Welcome to jockr’s 2009 Team Sales Report, where we will offer fans consultative outreach and analysis of the comprehensive, results-based solutions they can expect from each franchise this upcoming quarter. Today’s entry focuses on the Chicago White Sox.
Chicago White Sox
2008 year-end market position: 89-74 1st place, AL Central
Defeated Minnesota Twins in 1-game playoff
Lost to Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 in AL Divisional Series
New Hires: 3B Dayan Viciedo (free agent from Cuba), RHP Kelvin Jimenez (claimed on waivers from Blue Jays), INF Wilson Betemit (trade with Yankees), RHP Bartolo Colon (free agent from Red Sox)
Layoffs: RHP Javier Vazquez (traded to Braves), LHP Boone Logan (traded to Braves), OF Nick Swisher (traded to Yankees), LHP Horacio Ramirez (free agent, signed with Royals), C Toby Hall (free agent, signed minor league deal with Astros), INF Juan Uribe (free agent, signed minor league deal with Giants), OF Ken Griffey Jr. (free agent, signed with Mariners), 3B Joe Crede (free agent, signed with Twins)
Best Practices: The White Sox had an interesting year last year. On one hand, they saw a lot of things go wrong–Jim Thome and Paul Konerko were black holes in the lineup most of the first half, newly acquired Nick Swisher had the lowest average (.219) of anyone qualifying for the batting title, Javier Vazquez regressed on the mound, Joe Crede continued to see his career fizzle because of injury, and Jose Contreras ruptured his achilles. On the other hand, John Danks and Gavin Floyd blossomed into solid starters, Alexei Ramirez shook off a disastrous April and showcased his considerable talent, newly acquired Carlos Quentin likely would’ve been the MVP had he not broken his wrist punching his bat, and the Sox had six layers hit at least 20 home runs as they stunningly won the division. They have a lot of questions coming into this year as well: is Quentin healthy and was last year a fluke? Can Alexei handle shortstop? Are Floyd and Danks for real? Are Thome and Konerko done? Living in Chicago, I’ve paid some attention to the Sox, and for some reason I’m just not very optimistic about this season. Don’t get me wrong, I love Alexei, but I’m worried the league will catch up to them. (Also, Alexei needs to seriously work on his plate discipline after walking just 18 times in over 500 plate appearances.) I do think Quentin is for real, though. The bullpen is also quite good. Bobby Jenks is an elite closer and the Scott Linebrink/Octavio Dotel duo, if they stay healthy, are as good as anyone. I also think lefty Matt Thornton is a decent power arm.
Pain Points: I think that the White Sox are relying on too much from Floyd. They need him to be a No. 2 starter, and I don’t think he can be that. He’s far too hittable (190 hits in 206 innings) and though he had a decent K rate last year (6.3 K per 9) the batting average of on balls hit in play against him was .241, which indicates he probably was getting pretty lucky. I think he’s definitely a legitimate major league pitcher, but by the end of last season they were looking to him as a stopper, and I just don’t think he’s capable of doing that. I expect a serious regression from him this year, but I hope I’m wrong. I also think it’s risky to count on Contreras returning to form, and I’m not sold that Bartolo Colon has anything left, but as a 1-year deal, he was worth the risk. The White Sox won the World Series in 2005 with solid pitching and a gritty offense that manufactured runs. Last year they relied to heavily on the home run and often went station to station on the basepaths with cloggers like Thome and Konerko running around out there. Dewayne Wise has some speed, but he’s also one of the worst starting outfielders in the majors. He certainly can’t bat leadoff with a career .254 on-base percentage. Come on. Alexei moves on to short while decent prospect Chris Getz takes over at second. I watched some of yesterday’s Sox preseason game and they were talking about Getz. After the play-by-play guy compared him to Jeff Kent, the Hawk stepped in to offer some reason “I think he’s more like Ryne Sandberg.” That’s a lot to ask of a guy who never hit more than three home runs in a season until last year when he muscled up for 11. Disappointing Josh Fields once again gets a shot at third. Yawn.
Key Thought Leader: MGR Ozzie Guillen. He worked magic last year and he’s going to have to do it again. The AL Central is going to be real tough this year, so the Sox are going to have to play better than they did a year ago to eke it out. Unfortunately, I think they played about as well as they possibly could a year ago. Everyone’s a year older and I just can’t get excited about that rotation. Sorry, Ozzie.
Enterprise Outlook: Let the outrage begin. 5th place, AL Central
Tomorrow’s Target: New York Mets
