How do you think The White Sox will fare in 2008?

Question

As a Tiger fan, I would love to hear what you white sox fans think.Last year was the real fluke, I know they are better than what they did in 2007. I personally like the fact you dont have Judy (er, john) Garland anymore...he was a thorn in our side. And The Tigers might actually win a few games from you in '08.
Do you see the white sox, indians, and Tigers are in the mix?

Answer 1

Jon Garland was not a great pitcher. He is a good pitcher, not great. They say he eats innings - but those innings he still is giving up runs. His best year was 2005, and he has been frustrating since. He has a good outing, then a horrible one. Consistancy is a problem with him. Throw in the fact that he is low strikeout numbers, and was in the last year of a contract, I am all for that trade. In return, the Sox got something they needed - a great defensive player who is a legit #2 hitter. Great trade.
There are still holes in the Sox. They need someone to play either left or center. I think Owens will fill in fine in either, but we need someone out there. The biggest problem is we still have no leadoff hitter. Hunter was not this, so the fact we don't have him does not bother me. Second base is a question mark. Will the young kid do the job, or will it be Uribe (pray for no!).
The bullpen still needs a LOT of work. Jenks proved last year with his 41 consecutive outs streak that he learned to pitch, just not throw heat. He is a great closer now. But the points leading up to him need work. Wasserman and Thorton will stay there. Logan is decent. But there is 3 spots that need to be filled. They need to be filled fast.
Starting pitching was great last year! Only the bullpen numbers made it look bad. Buehrle was great, and will be. Vasquez was great also. Contreras improved as the season went on - he is the question mark.
The Sox still have a slow team. They need speed. I expect the Sox to compete, but they are still a drop below the Tigers and Indians. They need to make a few moves to get them up to their level.

Answer 2

I think that the White Sox definitely had an off year. They have too much talent on that team to have back to back seasons like they had. Heck, even the Royals past them last year. I agree, I'm glad to see Garland gone. He was a pest. But really, so was every White Sox pitcher... we couldn't beat them. Lol. But if they don't make a run for the playoffs in 08, I will be shocked.

Answer 3

I agree that last year was a fluke. I think this year they will do better, for at least part of the season. Depending on what happens in center and left field, 3rd base, and the bullpen. Wow... that sounds so much worse typed out! I think they have potential, but we will have to see what kind of trades and signings happen. It is too early to make any bold predictions. Hopefully this year everyone stays healthy, because last year that was a big problem. Hopefully they will stay ahead of Kansas City this year!! Go White Sox in '08!!!

Also if you have noticed, there is a pattern going on here...
Red Sox World Series champs in 1916
White Sox World Series champs in 1917
Red Sox WS champs in 2004
White Sox WS champs in 2005
Red Sox WS champs in 2007
Well.... fill in the blank!!!

Answer 4

Not really a fan of the White Sox, but I can't see them being any better than 3rd in that division. I believe that the Indians and Tigers are head and shoulders above anyone else in that division. White Sox have to many holes in their pitching staff. After Vasquez and Beurle, major questions crop up, as for their releif corps, only Jenks is any good, and that includes Linebrink. All you have to do is look at what he did for the Brewers this year. Defense is below average especially if Crede is traded. I thought it was a big mistake to trade Rowand away. He is what made the Sox what they were in '05. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Sox end up in last place, as right now KC and the Twinkies both have better pitching than the Sox.

Answer 5

I don't think the White Sox will be in contention with the Indians or Tigers but I do think they will rebound from last year. I have a hard time picking who will be in last place this year. On one hand I think KC will be better, and on the other I also think the Sox will be better too. The Twins are too good to fall to last. However here are my pre-off season predictions.

Tribe
Tigers
Twins
Royals
White Sox

Answer 6

I don't see the White Sox contending in 2008. I believe the Twins will be better than a lot of people think, even without Hunter, and will be in the mix along with the Tigers and Indians.

Answer 7

This last year was a lot of bad luck, bad timing, and bad injuries in a season that could have been special for us Sox fans. With a no-hitter and Thome hitting his 500th, it could have been a special year.
Getting rid of Garland kind of hurt, but now they have one of the best infields in all of baseball. One good trade for a pitcher and we are back. We have plenty of young talent to fill the void left by Pods.
I think that the Tigers, Indians, and White Sox are all going to fight for 1st place and the wild card, one of these teams will get left out of the race.

Answer 8

The White Sox won't do any better this next year, unless they manage to knock the Twins down into fourth spot in the division. Detroit and Cleveland will be the ones to watch again, with Cleveland probably winning the division, and Detroit an outside shot at the Wild Card. For the most part, the end of 2008 will look pretty much like the end of 2007. Depending on what happens between NY and Boston.

I'm going to go out on a limb here though, and basically tell you that as long as Ozzie is manager of that team, coupled with the fact that Kenny Williams is one of the biggest idiots in the GM position, they won't do better than a third place finish.

Letting Garland get away more than proves what a moron Kenny Williams is because there is no quality pitching out there in the free agency market --- NONE, ZIP, NADA. When you couple this with that fact that Ozzie has overstayed his welcome, it spells no playoffs, and a crappy finish in the division for the Pale Hose.

Answer 9

Batting Order
1. CF/LF Jerry Owens
2. SS Orlando Cabrera
3. DH Jim Thome
4. 1B Paul Konerko
5. RF Jermaine Dye
6. C AJ Pierzynski
7. 3B Josh Fields/Joe Crede
8. 2B Danny Richar/Juan Uribe
9. LF Andy Gonzalez/Ryan Sweeney/Brian Anderson

We need a good left fielder. Joe Crede’s status with the Sox is not good as he wants too much money. Uribe played second in Colorado but both had poor batting seasons.


Starters
1. Buehrle
2. Vasquez
3. Contreras (might not be with the Sox)
4. John Danks
5. Lance Broadway/Charlie Haegar/Gavin Floyd

Weak! We need our batters to produce for the younger pitchers who DID NOT prove themselves last year. Buehrle and Vasquez I trust!


Relievers
BOBBY JENKS!
Scott Linebrink
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Weak again! Two good ones I can trust!


Overall, pitching is weak but batting is good with an addition of an outfielder (hopefully Aaron Rowand!) Our season will depend on how the young pitchers do! But one thing is guaranteed: THE TIGERS ARE GOING DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

It's hard to call a whole season a fluke. They didn't hit and had no bullpen, so they deserved to finish where they did. Sure they had injuries, but every team goes through that. The good teams can overcome them.
This team is getting old and slow. I hope Kenny Williams isn't finished making moves. We still need players at 2b & CF, hopefully a lead off hitter w/speed. Plus more bullpen help. I see it between the Indians & Tigers. Possible the Twins if they keep Santana.