2012 Chicago White Sox Predictions
The Chicago White Sox may be in rebuilding mode following a 79-83 season, but they still have enough pieces to compete in the American League Central. Ozzie Guillen is out and Sergio Santos, Carlos Quentin and Mark Buehrle have been moved, but I still see a team capable of a winning season.
The Detroit Tigers appear to be in a league of their own but the Sox have just as good a chance as any of the other teams in the division of taking second place.
Projected Pitching
Starting rotation: John Danks (L) – Danks started slow following a 15-win 2012 but showed what he is capable of by going 6-1 with a 2.03 ERA in his last 11 starts.
Gavin Floyd (R) – He has won at least 10 games each of the last four seasons. He went 12-13 with a 4.37 ERA and led the team with 151 strikeouts and a 1.16 WHIP last year.
Jake Peavy (R) – Peavy ended up 7-7 with a 4.92 ERA but showed signs that he’s closer to returning to his Cy Young form. I’m anticipating a bounce back year from Peavy.
Philip Humber (R) – He came out of nowhere and really impressed in 2011, going 9-9 with a 3.75 ERA.
Chris Sale (L) – He looks like a star in the making. Used in a relief role, he struck out 79 in 71 innings, posted a 2.79 ERA and converted eight of 10 save chances.
Closer: Matt Thornton (L) – This could be a problem area for the Sox. Thornton had an 8.64 ERA last April and made good on only three of seven save chances before being moved to a setup role.
Projected Lineup
A.J. Pierzynski (Catcher) – The only active catcher to log at least 1,000 innings behind home plate for 10 straight seasons is nearing the end of his career but remains productive. Pierzynski batted .287 with eight home runs and 48 RBIs in 464 plate appearances in 2011.
Paul Konerko (First Base) – Konerko hit .300 with 31 round trippers and 105 RBIs last season. It was his 12th season with at least 20 jacks.
Gordon Beckham (Second Base) – The Sox desperately need a bounce back year from Beckham, who was once dubbed a future star. He hit just .230 last season after batting .252 in 2010 and .270 in 2009.
Brent Morel (Third Base) – He batted .245 with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs in his first full season.
Alexei Ramirez (Shortstop) – He’s an underrated shortstop in my opinion. He’s hit at least .269 with at least 15 home runs and 68 RBIs each of the last four seasons.
Alejandro De Aza (Left Field) – There is plenty of excitement surrounding De Aza, who will likely bat leadoff this season. He hit .329 in 54 games last year and had 12 swipes. He has the potential to become one of the top base stealers in the AL.
Alex Rios (Center Field) – The Sox need a lot more production out of Rios, who batted .227 with 13 homers and 44 RBIs after hitting .284 with 21 jacks and 88 RBIs in 2010.
Dayan Viciedo (Right Field) – He needs to show more patience at the plate but could provide some power in the lineup. He has 40 round trippers in 205 Triple-A games the last two years.
Adam Dunn (Designated Hitter) – The Sox thought they were getting a player who belted 38 or more home runs for seven straight years when they gave Dunn a four-year, $56 million deal. Instead, they got a guy who hit .159 with 11 homers. I anticipate a bounce back season from the big fella.
Prediction – 2nd AL Central: The word rebuilding has been getting thrown around when talking about the White Sox, but this team isn’t in that bad shape of shape in my opinion. The South Siders only finished a game out of second last year and can play their way into the second position in the Central if a couple players have bounce back campaigns. MLB odds makers have listed the White Sox at +1800 to win the AL Central.
