2010 Chicago White Sox Predictions


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GM Kenny Williams made several moves for the Chicago White Sox last season, most of which were pretty expensive. They didn’t pay off last season, but perhaps he was expecting they just may pan out in 2010. Williams went out and got Alex Rios and Jake Peavy for roughly $115 million over the long run, and Rios failed to hit .200 in his time with Chicago while Peavy made just three starts. The White Sox scored the second-fewest runs after the All-Star Break, but they had the second-best pitching staff in the league, finishing with a 4.14 ERA. The starting staff ranks as one of the best in the league entering this season, but how the White Sox do will largely depend on the kind of run support they get once again. MLB odds are posted for futures betting, and they have listed the White Sox projected win total at 82.5 games.

Pitching:

Having Jake Peavy and Mark Buerhle at the top of their rotation will give the White Sox one of the best 1-2 punches in the league. Peavy still managed to go 9-6 with .345 ERA despite battling through injuries last season. He went 19-6 with a 2.54 ERA in 2007 and 10-11 with a 2.85 ERA in ‘08. Buerhle is as steady as they come, posting between a 3.63 ERA and a 3.84 ERA each of the last three seasons and recording double-digit wins each year. John Danks and Gavin Floyd are also steady in the 3-and-4 spots. Danks went 12-9 with a 3.32 ERA in 2008 and 13-11 with a 3.77 ERA in ‘09, while Floyd went 17-8 with a 3.84 ERA in ‘08 and 11-11 with a 4.06 ERA in ‘09. Freddy Garcia will get the first shot to win the No. 5 spot in the rotation. Bobby Jenks remains one of the best closers in the game, finishing with at least 29 saves in each of the past 3 seasons. Matt Thornton is one of the most underrated set-up guys in the league, putting up a 2.67 ERA in ‘08 and a 2.74 ERA in ‘09 while striking out more than 10 batters/9 innings both years. They also signed J.J. Putz from the Mets who can still bring the heat.

Hitting:

A.J. Pierzynski hits for a high average for a catcher, and his .300 batting average last season was very impressive. He also has some pop, hitting at least 13 home runs each of the last 3 seasons. The infield remains the same from last season, with the exception of 3B Mark Teahen, who was signed from Kansas City. Paul Konerko at 1B still hits with a ton of power, hitting between 22 and 31 HR the past three seasons. SS Alexei Ramirez had a dip in production last season after belting 21 HR with 77 RBI and a .290 BA in 2008, but he still has a ton of potential. Gordon Beckham was the surprise last season in his rookie campaign, hitting 14 HR with 63 RBI and a .270 BA in limited action. He is primed for a big sophomore season. In the outfield, Alex Rios will start in right, Carlos Quentin will start in left, and Juan Pierre was brought in to shore up center field. Pierre was a big addition, hitting at least .283 and stealing at least 30 bases each of the last three seasons. If Quentin can return to his MVP-caliber form of ‘08 where he hit 36 home runs with 100 RBI, then the White Sox could have one of the better line-ups in the American League. Andruw Jones was signed to play outfield and DH, and he proved that he still has some pop in his bat, hitting 17 home runs in just 281 at-bats with Texas last season.

Jack’s Prediction: 1st in the AL Central and OVER 82.5 Wins – With one of the best rotations in the league, it’s hard not to like the White Sox to win the AL Central. Yeah, their line-up is a concern, but I feel they certainly improved it in the offseason with the addition of Juan Pierre. He hits for a high average and provides much-needed speed at the top of the order. If Quentin can stay healthy, the White Sox will score plenty of runs to compliment their pitching staff.

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Comments

2 Responses to “2010 Chicago White Sox Predictions”

  1. Jon Feigenbaum on March 20th, 2010 6:28 AM

    I feel that the Sox need one more power hitter. As a backup OR a regular. Perhaps tjey could bring back Germaine Dye as a “fourth or fifth outfielder, if he’d accept that role. I just think there are too many “ifs”, and with another bat with power, this would not only make the team deeper overall, but would also provide some insurance, in case of a “breakdown” or injury to a regular …..

    That being said, the Sox are certainly one of the “teams to watch” in 2010. It will be fun watching them play “Ozzieball”

  2. Jack Jones on March 23rd, 2010 11:42 PM

    There are certainly “ifs” with this team, and they could use another power hitter. I think they are expecting Andruw Jones to be the answer after he rebounded nicely with the Rangers last season, though that’s tough to bank on. Thanks for the comments, and this is always a fun team to keep your eye on with Ozzie Guillen running the show. You never know what is going to come out of that guy’s mouth, but it’s usually entertaining either way.

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