CTOD: Chicago White Sox

In 2010 the White Sox finished 2nd in the AL Central, 7 GB of the Wild Card. Going into 2011 I believe the biggest enemy for the White Sox is mediocrity. Here you have a team that finished in the top 10 in most offensive categories last season (runs, hits, home runs, and batting average) yet couldn't get over the hump, why? lets take a look...



Chicago's line-up was pretty decent most nights, 5 guys with 18+ HR, and some speed on the base paths as well. The White Sox don't strike out a ton, and they don't walk a ton either. They have a team that scored 4.64 runs per game, however the majority of those runs came in the middle of the ball game. The White Sox struggled against starting pitching and just couldn't seem to get into the game til it was half over. Now with the addition of Adam Dunn and the consistency of Rios and Konerko, along with the speed of Pierre and Rios, the White Sox are hoping to curb this and take control of games offensively - they certainly have the tools.

The real question mark is the starting rotation in Chicago. They'll be led by 25 year old John Danks, who coming a 15 game winning season seems to be getting better and better. Buehrle on the other hand, hasn't really done anything to overly impress, besides eating innings. His ERA was 4.28 and he held the highest WHIP on the staff. With Peavy due to miss time because of his rehab from shoulder surgery, guys like Edwin Jackson and Gavin Floyd need to be much better, and the potential is there. Jackson finished the season with the White Sox (traded from Arizona) 4-2 with the lowest ERA and striking out 77 through 75innings.

Chicago's bullpen figures to be alright, even with the departures of Putz and Jenks. Having Matt Thornton step up is great and he is a big lefty who has a power arm that can surely take over, he struck out 81 in just 60 innings of work. The arrival of journeyman Will Ohman and hard throwing Jesse Crain should provide late inning support and experience. The White Sox were also blessed with the emergence of 2010 13th overall pick Chris Sale last season. Sale appeared in 21 games, fanning 32 hitters in 23 innings holding a 1.93 era.

The White Sox are a team that has all the right pieces to make a run at a division title, yet can't seem to put it all together. As stated earlier they biggest enemy is simply mediocrity, something's gotta give in Chi town for Ozzie's club. The White Sox were actually right in the thick of everything last year until the wheels fell off in September, where they lost 8 games in a row. This can't happen if you're trying to make the post season, especially in the final month. If the Sox can stay healthy and play to potential they should easily challenge for the AL central title.

Prediction: 1st in AL Central. They have just as competitive line-up as the Twins or Tigers to go along with a deeper pitching staff that has good upside.

Player to Watch: Alex Rios. A lot of focus in Chicago will be on the power duo of Konerko and Dunn, but Rios has legit 30/30 potential and can hit for a good average. I see him having a real good year in 2011. Rios is a good fielder with multiple offensive threats and it looks like now that he's out of the Toronto media, he'll start to become the player Toronto had hoped for. Better late than never I guess.