MLB

Feed

> View All

Need to get an edge in your fantasy football league? Don't forget to check out our FREE Fantasy Football Draft Kit.

Get Draft Help Now

Read the latest baseball satire from the warped minds of
The Dugout.

White Sox Have Chance to Be Spoiler

AOL

Posted: 2008-03-13 21:22:12

Filed Under: MLB

Photo Gallery

Jeff Chiu, AP

Four Storylines
To Watch in 2008

1 of 4

1. All About Ozzie: White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is always worth keeping an eye on, but especially this year. After a tough season in 2007, Guillen's job could be on the line. That pressure ought to make him a good quote, if nothing else.

Projected Lineup

Alexei Ramirez, 2B
Orlando Cabrera, SS
Paul Konerko, 1B
Jim Thome, DH
Nick Swisher, CF
Jermaine Dye, RF
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Carlos Quentin, LF
Josh Fields, 3B

Projected Rotation

Mark Buehrle, L
Javier Vazquez, R
Jose Contreras, R
John Danks, L
Gavin Floyd, R

Top Bullpen Arms

Bobby Jenks, CL
Octavio Dotel, SU
Scott Linebrink, SU

Word of Justice

GM Kenny Williams added outfielder Nick Swisher and shortstop Orlando Cabrera to an offense that was last in the majors in batting average and last in the American League in runs. That's an amazing accomplishment for a lineup that had Jim Thome, Paul Konerko and three others with at least 20 home runs.

Williams added Octavio Dotel and Scott Linebrink to the bullpen. Now, about the rotation: Williams has stocked up on talented young arms and is hoping they deliver this season. Right-hander Gavin Floyd and lefty John Danks, who have 55 career starts between them, could fill out the back of the rotation and go a long way toward determining if the Sox can stay close to the Tigers and Indians. Jose Contreras pitched well toward the end of last season and gave the White Sox hope he still can be productive.

-- Richard Justice

Numbers Game

.404 - Chicago's slugging average in 2007, the third worst mark in the American League. The White Sox managed this feat despite the fact that their 190 home runs was the second best mark in the league last year. To be sure, part of that is influenced by the fact that U.S. Cellular Field is one of best home run ballparks in the majors, but the Sox also didn't do much else offensively as a team. Six regulars had a sub-.350 OBP in 2007.

88 - Quality starts by White Sox pitchers last year. The front of their rotation was actually pretty good last year -- only four teams amassed more quality starts -- but their middle relief was brutal, and they lost Jon Garland (10-13, 4.23 ERA last year) in the Orlando Cabrera trade this winter.

2 - White Sox players who played more than 140 games last season. Chicago's core is aging and fragile, though new acquisitions Orlando Cabrera and Nick Swisher should give them extra durability.

-- Andrew Johnson

Preview Poetry

But it's up to Contreras, Danks and Floyd
For Kenny's plan to make an iota of sense
Injuries and pitfalls they'll have to avoid
To surpass Minnesota, Cleveland, Detroit
A lot must go right to make any difference.

-- Tom Fornelli/Jim Margalus, FanHouse

AOL's MLB Team Previews

Feb. 25: Athletics (76-86)
Feb. 26: Rangers (75-87)
Feb. 27: Mariners (88-74)
Feb. 28: Angels (94-68)
Feb. 29: Pirates (68-94)
March 1: Astros (73-89)
March 2: Reds (72-90)
March 3: Brewers (83-79)
March 4: Cardinals (78-84)
March 5: Cubs (85-77)
March 6: Marlins (71-91)
March 7: Nationals (73-89)
March 8: Braves (84-78)
March 9: Phillies (89-73)
March 10: Mets (88-74)

(Record in 2007)

March 11: Royals (69-93)
March 12: Twins (79-83)
March 13: White Sox (72-90)
March 14: Indians (96-66)
March 15: Tigers (88-74)
March 16: Giants (71-91)
March 17: Rockies (90-73)
March 18: Padres (89-74)
March 19: Diamondbacks (90-72)
March 20: Dodgers (82-80)
March 21: Rays (66-96)
March 22: Blue Jays (83-79)
March 23: Orioles (69-93)
March 24: Yankees (94-68)
March 25: Red Sox (96-66)

Latest MLB Photos

Hugging her son Brady, in Brandon, Miss., Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008, A'Leece Kemp says the expenses and difficulties of juggling a home life, school, games and practice for her son Brady Kemp, a member of the select baseball traveling team of 8-year-olds called "The Hot Shots," and the high school life of daughter, Gabby Bulger, a school band member, may extract their toll from the parents, but they do so gladly. Husband and father Larry Kemp is the baseball team's coach and equipment manager. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Rain makes catching a bouncing grounder hard to handle for Brady Kemp, 8, at Shiloh Park in Brandon, Miss., Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008. Kemp is a member of a select traveling baseball team. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

Brady Kemp, 8, drops into position to field a low throw, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008, during a workout at Shiloh Park in Brandon, Miss. The Kemp family can all attest to both the honor and expense of having a son, like Brady on a select baseball travel team. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Eight-year-old Brady Kemp throws a baseball to his fathery, Larry Kemp, during a short workout at Shiloh Park in Brandon, Miss., Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008. A member of a select baseball travel ball team, Brady and his family have traveled extensively to get him and his teammates to tournaments. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Ducking in a dugout to escape the rain at Shiloh Park in Brandon, Miss., Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008, Larry Kemp, father, left standing, A'Leece Kemp, mother, right standing, Gabby Bulger, sister, seating right, can all attest to both the honor and expense of having a son, like Brady Kemp, 8, left, on a select traveling baseball team. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

USA baseball general manager Bob Watson, left, and manager Davey Johnson watch from behind the batting cage during the team's practice session at Wukesong baseball complex at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 12 2008. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 11: Jimmy Rollins #11 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on after a double by James Loney of the Los Angeles Dodgers (not in picture) in the bottom of the eighth inning during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium on August 11, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Phillies 8-6. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 11: Manny Ramirez #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers runs to third base on a double by James Loney (not in photo) in the eighth inning during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium on August 11, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Phillies 8-6. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 11: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers collides into Chase Utley #26 of the Philadelphia Phillies at second base as Utley finishes his throw to first base to converts the double play at the bottom of the seventh inning during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium on August 11, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Phillies 8-6. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Los Angeles Dodgers' James Loney hits a two-run single in the third inning during an MLB baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Monday, Aug. 11, 2008, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

2008-03-11 21:00:49

Must Read?

34 %

66 %

0 VOTES

Recent Comments

Post Your Own

1 - 10 of 14

14 comments

mikeskew01 02:08:42 PM Mar 31 2008

Report This!

New emphasis on small-ball and surprises from Danks and Floyd and we will be alright. Maybe a second places finish but that's good for the wild card.

jspaw1 10:57:14 AM Mar 31 2008

Report This!

OZZIE WILL PROVE ALOT OF PEOPLE WRONG AND HAVE A GOOD YEAR UNLIKE THE CUBS WHO ALWAYS SAY WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR THE CUBS SHEEP WILL FOLLOWM ALONG BLINDLY AGAIN. GO CUBS AND TAKE THE BULLS WITH YOU.

sbigrosie1 12:47:44 AM Mar 28 2008

Report This!

something tells me Dotel will flop in that bullpen this year too, team is very iffy and stinky

sbigrosie1 12:46:56 AM Mar 28 2008

Report This!

Ozzie has the kind of face you would like to slug if you saw him in a bar , what a loud annoying jerko

sbigrosie1 12:46:07 AM Mar 28 2008

Report This!

Ozzie is a bad manager who just got lucky with a real good team 3 yrs ago, will never be successful with his arrogant, know it all , rude approach which will surely lose players in that lockerroom, like it hasnt happened already haha

sbigrosie1 12:44:47 AM Mar 28 2008

Report This!

NICK SWISHER IS A GOOD ADDITION, I WILL GIVE EM THAT, BUT ASIDE ITS GOING TO BE A LONG YEAR FOR THE CHI TOWN SOX. CUBS MAY GET IN THE POST SEASON, BUT WILL LOSE LIKE ALWAYS

sbigrosie1 12:18:26 AM Mar 28 2008

Report This!

ONLY WAY THIS TEAM WINS IS IF THEY OVERHAUL THE ROSTER FULL OF AGING VETERNS WITH DECLINING PLAY. THEIR PITCHING IS VERY MEDIOCRE, AND OFFENSIVELY THEY ARE NOW AVERAGE AT BEST.

sbigrosie1 12:16:28 AM Mar 28 2008

Report This!

OZZIE GUILLEN IS A LOOSE CANNON, NUTJOB WACKO. THE GUY HAS A BAD ATTITUDE AND AN ANNOYING LOUD MOUTH. THIS TEAM HAD 1 FLUKE GOOD YEAR AND NOW IS GOING DOWN AND SINKING FURTHER THIS YEAR. BET THE ROYALS PASS THEM FROM LAST BY THE ALL STAR BREAK. IF I WAS THE CHI TOWN SOX, I WOULD FIRED THIS IDIOT AND BRING IN A GOOD MANAGER. BOTTOM LINE IS THE TEAM STINKS AND WILL NOT SEE PLAYOFFS THIS YEAR

bjrintin 06:50:02 PM Mar 15 2008

Report This!

prepare this year is the windycity world series! GAME 6 CUBS WIN CUBS WIN HOLY COW!

kevro03 12:26:46 AM Mar 15 2008

Report This!

Well. We did win 2005. Also we failed to crap our diapers the last two years. I respect Leland and well good luck to you all Soz are gonna give ya all ya want!.....too bad that there are so many good teams in the central AL

1 - 10 of 14

14 comments

Add your own Comments

Clear

Add

Get the the latest images from the world of Major League Baseball.

View Photos

Check out an odd assortment of ailments from the world of baseball.

View Photos

MLB

FanHouse Latest Posts

MLB Blog Roll

Fantasy Football 2008 Draft Kit