Chicago White SoxOther than initiating the 1994 work stoppage, forfeiting the AL Central title to the Indians in June of 1996 by trading most of the White Sox good players and disrupting the salary structure of major league baseball by giving Albert Belle a $10 million per year contract after bemoaning that small market teams, like his, couldn't compete, Jerry Reinsdorf has been a model owner. His GM Ron Schueler has had the onerous task of doing Reinsdorf's bidding, and in his spare time, building a decent organization. He has been reasonably successful on both counts.
The White Sox have been piecing together a solid nucleus of good offensive players from various trades and drafts. Outfielder Magglio Ordonez, a product of the ChiSox system, has become a dangerous hitter after only 3 years in the majors. Although he doesn't draw many walks, he strikes out very little for a guy with his power. First baseman, Paul Konerko, who came over in a trade from the Reds is a very similar hitter, although Konerko will draw more walks. Konerko, originally a product of the Dodgers farm system, is another on a large and growing list of guys who are or will be All Stars that former Dodger GM/manager Tommy Lasorda publicly stated that he didn't think could make it as a regular players. Carlos Lee is another White Sox farm product who's come of age with a similar modus operandi. Ray Durham is a Roberto Alomar clone at second, combining speed, on base and decent power. Centerfielder Chris Singleton doesn't provide a whole lot offensively; his calling card his defense. Shortstop Mike Caruso is somewhat of an enigma. This one-time Giant farmhand had a very nice rookie year, but a simply terrible sophomore season. The White Sox would be happy with something in between, but as insurance, traded for Brewer underachiever Jose Valentin. Valentin has always possessed the tools to become a 20/20 shortstop, or possibly 30/30, but always manages to get distracted by injuries or clubhouse intrigue. Perhaps he can fulfill his enormous potential in a new environment. The catching duties will be handled by two high ceiling youngsters, Mark Johnson and Josh Paul. Paul is a Peter Gammons favorite for his hard nosed play and his excellent showing in the Cape Cod League. Third base will be manned by workmanlike Greg Norton until highly touted prospect Joe Crede is ready. Crede was bothered by injured most of last year, but is thought to have similar potential to that of Konerko, Ordonez and Lee. And of course, the engine who drives this team Frank Thomas. Before Thomas fell on hard times the past two years, he was on the fast track to the Hall of Fame. He was the first man in history to start his career with 8 consecutive seasons of 20 homers, 100 walks, 100 RBI and 100 runs. But something mysteriously happened and Thomas was a merely mortal hitter in 1998 and 1999. Some thought that it might be that pitchers were finally getting the inside pitch called a strike. A more likely answer is that Thomas was going through a very messy divorce. With that now behind him, he should return to his old, unbelievably productive self. GRADE: 60
The defense on the south side of Chicago will be about average. Chris Singleton is one of the better fielding centerfielders in the majors. Although he doesn't have much of an arm, his range was ranked at the top of the list last year. None of the other players are notably above average, although several are not good fielders at all. Durham has slightly above average range. Konerko and Thomas at first are probably the least familiar with their glove. GRADE: 45
The Sox are building a decent pitching staff but are still not quite in the same league with the big boys. James Baldwin turned the corner last year and finished with a flourish. Although he's doesn't have the tools or the makeup to be a true ace, he is safely in the range of being a #2 or 3 type starter. Lefty Mike Sirotka, veteran of several College World Series while at LSU, is probably the White Sox best pitcher, although he too falls into that #2 or 3 category. Jim Parque is still young and inconsistent, but he will be another decent lefty on the staff. There are high expectations for Kip Wells, who was quite good in his brief stint in the majors last year. He has a chance to become the ace that the Sox need, although that ascension might be a few years away; he's only 22. Cal Eldred has resurrected his career from the dead after numerous arm/shoulder injuries and surgeries. He will add some veteran leadership to the staff, but since he's never been anywhere near the post season, it's unlikely his presence will transform this staff into a playoff caliber rotation. GRADE: 55
The ChiSox bullpen is comprised of mostly young pitchers from their farm system. Closer Keith Foulke came over from the Giants when he was still in the minors. He's not a classic closer with ungodly stuff. No, his game is control and a Trevor Hoffman-like nasty change up. Like Hoffman's, he can throw it back to back and hitters still have trouble with the timing. Bobby Howry has the more classic tools of a closer with the good fastball and nasty slider. He will probably get some chances to close in his set-up role. Sean Lowe and Bill Simas are both solid relievers who can thrive in a variety of roles. Jesus Pena has posted very good numbers throughout his career in the minors and will look to continue that trend in his first full year in the majors. GRADE: 55
GM Ron Schueler has a pretty tough job trying to keep his boss happy and build a winning team, but he's done a reasonable job. The SOx have gone through some hard times the past several years, mostly due to the decisions of Reinsdorf, but there is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel. This year, that light is probably the oncoming Tribe Express on it's way to the playoffs again. But their time is coming. Schueler has done a decent job of putting together a team from minor league parts. In what few major league deals he's made recently, he's come out on the plus side, most notably Jaime Navarro for Jose Valentin. Manager Jerry Manuel has been pretty good about managing his young pitching staff, taking care not to overwork them, but not to coddle them either. His aggressive style of offensive play will probably cost the team some runs, given the make-up of most of the hitters. But he does have some speed on the team and plenty of contact hitters so it ma even out in the end. GRADE: 55