ChiliIrishHammock24 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 (edited) I did a write-up for another forum in the White Sox thread, and figured since I spent like an hour typing up something no one there but myself will care about, I might as well post it here to..... I kind of dumbed some things down for people who don't know much about the team or as much baseball as the people here do, so don't expect great things..... Now that the team is essentially done making deals, and the roster is virtually set, I am ready to digest and grade the offseason as well as set up the line-up and roster for the season to start in just over 2 1/2 months.... Off-season moves..... Sox sign IF Omar Vizquel to 1 yr/$1.75M deal. Grade: B A slight overpay for a 40-something-year-old backup infielder, but as lame as this sounds, I think his value came in his mentoring of Alexei Ramirez and his ability to play 3 infield positions and not look bad doing it. His bat is obviously very weak, and his glove has dimished, but when he was signed, one of the reasons we heard for so he could mentor Alexei on how to improve defensively. We saw immediate results of this as Alexei was the best defensive SS in the AL last year, and is now in the discussion as one of the top SS in baseball. As Omar continues to help Alexei, and provides at least average replacement value, he will have a spot on this team in my opinion. Sox sign DH/1B Adam Dunn to 4 yr/$57M deal Grade: A I LOVE this deal. Adam Dunn at $14M/year is a good price for one of the most consistent power hitters in baseball. Adan Dunn is the model of consistency who you can count on for 162 games a year. Great power, great consistency, and great health. He is a very safe contract. His only negative in his career outside of strikeouts are his negative defensive ability. Well, now that he is in the AL, and Konerko is at first, most of Dunn's time will be spent at DH, which will actually improve his value. Putting Adam Dunn in one of the best hitters parks in baseball is going to make for one fun summer in Chicago. Sox trade RP Scott Linebrink and $3.5M to Atlanta Braves for RP Kyle Cofield Grade: B+ I love this trade simply because it means Linebrink is gone. We save $2M on the deal, and we get a player in return. Linerbrink actually put up a NEGATIVE WAR last season. -0.4 WAR for a guy scheduled to make $5.5M in 2011. So happy we ditched him and that contract, and although Cofield is nothing special, he is only 23 years old and has a few years to develop into something. I would have taken nothing for Linebrink, so Cofield is a positive. Sox re-sign C AJ Pierzynski to 2 yr/$8M deal. Grade: B Sox fans were pretty much ready to see AJ leave after the 2010 season and let the Tyler Flowers era begin, but after Flowers followed up his tremendous 2009 season with a disappointing 2010 year, the catcher's spot became a big question mark this offseason. At this point in his career, most of AJ's value comes from his ability to handle pitchers and his pretty solid defense. His bat isn't very good anymore, but at $4M a year, he only has to produce a WAR of about 1.0 to be worth his contract, and he hasn't had a season that bad in 10 years, so I think he is actually coming back at a pretty good price. Sox re-sign Paul Konerko to a 3yr/$37.5M deal Grade: B+ Paul Konerko is the face of this franchise. During the span of this contract, he will hit the 400 HR mark (and likely 450), and pass Frank Thomas for the most HR by a White Sox player ever. Konerko is an average defender (UZR says he is bad, but UZR doesn't account for his ability to scoop and pick balls out of the dirt better than anyone I've seen) who carries a big bat, and is a well-rounded hitter. He is likely to see a regression after his monster 2010 season, but is still very capable of 30-35 HR, .290+ average, .375 OBP, and selling a lot of jerseys. The team needed to fill their 1B void, and The Captain is back to fill that spot. Sox sign RP Jesse Crain to 3 yr/$13M deal Grade: B+ The Sox REALLY needed some good relief pitchers this offseason to replace Jenks, Putz, and Linebrink, and Crain will certainly help. A 3 yr deal is not something you want to give a reliever, especially one who is getting paid after 1 good year, but this market started off bad when Beniot signed that huge 3 yr deal w/ Tigers. That set the market, and all things considered, the Crain deal doesn't seem as bad as it would in years past. Also, Crain owned the Sox hitters, so it will be nice to not have to face him anymore. Crain becomes our 2nd best reliever after Thornton, assuming Sale is in the rotation in Chicago or Charlotte. Sox sign RP Will Ohman to 2 yr/$4M deal Grade: B I really like this deal not just because Ohman is a solid lefty, but because it means the Sox don't NEED Chris Sale in the bullpen any more. Ohman is a LOOGY who can take Thornton's role if Thornton becomes the Sox closer. 2 yrs is fine, and $2M a year will never burden the team. It's a good price for a guy who racks up the K's and is a lefty specialist. Minor league deals.... 3B Dallas McPherson, RP Josh Kinney, RP Brian Bruney, and a few others I can't think of right now.... Overall Offseason grade: A- I am so pleased with this offeason. We went into the offseason without a 1B, DH, C, and 2-3 RP. We filled each one of those needs, with the exception of possibly adding another RP. The only thing I wanted to happen that didn't was to upgrade RF. I wanted Quentin either gone, or moved to DH (Adam Dunn signing made that impossible), and a speedy, defensive OF added in his place. That didn't happen, but we upgraded everything else that it's hard to be upset about one thing not happening. Potential Roster...... C: AJ Pierzynski 1B - Paul Konerko 2B - Gordon Beckham 3B - Brent Morel SS - Alexei Ramirez LF - Juan Pierre CF - Alex Rios RF - Carlos Quentin DH - Adam Dunn Bench: IF Omar Vizquel, IF Brent Lillibridge, 3B/OF Mark Teahen, C Ramon Castro Pitchers: 1) LHP Mark Buehrle 2) RHP Jake Peavy/ LHP Chris Sale 3) LHP John Danks 4) RHP Gavin Floyd 5) RHP Edwin Jackson LR - RHP Tony Pena MR - RHP Gregory Infante MR - LHP Will Ohman MR - RHP Anthony Carter/RHP Freddy Dolsi/RHP Brian Bruney/RHP Josh Kinney SU - RHP Sergio Santos SU - RHP Jesse Crain CL - LHP Matt Thornton As you can see, the only spot really left to be undecided is the last bullpen spot for MR. Carter, Dolsi, Bruney, Kinney, and others will battle it out in spring training for the spot. Chris Sale will star the year in Jake Peavy's spot until he is healthy, and it's possible that Sale will be put into the bullpen after Peavy's return. While this would greatly improve the 'pen, I caution against this as I want Sale back in AAA to start games once Peavy is back. I don't want him to see the Joba Chamberlain treatment of being jerked around from rotation to bullpen. I want him strictly starting. Anticipated opening day lineup.... Starter: Mark Buehrle 1) LF Juan Pierre 2) SS Alexei Ramirez 3) CF Alex Rios 4) DH Adam Dunn 5) 1B Paul Konerko 6) C AJ Pierzynski 7) RF Carlos Quentin 8) 2B Gordon Beckham 9) 3B Brent Morel I'm a pretty big fan of our lineup. Our 2-5 hitters are all pretty dangerous, and if Carlos Quentin and Gordon Beckham can return to form, the bottom of our lineup can be strong as well. Edited January 11, 2011 by JoeCoolMan24 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Nice work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Good post. Still not crazy about the Crain and Ohman signings. And I think the Bullpen as a whole is still a big ? But that's bullpens in general. I'm sticking to my B minus grade. Now if you want to include bringing back PK and A.J., which I don't have a problem with, I'm thinking B plus or even A minus. But I never really thought PK was leaving. I just didn't. And I'm not crazy about A.J. at this point. But with Tyler Flowers falling off the face of the earth last year, there was really no other option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Excellent job, Joe! Whatever happened to Jhonny Nunez? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chw42 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 QUOTE (knightni @ Jan 11, 2011 -> 01:52 PM) Excellent job, Joe! Whatever happened to Jhonny Nunez? 5 ERA in AAA last year I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Nice work, though I don't think Lillibridge is a set deal yet for the bench. I think De Aza has just as good a shot at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreatScott82 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 OUr offense is going to be stellar in 2011. However, Im still worried about the pen with the uncertainty of Peavy and the decision with Sale. That is why i would love for them to sign Soriano. If Sale starts the season as our closer- who would be Peavy's insurance starter? Harrel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 11, 2011 -> 03:26 PM) Nice work, though I don't think Lillibridge is a set deal yet for the bench. I think De Aza has just as good a shot at it. The thing that I think may decide it is the Stealth Elf being out of options, while I believe De Aza has one left Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 11, 2011 -> 02:28 PM) The thing that I think may decide it is the Stealth Elf being out of options, while I believe De Aza has one left I thought they were both out of options. In any case, the other wild card is, I get the impression that Ozzie loves De Aza. Either way, I don't think the issue will be settled until well into ST. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hogan873 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Nice breakdown. I pretty much agree with your assessments. The Ohman deal has some question marks, but at $2 million/year it's fairly safe. I'm excited about 2011, and I think KW did a great job this offseason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ Jan 11, 2011 -> 02:28 PM) OUr offense is going to be stellar in 2011. However, Im still worried about the pen with the uncertainty of Peavy and the decision with Sale. That is why i would love for them to sign Soriano. If Sale starts the season as our closer- who would be Peavy's insurance starter? Harrel? There's a reason Soriano is still on the market. Now he will eventually get signed by somebody. But not for the years and money he and his agent are seeking. And you made me throw up a little in my mouth with the notion of Harrell starting a single game for us in 2011. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Ohman is a f***ing gas can. You will all learn to hate him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 11, 2011 -> 02:41 PM) Ohman is a f***ing gas can. You will all learn to hate him. lol. I'm trying to be a nicer/kinder J4L, but thanks for saying that for me. I do not like Ohman at all. I'll support him, obviously, because he's a White Sox. But I don't like him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jan 11, 2011 -> 02:43 PM) lol. I'm trying to be a nicer/kinder J4L, but thanks for saying that for me. I do not like Ohman at all. I'll support him, obviously, because he's a White Sox. But I don't like him. Every time he came into the game for the Cubs I knew something bad was going to happen. I would rather have the ghost of Neal Cotts's arm than Will Ohman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleHurt05 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 11, 2011 -> 02:47 PM) Every time he came into the game for the Cubs I knew something bad was going to happen. I would rather have the ghost of Neal Cotts's arm than Will Ohman. True, thats all I remember about his days with the Cubs too, and I remember all Cubs fans f***ing hated him. I hope he does well, but I won't be expecting the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSqwert Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Coop will f.......ah never mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 (edited) QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 11, 2011 -> 02:47 PM) Every time he came into the game for the Cubs I knew something bad was going to happen. I would rather have the ghost of Neal Cotts's arm than Will Ohman. You don't gotta tell me this. The Cubs obviously play a majority of their games during the day so I would watch them, hoping they lose, of course, before the Sox game. I have no faith whatsoever in Will Ohman being able to get out Mauer or Morneau in a key situation. I'll hope for the best but expect the worst. Edited January 11, 2011 by Jordan4life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jan 11, 2011 -> 03:59 PM) You don't gotta tell me this. The Cubs obviously play a majority of their games during the day so I would watch them, hoping they lose, of course, before the Sox game. I have no faith whatsoever in Will Ohman being able to get out Mauer or Morneau in a key situation. I'll hope for the best but expect the worst. Mauer is 0/3 against him, Morneau is 1/3 with a walk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 11, 2011 -> 03:14 PM) Mauer is 0/3 against him, Morneau is 1/3 with a walk I appreciate the effort to sooth my concerns. But I still have no faith in Ohman to get them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jan 11, 2011 -> 02:57 PM) True, thats all I remember about his days with the Cubs too, and I remember all Cubs fans f***ing hated him. I hope he does well, but I won't be expecting the best. I was in a bar watching a Cubs/Sox game I believe and some Cubs schmo turned around and said "Will Ohman is STRAIGHT DEALIN" BOOM someone hits a dinger off of him. From that day we've always calling him straight dealin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LVSoxFan Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 11, 2011 -> 03:41 PM) Ohman is a f***ing gas can. You will all learn to hate him. LOL. Point taken. Overall, I'm pretty happy with what we've got. Peavy is the big question mark. Not that he's not awesome--just: is he going to be able to return to form? If he does--look out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justBLAZE Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 If Ohman does indeed suck, one more reason for Sale to be in the pen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 11, 2011 -> 05:52 PM) I was in a bar watching a Cubs/Sox game I believe and some Cubs schmo turned around and said "Will Ohman is STRAIGHT DEALIN" BOOM someone hits a dinger off of him. From that day we've always calling him straight dealin. That is an awesome nickname, serious or facetious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliSoxFanViaSWside Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Joe I'm surprised I don't see Viciedo aka Hotfire on your opening day roster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hogan873 Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 QUOTE (LVSoxFan @ Jan 11, 2011 -> 08:31 PM) LOL. Point taken. Overall, I'm pretty happy with what we've got. Peavy is the big question mark. Not that he's not awesome--just: is he going to be able to return to form? If he does--look out. If Peavy returns to form, the rotation could be downright fantastic. Buehrle could be the weakest pitcher in the rotation...that's a damn good rotation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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