last updated 4/7/12 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 2012
For 2011 Opening Day roster, click HERE. For End-of-Season roster, click HERE.
*Players on the 40-man roster: BOLD.
*Players who are injured: +
*Players who are Out of Options: ##
*Baseball America '12 pre-season prospect rankings: BLUE #
*Baseball Prospectus '12 pre-season prospect rankings: GREEN #
'MLBDepthCharts Magazine' includes this roster projection feature but includes additional info, such as player age, 2011 level and stats, 2012 salary and contract info in an easy-to-read, printer-friendly pdf file and excel spreadsheet.
*40-man roster total (37) *Projected 2012 Payroll: est. $105,124,000, according to MLBDC Magazine
Minor League Free Agents Position Players
C Jason Bour C Donny Lucy(12/16: signed w/CWS)
C Luis Sierra*
1B Ian Gac (11/22: signed w/ATL)
IF Gookie Dawkins OF Lastings Milledge* (12/7: signed w/Yakult)
Lost in Rule V Draft/Traded •OF Carlos QuentinUPDATE 12/31 - traded to Padres •RHP Terry Doyle UPDATE 12/8 - taken by Twins (Rule V) •RHP Jason FrasorUPDATE 1/1 - traded to Blue Jays •RHP Sergio SantosUPDATE 12/6 - traded to Toronto
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
OFFSEASON PREVIEWposted 9/22/2011
The Adam Dunn era in Chicago was off to a great start. A double, home run, and four RBI's on Opening Day. Two singles, three walks, and another RBI over the next two days. After undergoing an appendectomy that knocked him out of action for six games, he struggled over the next several weeks with his average dipping well below .200. He caught fire, however, in mid-May. A 12-for-29 stretch lifted his average to a season-high .216. But it's been nothing but misery for Dunn ever since. The 31 year-old, who signed a four-year, $54 million deal before the season, is hitting .145 with 7 HR and 122 strikeouts since May 15th. This is a guy who averaged 35 HR over his first 10 big league seasons. Could he be finished? All we know is that he's signed with the Sox through 2014 and they have no choice but to cross their fingers and hope that he can be much better next season. Even on a team with a large payroll, that has to affect how they approach the upcoming offseason.
De Aza could lead off for the Sox in 2012.
Picture courtesy of Icon Sports Media, Inc.
Juan Pierre's days with the team are probably numbered. His $5 year, 44 million contract that he originally signed with the Dodgers back in 2006 is expiring. Good timing for Alejandro De Aza, who has been one of the most productive hitters on the team (.921 OPS, 11 SB in 47 games) since he was called up in late July. The 26 year-old would likely step into the leadoff role previously occupied by Pierre. Dayan Viciedo and Brent Lillibridge, who was having a breakout season (13 HR, 10 SB in 97 games) before breaking his hand a few weeks back, could also find spots in the starting lineup if players like Dunn, Alex Rios, and Gordon Beckham continue to struggle at the plate. Paul Konerko, Carlos Quentin, A.J. Pierzynski, and Alexei Ramirez have each had solid offensive seasons and rookie third baseman Brent Morel (.279 BA, 7 HR, 17 RBI, 13 BB in September) is finally coming around after struggling at the plate for a majority of the season. A shakeup is not out of the question but they also have enough talent to allow the team to stand pat.
Despite the possible departure of Mark Buehrle, who is a free agent at season's end, the rotation is still in pretty good shape. If Jake Peavy can get back to full health - he reportedly struggled with fatigue this year after undergoing shoulder surgery in July 2010 - the trio of John Danks, Gavin Floyd, and Peavy should be good enough to make a run at the division title. WithChris Sale a possibility to move to the rotation and Phil Humber coming off of a terrific season, they appear to be solid in this area. Dylan Axelrod and Zach Stewart could compete for a spot if Sale remains in the bullpen. Re-signing Buehrle is also an option, although his price tag might be too high considering the rotation might not be a priority.
The bullpen was a mess early on in the season but was stabilized once Sergio Santos was inserted into the closer's role. The converted shortstop has saved 29 games in 35 chances and held opponents to a .179 batting average. He should return in the same role with Jesse Crain and Matt Thornton back as the primary setup men. Moving Sale (2.63 ERA, 15 Hld) to the rotation could hurt but look for Addison Reed, who has been very good at five different levels (MLB/AAA/AA/HiA/LoA) this season, to take on a bigger role in the Sox bullpen next season. Adding another veteran reliever wouldn't hurt. Jason Frasor could be a good fit to return but he has a $3.75 million club option that may be a bit steep for a middle reliever.
•UPDATE 10/31 - Frasor had his club option exercised. •UPDATE 12/06 - Santos was traded to Toronto for pitching prospect Nestor Molina, leaving a void in the closer's role. Thornton could start the season as the closer but Reed could claim the job at some point during the season.
Yes. That's a strong possibility. De Aza would shift to LF since Viciedo has played primarily in RF since moving to the outfield. Even if Quentin isn't traded, he'll likely share time with De Aza and get some AB's at DH if Adam Dunn continues to struggle.
Not that I think the sox would want to sign another over payed designated hitter type, but Jason Kubel seems like a good fit. He can play left field without being a defensive liability, and he could jump right into the three spot. I'd also give De Aza a shot to lead off and play center, with Viciedo in right batting sixth. Sox fans will call me crazy for this one but I think that they should let Lillibridge bat second and play second base everyday, play Eduardo Escobar at short and bat ninth, and play Tyler Flowers full time behind the plate and hit eighth. Here's the kicker, trade Alexei Ramirez, Gordon Beckham, A.J. Pierzynski, Carlos Quentin, Brent Morel, Alex Rios (If at all possible), Gavin Floyd, Zach Stewart, and Matt Thorton. By making these trades they can make their farm system awesome. From there I'd trade for Chase Headley to play third base and bat seventh, Wade Davis to be a number three starter, and Alex Torres to share innings with Chris Sale so they don't shut either of them down at a point in august. They would space each others innings out between the fifth starter spot and in the bullpen, the innings would be limited so that they would not have to be shut down for possible pennant races and post season play, as well as set themselves up for two-hundred inning seasons in 2013. John Danks will most likely leave as a free agent after this season so his rotation spot would immediately be replaced, as both Sale and Torres would each assume their own spots in the rotation. Peavy's got one more year so just let it ride, and Dunn is too good a player to not even come close to the disaster that was last year.
Thanks Joe! I think De Aza and Viciedo deserve a chance to start and, unless I hear different, my projection will remain the same with those two in the everyday lineup. However, Fukudome can step in if either struggles of if Alex Rios or Adam Dunn struggle again. If those four are playing well, Fukudome could still get a few starts per week since he is so versatile and can play all 3 OF spots.
If Lillibridge makes the roster as the reserve infielder, could the Sox go north will a left-handed bat such as Johnson, Young, or Gallagher off the bench instead of Martinez or Escobar?
Do you think that Ventura would name someone other than Thornton as closer to start the season? Why not showcase Thornton and trade him so Reed can take over later in the season?
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14 comments:
I think Brent Lillibridge should be a starter somewhere. He reminds me of Ben Zobrist alot.
Where does Viciedo fit in? Could they trade Quentin and shift De Aza to RF?
Yes. That's a strong possibility. De Aza would shift to LF since Viciedo has played primarily in RF since moving to the outfield. Even if Quentin isn't traded, he'll likely share time with De Aza and get some AB's at DH if Adam Dunn continues to struggle.
Not that I think the sox would want to sign another over payed designated hitter type, but Jason Kubel seems like a good fit. He can play left field without being a defensive liability, and he could jump right into the three spot. I'd also give De Aza a shot to lead off and play center, with Viciedo in right batting sixth. Sox fans will call me crazy for this one but I think that they should let Lillibridge bat second and play second base everyday, play Eduardo Escobar at short and bat ninth, and play Tyler Flowers full time behind the plate and hit eighth. Here's the kicker, trade Alexei Ramirez, Gordon Beckham, A.J. Pierzynski, Carlos Quentin, Brent Morel, Alex Rios (If at all possible), Gavin Floyd, Zach Stewart, and Matt Thorton. By making these trades they can make their farm system awesome. From there I'd trade for Chase Headley to play third base and bat seventh, Wade Davis to be a number three starter, and Alex Torres to share innings with Chris Sale so they don't shut either of them down at a point in august. They would space each others innings out between the fifth starter spot and in the bullpen, the innings would be limited so that they would not have to be shut down for possible pennant races and post season play, as well as set themselves up for two-hundred inning seasons in 2013. John Danks will most likely leave as a free agent after this season so his rotation spot would immediately be replaced, as both Sale and Torres would each assume their own spots in the rotation. Peavy's got one more year so just let it ride, and Dunn is too good a player to not even come close to the disaster that was last year.
Fukedome signed... Are you going to bench De Aza, Viciedo or neither? I love this site!!!
Thanks Joe! I think De Aza and Viciedo deserve a chance to start and, unless I hear different, my projection will remain the same with those two in the everyday lineup. However, Fukudome can step in if either struggles of if Alex Rios or Adam Dunn struggle again. If those four are playing well, Fukudome could still get a few starts per week since he is so versatile and can play all 3 OF spots.
If Lillibridge makes the roster as the reserve infielder, could the Sox go north will a left-handed bat such as Johnson, Young, or Gallagher off the bench instead of Martinez or Escobar?
Yes. That is a viable option. I'll be keeping a close eye on that situation.
What happened to Scott Olsen. Will he be in their Minor League system, or did they let him go? Thanks!
Didn't get a big league invite. If he's healthy, I imagine he could pitch in AAA.
Adam Dunn to bat 3rd in the order
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/chi-ventura-reveals-dunn-as-soxs-third-hitter-still-coy-on-closer-20120402,0,309449.story?track=rss
Thanks!
Do you think that Ventura would name someone other than Thornton as closer to start the season? Why not showcase Thornton and trade him so Reed can take over later in the season?
I think Thornton will close just because he shouldn't trust a rookie right away.
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