful starting rotation that's projected. If you're trading Garland, you better get someone that can help the 2008 team and a monster prospect.

 

This article is crap. If Kenny's going to make another run next year, he's not going to deal Garland unless someone makes him an offer he can't refuse.

 

[CWSGuy406]

No, it doesn't. Then again, it makes even less sense to throw money at more bats when you need more arms in your bullpen.

 

Like it or not, Kenny is probably going to do the exact same thing he did last year with the bullpen, and that's go cheap. Jenks, MacDougal and Thorton are locks so long as they're *not* traded. That leaves Bukvich, Wassermann, Logan, Aardsma, Sisco, Masset, Floyd, Perez, Day and even guys like Broadway and Haeger to compete for four spots. Now, not all of these guys will be in the organization next season, but these guys are going to be competing for spots on the White Sox' 2008 team. That leaves AT MOST one spot for a free agent reliever. They'll also bring in some more Bukvich types, too, but that really doesn't count.

Edited August 14, 2007 by CWSGuy406

[fathom]

Look at how good the talent is on teams in the AL like the Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers, etc., and then look at the projected team from the article. There needs to be massive upgrades in talent this offseason to even dream of contending for the AL title again.

[WCSox]

Fathom is right. I think Richar will turn out to be a reliable 2b in this league, but he has shown in his limited time up with the big club that growth needs to take place. Sweeney was not impressive with the Sox in 07, has battled injuries this season, and has been very average at AAA. Counting on Ryan to be productive for the Sox next season is asking A lot, IMO. With Owens, I really beleive the projections of him being a career 4th OF are correct. Owens will be lucky to sport a .320 OBP next season, which completely negates his speed. Doesn't matter how fast you are if you can't get on base.

 

I think you can get away with Richar at 2b for next season. If that is the route you are going to take, and you want to actaully try and compete next season, having Owens in the starting lineup, especially leading off, just isn't going to work.

 

I think that you could get away with two of those three, provided that Jon isn't traded and the bullpen is solidified. But I agree that it'd be tough to win with Richar, Owens, AND Sweeney out there.

 

[fathom]

This article is crap. If Kenny's going to make another run next year, he's not going to deal Garland unless someone makes him an offer he can't refuse.

 

Garland will be traded this offseason (my first actual prediction for what will happen).

[Jeremy]

Agree with your post. Maybe a Furcal for Jose deal ? Then, Owens is not needed as a starter.

 

Heh. That's be great but I think we'd have to pay close to all of Jose's contract or the Dodger's motivation to dump a bad contract would be negated. I think it'd have to be more along the lines of a few B list prospects. Guys like Anderson, Broadway, and Getz. Still, that's not enough done unless they're eager to dump Furcal's contract. Otherwise, you have to start talking about guys like Sweeney, Ebgert, and De Los Santos (I assume Gio is pretty off limits).

[fathom]

Heh. That's be great but I think we'd have to pay close to all of Jose's contract or the Dodger's motivation to dump a bad contract would be negated. I think it'd have to be more along the lines of a few B list prospects. Guys like Anderson, Broadway, and Getz. Still, that's not enough done unless they're eager to dump Furcal's contract. Otherwise, you have to start talking about guys like Sweeney, Ebgert, and De Los Santos (I assume Gio is pretty off limits).

 

The only prospect that the Sox have who should be off limits is DLS. Sweeney would be the first prospect on my list to get traded, as he just seems to be a Burroughs clone with each passing month. Gio still isn't exactly a sure-thing, and he could have some really good value. With Buehrle and Danks around for the next 4 years, it's not necessary to have another lefty.

[fathom]

If Owens and Richar are going to be in the starting lineup in 2008, and you want a chance to compete, you need All-Stars at SS-LF

 

With all the tough lefty starters in the division, we better pray we have a good back-up 2B and a good righty hitting 4th outfielder. We have struggled so much against lefty pitching the last few years.

[WCSox]

Like it or not, Kenny is probably going to do the exact same thing he did last year with the bullpen, and that's go cheap. Jenks, MacDougal and Thorton are locks so long as they're *not* traded. That leaves Bukvich, Wassermann, Logan, Aardsma, Sisco, Masset, Floyd, Perez, Day and even guys like Broadway and Haeger to compete for four spots. Now, not all of these guys will be in the organization next season, but these guys are going to be competing for spots on the White Sox' 2008 team. That leaves AT MOST one spot for a free agent reliever. They'll also bring in some more Bukvich types, too, but that really doesn't count.

 

After what happened this season, I think that he'd probably go after two veteran FA arms. That's not unprecedented for him. It's all going to be a matter of who's available and, of course, I'm sure that - unfortunately - at least one of those guys will be somebody he'll roll the dice on for cheap (a Cliff Politte or Rick White).

[WCSox]

If Owens and Richar are going to be in the starting lineup in 2008, and you want a chance to compete, you need All-Stars at SS-LF

 

Not if you extend Dye and possibly bring Crede back for one more year.

 

[fathom]

I have a feeling KW will overpay for a reliever, and not via the FA route. Instead, it will be in a trade.

[SoxAce]

Thats another reason I have fallen in love with Fields. His 1.077 OPS against LH has been a welcome sight.

 

 

^^^^^^^^^

 

Seriously the kid has just killed lefties this season. The real question for him is can he be more consistant next season especially against righties.

[Kalapse]

There's no reason for me to believe that Crede will be anything more than pure s*** next season.

[CanOfCorn]

To get back to Owens, Richar and Sweeney for a quick second, if he can learn how to bunt effectively...that will open up the field for him. Bring the corners in and then slap it over them. I'm not saying he's going to be a .400 OBP guy, but I think he can get to .350.

 

Richar is going to learn a LOT in the last two months of this season, which is great for the Sox...see where they are with him.

 

Sweeney probably has one more chance to get to the bigs next ST. And then it's time to think about the next in line.

 

Finally, yeah fathom, think about the Yankees or Boston and their talent. Think about how they brought up Cano, Pedroia, Melky, Youkilis, Jeter, Posada, etc. I'm certainly not comparing the White Sox current rookies with those players, but they brought them up and let them be and they turned into plus to plus-plus major leaguers. At some point, you have to give them a shot.