Luvofthegame
09-08-2006, 12:09 PM
By Scot Gregor
Chicago White Sox
September 08, 2006
Shortly after the July 31 trade deadline, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams stepped way out of character and looked ahead to 2007.
At the time, Williams predicted a relatively quiet off-season, specifically mentioning the Sox’ only true need was a left-handed reliever to fill the long role.
Well, times have changed.
Thursday night’s uninspired loss to the Cleveland Indians cast even more doubts over the sputtering White Sox, but that doesn’t mean they won’t catch fire over the final three weeks and mount another charge through the postseason.
Despite falling for the sixth time in eight games, the Sox didn’t lose any ground to Minnesota in the wild-card race. And it’s not a complete reach to say the White Sox will chase down the first-place Detroit Tigers over the final 22 games of the regular season.
But let’s examine some pretty grim facts for a moment.
Since the all-star break, the Sox are 23-29. Manager Ozzie Guillen, in turn, has been pointing out the obvious: When the White Sox hit, they don’t pitch. When they pitch, they don’t hit. And sometimes, like Thursday, they do neither.
There’s been plenty of blame being tossed around lately, with Guillen asking for the lion’s share.
Bottom line, it’s still too early to be putting anybody’s neck on the chopping block, especially Guillen’s.
But it’s not too early to say Williams erred in his belief the Sox only need a minor tweak or two at season’s end.
As it looks now, they’re going to need one, maybe two new starting pitchers.
They’re going to need a new left fielder, a new center fielder and possibly a fresh face at shortstop. Then, Williams can worry about getting that left-handed relief pitcher.
If you think about it, Guillen deserves some manager of the year consideration for guiding this team to an 80-60 record.
In Jermaine Dye, Jim Thome and Paul Konerko, the White Sox have the most explosive 3-4-5 hitters in the game, and starting pitcher Jon Garland, third baseman Joe Crede and closer Bobby Jenks are standout performers.
Catcher A.J. Pierzynski and second baseman Tadahito Iguchi are solid, as is the Sox’ bench.
But there’s no getting around the disappointing efforts from the rest of the White Sox’ starting rotation, which, privately, has staggered Williams.
Additionally, the Sox have gotten next to nothing from left fielder Scott Podsednik at the top of the order and shortstop Juan Uribe and rookie center fielder Brian Anderson at the bottom.
In the bullpen, Cliff Politte wasn’t able to pitch with a blown-out shoulder, which required surgery after the Sox released him. Neal Cotts insists he’s healthy, but he’s been a shell of the pitcher he was in 2005.
The White Sox have plenty of work to do down the stretch if they want to make a run at a second straight World Series title.
No matter what happens, it looks like Williams is going to face a similar task in the off-season.
Guillen has already put Anderson on notice that he needs to make major improvements when he goes to Venezuela for winter ball. If the Sox decide to pull the plug on the 24-year-old outfielder, Torii Hunter and Mike Cameron should be available on the free-agent market.
But Guillen likes another rookie, Ryan Sweeney, who was called up from Class AAA Charlotte on Sept. 1. Don’t be surprised if Sweeney is in the starting lineup next year, either in center for Anderson or left for Podsednik.
As for the starting rotation, Williams figures to move either Freddy Garcia or Javier Vazquez to open a spot for Brandon McCarthy. But the Sox’ GM also like Baltimore Orioles left-hander Erik Bedard, so there could be multiple trades.
Try to enjoy the rest of this roller-coaster playoff race, White Sox fans.
Then, brace for a busy winter.
Chicago White Sox
September 08, 2006
Shortly after the July 31 trade deadline, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams stepped way out of character and looked ahead to 2007.
At the time, Williams predicted a relatively quiet off-season, specifically mentioning the Sox’ only true need was a left-handed reliever to fill the long role.
Well, times have changed.
Thursday night’s uninspired loss to the Cleveland Indians cast even more doubts over the sputtering White Sox, but that doesn’t mean they won’t catch fire over the final three weeks and mount another charge through the postseason.
Despite falling for the sixth time in eight games, the Sox didn’t lose any ground to Minnesota in the wild-card race. And it’s not a complete reach to say the White Sox will chase down the first-place Detroit Tigers over the final 22 games of the regular season.
But let’s examine some pretty grim facts for a moment.
Since the all-star break, the Sox are 23-29. Manager Ozzie Guillen, in turn, has been pointing out the obvious: When the White Sox hit, they don’t pitch. When they pitch, they don’t hit. And sometimes, like Thursday, they do neither.
There’s been plenty of blame being tossed around lately, with Guillen asking for the lion’s share.
Bottom line, it’s still too early to be putting anybody’s neck on the chopping block, especially Guillen’s.
But it’s not too early to say Williams erred in his belief the Sox only need a minor tweak or two at season’s end.
As it looks now, they’re going to need one, maybe two new starting pitchers.
They’re going to need a new left fielder, a new center fielder and possibly a fresh face at shortstop. Then, Williams can worry about getting that left-handed relief pitcher.
If you think about it, Guillen deserves some manager of the year consideration for guiding this team to an 80-60 record.
In Jermaine Dye, Jim Thome and Paul Konerko, the White Sox have the most explosive 3-4-5 hitters in the game, and starting pitcher Jon Garland, third baseman Joe Crede and closer Bobby Jenks are standout performers.
Catcher A.J. Pierzynski and second baseman Tadahito Iguchi are solid, as is the Sox’ bench.
But there’s no getting around the disappointing efforts from the rest of the White Sox’ starting rotation, which, privately, has staggered Williams.
Additionally, the Sox have gotten next to nothing from left fielder Scott Podsednik at the top of the order and shortstop Juan Uribe and rookie center fielder Brian Anderson at the bottom.
In the bullpen, Cliff Politte wasn’t able to pitch with a blown-out shoulder, which required surgery after the Sox released him. Neal Cotts insists he’s healthy, but he’s been a shell of the pitcher he was in 2005.
The White Sox have plenty of work to do down the stretch if they want to make a run at a second straight World Series title.
No matter what happens, it looks like Williams is going to face a similar task in the off-season.
Guillen has already put Anderson on notice that he needs to make major improvements when he goes to Venezuela for winter ball. If the Sox decide to pull the plug on the 24-year-old outfielder, Torii Hunter and Mike Cameron should be available on the free-agent market.
But Guillen likes another rookie, Ryan Sweeney, who was called up from Class AAA Charlotte on Sept. 1. Don’t be surprised if Sweeney is in the starting lineup next year, either in center for Anderson or left for Podsednik.
As for the starting rotation, Williams figures to move either Freddy Garcia or Javier Vazquez to open a spot for Brandon McCarthy. But the Sox’ GM also like Baltimore Orioles left-hander Erik Bedard, so there could be multiple trades.
Try to enjoy the rest of this roller-coaster playoff race, White Sox fans.
Then, brace for a busy winter.