Chisoxfn

This is my first article on my new blog and figured I'd post it here too. Sorry for the length...I hava a tendency to go on and on. The 2004 Chicago White Sox failed to make the playoffs, but with that being said the team did make strides in a number of areas. First off, they added a manager who intends to build an offense to help create runs and not rely on the homer. While that is a great plan, it is unclear whether it will be a sucessful plan, especially given the current pieces on the White Sox (ie...power). While the power has led to just one division title, you can't necessarily place blame on the Sox power for the fact that they haven't reached the division. This season the Sox offense ranked once again amongst the league leaders in homers (Tied for 1st with 242), and Runs (3rd with 865). However, they ranked in the middle of the pack in average (15th with a .268 BA, tied with the Northsiders) and OBP (15th with a .333). So while it seems popular to blame the Sox offense, I think that is far from the problem. If you want to blame the Sox offense, don't blame the power, ie Paul Konerko, Carlos Lee, Magglio Ordonez, Aaron Rowand, and Juan Uribe. Two power hitters, Joe Crede and Jose Valentin deserve some blame because their averages, and OBP's were absolutely horrendous but aside from that the power hitters did a good job not only hitting for power, but average. The flaws with the Sox offense weren't even the fact that they didn't execute, in fact, the only major flaws of the Sox offense stem from drastically right handed lineup and a very weak top of the order. The Sox slow offense ranked 18th in stolen bases, but obviously they had a number of guys running that shouldn't be running, based on their atrocious 60% sucess rate (28th in the majors). Heck, with a power offense the Sox ranked 18th in strikeouts, which is a huge stride considering Jose Valentin was basically strikeout or homer. The Yankees, by comparison, were 23rd in strikeouts...another tremendous feat considering their penchance for power. However, unlike the Yankees, the White Sox offense ranked low walks. And that can be expected from an offense with the amount of youngsters the Sox had. Its not an excuse though because this number should increase next year, especially with Frank Thomas back. Plus Carlos Lee and Paul Konerko have both made strides in this area, although one of those two is likely to be moved. Some of you may say, well great, now what are the White Sox supposed to do. Remember, I'm not saying this offense is perfect but wholesale changes aren't necessary. One hitter for the top of the lineup and a left handed bat to replace Magglio Ordonez are necessary. That can be done one of two ways, but the most likely option is Omar Vizquel of the Indians. Vizquel is a veteran, who fits nicely in the 2 hole, but can also work in the leadoff slot. While Omar has had some down years, this year was not one of them. Omar was healthy and still is a very good defensive shortstop (not as good as he once was, but still good) and his leadership is something un-measureable by stats. The harder thing to find is the left handed or switch hitting bat to break up the mix and replace Magglio Ordonez, who is expected to depart via free agency. The White Sox could offer him arbitration or an incentive laden contract, but his health status appears "in the air" and Ordonez' camp doesn't appear to happy with Ken Williams and the White Sox. This is based on comments made in an article in the tribune a week or so ago. What am I trying to get at here, don't get so down on the Sox offense and don't think it needs to undergo a major over-haul. Now I'm ready to hear the one counter-argument, that the Sox offense is an all or nothing offense, meaning that while they score a lot of runs they have numerous games where the offense flat fails. To check whether this is valid or not, I decided to take a look at the game logs and count how many games the Sox score 3 runs or less. 3 Runs or Less: 54 Games 1st half of the season: 27 2nd half of the season: 27 Month of July: 14 By Comparison I'm going to look at the Red Sox (I'd say they are thought to have a consistent offense - 1st in the Majors): 3 Runs or Less: 37 1st half of the season: 22 2nd half of the season: 15 Now the Yankees (2nd best offense in the majors): 3 Runs or Less: 50 1st half of the season: 27 2nd half of the season: 23 St. Louis Cardinals (Offense everyone talks about in the NL): 3 Runs or Less: 46 1st half of the season: 27 2nd half of the season: 19 In conclusion, the White Sox would be higher then the other teams, however, you can't look past the fact that they had 14 in the month of July. This was the month the Sox found out Magglio and Frank would essentially be gone for the season. Aside from that month, the Sox were on pace with the rest of the best offensive teams in the league. So my proposition of signing Omar Vizquel would gives the Sox a guy who hit .291 with a .353 OBP and 19 stolen bases (6 CS - 70% clip). He also had a .982 fielding % and a 4.31 RF (Range Factor). He would be replacing Jose Valentin's .216 AVG, .287 OBP, 8 stolen bases (6 CS - 57%). He also had a 9.65 fielding % and a 4.91 RF. This is a net increase in average (.75), OBP (.66), stolen bases (11 and 13%), fielding percentage (17). However it would be a decrease in RF by .6. Omar Vizquel is also a player that does all the little things that would bring a better improvement to the Sox ability at executing and manufacturing. How the Sox could solve adding a left handed power bat is a much different proposition. My personal dream would be Lance Berkman or Carlos Beltran, but that is insanely unlikely and I'll leave that proposition up for grabs. However, I would say the acquisition of Carlos Beltran would lead to the trade of Carlos Lee for a young 4th/5th starter who would have the ability to develop into better. So since I said the offense isn't whats wrong with the team, I'll tell you what is wrong with the team....the pitching and my next piece will go in-depth about that.

All the best Robin. You were definately one of my very favorite White Sox.

Glaus is going to have a monster career somewhere assuming he stays healthy. He made some minor tweaks to his swing, but most importantly had laser eye surgery so he can see the ball far more clear. It was a big deal early in the year when he was getting off to a great start in Anaheim.

Holy s***. I was always a Cammy fan back in his days with the Padres. It was tough how he had to go through the substance abuse stuff as well as Cokaine. I gotta say this came out of absolutely nowhere. RIP.

Probably two of which are tv's, then of cousre you couch and bed Hey, thats all you need, along with a nice cute girl

Wow, this comes as a shocker. I thought he was in excellent shape, minus the paralysis and that he would one day walk again. Thats really sad. RIP

Imo, but if the Sox deal Paul Konerko, they shouldn't even worry about things. Ross Gload showed me enough in 2004 to prove that he is fully capable of handling the position and deserves an opportunity at that position. I'd also give Carl Everett a first base mitt and give him time over their at spring training and if I'd sign a backup it would be a guy like Randall Simon who would be happy to backup and would come very very cheaply. Just my humble opinion cause I'd really like to see Gload get playing time next year and lots of it.

Live with the fam. May move out at the end of the year and get a pad with some buddies. Then again, I really love free rent and the fact that not paying for rent means I can take more time off work and have pretty much extra money to do things.

No, I think the guy is a grade A jag bag. I'm not one to get angry, but with a guy like that pitching, I'd at the very least be tempted to swing and miss and let the bat slip out of my hands. The guy flat out shows up his opponents. I love the fact he has heart and is into the games, but I don't like the way he does it at times. He cracks me up though when he's on the mound.

Yes, its true Gload is their as a backup, but it also seems that the White Sox are very happy with Konerko. I think one thing in regards to Konerko is, he has the opportunity to be the "face" of the franchise. Frank Thomas is still probably the face of the franchise, but those days are numbered. Paulie is a likeable player who if he puts up similar production to this year could really be a guy that Sox could market around. Having him, having the latin players like Garcia, Uribe, etc, and then Shingo (the asian) it could really give the team different faces for different markets. But Konerko is the kind of guy that you could really build a marketing campaign around. Just think about everyone that loved Robin Ventura, well to me, Konerko is a similar mold and he truly is a very likeable player. This may not seem like something that you should think about, but in reality you have to think about it in a sense. He's also pretty well thought of in the clubhouse from what I can see between Kenny and Ozzie and others comments.

This was a great read Jim. Thanks for posting it. I think Cowley is one of the best Sox writers their is an I almost always respect and listen to what he says. From what I know he seems to have good contacts and usually is pretty accurate. Of course I do remember a few odd things coming out of him this year, I just don't remember what they were. This was a good piece though. I've been thinking more and more and from the quotes from KW I'm starting to get an idea of where this team is going to be and I have a feeling were all going to like it. I also am getting a hunch that the Sox aren't going to be signing a Starting pitcher. They are going to sign a big bat, a shortstop, and a reliever or two. However, they will get a starting pitcher, it just won't be via the free agent market and I don't expect it to be a big name guy, but rather a guy that the Sox think can come in and grow as a starter. The kind of guy thats already a 4 or 5 but can develop into a 2 or 3. In following of Cheat and Black Betsy's fashion I'm going to start up a blog on the Sox and try to write stuff during the off-season of different options. I'm not going to do many trade suggestions other then mention players available that could fit.

I'd still wish Maggs back, but good riddance to Jose and I have no prob with Politte/Shingo back in the pen.

I'll so be at the @ San Diego games in June.

SF and LA, although now SF would have to sweep to win the division.

OF course you do Bengals Colts Raiders Patriots Eagles Redskins Packers Falcons Saints Jets Titans Broncos Rams Ravens

I'd rather deal PK for a few reasons. His road ops and splits plain old suck and secondly I think Gload is a more then capable first baseman. I don't like the idea of the potential in house replacements if they deal Lee. Sure, you can say tehy will sign Beltran but until that happens then I would rather deal Konerko. All that said I'd dump Thomas because I am more then happy with Konerko/Lee and neither of them are the health liability that Thomas is.

Ya, but in general the public doesn't make decisions based upon stuff like that, imo. I think in general the democratic party (this is me genearlizes) has a platform that can rally more people then the republican party. However, that doesn't mean they are right...hell I'm a republican cause It goes much more along my lines of belief.

I've long said I'd rather see Frank go, too bad it ain't going to happen.

Gonna put this post here too since I didn't see this thread when I first jumped on the site. No doubt about it John Kerry. IT kills me to say that but Bush was lousy. It wasn't that Kerry was good, but Kerry came off as sounding like he knew what he talked about. He did a good job giving the swing voters the idea that he had these great new ideas and BUsh did nothing to kind of force him out of his shell and talk about his plan. Bush also did a horrible job not rebutting when Kerry continued to say that Bush had no plan. Bush has a plan and he should of went here is my plan and I believe it is working. Bush did mention his plan for transitioning, but he didn't specifiy his actual plan during this debate, he has done so many times though (what is actual plan is) while Kerry kind of just talks about his plan (although he always says how he needs foreign people). I just thought Bush had an opportunity to win this election tonigth and he didn't do it. I really hope everyone else saw this another way, but I was not very thrilled watching this knowing the person I feel is bet suited for president is not coming out well during a key debate that could of given him another 4 years easily. I think both parties had a couple good sound bytes and the reason Kerry won this debate is simple...he didn't lose the election on this night and in fact I think he's made it closer. However, I think the townhall debate suits president Bush very well and that he can really redeem himself from this first debate. He stuck to his guns, but he didn't seem to have a lot of new suggestions after a certain point. Hell, he didn't need to, but he had other things he could of added. He's not needed to come up with new ideas in a sense, but to point out the facts of why he was right and why he should be the president.

Good analysis. One thing as a Bush supporter that I'm hoping for is for people to take notice of how Kerry continued to point out about Saddaam and what not and how the war wasn't right and then near the end he completely contradicted himself. I don't want to give any quotes cause I Don't have the exact quote in front of me but I was just like, what the hell. Another thing that really stood out that I heard none of the pundits talk about was Kerry of all people talking about the lack of bullet proof vests and what not for the troops. This is coming from the guy that made his big political stance on the 87 billion dollar initiatve that he voted against, after saying how anyone that wouldn't vote for this was a fool (once again, dont' hvae the exact quote so if someone does post it ). Where the hell was BUsh capitalizings on this. I think Bush tried to kind of just go with the flow and not lose instead of go out on the offensive. He was winning this thing early on and then fell apart, mainly because he just flat out ran out of lines when he clearly had a lot more stuff he could of said and this all comes down to preperation. Not trying to make light of the fact and I have no idea what a president goes through, but I wonder how much time each candidate typically spends prepping for this and whether Bush's time was drastically shortened by whats going on in Florida.

I was really surprised to see that, but at the same time, i think the site is pretty much dead split repub/democrat so I can't see where the bias got in, especially when two of the conservatives on the site (me and you) obviously voted John Kerry in this poll. I know my dad felt the same way after talking with him on the phone just after the debate.

No doubt about it John Kerry. IT kills me to say that but Bush was lousy. It wasn't that Kerry was good, but Kerry came off as sounding like he knew what he talked about. He did a good job giving the swing voters the idea that he had these great new ideas and BUsh did nothing to kind of force him out of his shell and talk about his plan. Bush also did a horrible job not rebutting when Kerry continued to say that Bush had no plan. Bush has a plan and he should of went here is my plan and I believe it is working. Bush did mention his plan for transitioning, but he didn't specifiy his actual plan during this debate, he has done so many times though (what is actual plan is) while Kerry kind of just talks about his plan (although he always says how he needs foreign people). I just thought Bush had an opportunity to win this election tonigth and he didn't do it. I really hope everyone else saw this another way, but I was not very thrilled watching this knowing the person I feel is bet suited for president is not coming out well during a key debate that could of given him another 4 years easily. I think both parties had a couple good sound bytes and the reason Kerry won this debate is simple...he didn't lose the election on this night and in fact I think he's made it closer. However, I think the townhall debate suits president Bush very well and that he can really redeem himself from this first debate. He stuck to his guns, but he didn't seem to have a lot of new suggestions after a certain point. Hell, he didn't need to, but he had other things he could of added. He's not needed to come up with new ideas in a sense, but to point out the facts of why he was right and why he should be the president.

Guys, this is far from over with. The Rockies have played teams tough as of late and no game is cake. Cubs are still way in this.

Reds Win, CUbs lose. Cubs are now 1 game behind the Astros 16 K's by Mark Prior in the game too.

Ball Four Base Hit, so runners on 1st and 2nd.