Yes, Kansas City is rising, and the Twins will be there if they settle the end of their pitching staff. But the White Sox's spring has them convinced that they should be considered close to the divisional favorite. "I had several concerns before I came to Tucson," says Ken Williams. "Most of those concerns have been answered positively."
If anyone worried about Ozzie Guillen's brash energy rubbing players the wrong way, it seems as if it's the opposite. His energy has revitalized a team that under performed last season. "He's there, talking to everyone every day," says Jose Valentin. "He's right there, in your face, and it's great for us. We need that."
"I thought this was either going to be great or a disaster," says one veteran. "It's turned out to be great. Ozzie's great."
"What people don't understand is Ozzie the person," says Williams. "I remember when I was traded. I got back to my place and Ozzie was sitting there, waiting for me, crying. He's a very good people person."
Yeah, yeah, yeah, the White Sox have some problems. They are overly right-handed. The defense is below average in spots. And there are concerns about the pitching. "Jon Garland has thrown really well, and so has Scott Schoeneweis," says Guillen. "They can make a big difference." Schoeneweis, throwing that sinking, running 93 mph fastball, has gone to an Esteban Loaiza cutter, and thinks he's finally come up with a grip for a changeup. "Schoeneweis will be our sleeper this season," says Williams.
Rookie center fielder Jeremy Reed was slowed by injuries and is hitting under .200, but the stunning development has been 19-year-old Ryan Sweeney, who at this time last year wasn't playing because Iowa high schools don't play baseball. "He's hit balls hard off Bartolo Colon and Loaiza in an intrasquad, some good pitchers," says Guillen. "He's an amazing story."