Can Ozzie Lead the South Siders to the Playoffs?

Despite not having a team in the playoffs since 2008, the Chicago White Sox look to break that trend in 2011.  Last season, the White Sox missed the postseason for the second consecutive season due to injuries.  Starting pitcher Jake Peavy made only 17 starts last season because of an ankle injury that eventually led to a season-ending shoulder surgery.  Aside from injury, certain players did not have to best of seasons.  For example, the 2009 rookie sensation Gordon Beckham was not able to repeat his success in 2010.  The second baseman batted only .252, with just nine home runs, 49 RBI, and four stolen bases.  Beckham’s lack of production last season looks to be more of a sophomore slump.  During last Tuesday’s victory against the Rockies, Beckham went 3-4 with an RBI-single, a double, and a run scored.  These are the types of performances that we can expect from Beckham in 2011.

The White Sox have a couple of new additions to the family for the upcoming season.  The long-awaited left-handed power bat has come in the form of Adam Dunn, who spent the last couple of seasons with the Washington Nationals.  Dunn hit exactly 38 homers in his two seasons in Washington and before that hit exactly 40 home runs from 2005-2008 with both the Reds and Diamondbacks.  Even though Dunn approaches the 200-strikeout mark every year, his power production at the plate is definitely worth the money.  Like the rest of the lineup, Dunn will benefit from playing with the White Sox. 

The organization decided against retaining closer Bobby Jenks, who had been at odds with management for the last couple of seasons.  This was probably the best move the White Sox could have possibly made.  Jenks emerged as the White Sox closer during the team’s World Series Championship season in 2005.  Jenks never looked back after 2005 and kept the closer’s role.  The last couple of seasons, however, Bobby Jenks was not the same closer the White Sox had been accustomed to seeing.  Jenks converted 56 saves out of 66 opportunities in the last two years with the White Sox and batters were hitting a combined .254 against Jenks in that time frame.  In addition to those statistics, Jenks’ earned runs average or the last two seasons had jumped to 3.71 and 4.44 respectively.  Jenks was making $7.5 million last season, so the White Sox felt that the reliever was not worth more than that amount for the upcoming season.  The White Sox instead opted to sign former Minnesota Twins reliever Jesse Crain.  Crain will be used as a setup man in the Chicago bullpen in 2011.  During his career in Minnesota, Crain was consistent and consistently under the radar.  Crain appeared in 71 games for the Twins and held opponents to a .215 batting average.  The reliever also came up in 26 save situations and finished the season with 21 holds.

There are a few position battles and prospects to look out for in Chicago and the third base position is a good place to start.  The White Sox have three options at the hot corner: Mark Teahen, Brent Morel, and Dayan Viciedo.  The veteran of the group, Mark Teahen, played in limited time last year due to a fractured finger in May.  In 77 games, Teahen hit .255, with only 4 home runs, and 25 RBI.  Teahen got the start as the designated hitter in last Tuesday’s game against the Rockies.  He finished the afternoon 2 for 2 with a walk, an RBI single, and another single in the fifth inning. Because of the Teahen injury, Brent Morel was given a chance to play third base last year.  The rookie played in only 21 games, but hit three home runs and knocked in seven runs in 65 at bats.  The infielder is known more for his glove at third base but if he is given the opportunity to play everyday, the offensive numbers should be adequate enough.  The final candidate for the third base job is Cuban defector, Dayan Viciedo.  In 38 games last season for the White Sox, Viciedo hit .305 with 5 homers, and 13 RBI.  The infielder isn’t a very patient hitter.  Viciedo only walked twice in 106 plate appearances.  The upside on Viciedo is his versatility.  In the White Sox game against the Rockies last Tuesday, Viciedo started the game in right field.  At the plate, he went 3 for 4 with three singles, one of which brought in a run.  Defensively, Viciedo threw out a runner trying to score from second base in the eighth inning.  If Viciedo does not win the third base job for the White Sox, he has the chance to stick with the team as a utility player off the bench.

The 2011 White Sox are in position to challenge the Minnesota Twins for the division title.  As of now, Chicago seems to be the most balanced team in the American League Central.  The team can out-hit, out-pitch, and out-field just about any team in baseball.  Look for Ozzie Guillen and White Sox to be knocking on the door to the postseason this year.