The Sox of White

Chicago White Sox 2007 Record: 72-90 (4th in AL Central)
2008 Prediction: 3rd in AL Central


In

• Nick Swisher (OAK) - acquired for Gio Gonzalez, Ryan Sweeney and Fautino De Los Santos - 1/3/08
• Scott Linebrink (MIL) - signed to a 4 year, $19 million contract - 11/28/07
• Orlando Cabrera (LAA) - acquired for Jon Garland - 11/19/07
• Carlos Quentin (ARI) - acquired for Chris Carter - 12/3/07
• Juan Uribe (CHW) - resigned to a 1 year, $4.5 million contract- 11/7/07
• Brad Eldred (PIT) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/11/08
• Octavio Dotel (ATL) - signed to a 2 year, $11 million contract- 1/22/08
  

Out

• Jon Garland (LAA) - traded for Orlando Cabrera - 11/19/07
• Darin Erstad (HOU) - signed to a $1 million contract - 12/27/07
• Andy Gonzalez (CLE) - signed to a minor league contract - 12/21/07
• Ryan Sweeney (OAK) - traded for Nick Swisher - 1/3/08
• Scott Podsednik (COL) - signed to a minor league contract - 2/5/08
• Mike Myers (LAD) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/25/08
• Craig Wilson (CIN) - signed to a minor league contract - 2/9/08
  

Remaining Free Agents

• Alex Cintron

Projected Opening Day Starters
C - A.J. Pierzynski
1B - Paul Konerko
2B - Juan Uribe
3B - Joe Crede/Josh Fields
SS - Orlando Cabrera
LF - Carlos Quentin/Jerry Owens
CF - Nick Swisher
RF - Jermaine Dye
DH - Jim Thome

Projected Opening Day Rotation
Mark Buehrle
Javier Vazquez
Jose Contreras
John Danks
Gavin Floyd

Projected Opening Day Closer
Bobby Jenks

Improvements: Nick Swisher is 27 years old and can flat out hit. His average may not be the prettiest in the league, but when a guy can give you 20-30 homeruns a year, and can play first base and all three outfield positions, he's got value. He adds versatility and depth to the Sox, and joins an outfield that already consists of Jermaine Dye and Jerry Owens. And Orlando Cabrera is a sold shortstop, both in the field and at the plate. And while many in the baseball world disagree with the Sox handing out multi-year deals with relievers (Linebrink and Dotel), when one looks at their bullpen in '07, it really is hard to question. The Sox pen had the third-worst ERA in all of baseball, but Linebrink and Dotel should add some stability and give manager Ozzie Guillen some much needed relief.
Lack of improvement: What the Sox have in offense, they may be lacking in pitching. Buerhle is a stud. But Javier Vazquez, John Danks and Jose Contreras have all been inconsistent and the Sox may want to think about picking up another arm to slide into that rotation (currently, Gavin Floyd is slated to be their number five starter).
Keys to success: The Sox have a large task at hand if they want to return to the playoffs - being able to defeat the Indians and the Tigers, two very talented teams. And for this to be a possibility, Guillen is going to have to start being less like Squawks Magrew from James Thurber's You Could Look it Up, and more like a human being. Guillen has been criticized for being harsh, blunt and overall mean at times. There is a lot of talent on this club, and a lot of personalities. It will be up to Guillen to make sure they are all in check and have their heads clear when they take the field day after day.