2009 Chicago White Sox Baseball Preview

In 2008, the Chicago White Sox (89- 74) made it to the post-season for the second time in four years. The last time they were there was 2005 when they won the World Series. Last season, they tied the Minnesota Twins for first in the Central. They met the Twins in a one-game playoff, beating them 1- 0. In the division series, they lost to Tampa Bay in four games.

The starting rotation includes lefty Mark Buehrle (15- 12, W/L, 3.79 ERA, .281 BAA), who throws a fastball that can tail away from left- and right-handed batters. His curve is delivered at various speeds. Second man Gavin Floyd (17- 8 W/L, 3.84 ERA, .241 BAA) started using a cutter to his advantage last season. He's able to expand the strike zone late in the count. Floyd is a solid flyball pitcher. The Sox are one of the few teams in the majors with two lefty starters. John Danks (12- 9 W/L, 3.32 ERA, .246 BAA), their second southpaw, tosses a slurvy breaker and an elusive fastball. Although Jose Contreras (7- 6 W/L, 4.54 ERA, .272 BAA) could be an injury waiting to happen, when he's healthy his off-speed stuff is tough to hit. Closer Bobby Jenks (2.63 ERA, 30 SV, .230 BAA) is a fastballing K-thrower who also features a honed curve.

DH Jim Thome (.245 BA, 90 RBI, 34 HR), who's often plagued by back problems, can still rip the ball. Left fielder Carlos Quentin (.288 BA, 100 RBI, 36 HR) and right fielder Jermaine Dye (.292 BA, 96 RBI, 34 HR) are both excellent run producers. Alexi Ramirez (.290 BA, 77 RBI, 22 HR) and Paul Konerko (.240 BA, 62 RBI, 22 HR) offer solid offense. However, both Quentin and Konerko are injury prone.

Ramirez is perhaps the best infielder on this team. He possesses good speed and a fine arm. He tracks balls well and can play either short or second. The problem is that he can't play both at the same time. Wilson Betemit is a utility guy who can play second adequately. The corners include the immobile Konerko at first and the relatively non-athletic Josh Fields at third. Catcher Pierzynski is okay but can be lazy going for balls and does not call a good game. The outfield is the defensive strength on this team. In center, Brian Anderson gets good jumps and offers a strong and accurate arm. Dye in right makes great plays look easy and in left Quentin is above average.

General Manager Kenny Williams is not afraid to make changes. If he feels he can improve the club in some way, he'll go for it. His moves often pay off. Over the past four seasons, the White Sox have won more games than any other team in the AL Central. Manager Ozzie Guillen often motivates players by ranting to the press and creating controversy. In a strange way, his lightning-like outbursts seem to work.

Overall 2008 may have been a disappointment for the White Sox since the Rays knocked them out of the post-season. But Chicago really did have an amazing season, winning 17 more games than they did the year before. This year, the White Sox look like a third or fourth place team.

Read more on the White Sox other AL Central division competitors like the Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, and Kansas City Royals.

For more info on the White Sox check out the MLB official page for Chicago baseball news.