2007-04-04 06:57:38 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Baseball
I think the White Sox definitely have the weapons with Paul Konerko, Jermain Dye, Joe Crede, Tad Iguchi and A.J. Pierzynski... and a solid rotation with Contrearas, Burlhe, Vasquez and Jon Garland....
However... I think they're facing some VERY stiff competition from an improved Tigers team, and a resurgent Cleveland Indian squad.
The Twins look pretty good too, so this is going to be a hard-fought division. I doubt ANYBODY will lead that division for most of the year... I think it's going to be at least a 3-team see-saw battle all season.
2007-04-04 07:31:41 · answer #1 · answered by Offended? Aww Have a Cookie! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although his act grows wearisome after awhile, any team managed by Ozzie Guillen is going to be competitive. That said, the White Sox have the misfortune of being in baseball's most elite division.
Even considering the loss of Kenny Rogers, the Tigers have to be considered the odds on favorite to win the division. Let's take a brief look at the others:
Twins: Too many questions in the starting rotation to consider them a viable challenger, at least for now. The best bullpen in baseball means nothing if there isn't a lead to protect. Minnesota will always play the game hard but their talent level isn't up to that of the Tigers, especially with the addition of Sheffield.
Indians: Why this team seems to be the fashionable pick baffles me. Much like the Twins, their offense is potent. And if they had the Twins' bullpen... but they don't, so expect them to finish double digit games behind the ultimate division winner.
Royals: How desperate must a team be to give Gil Meche $55 Million? KC won't be as horrible as the past couple seasons but Royals fans needn't worry about saving money for playoff tickets this season.
Your White Sox might score as many runs as any team in the AL Central but my guess is that by the All Star break, they will be sorely regretting the departure of Freddy Garcia.
Projected order of finish:
Tigers
White Sox
Twins
Indians
Royals
But who knows? It's along season. Injuries, trades, luck (both good and bad) will, as they always are, be factors in the outcome. Right now, none of our teams has been eliminated. We're all still contenders, so let's just enjoy the season.
Peace!
2007-04-04 16:33:25 · answer #2 · answered by Hawkeye 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. The Tigers, Twins, and Indian are all better than the White Sox. The Tigers went to the world series last year and return their whole team, with the exception of LHP Jamie Walker and they acquired Gary Sheffield.
The Twins have the best hitting team in baseball from last season (according to team batting avg.), have the strongest bullpen in the game, along with Cytana. The rest of the Twins rotation is weak, and the failures will be sent packing soon giving guys like Garza and Perkins the chance to dominate.
The Indians also have a very dangerous lineup and they have shored up their weak defense and bullpen from last year. Their starting pitching is still very good with Sabathia and Westbrook leading the pack.
The White Sox have a falling apart rotation. Buehrle is past his prime, Contreras and Vasquez are too inconsistent, Garland either does very well or very poorly, and the White Sox traded away 2 MLB caliber starters in the offseason. If the White Sox do anything this season, it will be because of the 3-4-5 of Thome-Konerko-Dye
2007-04-04 14:23:10 · answer #3 · answered by Jamezz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like anything else it is too early to know what is going to happen but I believe the white Sox are in the hardest division in baseball and the Tigers, Twins and Indians are viable contenders for the division and AL crown with a little luck. The White Sox have a shot if they stay healthy and their pitching must improve over last year. The first game of the season showed me that the White Sox has a way to go.
2007-04-04 14:06:15 · answer #4 · answered by Dave aka Spider Monkey 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. They don't have the starting pitching to lead the division for most of the year or to win the division. After those arms start getting tired around the All Star break, I predict an ugly second half for the White Sox.
2007-04-04 15:05:14 · answer #5 · answered by DoReidos 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Minnesota, Cleveland, and Detroit are all better than the Sox top to bottom. Chicago's starting rotation is questionable at best - their pitching staff got lit up for 12 runs by the Indians and they are praying that Mark Buehrle bounces back after a subpar year. Their bullpen is also less than awe-inspiring. It seems like every one of their relievers is heavily dependent upon the fastball, and often you go to the 'pen for a change of pace. Their offense should score a lot of runs.
2007-04-04 14:09:08 · answer #6 · answered by kcbrez009 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The central is far too competitive this year for just one team to sit in first place for any long period of time.
There will be some lead changes throughout the year.
2007-04-04 14:17:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not with the Indians in the AL central.
2007-04-04 14:09:13 · answer #8 · answered by The Rooster 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not this year.
2007-04-04 14:11:18 · answer #9 · answered by Old Stones 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
easy answer: no...the twins and tigers outclass them, their pitching staff is aging and getting more and more inconsistent, and they just don't have the firepower to match up with the rest of a deep division
2007-04-04 14:04:15 · answer #10 · answered by sabes99 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋