Since the White Sox are in the off-season and there is obviously not too much going on with the trading, I think that it is a great time to evaluate the team and see where we could use some possible improvements.
So let’s start off at first base. The White Sox have Paul Konerko there and he is one of the best hitters, it not the best, on the team. He is also a very good defensive player and to be honest, I really think that we need to build the team around him.
At second base, we have Danny Richar. Richar’s first year in the pros was last year and the White Sox had a lot of expectations for him, and at times he showed us why. He contributes to the team with his speed for the top of the order and he is also a pretty good defensive player. However, I really think that second base could improve. He didn’t really show anything too spectacular last year, but it was his rookie year. Like I stated in a previous post, I think that the White Sox really need to work on improving their middle infield, and hopefully we can take a step towards that with a trade this week or one in the near future.
Now let’s move to shortstop. Juan Uribe played shortstop for the Sox last year and he has a good arm, but it really lacks talent offensively. He is a poor hitter and I think the White Sox could definitely get someone better to help improve the middle infield. Uribe had some off-the-field issues last year and is a free agent at the end of next year.
Like I have said in numerous posts, the White Sox have a dilemma at third base. They have two really good players, Crede and Fields, that will be fighting for the position. I really think that Crede will be the starter next year. He is one of the best all around player s that the White Sox have. Without a doubt he will win a gold glove in his career and he is the best clutch hitter for the White Sox. I am pretty confident that the Sox will end up trading Fields. There is no way that he could replace Joe Crede. So third base is a really solid position, and it doesn’t need any improvements at all.
Now let’s take a look at the outfield. In right field we have Jermaine Dye. Two years ago he made a run at the MVP for the American League. This year he struggled and he definitely had his low and high points. As for fielding, he is an average fielder, but he has a pretty good arm. If the White Sox can find a player that is a better power hitter then they could really use it. But if they can’t, the Dye is a good enough player to stay in right field.
Centerfield is in dire need of an improvement. Last season the White Sox had a variety of players there with not one being really that impressive. Rumor has it that the Sox are trying to acquire Tori Hunter from the free agent market. He would be a huge improvement and asset both offensively and defensively.
In left field for part of the 2007 season we had Scott Podsednik. He is another player for the White Sox who was hurt a lot. He is a decent left fielder, but he is a really, really good offensive player. He steals a lot of bases and does a good job scoring runs. If he can stay healthy then the White Sox will be just fine with left field.
Well I think that is enough for now. I will be sure to write a post in the near future that will evaluate the White Sox bullpen.
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