White Sox Shell Game Not Fooling Anyone
So, Kenny thinks the Sox can win the division with the current roster. And, on the balance sheet, the Sox are healthy. What does this tell you, the Sox fan?
This: The economy is in the crapper and the higher ups who make the money decisions (The Chairman) have little confidence that people will turn out at Sox games this year.
I just looked at ticket prices for the Sox vs. Brewers here in Milwaukee. I've been to Miller Park several times and I know where the decent seats are. For the wife and I to go to that game, the tickets alone are $130. Factor in parking, maybe a brat or two and a cold drink and it's a $200 date. But that $200 would be better served going to the mortgage payment, the credit cards, the electric bill or the cable bill. I can watch the game on TV at home, make some brats and have just a good time for about $20. I can even argue with Brewer fans simply by stepping out my front door.
The Sox know this, so rather than extend themselves financially, they have a wait and see attitude. If the core of the lineup (AJ, Q, Paulie, Gentleman Jim, Jermaine) performs and at least three of their starters (Buhrle, Danks, Floyd) pitch well, they'll still be in the AL Central race by June. At that point, depending where they are and where the weak spots are, they can go out and get a rent a player to help shore up the lineup.
Just like corporations across America are shoving older, experienced workers out the door in record numbers, so have the Sox parted with experience and salary to leave the heavy lifting to Josh Fields, Jayson Nix, Chris Getz, Brent Lillibridge, the Cuban Sandwich and (gack) Jerry Owens. Sprinkle in a couple of Kenny Williams retreads like DeWayne Wise, Bartolo Colon and Wilson Betemit, and some young, untested pitchers and you have your 2009 Chicago White Sox.
The wiggle room financially is enough to get Kenny what he needs if the attendance is there and if the team is competitive. Otherwise, the Sox will, as they did in 2007, go into fire sale mode in June and shed even more salary to compliment the dwindling interest and attendance.
Literally, the Sox fortunes depend on "if you build it, they will come." Which begs the question how many will come and how long will this roster stay competitive?
We'll know in another six weeks or so in spring training.
This: The economy is in the crapper and the higher ups who make the money decisions (The Chairman) have little confidence that people will turn out at Sox games this year.
I just looked at ticket prices for the Sox vs. Brewers here in Milwaukee. I've been to Miller Park several times and I know where the decent seats are. For the wife and I to go to that game, the tickets alone are $130. Factor in parking, maybe a brat or two and a cold drink and it's a $200 date. But that $200 would be better served going to the mortgage payment, the credit cards, the electric bill or the cable bill. I can watch the game on TV at home, make some brats and have just a good time for about $20. I can even argue with Brewer fans simply by stepping out my front door.
The Sox know this, so rather than extend themselves financially, they have a wait and see attitude. If the core of the lineup (AJ, Q, Paulie, Gentleman Jim, Jermaine) performs and at least three of their starters (Buhrle, Danks, Floyd) pitch well, they'll still be in the AL Central race by June. At that point, depending where they are and where the weak spots are, they can go out and get a rent a player to help shore up the lineup.
Just like corporations across America are shoving older, experienced workers out the door in record numbers, so have the Sox parted with experience and salary to leave the heavy lifting to Josh Fields, Jayson Nix, Chris Getz, Brent Lillibridge, the Cuban Sandwich and (gack) Jerry Owens. Sprinkle in a couple of Kenny Williams retreads like DeWayne Wise, Bartolo Colon and Wilson Betemit, and some young, untested pitchers and you have your 2009 Chicago White Sox.
The wiggle room financially is enough to get Kenny what he needs if the attendance is there and if the team is competitive. Otherwise, the Sox will, as they did in 2007, go into fire sale mode in June and shed even more salary to compliment the dwindling interest and attendance.
Literally, the Sox fortunes depend on "if you build it, they will come." Which begs the question how many will come and how long will this roster stay competitive?
We'll know in another six weeks or so in spring training.
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