Chicago White Sox Preview

Chicago White Sox Preview

Summary: After waiting years for a World Series title, the Chicago White Sox and nd year Manager Ozzie Guillen entered the season on a mission. After an impressive rookie managerial season the Venezuela born Guillen led his troops to a division leading - record.

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Article Body: Overview:

After waiting years for a World Series title, the Chicago White Sox and nd year Manager Ozzie Guillen entered the season on a mission. After an impressive rookie managerial season the Venezuela born Guillen led his troops to a division leading - record. The White Sox simply dominated the postseason losing only game out of a total of played - first by sweeping the defending champion Boston Red Sox and then by rolling past the Angels games to . Chicago went home from the Fall Classic against NL Champion Astros with a clean -game sweep grabbing their first World Series title since . The White Sox fielded one of the stronger offensive lineups in with st baseman Paul Konerko (. ) and outfielder Jermaine Dye (. ) leading the charge. Outfielder Carl Everett (. ), rd baseman Joe Crede (. ) and newly acquired catcher A.J. Pierzynski (. ) also helped level out the rest of the lineup.

Its often said that pitching wins championships and in Chicago assembled one of the best starting rotations in baseball. Newly acquired Jose Contreras (- .) and Freddy Garcia (- .) sparkled in their new White Sox uniforms, while Jon Garland (- .) and Mark Buehrle (- .) rounded out the dominating starting staff. Newly acquired Reliever Dustin Hermanson (- .) performed nicely in the bullpen saving of chances and doubling his output from the previous year with the San Francisco Giants.

Off Season Moves:

The White Sox did very little in the off season to change their team chemistry. Their biggest moves included re-signing first baseman Paul Konerko to a five-year, $ million deal (he turned down $ million from the Orioles) and trading for slugger Jim Thome ( HRS in games in ), who is scheduled to start the campaign as Chicagos DH. The White Sox also strengthened an already strong rotation with a trade for Javier Vazquez (- .) - they also acquired a versatile utility man in Rob Mackowiak (. ) from the Pirates.

Analysis:

Guillen and company seem to have a solid blueprint for success and its hard to find many flaws in their off season strategy. The only real weak point appears to be centerfield since at least for now it looks as if Brian Anderson (. in AB in ) will take over for Aaron Rowand (. ) who was traded to Philly in the deal for Thome. Expect Thome (. in a full season in ) to blossom as a DH, saving himself from the wear and tear of playing st base everyday. Hes a player perfectly suited for the DH role and the White Sox were wise to trade for him. Thome should provide some nice offense alongside Konerko, Pierzynski, Dye and Crede. Chicagos pitching in should be stronger (if thats even possible!) with Javier Vazquez joining the rotation. Vazquez could prove to be another interesting addition to an already powerful staff. Much like the acquisitions of Contreras and Garcia in , the White Sox are hoping Vazquez will fit in nicely and produce better numbers then last season.