STATE OF THE WHITE SOX

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UPDATE 12/15/09 - 12:15 PM PST
The team added some big-time speed to the top of the order, acquiring OF Juan Pierre in a deal with the Dodgers for two players-to-be-named-later. Despite a part-time role with the Dodgers the past two seasons, the 32 year-old has averaged 50 SB's per season since 2001. He also had one of his best offensive seasons last year (.757 OPS in 380 AB's) and filled in admirably while Manny Ramirez was out on suspension.

UPDATE 11/26/09 - 9:22 AM PST
The White Sox jumped into the free agent market, signing future Hall-of-Famer Omar Vizquel (1 yr-$1.375M) and 10-time Gold Glove winner Andruw Jones (1 yr-$500K with $1M in incentives) to strengthen their bench. Both players were with Texas in 2009. Vizquel (.266 BA in 177 AB's) will back up 2B, SS, and 3B. Jones (.214 BA, 17 HR in 281 AB's) was primarily a DH in Texas but did play 12 games in LF, 5 games in RF, and 6 games at 1B.

UPDATE 11/21/09 - 9:54 AM PST
LINEUP - Mark Teahen is now the 3B after being acquired in a deal that sent 2B Chris Getz and former 3B of the future Josh Fields to Kansas City. In Teahen (12 HR, 34 2B), the Sox have added some more pop to the lineup but lose a player in Getz who stole 25 bases in '09. Gordon Beckham, who hit .270 with 14 HR and 63 RBI's in his rookie season, moves from 3B to 2B. 1B Paul Konerko (28 HR, 88 RBI.842 OPS), LF Carlos Quentin (57 HR in 229 games w/CHW) C A.J. Pierzynski (.300 BA, 13 HR), and SS Alexei Ramirez (15 HR, 14 SB) all return to the lineup. The biggest disappointment in 2009 was Alex Rios, who hit just .199 with 3 HR's in 41 games after being claimed on waivers from Toronto. Whether he plays CF or RF will all depend on who the Sox bring in to fill the other outfield spot. 1B/DH Tyler Flowers (.951 OPS between AAA and AA) and CF Armando DeAza (.876 OPS in AAA) are candidates to fill lineup spots but it is more likely that the Sox fill those holes thru free agency and the trade market.

ROTATION - The Sox will get a full season of former NL Cy Young winner Jake Peavy, who won all three of his starts with the team, allowing just 11 hits with 18 K's in 20 IP. He'll team with lefty Mark Buehrle, who has 135 career wins and is entering his 11th season with the Sox. Gavin Floyd (11-11, 4.06 ERA in 193 IP) and John Danks (13-11, 3.77 ERA in 200.1 IP) both return and Freddy Garcia has the edge for the #5 spot after pitching well in nine late-season starts with the team (3-4, 4.34 ERA). Daniel Hudson (3.38 ERA in 18.2 IP w/CHW; 14-5, 2.32 ERA between four minor league levels), Lucas Harrell (12-4, 3.27 ERA between AAA/AA), and Brandon Hynick (11-9, 3.72 ERA in AAA) are all young prospects who will get a look in spring training.

BULLPEN - Matt Thornton has been among the best left-handed relievers in the game the past two seasons and closer Bobby Jenks, rumored to be a possible non-tender candidate, has 140 saves over the past four seasons . Tony Peña posted a 3.75 ERA after being acquired in a July trade with Arizona and D.J. Carrasco has proven to be a valuable innings-eater (3.76 ERA in 93.1 IP) in the 'pen. The biggest question mark is Scott Linebrink, who completely fell apart (8.49 ERA in 25 relief appearances after All-Star break) after a solid 1st half.