Chicago Sports
Posting Date: November 3, 2008
Sox Need Change, As In More Speed
The World Series finale ended (although it took three days) and the Halloween masks can be put away. During this election year, we have heard the call for change.
For the White Sox that would mean only one thing — more speed.
The final analysis for the South Siders is simply that they exceeded expectations in 2008. Season forecasts this past spring predicted the Sox would either finish third, fourth and even in last place in the American League Central. We can’t recall anyone who thought the White Sox would finish first, including this column.
But the White Sox had the last laugh, finishing in first place by winning the last two games of the season and a division tiebreaker with Minnesota. The Sox finished 89-74, a game over the Twins, who were also not given serious consideration. The Indians settled for third place with an 81-81 record. The Tigers, hampered by injuries and lackluster pitching, finished last. The Indians or Tigers were predicted to compete for the division crown. So much for the early season predictions.
The lack of enthusiasm surrounding the White Sox was expected due to a 72-90 season in 2007. General manager Ken Williams made some moves to improve the team in 2008 but would it be enough?
In our preview of the Sox that appeared in the March 28 edition of the News-Herald, we felt the team could be competitive. The club had question marks at second base and in the outfield. The starting staff was also under the microscope. Could sophomore hurlers Gavin Floyd and John Danks step up to match the efforts of veteran starters Mark Buerhle, Javier Vazquez and Jose Contreras? And what about a bullpen that threw more gasoline on fires then put them out?
We praised the efforts of little known Alexi Ramirez in the spring and stated in a later report that he would eventually replace Juan Uribe at second base. Ramirez took over at second a couple of months later while Uribe eventually replaced injured Joe Crede at third.
Floyd, the hard-throwing righty, and southpaw Danks were solid all season. Floyd came up with big wins all season, but it was Danks who excelled the final month. He pitched the Sox to a brilliant 1-0 win over the Twins in the division tiebreaker. And he got the lone win over Tampa Bay in the American League Division series. Floyd finished with a 16-8 record and Danks was 12-9.
The bullpen improved with Scott Linebrink, Octavio Dotel and a rejuvenated Matt Thornton to set up Bobby Jenks. Shoulder problems hampered Jenks and Linebrink in the middle of the season. That changed the roles of some of the other relievers. After a brilliant start, the bullpen fell back to some of the bad habits that plagued them in 2007. Williams will have to fine tune the pen in 2009.
Carlos Quentin won the left field job and hit .288 with 36 homers and 100 RBI before a season-ending injury. The White Sox hit more homers than any team in baseball but this power-laden team was much too slow and predictable. The Sox were no match for the upstart Rays, who had solid pitching, hitting and speed. The Rays defeated the Sox three games to one in the best-of-five division series.
The Sox recently signed second baseman Jaysen Nix, who has played for Colorado and Texas. But don’t be surprised if the Sox go after Baltimore second baseman Brian Roberts or possibly even Boston center fielder Coco Crisp. Both players can ignite an offense, have high on-base percentages, deliver big hits and steal bases.
Shortstop Orlando Cabrera, despite a .288 average, may have worn out his welcome on the South Side. That means Ramirez would move to his natural position, shortstop. That would allow room or either Nix, Roberts or another candidate at second. Crede will not be re-signed and that could mean the Sox may go after the Angels’ Chone Figgins, who offers more of that needed speed. Vazquez (12-16, 4.67 ERA) may be traded. He has great stuff but seems unable to succeed in crucial games.
It should be an interesting off season. The Sox have solid starting pitching. If Williams can get some tablesetters to create more havoc on the bases and allow some of the sluggers in the middle of the lineup to get more pitches to hit, 2009 will have definite possibilities.
In conclusion, we vote for more speed, base runners and clutch hits.