White Sox Blow!
Ok well they surely do not blow but as a dedicated fan for the past 30+ years I have come to the conclusion that the team has some issues to look into if they plan on competing in the Central Division this year. My 1/3 of the season grades
Offense: D
The team has looked sluggish and slow. Their offense is the worst in the AL, however, they have been finding ways to win and slowly but surely are doing some things right. The insertion of Jerry Owens into the leadoff spot looks promising.
The only good thing to say is that out of their troubles, the offense has the most upside. You know they have the ability to put up some great numbers, it’s only a matter of them actually doing this.
Defense: B
The defense has actually been pretty solid so far this season. I could make a few exceptions here and there, especially the game with Toby Hall against the Cubs and I have never been much of a Pablo Ozuna defender but otherwise its been solid. A.J. has been solid behind the plate and they have been solid up the middle with Uribe, Iguchi and Erstad. I think Owens will work out in Center and could only imagine that this team would have been so much better with Owens in center last season. Its not the arm that would have killed him but the fact that even if Owens batted at the Mendoza line like Anderson did, he would have made the team faster.
Starting Pitching: B
I have liked what I have seen so far. Everyone has been on their game for the most part. Last season it seemed that there were a couple starters that took awhile to get acclimated to the season, however, it has just been bad luck. John Danks has been a pleasant surprise. I still think that the Sox put too much trust into Vazquez but I guess it could be worse.
Bobby Jenks: A-
Bobby Jenks does not deserve to be lumped in with the other relievers so I am going to mention him here. I have always been a big fan of Jenks who has gotten better year in and out. Arguably, it took him a little longer to get his arm up to speed but even with a less than outstanding fastball early in the year he was able to convert save opportunities and at the end of the day that is the only thing that you can look to him for. Without Jenks, I could only figure this team has five or six less wins then they do and his numbers would only be better if he had more support in the seventh and eigth innings.
Relief Pitching: F
Fact of the matter is that we are watching a free fall of ultimate proportions. The White Sox currently have no confidence in the late innings. Going into the season the management felt that they had improved their bullpen but what I saw from their moves was to acquire fireballers who had lost confidence and try to improve them. They got too confident with Sisco in thinking they can turn his troubles around like they did with Thornton and Jenks. I am not sure what to think of MacDougal who for the first time in his career cannot find the strike zone. Aardsma looked simply brilliant when the temperature was hovering around 40-45 degrees outside and since then the hitters have caught up with him. Too much has been asked out of Massett to make an accurate judgment and I do not think that going in he was in a pivotable role. The fact was that the setup men on this team (Thornton, MacDougal, Aardsma, Sisco) have not done their jobs.
Bench: B –
The bench has been there when needed. Makowiec has played big in a couple games as has Cintron. With the amount of injuries that this team has amassed so far this season I think that they are being asked to do too much. Where the issues with the bench play out are more in the field rather than at the plate. The Sox lack many players on their bench that offer a better defensive opportunity.
Coaching: B
I am not sure what to say. I am surprised with the lack of offense and bullpen that we are still hovering around .500 and they have to be given that level of success. The coaches cannot be blamed when pitchers do not throw strikes. I have been disappointed in their lack of running game and how we can have less stolen bases than the Oakland A’s. For a team that is struggling to score, we should be running at every opportunity.
Management: C
I think that the biggest issue in the offseason for the Sox was their bullpen and their changes reflect a mentality that is looking for powerpitchers rather than pitchers that get outs. Secondly, the reliance on Scott Podsednick was probably the wrong decision. As much as I love Pods, he is injured way too much and previous seasons show that when Pods is out of the lineup, the Sox struggle. I think that the Sox should have used Pods in the offseason as trade bait for some good relievers and in the process turn over the opening left fielder job to someone like a Jerry Owens who could have been groomed for the leadoff position.
I think that successful baseball teams need a good balance of both power and speed because as you play the season you realize that there are going to be those close 2-1 games when a bunt single, stolen base and single can win you a game rather than relying on the three run homer. The Sox had this formula in place during the 2005 season but got away from it last season focusing their attention more on the home run ball.
Conclusion: Unless the bullpen improves, I just cannot see this team getting too far. I do expect the offense to improve. Hot summer nights on the South Side should start becoming more advantageous to the offense. However, will the team make any moves in the bullpen? There does not seem to be a lot of talent in the minor leagues affiliates right now. Their recent recalling of Dewon Day is not the answer as he only has average stuff. I see a dismantling of the team in the offseason with the chances of Uribe, Crede, Iguchi, Dye and Buehrle all wearing different uniforms next season.