Chicago Baseball Preview: The White Sox

Did you honestly think that you weren’t going to have to deal with my nonsensical ramblings about the White Sox before the season started?

Did you think that those unlucky few who stumbled upon my South Side musings at the Fanhouse would be the only ones?

Well, you were wrong.

The White Sox will not be escaping Foul Balls. I mean, really, did you expect me to write about the Cubs? I’m a lot of things, but masochistic isn’t one of them. (Well, if she’s hot…)

Anyway, it’s time to tackle the impossible task that is the season preview. Everybody writes one of these things, but when you get down to it, just what the hell is the point exactly? It’s all really nothing more than personal catharsis for the writer.

Well too bad, it's my blog and I'll do whatever the hell I want with it. Bitch.

A lot of things have changed for me when it comes to my White Sox since last year at this time. Twelve months ago I was prepared for the White Sox to rampage through the American League on their way to a second consecutive World Series title. I mean, how could it not happen? They had all the key components from 2005 back, and they added Jim Thome.

Baseball didn’t stand a chance.

Then the party crasher we know as reality kicked the door down and reminded me how things really worked.

Needless to say, my expectations for this year’s team are somewhat lower. The reality - there’s that word again - is that the Sox are still in one of baseball’s toughest divisions, and they didn’t exactly do anything to improve in the offseason.

While I have to admit I’m nowhere near as angry with Ken Williams now as I was in December, I’m still not convinced.

Yes, both of the big deals he made this winter that had me ready to rip his head off seem to be working out just fine for us. John Danks came over in the McCarthy trade, and he’s surprised everybody by pitching his way into the fifth spot of the rotation. He could be 2006’s answer to Justin Verlander.

Don’t think I haven’t noticed the arm problems Freddy Garcia is having in Philadelphia , either. Sure, Gavin Floyd sucks just as bad now as I thought he did the day we got him, but at least he can throw right now.

I’m not ready to write these trades off as a success just yet. I still want to see how Danks fares when the games start.

There’s also that problem about the other four starters getting their asses handed to them this spring. Buehrle’s getting rocked, Garland ’s getting rocked, and Javier Vazquez is getting paid even more money this year to get rocked. Jose Contreras isn’t worrying me as much, but he’s not exactly pleasing me either.

Honestly, I’m not as worried about Bobby Jenks as some others seem to be. While it’s not exactly comforting to know the fat man has a sore shoulder, it could just be that he hasn’t gotten it loosened up yet. Besides, worst-case scenario we replace Bobby with Mike MacDougal or Matt Thornton. There’s a backup plan in the bullpen, and I’m actually pretty confident that the problems the Sox faced last season in the pen will not carry into ’07.

At least, it better not, the way the starters have been.

On offense, I’m not worried at all. I’m pretty sure I could knock out 15-20 home runs a season at US Cellular Field, so with the lineup this team has, runs shouldn’t be a problem.

Konerko will hit his 30+ home runs and knock in about 100 again.

Jim Thome will reach the 500 home run mark.

And two words for Jermaine Dye: contract year.

Not that I’m implying Dye hasn’t given it his all since he came to the Sox, just he might try even harder this year, and that can only be a good thing for the player who was the saving grace of last year's team.

I still think of that home run he hit off of Joe Nathan late last year to tie up a game in the ninth inning. I also can’t forget how the Sox still ended up blowing that game, and in effect, the season. Oh, and the heart attack Hawk Harrelson had afterwards sticks out too.

Then there’s the man that I comfortably have uncomfortable feelings for, Joe Crede. I’m actually afraid to start writing about Crede right now for fear that I may never stop. I love the man, and I have no problems letting the world know it.

I love you, Joe Crede even if you do have the worst nickname ever thanks to Darrin Jackson. Joe Joe The Late Inning Hero? What the fuck is that? If nothing else, this season I plan to spread the name Joey Clutch throughout this blogosphere.

How about the bane of my, and countless other Sox fans', existence last season? Yes, I’m talking about the one and only Mr. Dergan himself, Scott Podsednik. I’m actually somewhat optimistic about Pods this season. Have you followed his MLB career? He broke on the scene in Milwaukee in 2003, and was pretty damn awesome. In 2004, he sucked. Then he came to the White Sox in 2005 and was a spark plug on the way to a World Series, making Brad Lidge seriously considers suicide while he was at it. So if history has taught us anything, it’s that Pods is good in odd numbered year, and even though I haven’t been in a math class for years, I’m pretty sure seven is an odd number!! Score!!

And if Pods does end up sucking, he can just be replaced with Darin Erstad. The Erstad signing was another of the Sox’ offseason moves I’m not sure about. If he has to bat leadoff, it’s horrible. If Pods performs and we can keep Erstad in the 2 hole (hee hee….two hole) than it could work out nicely. Besides, with the former University of Nebraska punter in the fold, the Sox are bound to win the battle of field position as his punts routinely place the opposition inside their own 20-yard line.

So how is this team going to finish?

The AL Central was really strong last season, but truth be told, I don’t see it being the same this year.

Math and common sense say that the Tigers will not be able to continue the torrid pace they set. Remember, before picking things up again in the playoffs, they lost 31 of their last 50 games.

The Twins cannot be better after losing Francisco Liriano to Tommy John, and Brad Radke to retirement. Plus the latest injury scare to Joe Mauer cannot be helping Twins fans sleep well at night.

The Royals... well, the Royals will suck. Bet that won't stop them from beating the Sox at least seven times this season.

Then there are the Indians. People are talking this team up as if they're the favorites in the Central, but I don’t see it. They said the same thing about the Indians last season, and they finished in fourth place, a ways behind everybody else. What exactly did the Indians do in the offseason to fix their problems? Nothing that I noticed.

So when the season is over, I think the Tigers will once again claim the Central Division crown, and the Sox will finish in second place. Maybe they’ll be able to squeeze out a wild card berth, but it’s not likely. The Sox will have to contend with the Twins and Indians all year, while the loser of the Yankees/Red Sox battle gets to feast on the Blue Jays, Orioles, and Devil Rays.

So no, I’m sorry, as much as I want to I just don’t see the White Sox getting to the postseason this year.

Of course, I’ve been wrong before.