Konerko, Viciedo shine in Sox 10-1 win

The White Sox beat the D-Backs yesterday 10-1, as Johnny Danks started for the Sox against former Sox Jon Garland. Here are my notes from today's game:

• Jerry Owens went 0-5 today, lets hope he keeps it up so he isn't the starting Center Fielder
• Look for Ben Broussard to have a surprising Spring Training. He will turn a lot of heads even though he will likely start the year in AAA Charlotte
• I would like to see how Chris Getz does if he gets a chance at hitting higher in the order (lead-off or 2 hole)
• I know it is Spring Training, but Pauly is looking like his eye and timing is on. He is one to watch this Spring
• Look for BA to get a lot of playing time this Spring. I think he will steal the job from JO

Box Score:

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2009_02_27_chamlb_arimlb_1

Next Up: Jeff Marquez makes his first start in a White Sox uniform. Jeff is competing for a spot in the rotation. Carlos Quentin, Josh Fields, Jermaine Dye, A.J. Pierzynski and Jim Thome are expected to play.

Start Time: 2:05

RECAP: White Sox Win 1st Spring Game 4-1

The White Sox came out victors Thursday afternoon, beating the Colorado Rockies in the Sox 2nd Spring Training game. Gavin Floyd and the staff pitched strong giving up only 1 run. Game notes: (can only go off box score, game was not on radio or TV)

• Look for Gavin Floyd to continue to have a good spring. Hopefully he can continue this throughout the season
• Corkey Miller to have an inside track on the backup catcher job, he can defiantly play defense and he showed today he has the potential to hit
• The Sox were aggressive on he base paths today, look for that to continue into the season
• Look for Brent Lillibridge and Chris Getz get shots at leading-off if Jerry Owens proves to be ineffective. Lillibridge stole a base today

You can view the box score by clicking on the link : http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2009_02_26_chamlb_colmlb_1

The Sox will play the D-Backs tomorrow, as Johnny Danks will go for the Sox.

White Sox vs. Rockies: Game 2 Spring Training

Today the White Sox will take on the Colorado Rockies in their 2nd Spring Training contest. No game broadcast will be shown on the radio or television so the game will be hard to follow. Gordon Beckham and Dayan Viciedo will make their White Sox debuts. Gavin Floyd will start for the Sox and will pitch about 2 innings or 20-30 pitches. From what we have heard, Gavin is already pitching in mid season form, throwing in the mid 90's.

Pitching Match Up: Floyd vs. Hirsh

Location: Tucson Electric Park

Audio or Video: None

Lineups:

White Sox:

1. Wise

2. Anderson

3. Konerko

4. Betemit

5. Kroeger

6. Viciedo

7. Allen

8. Miller

9. Lillibridge

Rockies:

1. Young
2. Pods
3. Colonel
4. Baker
5. Gonzalez
6. Torrealba
7. Koshansky
8. Ortmeier
9. Quitanilla

RECAP: White Sox vs. Angels;Spring Training Game One

The White Sox lost there 2009 Spring Training opener to the LA Angels by a score of 12-3. I have a few notes about today's game:

• Don't get frustrated with Dotel. Coop tells his pitchers in the first few games of Spring Training to throw more fast balls. The same thing happened to Gavin Floyd last year
• Look for A.J. to hit number 2 during the season if he continues to produce in ST
• Don't be discouraged with Tyler Flowers defense. He just started playing catcher a couple years ago. He will be fine if he progresses like he should
• 1 bad game from someone will not cause them to lose a spot or position on the roster
• Brad Salmon sucks
• Clayton Richard looks to have an early hand on the 5th starter spot, after showing good velocity and mixture of pitches today

You can access the box score by clicking here: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2009_02_25_chamlb_anamlb_1

Contreras to Start Season in the Rotation

Way back, last August, Jose Contreras had an Achilles Tendon injury that was supposed to keep him out until midway through next season. Now after dropping 42 lbs. in the off season, Contreras could join the Sox rotation on Opening Day. This according to Kenny and Ozzie speaking from their new Spring Training home in Glendale, Az. Some teammates of Contreras are even saying that he is throwing the ball better now than he was last season. This year Contreras has reverted back to the windup he used in 2005-2007 where his arms came over his head. Having Contreras in the rotation would be a huge boost for the Sox who are relying on a unproven, young 5th starter. If it were me making this decision, I would either wait until he is finally recovered and is 100% or refuse to pitch him on his normal rotation day and give him an extra day or two of rest.

Here is my Sox rotation with Jose in it:

1. MB

2. JD

3. GF

4.BC

5.JC

BREAKING NEWS: MARK BUERHLE TO START OPENING DAY

UPDATE 10:24 P.M.- The Opening Day starter was between John Danks and the chosen Mark Buerhle. This makes sense because Gavin will likely break up MB and JD in the rotation, as they are 2 lefties.


According to colleagues who work closely with Kenny Williams, Ozzie Guillen has selected Mark Buerhle to start Opening Day. This news may seem sudden, as Sox pitchers and catchers report Sunday. This may not come to be a shocker for most Sox fans, as Mark has started 6 of the last 7 Opening Day games. Mark got shelled last year when he pitched opening day against the Indians.

Here is the projected rotation:

1. MB

2. Gavin Floyd

3. JD

4. Bartolo Colon

5. ?

Details to follow

FANTASY:Top White Sox Fantasy Performers

Today, I will be projecting the top White Sox fantasy performers for the 2009 fantasy baseball season. Here is my list:

1. Carlos Quentin

2. Alexei Ramirez

3. Jermaine Dye

4. Bobby Jenks

5. Jim Thome

6. John Danks

7. Mark Buerhle

8. Gavin Floyd

9. Paul Konerko

10. A.J. Pierzynski

White Sox Wire Fantasy League

Hey guys, I've just created the White Sox Wire Fantasy League. You can email me to join, or find our league on the yahoo fantasy baseball site. It is a Head-Head league and it will have 12 teams. It is a semi-competitive league.

White Sox Sign Ben Broussard

The White Sox have signed Ben Broussard to a Minor League Deal, adding depth to first base. Broussard, who played for Texas last year, will likely get an invitation to Spring training but is a long shot to make the squad. He will probably take over the opening at first base left by Brad Eldred at AAA Charlotte.

PREVIEW: Shortstop

I this preview, we will be discussing the White Sox Shortstop situation. Alexei Ramirez will head into Spring Training as the projected starter, with no real competition to take his spot. Ramirez, who played 2nd last year, will be taking over for the Gold Glove Orlando Cabrera. Ramirez played Shortstop as his main position in Cuba so he should have no problem making the transition, as he possess a strong arm and excellent range. On the offensive side, Ramirez finished 2nd to Rays 3rd Baseman Evan Longoria in the AL Rookie of the Year Award. The missile hit .290 with 21 HR and 77 RBI. He needs to improve on stealing bases. He has good speed, maybe the best on the team next to Jerry Owens, but does not know how to steal a base in America. Just because you have speed doesn't mean that you will steal a ton of bases. Bobby Abreu, who the Sox are linked to, doesn't posses a lot of speed, but what he does have is excellent timing. On another note, another adjustment Ramirez has to make is having better on-base skills. He had a .317 OBP last year, and the reason why it is so low is because he is a free swinger and is not patient. This probably won't change, but after his rookie year, he should know pitchers better, so that should improve his overall stats. The Sox look solid at short, and should be good for the season.

SS Depth Chart

1. Alexei Ramirez

2. Brent Lillibridge

3. Wilson Betemit

4. Gordon Beckham

PREVIEW: 2nd Base

In this preview, we will be discussing the second base battle between Chris Getz, Brent Lillibridge, and Jayson Nix. Getz seems to have the upper hand, but an excellent Spring Training out of Lillibridge or ix would most likely win one of them a job. Getz, last year at AAA Charlotte, hit .302 with 11 HR and 52 RBI while carrying a .366 OBP. Getz gets on base, can steal, can make good contact, and play excellent defense. Lillibridge, who came over from Atlanta in the Vazquez deal, hit only .220 in AAA Richmond, but did provide excellent speed. If Lillibridge were to win the job, he could be a candidate to lead off. Nix, from the Rockies organization whom the Sox signed as a Minor League Free Agent, hit .303 with 17 HR and 51 RBI. I don't understand why people would write him off. He had the best stats in AAA among the other candidates and was a top prospect once for the Rockies. I could see him as a dark horse in Spring Training.

2nd Base Depth Chart

1. Chris Getz

2. Brent Lillibridge

3. Jayson Nix

4. Gordon Beckham

Pure Speculation: Stat Predictions

1. Jerry Owens CF-.262 3HR 37RBI 34SB .322 OBP
2. A.J. Pierzynski, C-.279 10HR 62RBI .311 OBP
3. Carlos Quentin, LF-.281 33HR 87RBI .389 OBP
4. Jim Thome, DH-.249 32HR 77RBI .373 OBP
5. Jermaine Dye, RF .290 32HR 81 RBI .332 OBP
6. Paul Konerko, 1B-.252 29HR 76 RBI .352 OBP
7.Alexei Ramirez, SS-.301 23HR 79RBI .317 OBP
8. Chris Getz, 2B-.286 4HR 32RBI .345OBP
9. Dayan Viciedo, 3B-.269 14HR 55RBI .329 OBP
Rotation
1. Mark Buerhle-13-12 3.76 ERA
2. Gavin Floyd-9-13 4.45 ERA
3. John Danks-13-9 3.67 ERA
4. Bartolo Colon-8-9 4.12 ERA
5. Jeff Marquez-7-12 4.99 ERA
Bullpen
Closer: Bobby Jenks-2.31 ERA 34 Svs
SU:Matt Thorton-2.76 ERA
SU:Scott Linebrink-3.56 ERA
MR: Octavio Dotel-4.01 ERA
MR: D.J. Carrasco-4.56 ERA
LR: Clayton Richard-5.01 ERA
Bench
Cole Armstrong, C-.245 2HR 11RBI
Wilson Betemit, UT-.239 12HR 37RBI
Dewayne Wise, OF-.249 6HR 18RBI 12 SB
Brian Anderson, OF-.256 10HR 34 RBI
Josh Fields, 3B-.212 9HR 22RBI

MLB.com Fantasy

Hey, go check out the fantasy predictions. I love looking at that stuff. it has a lot of interesting predictions. The ones I'm most intrigued by is the Clayton Richard, Wilson Betemit, and Paul Konerko. All of them are predicted to have pretty good seasons.

PREVIEW: 1st Base

In 2008, Paul Konerko had one of the most disappointing seasons in his career. You can blame it on injury, yes, but is it just Paul aging? According to John Dewan, who is on weekly with Mike Murphy, a radio host for the White Sox flagship station 670 the Score, Paul Konerko's average on line drives is .551. The league average is .701 and Paul Konerko's average for his career is .702. Here is his Metrics:

I would say that Paul's struggles had mostly to do with a combination of injury, age, and just plain and simple bad luck. Konerko's defense was also not as good as it was in years past. He really struggled in getting an angle to throw it over to 2nd base and has lost some range. Off-season acquisition Wilson Betimet could see some time over at 1st to spell Paul Konerko.

Overall I see Paulie hitting .255-.260 with 25-30 HR and 80 RBI. He won't be a 40 HR guy any more but can still be a contribute on offense.

PREVIEW: Catchers

Coming into Spring Training, the Sox once again bring back A.J. Pierzynski to call balls and strikes. A.J. will be heading into his fifth season with the squad after joining the team before the championship 2005 season. A.J. will call one of the best games in the majors, but is a liability on the field. Pierzynski had an inability to throw out runners this year, and all years he has played with the Sox. A.J. will bring a good offensive input, as he hit .281 with 13 homers and 60 RBI. During Spring training, the White Sox will likely pick a back-up catcher unless they sign the likes of Ivan Rodriguez, who has beenlinked to discussion as a possible number 2 catcher. The battle for catcher seems to be between Donny Lucy and Cole Armstrong. Cole hit .320 at AAA Charlotte and is good defensively. The only liability with him is that he is a lefthanded bat. He would likely get starts against southpaws, but dd hit .318 against them. Donny Lucy would probably be the most logical choice. He is better than Armstrong defensively and is right-handed. The only downside to him is that he was injured for almost all of last season and we don't know how that will affect his play.

My Prediction

1. A.J. Pierzynski

2. Cole Armstrong

3. Donny Lucy

4. Paul Phillips

RUMOR: Sox Make 1 year offer to Abreu

According to Roger Rubin of the NY Daily news, the Whitesox have made an offer to free-agent outfielder Bobby Abreu. The offer is believed to be a one year, 8 million dollar deal. Abreu, 34, would likely replace Jermaine Dye in right field. Dye would be traded for a guy like Homer Bailey or Chone Figgins. Abreu hit .296 with 20 HR 100RBI's 100 R and 22 SB

Stat Comparison: Dye and Abreu

Player Name
Bobby Abreu Jermaine Dye

AVG. .296 .292

HR 20 34

RBI 100 96
Runs100 96
SB 22 3
OBP .371 .344
Slg. .471 .541
OPS.843 .885
Vs. RH .287 .294
Vs. LH .315 .285
2009 Projected Salary 8 million 12.5 million

Pure Speculation

Projected Line-Up: 2009 Whitesox

1. Jerry Owens CF

2. A.J. Pierzynski, C

3. Carlos Quentin, LF

4. Jim Thome, DH

5. Jermaine Dye, RF

6. Paul Konerko, 1B

7.Alexei Ramirez, SS

8. Chris Getz, 2B

9. Dayan Viciedo, 3B

Rotation

1. Mark Buerhle

2. Gavin Floyd

3. John Danks

4. Bartolo Colon

5. Jeff Marquez

Bullpen

Closer: Bobby Jenks

SU:Matt Thorton

SU:Scott Linebrink

MR: Octavio Dotel

MR: D.J. Carrasco

LR: Clayton Richard

Bench

Cole Armstrong, C

Wilson Betemit, UT

Dewayne Wise, OF

Brian Anderson, OF

Josh Fields, 3B

Analysis

The line-up is pretty straightforward, although I do have Dayan as a surprise at 3rd base. Chris Getz hits ahead of him in order to break up a string of 3 straight lefthanded hitters. (9,1,2) The 5th spot in the rotation will be won by Jeff Marquez because they will like his sinker and he will have a good Spring Training. I also believe Clayton Richard was better out of the bullpen last year (.e. Tampa Bay) The bench's only battle is at Catcher which Cole Armstrong will win due to his defense and his offensive abilities.

RUMOR: Anderson Heading Out?

According to Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald, Brian Anderson might be headed out of Chicago. On the depth chart, BA is below Dewayne Wise and Jerry Owens, who both posses speed and lead-off skills. I would be opposed to this trade because Brian brings excellent defense that every member of the projected outfield lacks. He gives good power, especially against left handed pitching but was rumored to be in Ozzie's dog-house. Ken Williams, Whitesox Gm, was quoted " “If Brian Anderson would have played every day last year, he would have hit about .275 and would have hit 25 home runs. I don't think you can disagree with that.” Is Kenny just trying to create a market? Is he being serious? We will find out.
http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/1343

Colon Deal Gives Sox Depth

Bortolo Colon pitched a total of 194.2 innings over the last three years. Before this signing, the Sox were going into Spring Training with Aaron Poreda, Jeff Marquez, Clayton Richard, and Lance Broadway all battling for the final 2 spots in the rotation. Although only pitching next to nothing the last couple years, I feel more confident with Colon Heading into Spring Training than I do with the set of young pitching vying for the last 2 spots in the rotation. Colon, last year, made a total of 7 starts with an ERA of 3.92. What was suprising is the velocity on his fastball reached 95 MPH which shows that he still has the arm, if he can keep it healthy. This is a good signing for the Sox, as it was only a minor league deal and gves the club depth. Colon should report to Spring Training healthy.

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