February 13, 2005
Speed and Defense
Dave van Dyck looks at the what-ifs of the Chicago White Sox.
Ken Williams/Ozzie Guillen: Architects of the new-design White Sox. Never one afraid to take a chance, Williams rebuilt this team on speed and defense after first-year manager Guillen convinced him that dialing home run was not the way to win, even though U.S. Cellular Field plays like it's a phone booth.
Everytime I hear a team trade power for speed, my mind races back to the 1982 signing of Dave Collins. The Yankees had just lost the World Series to the Dodgers. George Steinbrenner signs Collins declaring that this was the speed era. This was the start of the era of bad Yankees management that would keep them out of the playoffs for 13 years. My gut feeling is that the White Sox are in for a disappointing season.
Remember also the Hawk Harrelson as White Sox GM experiment-- he came in with an idea of how he wanted the team to win, and although the roster was almost devoid of players with the appropriate skills started his administration off by moving the fences IIRC...
Lee for Podsednik (sp?). That epitomizes the mindset of the White Sox. I know they saved a couple of dollars, but trading someone who is so consistently productive for someone who had one half-decent year a couple years ago (and a middle reliever) is just crazy. 60 SB? 70 SB? Who cares!!!
The White Sox will be lucky to finish 3rd in their division.
You can never tell. Its a weak division, and anything can happen come September.
Trading for Podesnic makes sense in fantasy baseball. He'll help you move up in the SB category. Unfortunately, Williams is supposed to be trying to win actual games. Over the course of a season Lee would be more productive.
I think Jack did a better job in trading his cow.
I think White Sox will have an improved record this year. Just the fact that they actually have a capable #5 starter now should add a few games on their record. I agree that Dye & Podsednik are a downgrade in OF, but I think the rest of their line-up (Pierzynski & Iguchi), staff (El Duque) and bullpen (Vizcaino & Hermanson) all saw upgrades.
Twins-Tigers-Indians-White Sox-Royals. The Tigers could take the top spot; the White Sox won't contend unless they trade for some pitching.
Tigers? That's crazy talk. Twins-Indians-Sox-Tigers-Royals. Ordonez was offseason's worst signing (with a nod to Milton). Pudge is a year older and 20 pounds lighter after steroid talk. They still have no pitching. Dmitri Young back will be a plus; Guillen's likely to be significantly worse. I don't think they're more than 5-7 wins better than last year's record, at most. They may actually regress -- certainly possible after last year's huge improvement. Twins with Mauer, Morneau, Mays and another year of bullpen experience should be at least as good as last year.
For the Tigers to win they would have to improve about 49 games from their 2003 season. I don't see it.
Tigers? That's crazy talk. Twins-Indians-Sox-Tigers-Royals. Ordonez was offseason's worst signing (with a nod to Milton). Pudge is a year older and 20 pounds lighter after steroid talk. They still have no pitching. Dmitri Young back will be a plus; Guillen's likely to be significantly worse. I don't think they're more than 5-7 wins better than last year's record, at most. They may actually regress -- certainly possible after last year's huge improvement. To win would require a total improvement of about 49 games from '03. Twins with Mauer, Morneau, Mays and another year of bullpen experience should be at least as good as last year.
Good call on the White Sox fellas....
HHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAAAA....