Charlie Klein
Key Additions:
Mark Teahen (OF/3B)
J.J. Putz (RP)
Jake Peavy (SP)
Omar Vizquel (SS)
Andruw Jones (OF)
Juan Pierre (OF)
Key Departures:
Chris Getz (2B)
Scott Podsednik (OF)
Jim Thome (DH)
Jermaine Dye (OF)
Dewayne Wise (OF)
I have avoided the AL Central like the plague these past two months because of all the divisions in Major League Baseball, this is the one in which three different teams have a legitimate shot at winning it. Today I will start with the Chicago White Sox. I really like their lineup and rotation. But I am not sure that I should.
Their season is highly dependent upon three players performing at peak capacity.
1. Gordon Beckham. This man was everyone's favorite rookie player, especially those lucky fantasy owners who were able to pick him up last season. In 2009 Beckham hit .270 with 14 homeruns and 63 RBIs in only 378 at-bats. If projections are to be believed, Beckham is projected to hit .270 with 24 homeruns and 87 RBIs. If he does produce at that level (or above it) expect the Sox to reap the benefits.
2. Alex Rios. This was the one puzzler move of last season's waiver wire. The White Sox took Rios and his ridiculous contract off the Blue Jays hands, believing that Rios could find his form at U.S. Cellular Field. This turned out to be as poor of a decision for GM Ken Williams as jaywalking on a Seattle street. Rios hit .199 in 146 at-bats for the southsiders.
3. Jake Peavy. The one guy that if he stays healthy for a whole season is almost guaranteed to give your team 17 wins, 200 strikeouts, and a sub three ERA. Jake Peavy is that good. Problem is, he has not stayed healthy lately. His last full season was in 2007, when he threw 223.1 innings with a 2.54 ERA with a 19-6 record and 240 strikeouts. IF Peavy is healthy, and that is a big if, he can carry this team to a division title.
There is solid depth all around this team. The White Sox have the best rotation in the division 1-4. I have my doubts about Freddy Garcia as a fifth starter, but most fifth starters around baseball have their fair share of questions around their pitching abilities. Sox first baseman Paul Konerko never gets the credit that he deserves and Carlos Quentin has been great for the White Sox the past two seasons. Their lineup top to bottom is better than the Tigers and the Twins and that is why I feel more than comfortable in picking them to win the Central this season.
Projected Starting Nine:
1. Juan Pierre (LF)
2. Gordon Beckham (2B)
3. Carlos Quentin (RF)
4. Paul Konerko (1B)
5. Alexei Ramirez (SS)
6. Mark Teahen (3B)
7. Alex Rios (CF)
8. A.J. Pierzynski (C)
9. Mark Kotsay (DH)
Projected Starting Rotation:
1. Jake Peavy
2. Mark Buehrle
3. Gavin Floyd
4. John Danks
5. Freddy Garcia
Best Reliever: Matt Thornton
Closer: Bobby Jenks
Predicted Finish: First in the AL Central
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