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CHICAGO WHITE SOX

2012 – Finished second in the AL Central

Record : 85-77

The Chicago White Sox ushered in a new era last season, post-Guillen. Despite a record that would have seen them finish bottom of a stacked AL West, the White Sox ended up just three games behind Detroit and can be relatively satisfied with Robin Ventura’s debut season.

It could be tough to replicate their 85-77 record, however, as KC, Cleveland and Minnesota have all strengthened their rosters, while the White Sox appear to have taken a step back. The AL Central should be more competitive, but that’s not to say Chicago have rested on their laurels this off-season either.

Veteran catcher A.J Pierzynski has left, having appeared in over 1,000 games for the club. Infielder Kevin Youkilis is another key departure. It would be fair to say the arrivals of Jeff Keppinger and Connor Gillaspie are not earth shattering moves, although they have greatly strengthened their bullpen with Matt Lindstrom being a solid option.

They’re certainly not a bad team, but in a more competitive division, they may struggle to match last season’s record.

INCOMINGS

1B Mark Tracy – Trade (COL)
1B/3B Connor Gillaspie – Trade (SF)
IF Jeff Keppinger – Free Agent (TB), Angel Sanchez – Rule 5 (LAA)
OF Blake Tekotte  – Trade (SD)
RHP  Matt Lindstrom – Free Agent (ARI), ZachStewart – Waivers (PIT)

OUTGOINGS

C A.J. Pierzynski – Free Agent (TEX)
1B Dan Johnson – Free Agent (NYY)
3B Kevin Youkilis – Free Agent (NYY)
IF Jose Lopez – Free Agent (Yomuiri – Japan)
OF Kenneth Williams – Trade (COL)
RHP Phil Humber – Waivers (HOU), Brandon Kloess – Trade (SD), Brandon Myers – Free Agent (CLE), Jeff Soptic – Trade (SF)
LHP – Francisco Liriano – Free Agent (PIT)

Outfielders

Lead-off man Alejandro deAza is set to play centre field coming off a solid season in which he stole 26 bases and held a .349 OBP. At 28 he is approaching the peak of his career and the Sox will be hoping he can take a further step forward this season and be the catalyst at the top of the order. Alex Rios and Dayan Viciedo should bat 5-6. Both players are coming off 25 homer season and will be counted on to provide similar numbers this year.

Off the bench will be 35 year old DeWayne Wise, still famed for his stunning catch in the 9th inning to preserve a Mark Buerhle no-hitter a few years ago. He has bounced around the leagues but he is likely to be the fourth outfielder for the Sox and is a speedster on the bases and in the field. Trayce Thompson is the no.1 prospect in the system and could make an impact this year.

Infielders

Adam Dunn will primarily serve as DH, but could be time in the field. He bounced back from a poor year to clock 41 dingers in 2012, taking his career total above 400.

New arrival Jeff Keppinger, who had a career year last time out, batting .325 for the Rays, will be the starting third baseman, while Paul Konerko will play first. The 37 year old sits 34 homers shy of the all-time Sox record, while he will move in 2nd place on appearances if he remains healthy.

Middle infield will be Gordon Beckham and Alexei Ramirez. While the latter is a vital cog in the line-up, and a premier base stealing threat, the former could be on last chance saloon having failed to live up to expectations. Rule 5 pick Angel Sanchez, who batted .320 in Triple-A last year is waiting in the wings.

Catchers

With long time starter A.J. Pierzynksi departing, Tyler Flowers is the man to step up to the plate. Or crouch behind it, more accurately. In 52 games last season he provided some pop, but a poor average. Hector Gimenez will be the back-up. He batted .455 in the Majors last season, but five games is hardly a large enough sample. Josh Phegley is a highly touted prospect that could be the next man up if either Flowers or Gimenez falter.

Starters

The White Sox have a very solid rotation, led by Chris Sale and Jake Peavy. Sale is coming off a career year (17-9, 3.05 ERA), while Peavy had something of a renaissance last season (3.35 ERA) following an injury ravaged couple of seasons. It’s easy to forget that Peavy is only 31 years old, so he is hardly on the downside of his career.

Jose Quintana was a pleasant surprise last season, going 6-6 with a 3.76 ERA after being called up from the Minors following an injury to John Danks, who is set to return. The rotation is set to be completed by Gavin Floyd. Both he and Danks are entering their seventh season in the Sox rotation and have proven to be reliable. With three starters in the top fifteen prospects, there seems plenty of depth in the system.

Relievers

Addison Reed returns as closer, after notching 29 saves last season. Veteran Matt Thornton is set to be the lefty set-up man, while Jesse Crain, Nate Jones and Donnie Veal all return after posting sub 2.50 ERA seasons last time out. Matt Lindstom has been added to an already strong bullpen.

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