After a long off-season that contained a plethora of moves, the White Sox are now halfway into Spring Training. The "new look" Sox now built around speed and defense, rather than power, are ready to once again, challenge the Minnesota Twins for the American League Central Title.
Last season, the Sox set a club record for home runs hit with 242. However, most of these home runs were solo home runs. Usually people would not complain about a team hitting 242 home runs, but when this was the way the majority of runs were scored, it became a problem. As Ozzie Guillen said, the White Sox had good players, but they did not have a good team. Keeping that in mind, Kenny Williams made the moves he needed to make in the off-season to get Guillen a team that is capable of dethroning the reigning American League Central champs, the Minnesota Twins.
The following is the 2005 White Sox broken down by position.
Mark Buehrle is once again the ace of the White Sox rotation after leading the pitchers with 16 wins. There is no reason to doubt that he will once again be the Sox most consistent pitcher and be around 15 wins.
Freddy Garcia will be the number two starter behind Buehrle. After joining the Sox last season, he posted a record of 9-4. The trade that sent catcher Miguel Olivo and top prospect, Jeremy Reed to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Garcia, proved to be helpful last season. While some fans remain skeptical, it was declared a success by most fans after Garcia signed a contract extension that will keep him with the Sox for two more years after this season. However, what it will come down to is his production for this upcoming season.
The next starter also joined the Sox last season in a trade. Jose Contreras, who was acquired from the Yankees in exchange for Esteban Loiaza, will most likely be the fourth starter in the rotation.
Jon Garland will once again try to become the reliable starter he was projected to be. After not meeting his expectations last year, many think that this season will determine whether or not he will be with the team next season.
Knowing that he needed to address the fifth starter spot, Kenny Williams signed Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez. If he remains healthy, El Duque is projected to maintain his 3.96 career earned run average.
Just incase any of these starters fall to injury, it seems that 21-year-old, Brandon McCarthy, is ready to step up to the majors. McCarthy has yet to allow an earned run in 10 ½ innings of work this Spring Training.
After struggling to find a closer last season, Shingo Takatsu stepped up and took the job almost half way into the season. After earning 19 saves and getting second place in the American League Rookie of the Year voting, he is set to be the closer once again this season.
Key additions, Luis Vizcaino and Dustin Hermanson, are expected to play a major role in the Sox bullpen. With the two new guys and mainstays Cliff Polite, Damaso Marte, Neal Cotts, and Jon Adkins, the Sox have arguably one of the best bullpens in the American League Central.
The Sox added A.J. Pierzynski, one of the best offensive catchers in the major league. After being deemed a clubhouse cancer from former teammates on the San Francisco Giants, Pierzynski seems to be fitting in with the club very nicely. He will finally give the Sox another bat that they needed from the catcher spot.
Ben Davis, also acquired in the Garcia trade, will back up Pierzynski.
One of the only guys left with the Sox from the previous five years, Paul Konerko will start at first base. Not only is he expected to provide the offense with his powerful bat, he is also supposed to be a very important team leader. Ross Gload will back Konerko up.
The only position that does not have a permanent starter is second base. Off-season acquisition, Tadahito Iguchi was slated to be the starting second baseman this season, but this past week, Kenny Williams said that Willie Harris still has the possibility of being the starter. Whoever doesn’t start will most likely stay on the team as an utility player.
After parting ways with Jose Valentin, Juan Uribe is slated to be the starting short stop. Following a breakthrough season, Uribe is supposed to be a major contributor to the Sox offense.
Joe Crede will once again be the starting third baseman. He struggled offensively last year, but he plays an amazing defensive game. Young prospect, Josh Fields, looks ready to join the Sox next season if Crede does not perform to his potential.
Jermaine Dye was signed in the off-season to replace Magglio Ordonez, who is now with the Detroit Tigers. Dye looks to be a solid pickup if he can remain healthy throughout the season. He won’t put up numbers that Ordonez has in the last couple of seasons, but he should provide the Sox with decent numbers.
Aaron Rowand will most likely be the starting center fielder. After stepping into the spotlight last season, Rowand might be the Sox most consistent player. If it weren’t for Torii Hunter, Rowand would have most likely won a gold glove last season.
Scott Podsednik, who was acquired from the Carlos Lee trade, will play left field and lead off. After stealing 70 bases last season, he brings speed to the Sox which was exactly what Guillen wanted.
Due to an injury to Sox veteran, Frank Thomas, Carl Everett will be the designated hitter until Thomas is healthy. Everett dropped 40 pounds this past off-season and is expected to fill the major void that is left in the lineup without Thomas. The Big Hurt is respected to finish up his rehab in late April or early May. He is set to be the starting designated hitter once he returns.
The White Sox are a completely different team then last year. After making a major shift from power hitters to players with speed and defense, Ozzie Guillen has a team that seems to be capable of winning the American League Championship.
