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White Sox Playoff push
I apologize for my disappearance, but I have been soaking in the White Sox for the past week or so. A lot has happen since we've last seen each other and not only are the Sox better on paper, but on the field as well. Lets not dwell on the prospects that were in involved in the Jake Peavy trade. At 28 years old Peavy has over 90 victories and a CY Young award under his belt. Clayton Richard is already 25 with only a few flashes on his resume. He was expendable. Aaron Poreda is the wild card in the deal. He is only 22 with a ton of upside but is still a few years away from proving his value. Basically Sox fans, Kenny wants to win now, and has put together a rotation that can give the Sox a chance to win for the next few years.
I know what you are thinking? He makes a ton of money and the Sox usually don't take on such big contracts from players. This is accurate but with Jim Thome, Jose Contreras, and Octavio Dotel's contracts expiring at the end of this year (around $30 million), our Sox can afford to take on Peavy's big salary. Jermaine Dye has a mutual option for $12 million, but since Dye is still hitting at a high level and playing a decent right field, he gives the Sox more options for RF and DH for 2010. I expect the Sox to pick up that option, or do some sort of buyout and re-offer Dye a deal to keep him as the DH for the next 2 years. With that being said, move (hopefully) a healthy Carlos Quentin to right field (his natural position), and perhaps resign the resurgent spark plug in Scott Podsednik for a year (maybe 2) to play left.
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The addition of Mark Kotsay is an unsung upgrade from Brian Anderson. We all know Anderson can go get 'em in center, but he had 4 years to prove he can hit, and each year couldn't consistently prove his worth on the Sox. He asked for a trade and all I can say is... He's gone! Not only can Kotsay play all 3 outfield positions, he can also play first base. He's a proven left handed hitter and may prove to be (hopefully) the "Geoff Blum" signing of 2009.
A big key for the Sox down the stretch and key to success in the playoffs? Well the obvious choices are:
1. A healthy pitching staff, which includes Peavy. The starters have been above average and a healthy Peavy just legitimizes an already solid staff
2. Podsednik - No reason why he cant continue his spark from the leadoff spot
3. Gordon Beckham - Is there anything this kid can't do? His defense is getting better and he is just proving to be a natural hitter
4. Carlos Quentin - He seems to be healthy or almost 100%, but with his bat producing in the lineup is like making a trade for an All-Star power hitter. Also, leave him hitting 6th or 7th... Why not? Konerko and AJ are getting on base regularly, why not have power hitting Carlos drive them home from the 7th spot?
5. Steal, steal, steal. Jayson Nix, Chris Getz, Alexei Ramirez and Scotty Pods and doing a solid job of creating offense by stealing bases
AND MY BIG KEY TO MAKING A RUN AT THE PLAYOFFS AND IN THE PLAYOFFS...
6. Take numbers 1-5 and translate that too... Winning on the road. The Sox are 4 games under on the road and if they are going to catch and pass the Detroit Tigers (as well, hold off the Minnesota Twins) they need to win on the road. They have 29 road games remaining including trips to Boston, New York, LA Angels, Minnesota (which we all know how the Sox play up there) and the final 3 road games in Detroit against the Tigers. Of course, I know winning is important whether is home and on the road, I get that. Listen, the Sox are playing much better at home and with games against Indians this weekend (Royals, Orioles next home stand) they still need to take care of business in their own backyard but let me explain...
Lets say on those 29 road games they Sox go, eeehhh, 16-13. And on these final 24 home games, eeehhh, 16-8... you know what, make it... 17-7. Thats 89 wins, and somehow squeaked past the Tigers on the final game of the year... (with a Gordon Beckham walk off home run!) Okay, moving on... So they make the playoffs (which us Sox fans would love back to back years of playoffs as we also know this team with the a leadoff hitter and speed, would fair much better this time around) but being more than likely the lowest win total division winner... that means like last year, the Sox are on starting the playoffs on the road. If things played out the way the are (but our Sox winning the division of course) that means we are playing in either New York or LA. I know its not Minnesota and the dreaded Metrodome, but playing playoff baseball on the road in either place and potentially coming back down 2 games to 0 isn't a road we want to travel again.
I may be getting ahead of myself with talking playoffs, but with 29 road games left and the final 3 games in Detroit... the defending AL Central champs will have to win this one away from home.
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By Brian Gioia
MLBcenter.com Chicago White Sox Correspondent
> View all of the 2009 MLB team previews from Pro Baseball Fans
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