2010 MLB Predictions/Previews: Chicago White Sox
Hard to believe, as many of us watch the snow fall outside, that the Boys of Summer are almost back. But it’s true; teams have reported to 2010 Major League Baseball training camps and it’s time to start our team-by-team baseball gambling previews for the year.
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MLB Team Preview – Chicago White Sox
Being a White Sox fan is quite the emotional rollercoaster. Chicago seems to alternate contending and flopping from year to year and manager Ozzie Guillen is as volatile as they come. Well, after an ugly 2009, is it time for the rollercoaster to hit a peak again?
Say what you want about the launching pad that is U.S. Cellular Field or the power bats, but the White Sox’s main strength looks to be pitching this season. Apparently, Jake Peavy is healthy to start 2010. He’s become an afterthought in recent seasons but he’s still one of the better power pitchers in baseball when healthy. John Danks and Gavin Floyd are just 24 and 27 years old, respectively, so both have room to improve on their already-respectable performances to date. Floyd, a former top Phillies prospect, made major strides last season, raising his strikeout rate significantly and posting a 3.49 ERA after the All-Star break.
Mark Buehrle, as underappreciated as they come, holds down the No. 4 spot. How many other teams in the majors have a guy with two no-hitters, including a perfect game, as their fourth-best starter? Buehrle has nine straight seasons with 10-plus wins and 200-plus innings.
We know Chicago will have one of the American League’s best rotations this season, even if Freddy Garcia is a bust in the No. 5 spot. But the Sox should also get good run support. 
Their lineup has a little bit of everything. Veterans like Paul Konerko, Mark Teahen and A.J. Pierzynski are tough outs. Juan Pierre replaces Scott Podsednik as the speedster atop the order. Carlos Quentin still has 40-homer power in his bat; he just has to make it through an entire season without getting hurt. Both Alex Rios and Alexei Ramirez are just a year removed from being “rising stars”; they’re both still young enough and talented enough to bounce back and both are good power-speed combinations.
The most interesting player to watch in the South Side this season will be Gordon Beckham. Whether or not he’s really on the trading block (have you heard the Adrian Gonzalez rumors?), he’s the future cornerstone of whatever team he plays for, a Chase Utley type of player with power, patience and decent speed. Given the protection he’ll have in the order, a breakout sophomore season seems likely.
Even if Bobby Jenks has slipped in recent years, the bullpen has plenty of strong, experienced arms to help him out. Between J.J. Putz, Matt Thornton, Scott Linebrink and Tony Pena, Chicago has a bevy of guys who have been elite setup men or temporary closers at various points in their careers.
2009 belonged to Minnesota Twins but I see them as overrated this season. It seems Joe Mauer and the new ballpark are distracting everyone from what I believe is a much deeper ballclub in Chicago. Given the White Sox’s combination of starting pitching, power and athleticism, I like them to win the Central this year.
White Sox Prediction: First, American League Central
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