Last One Out Turn Out The Lights
I try not to think about what might have been
'cause that was then and we have taken diff'rent roads
We can't go back again there's no use giving in
And there's no way to know
What might have been
Little Texas
As members of the 2009 Chicago White Sox disburse to different parts of the country and Central America, we bid a not so fond farewell to the season that wasn't.
Even with the advantage of being in one of baseball's weakest division, the 2009 edition of the good guys failed miserably on several fronts. Situational hitting comes to mind as does clutch relief pitching and defense. And while two teams the Sox could have beaten gather in Minnesota for tomorrow's playoff, the White Sox and their disappointed fans have been reduced to the unwanted role of spectator.
So, what will be different in 2010? Here's what we know about the current team:
See you in March: Paul Konerko, Chris Getz, Alexi Ramirez, Gordon Beckham, Carlos Quentin, Alex Rios, Jayson Nix, A.J. Pierzynski, Mark Buehlre,Pink Gavin Floyd, Jake Peavy, Daniel Hudson, D.J. Carasco, Matt Thornton
So long and thanks for playing: Jermaine Dye, Scott Podsednik, Ramon Castro
Don't let it hit you where the good Lord split you: Octavio Dotel, Brett Lillibridge, Josh Fields
We'd like you to come back: Mark Kotsay, Freddie Garcia
Trade Bait: John Danks, Bobby Jenks, Scott Linebrink (yeah, like anyone would want him) Tony Pena (see Linebrink)
Youthful Possibilities: Tyler Flowers, Brent Lillibridge, Carlos Torres, Wes Whistler, Jeff Marquez, Jhonny Nunez, Lucas Harrell,
On the fence: Dewayne Wise
So, what would I do if I were in Kenny Williams' wing tips? I know I am the only one who thinks this, but I really believe Kenny will dangle John Danks for an outfielder. Why? I think there are two inherent problems with the White Sox lefty. First, Danks refuses to sign a contract extension and becomes the only one of the Sox "big four" that does not have a long term deal in place. Kenny likes fixed costs. Second, Danks' biggest drawback is that he wears down over the course of the season. In 2007, it was no big deal because he was a rookie and hadn't been stretched out. But over the course of the last two months this year, Danks was unimpressive. I think if anyone were to ask and make the right offer, Danks would be traded.
Bobby Jenks is probably gone, but has a lot of liability. First, there is the big boy factor. Second, there is the continued decrease in his velocity, something that has been debated the last couple of years, Third, he was shelved for the season after injuring a knee, which means his trade value may not be that great. The only issue I have in trading Jenks is that I don't think Matt Thornton is a closer.
We know that the Sox want to play Alex Rios in center and move Q to right field. So, the hole is in left field. The most talked about player in the mix is Chone Figgins, a free agent. But Figgins won't come cheap and he hasn't played left field in three years. The guy I'd like to see the Sox pick up in a trade? That's right, Carl Crawford from Tampa. Crawford is near the end of his deal, which means you could bring him in as a rent a player on the cheap and then have the flexibility to sign him to a long term deal later. Crawford would give you an outstanding defensive left fielder, speed, stolen base potential and a left handed bat. He hit .315 this year with 15 home runs. Compare that to Figgins, who hit .298 with 5 home runs. Figgins had 42 stolen bases while "The Answer" had 60. I'm telling you, if the Sox can put the right package together, Crawford can be had.
Of the Sox free agents, I am not a proponent of Scott Podsednik's return. He's old (34), he gets picked off too much, his defense is marginal and his arm is like spaghetti. He's also never put together back to back years. Call him lightning in a bottle and let him move on.
As much as I appreciate Jermaine Dye the man, JD the player is also a little long in the tooth. I have no doubt that where ever he surfaces, he will have a great year, because he is all about having a great year after being let go (2005 for example.) I just think he's slowed down a little bit, he's not as viable defensively and his second half swoon was downright scary. I do not believe he is worth the $10-12 million he command over an even one year deal.
I could care either way on Ramon Castro. That depends on Tyler Flowers. But even with Tyler Flowers, A.J. Pierzynski had a monster year and will catch about 135 games again next season. The question is can you get Flowers enough at bats or do you have to send him to Charlotte. Also, Flowers' defense is more than suspect.
I would also bring back Freddie Garcia and Mark Kotsay. Freddie is a cheap fifth starter while Daniel Hudson gets his Jedi training while Kotsay is a veteran leader who can add a solid presence to the team. Think of him as a grizzled Ross Gload.
The Sox will also need to rebuild the bullpen again. Scott Linebrink has become a liability and Tony Pena is like gasoline on a fire. Octavio Dotel won't be coming back. While the long relief will be better with Hudson, Carlos Torres and D.J. Carasco, the set up guys are hurting, especially if Jenks gets traded and Thornton becomes the closer. I'm sure there are a couple of names out there Kenny could look at. Of course, Linebrink is only two years in to a monster four year contract, so moving him either out altogether or just to early middle relief would not be a very good ROI.
In the final analysis, the Twinkies will return their core next year. The Tigers pitching showed it could compete this year and if they ever fix their bullpen, they could be one of the best teams in the AL. The Indians will be under new management and have a core of good young players who, if they can stay healthy, are pretty good. Their problem continues to be pitching and their bullpen. But they are not as bad as the team we saw this year. And the Royals? Every division needs a doormat.
The 2010 White Sox should be a contender for the division in 2010. With a few tweaks here and there, they could be even more.
'cause that was then and we have taken diff'rent roads
We can't go back again there's no use giving in
And there's no way to know
What might have been
Little Texas
Even with the advantage of being in one of baseball's weakest division, the 2009 edition of the good guys failed miserably on several fronts. Situational hitting comes to mind as does clutch relief pitching and defense. And while two teams the Sox could have beaten gather in Minnesota for tomorrow's playoff, the White Sox and their disappointed fans have been reduced to the unwanted role of spectator.
So, what will be different in 2010? Here's what we know about the current team:
See you in March: Paul Konerko, Chris Getz, Alexi Ramirez, Gordon Beckham, Carlos Quentin, Alex Rios, Jayson Nix, A.J. Pierzynski, Mark Buehlre,
So long and thanks for playing: Jermaine Dye, Scott Podsednik, Ramon Castro
Don't let it hit you where the good Lord split you: Octavio Dotel, Brett Lillibridge, Josh Fields
We'd like you to come back: Mark Kotsay, Freddie Garcia
Trade Bait: John Danks, Bobby Jenks, Scott Linebrink (yeah, like anyone would want him) Tony Pena (see Linebrink)
Youthful Possibilities: Tyler Flowers, Brent Lillibridge, Carlos Torres, Wes Whistler, Jeff Marquez, Jhonny Nunez, Lucas Harrell,
On the fence: Dewayne Wise
So, what would I do if I were in Kenny Williams' wing tips? I know I am the only one who thinks this, but I really believe Kenny will dangle John Danks for an outfielder. Why? I think there are two inherent problems with the White Sox lefty. First, Danks refuses to sign a contract extension and becomes the only one of the Sox "big four" that does not have a long term deal in place. Kenny likes fixed costs. Second, Danks' biggest drawback is that he wears down over the course of the season. In 2007, it was no big deal because he was a rookie and hadn't been stretched out. But over the course of the last two months this year, Danks was unimpressive. I think if anyone were to ask and make the right offer, Danks would be traded.
Bobby Jenks is probably gone, but has a lot of liability. First, there is the big boy factor. Second, there is the continued decrease in his velocity, something that has been debated the last couple of years, Third, he was shelved for the season after injuring a knee, which means his trade value may not be that great. The only issue I have in trading Jenks is that I don't think Matt Thornton is a closer.
We know that the Sox want to play Alex Rios in center and move Q to right field. So, the hole is in left field. The most talked about player in the mix is Chone Figgins, a free agent. But Figgins won't come cheap and he hasn't played left field in three years. The guy I'd like to see the Sox pick up in a trade? That's right, Carl Crawford from Tampa. Crawford is near the end of his deal, which means you could bring him in as a rent a player on the cheap and then have the flexibility to sign him to a long term deal later. Crawford would give you an outstanding defensive left fielder, speed, stolen base potential and a left handed bat. He hit .315 this year with 15 home runs. Compare that to Figgins, who hit .298 with 5 home runs. Figgins had 42 stolen bases while "The Answer" had 60. I'm telling you, if the Sox can put the right package together, Crawford can be had.
Of the Sox free agents, I am not a proponent of Scott Podsednik's return. He's old (34), he gets picked off too much, his defense is marginal and his arm is like spaghetti. He's also never put together back to back years. Call him lightning in a bottle and let him move on.
As much as I appreciate Jermaine Dye the man, JD the player is also a little long in the tooth. I have no doubt that where ever he surfaces, he will have a great year, because he is all about having a great year after being let go (2005 for example.) I just think he's slowed down a little bit, he's not as viable defensively and his second half swoon was downright scary. I do not believe he is worth the $10-12 million he command over an even one year deal.
I could care either way on Ramon Castro. That depends on Tyler Flowers. But even with Tyler Flowers, A.J. Pierzynski had a monster year and will catch about 135 games again next season. The question is can you get Flowers enough at bats or do you have to send him to Charlotte. Also, Flowers' defense is more than suspect.
I would also bring back Freddie Garcia and Mark Kotsay. Freddie is a cheap fifth starter while Daniel Hudson gets his Jedi training while Kotsay is a veteran leader who can add a solid presence to the team. Think of him as a grizzled Ross Gload.
The Sox will also need to rebuild the bullpen again. Scott Linebrink has become a liability and Tony Pena is like gasoline on a fire. Octavio Dotel won't be coming back. While the long relief will be better with Hudson, Carlos Torres and D.J. Carasco, the set up guys are hurting, especially if Jenks gets traded and Thornton becomes the closer. I'm sure there are a couple of names out there Kenny could look at. Of course, Linebrink is only two years in to a monster four year contract, so moving him either out altogether or just to early middle relief would not be a very good ROI.
In the final analysis, the Twinkies will return their core next year. The Tigers pitching showed it could compete this year and if they ever fix their bullpen, they could be one of the best teams in the AL. The Indians will be under new management and have a core of good young players who, if they can stay healthy, are pretty good. Their problem continues to be pitching and their bullpen. But they are not as bad as the team we saw this year. And the Royals? Every division needs a doormat.
The 2010 White Sox should be a contender for the division in 2010. With a few tweaks here and there, they could be even more.
Posted by Chip Ramsey at 10/5/2009 5:48 AM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: That Snake Named Jake Pink Floyd Q Cuban Missile His Name Is Rios Dewayne Wise Scotty Pods Scott Linebrink Brent Lillibridge Kenny Williams O Do Tell The Answer Josh Fields Chris Getz
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: That Snake Named Jake Pink Floyd Q Cuban Missile His Name Is Rios Dewayne Wise Scotty Pods Scott Linebrink Brent Lillibridge Kenny Williams O Do Tell The Answer Josh Fields Chris Getz
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