White Sox Randy
02-19-2005, 07:27 AM
I have so much optimism for this year's White Sox team that I actually consider them to be the 4th best team in the AL (behind N.Y.,Boston and Anaheim).
Naturally, I am slightly concerned that few "experts" even consider the Sox to be ....above average.
So, I decided to turn the tables on myself and ask "What are my biggest fears for the Sox that could make me regret my optimism ?"
Here they are in order of devastation:
1. El Duque. I fear that he will not be healthy enough to make most of his starts. Ofcourse, I would like him to make all of his starts and be strong for the post-season as well.
However if he misses many starts, then the solid 5 man Sox rotation that we finally have in place becomes last year's nightmare again. We begin the Adkins, Hermanson, Diaz, McCarthy shuffle. Grrrrr.
2. Back-ups at shortstop and third base - also known as "no utility infielder".
I am convinced of Uribe's abilities offensively and defensively. But, what if he goes down with injury ? I'm sorry but I can't see how anyone can view Valdez as anything other than a massive drop-off from Uribe. Valdez soon turns 27 and never would have had his 43 big league at bats had it not been for his being traded from Florida late last year. Clearly, Florida's orginization is a poor judge of talent - they've won "only" 2 World Series in the last 8 years.
Iguchi's arm is questionable at turning the double play from second base so it's doubtful that he could make his retun to shortstop from his 4 year hiatus for any lengthy period.
3. This leads us to third base. I believe in Joe Crede. Excellent defense and a guy that has always hit thruout his career - but very inconsistent at the major league level the past two seasons. I'm confident that he will change that this year. But, what if he doesn't or goes down with injury ? Other than Uribe, who on the Sox has played more than a couple of games at 3rd base in the major leagues ?
Clearly, there is potential for disaster here. What shocks me the most about this situation is how easily this could have been avoided. Why couldn't we sign a F.A., veteran, utility man that has played all 3 positions adequately such as Ramon Martinez ? A number of similar players signed for a $ mil or less. Maybe KW is not done here. I hope not.
4. Podsednik. I like the Carlos Lee trade and am excited to see Pods play for the Sox. However, this trade only works if Pods is the leadoff man that the Sox have been searching for. I'm hearing that Ozzie is considering Uribe here if Pods doesn't impress. The Sox need Pods OBP to exceed .350 to really help the team score a load of runs and put pressure on the defense. If he plays like last year, as many fear, the Sox will regret this trade and playoff chances will significantly dim.
These are all of the realistic concerns that I have about our team and this seems like a small amount compared to most teams. I feel very confident about several areas including our bullpen, team defense, speed and adequate power. I can't envision how this team could win less than the 83 games that were won by last year's team that opened the season with a starting rotation of Buehrle, Loaiza, Garland, Shoney and Wright - backed up by a bullpen of Koch, Mike Jackson, Marte, Politte, Adkins and Takatsu.
I say that if Hernandez, Uribe and Crede stay healthy and Pods gets on base, this team wins atleast 90 games. The Sox bench is so deep that we can weather injuries to an outfielder, a relief pitcher or first baseman. And, our catcher has no history of injury.
So, the question is ; am I drinking too much cool-aid or are the naysayers not familiar enough with the White Sox and their improvements ? And, don't the Twins have far more question marks than we do ?
Naturally, I am slightly concerned that few "experts" even consider the Sox to be ....above average.
So, I decided to turn the tables on myself and ask "What are my biggest fears for the Sox that could make me regret my optimism ?"
Here they are in order of devastation:
1. El Duque. I fear that he will not be healthy enough to make most of his starts. Ofcourse, I would like him to make all of his starts and be strong for the post-season as well.
However if he misses many starts, then the solid 5 man Sox rotation that we finally have in place becomes last year's nightmare again. We begin the Adkins, Hermanson, Diaz, McCarthy shuffle. Grrrrr.
2. Back-ups at shortstop and third base - also known as "no utility infielder".
I am convinced of Uribe's abilities offensively and defensively. But, what if he goes down with injury ? I'm sorry but I can't see how anyone can view Valdez as anything other than a massive drop-off from Uribe. Valdez soon turns 27 and never would have had his 43 big league at bats had it not been for his being traded from Florida late last year. Clearly, Florida's orginization is a poor judge of talent - they've won "only" 2 World Series in the last 8 years.
Iguchi's arm is questionable at turning the double play from second base so it's doubtful that he could make his retun to shortstop from his 4 year hiatus for any lengthy period.
3. This leads us to third base. I believe in Joe Crede. Excellent defense and a guy that has always hit thruout his career - but very inconsistent at the major league level the past two seasons. I'm confident that he will change that this year. But, what if he doesn't or goes down with injury ? Other than Uribe, who on the Sox has played more than a couple of games at 3rd base in the major leagues ?
Clearly, there is potential for disaster here. What shocks me the most about this situation is how easily this could have been avoided. Why couldn't we sign a F.A., veteran, utility man that has played all 3 positions adequately such as Ramon Martinez ? A number of similar players signed for a $ mil or less. Maybe KW is not done here. I hope not.
4. Podsednik. I like the Carlos Lee trade and am excited to see Pods play for the Sox. However, this trade only works if Pods is the leadoff man that the Sox have been searching for. I'm hearing that Ozzie is considering Uribe here if Pods doesn't impress. The Sox need Pods OBP to exceed .350 to really help the team score a load of runs and put pressure on the defense. If he plays like last year, as many fear, the Sox will regret this trade and playoff chances will significantly dim.
These are all of the realistic concerns that I have about our team and this seems like a small amount compared to most teams. I feel very confident about several areas including our bullpen, team defense, speed and adequate power. I can't envision how this team could win less than the 83 games that were won by last year's team that opened the season with a starting rotation of Buehrle, Loaiza, Garland, Shoney and Wright - backed up by a bullpen of Koch, Mike Jackson, Marte, Politte, Adkins and Takatsu.
I say that if Hernandez, Uribe and Crede stay healthy and Pods gets on base, this team wins atleast 90 games. The Sox bench is so deep that we can weather injuries to an outfielder, a relief pitcher or first baseman. And, our catcher has no history of injury.
So, the question is ; am I drinking too much cool-aid or are the naysayers not familiar enough with the White Sox and their improvements ? And, don't the Twins have far more question marks than we do ?