I'm skipping Boston because there are already about 10 questions that ask the same thing. Also I'm skipping it because I really don't think I could judge without bias.
2007-02-02 01:06:35 · 10 answers · asked by miamiman 3 in Sports ➔ Baseball
The White Wox will do alright, but they have to contend with playing in one of the toughest divisions in all of baseball. They could finish first in the division with a good combo of power bats and strong, efficient starters, but they could just as easily finish fourth behind Detroit, Cleveland, and Minnesota.
The White Sox didn't really get better this offseason via free agency, and one could legitimately claim that they got worse. The starting rotation still has one of the better 1-2-3 combos in baseball with Buehrle, Contreras, and Garland. However, Javier Vazquez seems to have plateaued at mediocrity in recent years, and Gavin Floyd is no Freddy Garcia. Trading away both Garcia and Brandon McCarthy seems to have been a bit of a tactical error by Kenny Williams, but it shouldn't be a deathblow.
The bullpen is basically as it was last season, not a strength but not really a liability either. Locking up Mike MacDougal was the only positive bullpen news, but it only maintains the status quo. I think David Aardsma and Neal Cotts are more or less interchangeable, so I don't see that as a win.
As far as the offense goes, the only major addition was Darin Erstad, who is a solid but unspecatacular player. He plays a very competent centerfield and addresses a Chicago need. He won't have to carry the offense, but he should still help out more than Brian Anderson (especially as Erstad moves from one of the more pitching-friendly home parks in the AL to one of the most hitter-friendly).
Still, it feels as though the White Sox got left behind in the offseason. They didn't have many needs to fill, but it still seems like they could have been more active in trying to better themselves. Detroit got a big bat and Cleveland signed some solid relievers, but Chicago made little if any noise, so it seems difficult to pick them to win the division. I would put them close to the leaders but still at 3rd in the division behind Detroit (1st) and Cleveland (2nd), who I think will battle til the end for control of the division. the White Sox will be good, but I see them as an 88-win team in a 90-win division, if you know what I mean.
2007-02-02 06:42:01 · answer #1 · answered by maryvillescots 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
that's not been an incredible season subsequently some distance, yet on the comparable time, there is wish. besides the reality that at the instant in third place and eight.5 in the back of the Twins, the reality of the situation is, the Sox have only performed the Twins 5 cases this season (and not greater Twinkie Dome, and the Sox are a million-a million at objective container), and the 2d place Tigers (a team they have executed quite nicely against for quite a while) 4 cases, together as they have performed the Indians 12 cases! Plus, with the Crosstown classic this weekend (I refuse to call it the BP Crosstown Cup, as that's only retarded (and in easy of the oil spill, how long will BP stay with it?)), optimistically that's only what the standard practitioner ordered and the team gets to the place, by using all debts, it would be. aside from Rios, Paulie, and Freddy, each and every physique's been underachieving (besides the reality that Gordon's problems grew to become into to be envisioned (that's stated as the Sophomore Slumps)). yet i could say, with maximum of head-to-head video games with the Twins nonetheless to be performed, if the gamers start up getting with it, there nonetheless is a shot.
2016-11-24 19:03:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends upon how their pitching holds up. They're not getting any younger. Contreras is what 55 years old?? Seriously if Konerko and Thome start bopping like they did two years ago they could be in the thick of it. I still think that the Tigers are the talent in the division.
2007-02-02 06:44:09 · answer #3 · answered by Oz 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
3rd....seriously? That's a joke. I'd expect a 93-96 win season with the improved bullpen and better options defensively for the outfield. No more Mackowiak in Center Field PLEASE!!! Everybody likes to mention the pitching staff but I'd like you point out 5 teams in baseball with a better starting 5 with fewer question marks and the Sox don't even have a fifth starter chosen yet.
2007-02-02 01:37:15 · answer #4 · answered by Jaffar 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Division predictions
1.Detroit
2.Cleveland
3.Chicago
4.Minnesota
5.Kansas City
AL Playoff predictions
1.Detroit
2.Toronto
3.Texas
4.New York
2007-02-02 02:27:31 · answer #5 · answered by cody - Our Lady Peace PWNS 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it all depends if konerko and thome can stay healthy and if dye can repeat his MVP-type year. but with 4 strong contenders its going to be a long season but they have the playoff experience to pull it out
2007-02-02 04:37:10 · answer #6 · answered by Impumped34 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Chicago whinny sux will battle KC for last place.
KC wins that fight.
2007-02-02 01:39:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
They finish third in the division behind Cleveland and Detriot.
2007-02-02 01:23:18 · answer #8 · answered by SoccerClipCincy 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
good, will come second place in the al central
2007-02-02 05:26:55 · answer #9 · answered by JESSIE 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
they should be ok, but I would be worried that they did nothing to upgrade their pitching. It will be a 3 team battle.
2007-02-02 01:59:25 · answer #10 · answered by Dicky Moe 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋