Fenway
03-30-2005, 06:43 PM
don't shoot the messenger :smile:
The author of Diamond Mind baseball has released his projections for 2005
His computer doesn't like the South Side
Chicago White Sox (79-83, division title 9%, wild card 2%)
Aided by the league's best park for home run hitters, Chicago finished third in the league in scoring last year. Well, that was last year. With Magglio Ordonez gone via free agency and Carlos Lee having been traded to Milwaukee, White Sox fans will be hoping their team can win with pitching, defense and speed.
The new faces are a leadoff hitter who's better stealing bases than getting on in the first place (Scott Podsednik, 70 SB and a .313 OBP in 2004), two guys who have been limited by leg injuries in recent years (Jermaine Dye and Carl Everett), a good-hitting catcher (A.J. Pierzynski), and a second baseman from Japan (Tadahito Iguchi) who projects to be an above-average hitter. Everett finished 2004 with Chicago, so he's not really a newcomer, but a full season at his peak level would go a long way toward replacing Ordonez's bat.
The Sox staff, which was 10th in the AL in runs allowed a year ago, is anchored by Mark Buehrle and Freddy Garcia. The rotation could be a plus if those two get some help from Jon Garland, 25, who was once considered a top prospect, and the Cuban duo of Orlando Hernandez and Jose Contreras. The bullpen looks thin despite the additions of Luis Vizcaino and Dustin Hermansen.
The author of Diamond Mind baseball has released his projections for 2005
His computer doesn't like the South Side
Chicago White Sox (79-83, division title 9%, wild card 2%)
Aided by the league's best park for home run hitters, Chicago finished third in the league in scoring last year. Well, that was last year. With Magglio Ordonez gone via free agency and Carlos Lee having been traded to Milwaukee, White Sox fans will be hoping their team can win with pitching, defense and speed.
The new faces are a leadoff hitter who's better stealing bases than getting on in the first place (Scott Podsednik, 70 SB and a .313 OBP in 2004), two guys who have been limited by leg injuries in recent years (Jermaine Dye and Carl Everett), a good-hitting catcher (A.J. Pierzynski), and a second baseman from Japan (Tadahito Iguchi) who projects to be an above-average hitter. Everett finished 2004 with Chicago, so he's not really a newcomer, but a full season at his peak level would go a long way toward replacing Ordonez's bat.
The Sox staff, which was 10th in the AL in runs allowed a year ago, is anchored by Mark Buehrle and Freddy Garcia. The rotation could be a plus if those two get some help from Jon Garland, 25, who was once considered a top prospect, and the Cuban duo of Orlando Hernandez and Jose Contreras. The bullpen looks thin despite the additions of Luis Vizcaino and Dustin Hermansen.