Sizing Up the Competition: A Look at the AL Central

     As in every competition, it’s always good to size up your opponents and see how you stand against them.  You want to know their strengths, their weaknesses, and above all, what it’s going to take to beat them.  After a cursory glance, the AL Central doesn’t seem like it’s going to give the White Sox too much trouble.  Sure, the Twins and Tigers fought it out last year, but both clubs have gone through some big changes in this offseason and suddenly the Sox are starting to look more like frontrunners these days than they had in previous seasons.  So today, I’ve decided to take a look at each of our division rivals, analyze their offense and pitching and discuss how the South Siders match up against them.  I’ll be as objective as possible, but my gut is telling me I’m not going to have to stray too far from White Sox AL Central title mentality.  Let’s have a look-see… Read the rest of this entry »

Player Profile: A.J. Pierzynski

     So as we sit here and patiently wait the start of Spring Training (longest 2 weeks of my life), let’s continue to get to know the starting lineup and finish introducing the infield.  I haven’t had a chance to see the MLB Network’s segment on lopsided deals but I’m sure our next player is somewhere on it to be seen.  Not for how we acquired him, but during his journey through the majors.  You can get the whole story in the “How He Got Here” section, but for now, I’ll just introduce him as our backstop, and one of the most hated players in the game today…A.J. Pierzynski! Read the rest of this entry »

5 Minutes With Mark Buehrle

     In order to satisfy my ever-growing need for baseball at this time of year I have turned to the MLB Network as my go-to TV channel.  I’ve been watching the Caribbean World Series, historical programs discussing stadiums and players of years past, and, of course, The Hot Stove, an hour long program discussing present day MLB happenings.  So you can imagine my delight when, towards the end of the program, White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle called in to chat with Matt Vasgersian, Harold Reynolds and the boys when they did a segment of Gold Glove pitchers.  As you all should know, Buehrle won his first ever Gold Glove Award in 2009, and, in case you missed it,  here’s how the conversation went… Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Alexei Ramirez, Chicago White Sox, DeWayne Wise, Gold Glove Award, Gordon Beckham, Jake Peavy, Jermaine Dye, Jim Thome, Mark Buehrle, MLB Network interview, perfect game, White Sox

Can’t…Wait…Much…Longer!

     If the thought of a new season, a balanced lineup, a solid pitching staff, a healthy bullpen, the crack of a bat, the popping sound from a catcher’s mitt in the bullpen, the roars from the crowd, the smells of the stadium, the peanut shells at your feet, the baseball chatter with the guy next to you, the lunging after a foul ball, the celebration at the mound after a victory, and the love felt amongst fans as they watch their beloved South Siders rage towards the 2010 World Series, aren’t enough for you, then check this out…

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Tags: Chicago White Sox, White Sox

Player Profile: Mark Teahen

     The trouble with this time of year is that we’re caught in a minor state of limbo.  The White Sox have already finished their offseason shopping and we’re, pretty much, in a holding pattern until we reconvene in Glendale, AZ on February 20th.  The biggest headlines in the Chicago papers center around things like Carlos Quentin and Bobby Jenks being in the best shape of their lives and the ineptitude of the New York Mets’ team doctors.  So, rather than just make up some news (although that would be fun, wouldn’t it?) I’m just going to continue introducing our starting lineup and bring you your next up close and personal look at another player.  Ready to play his first season on the South Side….I present to you….staright from Kansas City….our new third baseman….Mark Teahen! Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Alex Gordon, Alex Rios, Bobby Jenks, Brent Morel, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Quentin, Chicago White Sox, Chris Getz, Eric Chavez, John Buck, Josh Fields, Juan Pierre, Mark Teahen, Mike Wood, Octavio Dotel, White Sox

Player Profile: Alexei Ramirez

     While I’m waiting for a little more input from you fans on what you think Ozzie Guillen’s prospective batting order should be, it’s time again to move around the diamond and get to know another starter for your 2010 season.  We all remember the hype that came along with his arrival and we all know of the disappointment he brought us in 2009.  Well, it’s a new season and there are some recent reports from SoxFest 2010 that should, not only put his mind at ease, but give us hope that the ship has been righted and we’re instore for a big year.  I present to you the starting shortstop for your Chicago White Sox…Alexei Ramirez! Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Alexei Ramirez, Carlos Quentin, Chicago White Sox, Chris Getz, Cuban National Baseball Team, Gordon Beckham, Juan Uribe, Mark Teahen, MLB, Orlando Cabrera, Ozzie Guillen, Pablo Ozuna, Paul Konerko, PECOTA, White Sox

2010 Lineup Thoughts

     With all of the fantasy coverage I’ve been doing over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been having a lot of thoughts as to what the White Sox lineup should look like now that we’ve gone from a few mashers in the middle to a more balanced group of players.  Nothing is etched in stone and I’m sure Ozzie Guillen is going to play around with this straight through until Opening Day, but here’s a look at what I think it should be…

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Tags: 2010 lineup, AJ Pierzynski, Alex Rios, Alexei Ramirez, Andruw Jones, Carlos Quentin, Chicago White Sox, Gordon Beckham, Juan Pierre, Mark Teahen, Ozzie Guillen, Paul Konerko, White Sox

Player Profile: Gordon Beckham

     Time to move around the diamond to second base for our next player profile today.  Last season, the White Sox went with rookie Chris Getz for most of the year and when he was hurt, the tandem of Brent Lillibridge and Jayson Nix took over.  Well, since then, Getz, along with former 3B Josh Fields, was dealt to the Royals in exchange for Mark Teahen and the White Sox were back to shuffling their infield.  Ozzie Guillen has decided to go with Teahen at third, Alexei Ramirez at shortstop, and move today’s featured player to the other side of the field.  I present to you the Player Profile for the new 2010 Chicago White Sox starting second baseman, Gordon Beckham. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Alex Rodriguez, Alexei Ramirez, Brent Lillibridge, Chicago White Sox, Chris Getz, Gordon Beckham, Jayson Nix, Josh Fields, Mark Teahen, Ozzie Guillen, South Side, White Sox

Shameless Promotion Day

     Wow.  Slow Wednesday for the White Sox, huh?  Well, with the biggest headlines going to Jim Thome’s signing with the Twins and Andre Dawson going into the Hall of Fame as an Expo, I’ve decided to take this opportunity to do a little shameless plugging of a pair of websites for the baseball fans so rabid that fantasy baseball is like that cup of water you find after wandering aimlessly in the Sahara Desert for a month.  So without further ado… Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Andre Dawson, Fantasy Baseball, fantasy baseball advice, fantasy baseball help, fantasy baseball player rankings, fantasy baseball strategy, fantasy baseball tips, Jim Thome, player rankings, Rotobuzz, RotoJunkie

Thome Thome Thome!

     On the off chance that you were sealed up in a cave yesterday or trapped under something big and heavy and couldn’t make your way near a computer, TV or radio, let me be the one to inform you that the White Sox will NOT be bringing Jim Thome back.  I know, I know….hard to believe.  Maybe even shocking to some.  You can insert your sarcastic eye roll at any time here, don’t let me hold you back.  But in all seriousness, is this the right move for the Sox?  Is Ozzie’s rotating DH plan going to work?  I was indifferent a few days ago, but I’ve had some time to do some thinking…

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Tags: AJ Pierzynski, Alex Rios, Andruw Jones, Chicago White Sox, Jim Thome, Ken Williams, Mark Kotsay, Ozzie Guillen, Paul Konerko, Prince Fielder, Ramon Castro, Ryan Howard, White Sox