santo=dorf Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 670 the Score was talking about the newest SI issue has the Sox winning the Central, winning over the Angels and then the A's, and finishing up with beating the Cardinals in the World Series. I really don't think the Angels will win the Wild Card, and I am expecting the Sox to beat the Yankees in the ALCS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 (edited) The Sporting News magazine picked the Sox over the Cardinals in the WS as well. This is the first year that I'm actually buying into the A's. They look really good this season. Edited March 29, 2006 by SSH2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felix Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 TSN also said that we had the 3rd best bullpen in the league, so take their predictions with a grain of salt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 TSN also said that we had the 3rd best bullpen in the league, so take their predictions with a grain of salt. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Agreed, they did serve up a lot of fluff and fanboy love for us but I believe that was before they knew Hermanson was headed for the DL (they actually mentioned Hermanson as a reason our bullpen was so strong). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 SI Scouting Reports http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/.../white_sox.html Chicago White Sox Predicted Finish: 1st in AL Central The defending champs add some big hurt to their lineup Jim Thome looks every bit of his 35 years. Lines are forming at the outside of his eyes, his hairline is receding. And though he had nine straight 30-home run seasons from 1996 through 2004, Thome is as eager as a rookie to make a powerful first impression on his new team. Seated in front of his corner locker in the White Sox clubhouse on an early March morning, he spoke with the intensity of NFL linebacker Ray Lewis. "Trust me," he said, "I've got the fire to be the hitter I know I still am. It sounds weird, and I don't know if people will understand this, but I've got to prove myself all over again. "Not to them," he continued, pointing a finger around the room before thumping himself on his chest twice, with feeling, "but to me. I've got to prove I belong on the World Series champions." The White Sox are rolling the dice with Thome, who's coming off back trouble and a torn elbow tendon that limited him to 59 games in 2005. After hitting 49, 52, 47 and 42 home runs in his four previous seasons, Thome hit seven last year and batted .207. The Phillies were willing to pick up nearly half of the $46 million remaining on his contract in making a November trade that landed them centerfielder Aaron Rowand and two minor leaguers. Thome says his back and surgically repaired elbow are fine now, but to protect their pricey investment ($24 million over the next three years) the White Sox will employ Thome almost exclusively as a DH, occasionally using him to spell Paul Konerko at first base. "The DH role should help him stay healthy," says manager Ozzie Guillen. "We want to save him from the wear and tear of the field. We feel confident he can be the hitter he's always been." If Thome stays fit, his value is obvious. "Seems like we struggled to score more than three or four runs a game last year," says Konerko. Among AL clubs only Minnesota and Seattle had lower team batting averages than Chicago's (.262) in '05. That prompted G.M. Kenny Williams to make the aggressive move for Thome, which had a side benefit: Konerko, the top free-agent bat on the market, said the acquisition of Thome was the decisive factor in his decision to re-sign with the White Sox (five years, $60 million) despite more generous offers from the Angels and the Orioles. "I knew Kenny was going to go out and get us a bat," says Konerko, who, with the declining health of Frank Thomas, was the only consistent power threat in the lineup the last few years. "I had no idea it'd be someone the caliber of Jim Thome. That clinched it. It showed me that not only were we trying to stay on top, but we were also trying to get better." To get ready for the season, Thome began a new workout regimen that he continued into spring training. Each day he spent an hour on core training -- back, torso, abs -- before moving on to regular baseball drills. After practices or games he spent 30 minutes rehabbing the elbow. "Now I understand how important maintenance of my body is, at my age," Thome said. "I can't look into a crystal ball, but I'd like to play 150 games, and I think I can." If he's even 80% of his old self, Thome will be an upgrade over last year's designated-hitter duo of Thomas and Carl Everett, who combined for 30 homers in 135 games but had an on-base percentage of only .311. A three-time league leader in walks, Thome (career OBP: .408) should easily beat that number. The White Sox should be similarly improved on the mound. Javier Vazquez, who was obtained from the Diamondbacks in a deal for Orlando Hernandez, might be the best No. 5 starter in baseball. Having thrown at least 198 innings in each of the last six seasons, the 29-year-old righthander is more durable than the rickety, 41-year-old Hernandez. In the bullpen flamethrowing Bobby Jenks, fresh from a strong postseason in which he had four saves, takes over the closer's role from Dustin Hermanson. But pitching was already a Chicago strength. Where the White Sox got the biggest upgrade is at the plate. "From what I've seen so far this spring," says Konerko of Thome, "he's going to hit 30, 35 home runs by accident." -- Peter King Issue date: April 3, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoSox05 Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 the A's do have a soild team this year. I don't think there bats are anything to write home about though. I just don't see the caridnals going to the world series this year. They lost some key players. The White Sox to win it. that team stinks. they have no pitching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam G Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 QUOTE(Felix @ Mar 28, 2006 -> 10:51 PM) TSN also said that we had the 3rd best bullpen in the league, so take their predictions with a grain of salt. That was before Jenks decided to start sucking and Hermanson was DOA though. We had a great bullpen last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo's Drinker Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 When did we need a bullpen, haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCSox Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 Konerko, who, with the declining health of Frank Thomas, was the only consistent power threat in the lineup the last few years. So, Maggs and Carlos are chopped liver? It'd be nice if the people at SI did their homework every once in a while. :rolly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felix Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 QUOTE(Adam G @ Mar 29, 2006 -> 11:26 AM) That was before Jenks decided to start sucking and Hermanson was DOA though. We had a great bullpen last year. No, it wasn't. I believe the comment was something along the lines of "Even if Bobby Jenks shows he's human, the bullpen still boasts Cliff Pollitte, Neal Cotts, and Dustin Hermanson" (which is foolish to ever mention because he's had a bad back since last year). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longshot7 Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 I'm not sold on Oakland's lineup either. But with that pitching, it might not matter. I'm picking Texas in the west. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Lopez's Ghost Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 Who did SI pick last year? California? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.