Good Guys Wear Black

Chicago White Sox Hot Stove: How Do You Turn This Thing On?

By: Cregen McMinn

The White Sox have made a few moves this offseason to bring in guys that were at one time good, and at this current time fall somewhere between “ok ” and “retired .”

However, since the Tigers have decided that owning good young players is “soooo last year” and the Twins don’t have the resources to add to their team, the Sox seem to be the favorite in the AL Central for next season.

Even though the White Sox are the favorite right now, they have two glaring spots they need to address. First and foremost, is an outfielder who can bat leadoff.  One way Kenny could address this is by trading for the overpriced yet undervalued Juan Pierre.

There were reports of a Scott Linebrink-Juan Pierre swap, but those rumors have seemed to fizzle out. It’s not so much a matter of whom they bring in, it’s more so that they do in fact bring in a guy who can get on base for Beckham and the boys in the middle of the lineup.

The other hole that needs to be filled is the one left by Jim Thome at DH. Thome provided consistent power at the DH position, and without him in that spot the Sox lineup looks more like a club suited to play in Petco park, than US Cellular Field. 

There’s been plenty of speculation about a platoon at DH that includes Mark Kotsay, Paul Konerko, and possibly Andruw Jones…no thank you. If Ozzie decides he doesn’t want an everyday DH, fine. But the Sox play in a park that is conducive to the long ball, and if that gets forgotten right now, it will become painfully apparent once the regular season starts.

The Sox sit poised on the brink of playoff contention in the American League. It’s up to Kenny to either push them over the barrier and back into the playoffs, or stand pat and let a winnable division go to waste.

Rookie of the Year Award: Yet Another Example of Pointless MLB Award

By: Cregen McMinn

Earlier this week, it was announced that Andrew Bailey is the AL rookie of the year, as voted on by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America and avid readers of Moneyball by Michael Lewis.

Bailey becomes the first AL reliever to win the award since former A’s closer Huston Street took home the award in 2005. Does Bailey deserve the award? Well, he certainly had the most impressive numbers. Bailey held hitters to 17 runs through 83.1 innings (1.83 ERA). Batters only hit .173 against him, and his WHIP was .88 (those numbers are well below the MLB averages OPP BA. -.263, WHIP – 1.39).

If we accept that Bailey deserves the award, we’re left with the question, should we as fans care? We all want our young players to be recognized as being the best in the game, but if one thinks about what the Rookie-of-the-Year award is saying, it’s not saying who the BEST rookie is in terms of talent, it’s saying who had the best statistics this past season as a rookie.

Even as MLB awards go, this award seems to be especially pointless. Sure the Gold Glove awards inexplicably take into account how good of a hitter the player is even though the award claims to pick the best fielders.

Also, let’s not forget the Silver Slugger awards routinely go to bigger names instead of the best batters, but the ROY award pushes the envelope for meaningless. 

What is so special about a player in his first major league season? It’s one thing for NFL players who don’t play in a developmental league before they make their professional debut. But MLB players almost always have some minor league seasoning before coming up to the big leagues.

Why not have an award for players in their second or third big league seasons? Heck, I'd be willing to vote on which player had the most surprising season. We could call it, the "You're going to be tested" award, sponsored by BALCO.

So to Andrew Bailey, congratulations on the award. But to Gordon Beckham, Elvis Andrus, and Rick Porcello, congratulations on likely having far better Major League careers.

Getz Outta Here: White Sox Acquire Mark Teahen from KC

By: Cregen McMinn

Kenny Williams hasn’t waited long to begin reshaping the White Sox.

One day after the World Series is over, he has worked out a deal with the Kansas City Royals to send Chris Getz and Josh Fields to KC in return for Mark Teahen .

This deal makes sense for both teams, but especially so for the White Sox. Teahen has averaged 14-70-.269 through his first five seasons. Add to that his versatility in the field (played 32 games in RF, 107 at 3B, and 14 between 1B and 2B), and Teahen’s value becomes apparent.

On the flip side, the Sox are parting with two players that have been given opportunities to impress but thus far have failed to.

Fields was yet another former college quarterback drafted in the first round by the Sox, and he joins the list of failed first round picks. Fields’ bat has big league pop, but like many sluggers he’s struggled with off-speed pitches and therefore has struggled to keep his average up.

Getz represents one of the few guys who could steal bases on last year’s team. However, the fact that the team was slow doesn’t mean one of the few fast guys is better than his numbers indicate.

Getz was a .260 hitter in the minors with little power, and that’s exactly what he was with the big club. Yes, he stole bases, but that fact alone doesn’t make him valuable enough to not want to eventually upgrade that position.

Teahen will likely take over in right field for Jermaine Dye. While I never thought Dye’s defense was terrible in right, the numbers say otherwise. According to those numbers Teahen is a far better fielder than Dye was (albeit still below average for the position).

The full story of this trade won’t be told until KW completes his offseason moves. Currently there’s a hole at second, which could be filled by Gordon Beckham or Alexei Ramirez depending on what KW does. As it stands now, this trade looks to be a good one for the Sox.

My Apologies to The Yankees and Phillies: I'm Not Cheering For You

By: Cregen McMinn

Who is a White Sox fan supposed to root for during this World Series?

Do I root for the Yankees because they represent the overall strength of the American league? Or do I root against them because they’re the “Evil Empire” and represent what’s wrong with salary cap-less baseball?

On the other side there’s the Phillies. Do I root for the defending champions and their fan friendly trio of Rollins, Utley, and Howard? Or do I root against the National league purely out of spite for their brand of baseball.

I’ll tell you who I’ve been rooting for—neither team. Instead, I’ve been rooting for a particular situation, a game seven —and so far it’s losing.

That’s right, all I’ve wanted as a fan who doesn’t have a dog in this fight, is a game seven. A game seven is not just a normal game. It’s a game where “planning for the future” is out the window. No need to conserve your bullpen when if you lose there’s no tomorrow. Every decision by the manager, every call by the umpires, every decision to tag up or not tag up is magnified.

In short, Game Seven shines a light on the game of baseball and exposes what it really is—n amazing game.

My love of game sevens stems from a somewhat recent game. Last season, I was fortunate enough to snag a ticket for game 163 between the White Sox and Twins. The atmosphere at that game was electric from the moment I parked the car all the way through Brian Anderson’s diving catch to end the game. The quality of baseball that was played during the game is the kind we hope to see all season but rarely do.

In short, seeing highly paid athletes compete the way we did during little league and high school made me realize the beauty of the game seven situation.

With the Yankees leading 3-1, it’s up to the Phillies to win two consecutive games to force a game seven.

Can they do it? Who knows, but rest assured there’s a new Phillies fan for the next two games, then after that it’s time to sit back and enjoy the beauty of Game Seven.

Word of Advice to Yankees and Phillies Fans: Enjoy It While You Can

By Cregen McMinn

Right now Yankees and Phillies fans are feeling good about their World Series chances. As for Dodgers and Angels fans, they’re slightly less hopeful.

In any case, one of those four teams will be the 2009 World Series champion, and players and fans alike will feel like champions—but only for a few months.

You see, that feeling of being champion is temporary. It lasts only so long as your team appears to be the best. The 2005 White Sox are a perfect example. The Pale Hose eased through the playoffs on their way to a championship, and at season’s end there was no doubt that they were the best team in baseball.

Fast-forward to April, 2006. The Red Sox are retooled, the Angels appear strong as ever, and the Yankees still have a potent lineup. So as of April, 2006, are the White Sox still world champions? Technically, yes. Do they or their fans have any right to have the swagger of a champion? Not a chance.

That’s the thing about a World Series title. One can gloat about it all offseason. One can continue to indulge as the rings are passed out and the banner is unveiled. But wait about a week into the season, and the new contenders will be obvious, and if your team isn’t one of them, then your World Series is old news.

I’m not saying that ChiSox fans didn’t continue to gloat about their long-awaited title well after it was clear that they would not be adding to the trophy collection that season. However, that kind of gloating feels hollow compared to doing it when one knows that their team is the best, instead of was the best.

It’s like a washed-up high school football star looking at his old varsity jacket and remembering when he won the state title—the memories are still nice, but they’re only memories now.

So to whoever wins the World Series this season, congratulations. Live it up while you can. Because it’s not long until next season’s opening day, and by then your title could be nothing more than a pleasant memory.

The Truth About the Spoiler Roll

By Cregen McMinn

Teams fall into different rolls throughout the season: contender, pretender, door mat, and last and least enjoyable… spoiler.

“Watch out for the White Sox now, cause they’re playing spoiler!” Seriously?

Do you think that Paul Konerko cares that he could contribute to knocking the Tigers out of first place so that the Twins can win the division? I’d love to hear about any player who strives to be the best “spoiler”.

Let’s face the facts about the spoiler roll and the last week of the Sox season. The White Sox don’t care about spoiling the Twins or the Tigers season. Sure they’d like to win, but what motivation would there be to help the Twins win the division when they’re every bit the rival that the Tigers are? The truth is that the Sox are playing out the string with the same lack of fundamentals and questionable intensity they’ve been playing with all season.

Speaking of intensity, Ozzie seems to be upset that some guys just want to watch college football instead of worrying about baseball. “And I'm going to make it clear. It's a bunch of [expletive] out there watching football games like a piece of [expletive] with no pride the way they play the [expletive] game, and that's embarrassing.”

Well said Ozzie. Or should I say, ‘[expletive] well said Ozzie.’

These players that we’ve cheered for (and occasionally booed, sorry Bobby) don’t care about who’s going to make the playoffs, and who’s going to compete with them for tee times. The dirty little secret is summed up by Ozzie ''We'll finish third no matter if we win or lose these [last] games.”

Wow, a whole sentence without swearing, Ozzie must not feel well.

The spoiler roll is taken as seriously as an Adam Sandler film. A week from now the White Sox 2009 season will officially come to an end. Meanwhile either the Twins or Tigers will begin a first round playoff series against the Yankees. Rest assured that White Sox players don’t care which one makes it, as long as it doesn’t conflict with when the big football game comes on.

Four White Sox Players Who Cost the Team the Season

By Cregen McMinn

As the final out was recorded in the Tigers 6-5 win over the Indians last night, more than just the game was over, the White Sox playoff chances officially ended as well.

Now, I’m not one to point fingers, but allow me to point some thumbs downward at a few of the players who contributed to the Sox failure to make the postseason for the third time in four years.

Mark Buehrle

So much was made of Mark Buehrle’s perfect game. But in a season when the White Sox desperately needed a stopper, Buehrle didn’t step up.

In the past two months he’s gone 1-6, and in the past two months the Sox have gone from tied for first place to being eliminated with a week of September left.

That’s not to say that Mark Buehrle is a bad pitcher, or that I don’t want him in the rotation next year. But he’s been the “ace” of this staff for the past few seasons and his performance in crunch time was far from ace-like.

Alex Rios

I’ve been on the Alex Rios bandwagon since the bandwagon was originally constructed. However, I have to dangle one leg off of the back of the bandwagon for a second and admit that Rios has been brutal at the plate during his time in Chicago. He’s hit .162 and has only drawn three walks, which comes out to an astounding .182 OBP!

His range in the outfield has been great (2.57 RF/G)—the best of his career, actually. But he’s also committed two errors, so I can’t even cling to his fielding as a reason for hope for Sox fans.

Bottom line on Alex Rios is that he will improve.

However, his performance this year has been worse than forgettable. If there was a team picture of players who hurt this team down the stretch, Alex Rios would be the one holding the White Sox sign.

Time to get back on the bandwagon. Plenty of room on here!

Jermaine Dye

I’ve already written about my goodbye to Jermaine. He has deteriorated at the plate down the stretch, and if Jermaine Dye isn’t hitting, he’s not contributing.

He’s been a below average fielder every year with the Sox with his career worst year coming last season (-7.7 runs worse than an average fielder!) So, when Dye only hits .180 in the second half it’s difficult not to notice.

What’s the reason behind Dye’s problems at the plate? Has he reached the downside of the hill or is it just an extended slump?

Correct answer: it doesn’t matter. He was supposed to step up, and instead he contributed to the lack of production from the middle of the order.

Bobby Jenks

Last but certainly not least is closer (most ironic title on the team) Bobby Jenks. The big closer has been a big asset for the Sox since his arrival during the World Series campaign.

However, this year a different Bobby Jenks showed up on the South Side. One that seems to feel the pressure much more than the old one.

Gone is the hammer of a curveball. Now, when the game is on the line it’s fastball, fastball, fastball, and opposing hitters know it. The Sox needed him to join Thornton as the only sure things in a bullpen that, instead of shortening the game, seemed to do everything possible to lengthen it.

But Jenks didn’t join Thornton, and his struggles have magnified the problems the pen faced this year.

These four players were not the only ones who cost the Sox games, but they certainly stood out.

If the Sox are going to get back to the postseason they’re going to need much better production from those four players, or the new players that fill those positions (I’m looking at you JD and Jenks)

You may have noticed the picture for this part is Scott Linebrink. He very easily could have been used in this list, but as far as I'm concerned, the less that Linebrink is involved with anything involving the White Sox, the better.

Jermaine Dye's Closing Act in Chicago

By Cregen McMinn

It’s usually hard to say goodbye to players who have greatly helped your team. Often the separation is so painful fans become resentful of that player (Jim Thome in Cleveland). However, occasional the separation can’t occur soon enough, and that’s the case for me with Jermaine Dye.

Dye came to the Sox in 2005 despite the fact that the Texas Rangers were offering more money. He wanted to play for the Sox, and that fact alone was enough to endear him to White Sox nation. Dye completed his first season with a line of .274-31-85. Not bad, but not outstanding. However it was his performance in the World Series and leadership in the clubhouse that made him an instant fan favorite and a player who every Sox fan wanted in right field until he was ready to hang up his spikes.

Since then JD has continued to mash the ball. He has 162 home runs in his 4+ years with the Sox and 454 runs driven in. So what’s the problem?

Jermaine Dye reached the top of the hill and is now bobsledding his way down the wrong side. What’s worse is that it’s happened so fast. For the first half of the season JD hit .302 with 20 homers and 55 driven in. There was talk amongst fans that the Sox better pick up their side of his $12MM mutual option. Then the All-Star break came and went, and when the Sox returned to the field a different Jermaine Dye was in right field.

This Jermaine Dye has no discipline at the plate and no pop in his bat. Through 222 AB’s in the second half he’s hitting .171 with 5 homers and 19 driven in. In addition to that he’s only slugging .264, so in essence the Sox have ditched the DH and now have a pitchers spot in their lineup.

As is the case with any fan favorite it’s hard to say goodbye. Just look at how it was in Boston when David Ortiz was flailing away and Boston fans were trying to come up with any excuse as to why he had become so bad so quickly. (Sampling of those excuses: he needed his vision checked, he was hurt, he needed Manny back…somehow the steroid explanation still eludes Red Sox nation. But I digress.)

The point is I don’t want things with JD to be how they were with Big Papi in Boston. I don’t want this to drag out so long that my mom won’t let me go see JD because she want’s me to remember him how he was, not how he is now (sorry grandpa).

So, goodbye Jermaine. Thank you for the World Series. Thank you for taking the place of what was a very productive right fielder and helping Sox fans forget all about him. But it’s time to go. No, you don’t have to retire, but there’s no longer a place for you here. BUT, I hear Boston loves old broken down players!

What If the Chicago White Sox Made the Playoffs: Answering the Question

By Cregen McMinn

When you’re a fan of a team who had the potential to make the playoffs but falls short, there's always the question of “what if?”

“What if they had made it? They have such a good top of the rotation and a ton of veterans...they were made for the playoffs!”

I found myself asking “what if?” about this years White Sox team. The Sox came into the season with low expectations yet found themselves competing for a division title anyway. Now they sit six games back with too few games remaining to feel they actually have a chance.

So that question lingers in my mind about what they would do if they did actually make the postseason.  In the following paragraphs I’ll break down their possible opponents and examine “what if” the Sox actually made the playoffs.

White Sox vs. Yankees

Pitching: Advantage Yankees

The Sox have struggled with CC Sabathia this year while they’ve hit Burnett well. That leaves it to Andy Pettitte who has pitched well against the Sox in one start this season. As for the Yankees bullpen, it became a lot more effective when they moved Hughes to the set-up role. Oh, and then there’s Mariano Rivera for the ninth inning.

Hitting: Advantage Yankees

Jeter, Damon, Teixeira, A-Rod, Matsui, Posada, Cano...

Manager:  Advantage White Sox

Girardi has done a great job with the Yankees this season, but he hasn’t guided them to a World Series yet. That’s the most pressure that a manager can face and Ozzie has shown he can handle it without a problem.  Those bright lights of New York shine like the sun come playoff time and until Girardi wins a title Ozzie wins this category by default.

Conclusion: Yankees in Four

White Sox vs. Angels

Pitching: Push

There doesn’t seem to be a real advantage for either team. Buehrle, Danks, and Floyd are solid if unspectacular. While Lackey, Weaver, and Kazmir (possibly Saunders) are also very solid but statistically are very similar to the Sox starters.

The bullpens are also very similar. Jenks and Fuentes are both solid at the end. While the bridges to get to those two guys can both be shaky at times. Thorton, Dotel, and Linebrink have struggled as a whole down the stretch. While Oliver, Jepsen, and Bulger have been serviceable but far from impressive.

There’s no telling if someone on either of these staff’s would go from good to great in the playoffs. But from the outside looking in there's no discernable difference between the two teams.

Hitting: Advantage Angels

There was a time not long ago that every Angels starter was hitting above .300. Conversely the Sox have one player above .300 (Pierzynski - .312). The Angels hit the ball and run the bases the way Ozzie and every Sox fan wishes that the White Sox would.

They have a combination of power and speed that makes them capable of coming back and winning no matter what the score is.

Manager: Push

Mike Scioscia is an experienced and successful manager. But the same can be said of Ozzie Guillen to a lesser extent. While I’d have to say if I had to pick a manager for my team out of these two, I’d pick Scioscia.

Guillen gets a lot out of his players and manages his pitchers well (I can say that now that Contreras is gone). Overall you can’t go wrong with either of these two managers come playoff time.

Conclusion: Angels in five

White Sox vs. Red Sox

Pitching: Advantage Red Sox

The Red Sox starting pitching isn’t what impresses me. It’s that bullpen. Delcarmen, Ramirez, Okajima, and Papelbon make up a dynamic bullpen capable of handling any offense.  To be fai,r Beckett and Lester are plenty for a five-game series. But from the games I’ve seen, it’s the bullpen that sets the Red Sox apart from the White Sox.

Hitting: Advantage Red Sox

The advantage in hitting isn’t as great as it was in past years. David Ortiz is off the juice and regressing at an incredible rate. Jason Bay has provided some pop but his average leaves something to be desired.

However, it’s not a single guy in the Red Sox lineup that makes it impressive, it’s that it is so strong overall.

Ellsbury, Drew, Youkilis, Pedroia, the names keep coming and each one carries with it memories of a clutch hit or run scored. The White Sox have veteran hitters, but nothing compared to the Red Sox.

Managing: Red Sox

Terry Francona is as solid and unflappable playoff manager as there is in the game right now. Any deficiencies the Red Sox might have on the roster can be covered up by him come playoff time.

Conclusion: Red Sox in four

Top Five Reasons Why the Future of theChicago White Sox Future Looks Bright

By Cregen McMinn

While the White Sox stumble to the finish line, there are plenty of reasons for optimism about the future of the ball club. I've boiled it down to the top five reasons why you, the White Sox fan (or you the non-White Sox fan, but let's be honest, you've always had a soft spot for the Pale Hose), should be excited about the bright future of the White Sox.

 

5. Alex Rios

ALEX RIOS!? Yes, Alex Rios is a reason to be excited about the future of the White Sox. Since his career years in 2006/2007 he has regressed to this current year where he put up 15 homers and 65 driven in with only a .247 average.

However, I don't believe that Alex Rios peaked at age 25 and now at 28 years old is on the downside of his career, baseball numbers don't work that way. Look for Rios to rebound at the plate, and once that comes around people will begin to take notice of his already exceptional fielding.

 

4. The Starting Rotation

Who to highlight first on the White Sox staff for next season? The top four appear to be set, and about as good as any top four in baseball. Buehrle, Peavy, Danks, and Floyd give the Sox four consistent pitchers who on any night can shut the other team out.

With the fifth spot look for a combination Dan Hudson and Freddy Garcia. Garcia has one year left on his deal with the Sox and has been very effective with quality starts against the Yankees and Red Sox.

Hudson is a prospect who has come up through the Sox system after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2008 draft. Over two minor league seasons he's pitched 217 innings and struck out 256 while only walking 56.

Going into next season the White Sox rotation has the potential to be the best in baseball.

 

3. Gordon Beckham

The line drive hitting first round pick out of Georgia rocketed through the Sox minor league system and arrived at the big club June 4. Since then he's played a serviceable third base and hit a more than serviceable .274 with 10 homers and 52 runs driven in.

Beckham proved to be a "can't miss" draft pick for the Sox who actually didn't miss. He might not be at third next season, but there's no doubt he'll be somewhere on the field for the Sox for a long time to come.

 

2. The Reemergence of Quentin and Ramirez

This time last year White Sox nation was most excited about the futures of two position players, Carlos Quentin and Alexi Ramirez.

Flash forward to this season and Quentin and Ramirez excite Sox fans about as much as another series with the Royals. However I'm here to provide you with some hope for these 2, along with a tall glass of White Sox Kool-Aid.

Sure both players have regressed this season but I'm willing to believe that the problems are correctable. Alexi moved to shortstop this season, his "natural" position. Put politely, he's been BRUTAL in the field. It wouldn't be the first time a player's fielding has hurt his numbers at the plate.

I believe a switch back to second, or additional time to adjust to shortstop will bring back the Alexi Ramirez of last season.

As for Quentin, he's battled injuries all season. Since breaking his wrist last season he's battled a series of heel injuries. Anyone who has hurt their heel before understands how that could hurt every part of a baseball players game.

Hopefully it will heal fully this offseason and the MVP-caliber Carlos Quentin will return for 2010.

 

1. Kenny Williams

With all the talent on the field why is Williams the No. 1 reason? Well, he's the reason for the talent on the field. Kenny has always been a good personnel guy, but now he's also bringing in draft picks who are helping the organization.

Kenny has assembled a starting staff and a core of young players who will take the places of the veteran players as they leave.

He has the White Sox in a position to contend for a World Series for years to come and indeed he's the number one reason the White Sox future looks bright.