By Terry Mahoney
League 13
The Chicago White Sox come into the 2008 season hoping to prove that 2007 was an aberration. Mind you, some analysts are suggesting that the Royals will overtake the White Sox in ‘08 … although neither will challenge for the AL Central title.
Will a revamped bullpen and a handful of new names be enough to find success? And more importantly, what can the 2008 White Sox do for your fantasy team?
Key Additions: Nick Swisher, Orlando Cabrera, Scott Linebrink, Octavio Dotel, Carlos Quentin
O-Cab is a nice addition at the lead-off spot, and Nick Swisher is a genuine slugger who may well benefit from the move to a more hitter-friendly ballpark.
Key Losses: Jon Garland, Gio Gonzalez, Scott Podsednik, Darin Erstad
Projected Batting Order:
1. Orlando Cabrera, SS
2. Nick Swisher, CF
3. Jim Thome, DH
4. Paul Konerko, 1B
5. Jermaine Dye, RF
6. AJ Pierzynski, C
7. Josh Fields / Joe Crede, 3B
8. Alexei Ramirez / Danny Richar / Juan Uribe, 2B
9. Jerry Owens / Carlos Quentin, LF
Projected Rotation:
1. Javier Vazquez
2. Mark Buerhle
3. Jose Contreras
4. John Danks
5. Gavin Floyd
Projected Closer: Bobby Jenks
Jenks has blossomed into one of the top closers in the game and is not facing any real competition for the job. If Jenks gets injured, Octavio Dotel and Scott Linebrink are next in line.
Key Setup: Octavio Dotel and Scott Linebrink.
Neither are draftable in a 12-team mixed league. Linebrink could become worthy of a roster spot if he gets back to his 2006 form where he was one of the better relievers in the game. Dotel? We’ll start a pool on when he hits the DL, because you know he will. Questionable moves and highly questionable contracts in my view.
Platoon Watch: 3B, 2B, LF
There are multiple platoons to look out for on this team. With Joe Crede holding up Josh Fields at third base, the question becomes whether the Sox trade Crede before the season starts even though they can’t get much value in any trade due to question marks over his health and durability. They may put aside the notion that they have to play Crede and go with the younger, and frankly, better Fields even if they can’t make a trade.
Second base holds the same kind of scenario. Cuban signee Alexei Ramirez grades out as an average prospect, but his success at the international level suggests his ceiling is higher. The Sox want to find a place to put this guy, and with the outfield already crowded and his crazy versatility, they are seriously looking to slot him in at second base. Ramirez has not played very much at that position recently, which already looked like a battle between two others … former shortstop Juan Uribe and Danny Richar.
There is no question that Nick Swisher and Jermaine Dye have outfield spots; the third one is a toss up among three players - the aforementioned Ramirez, Carlos Quentin, and Jerry Owens. Quentin disappointed in 2007 after getting hyped over the off-season because of his incredible power; he never developed any discipline at the plate and could not pick things up after falling flat on his face in April. Jerry Owens brings speed and … speed. He will never be much of a power hitter or even a gap hitter, but he can tear it up on the base paths. Keep an eye on things in spring training to see whether one of these three can stake a real claim to the third outfield position.
Impact Rookies: Alexei Ramirez, Jerry Owens
Core Fantasy Options: Javier Vazquez, Nick Swisher, Jim Thome, Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko, Orlando Cabrera, Bobby Jenks
As a whole, there’s not a great deal of value to be found on the White Sox roster, and no one really resembles a superstar or fantasy stud - the player who most closely fits into that category is Bobby Jenks.
The daily line-up includes several solid to below average options who’ll be taken in the middle rounds.
Potential Sleeper: Alexei Ramirez
With the proper playing time and start, Ramirez could blow up. This is not based on stats but more on feeling. His play internationally was impressive, and he was a ‘monster’ in Cuba.
Potential Bust: Josh Fields
The Sox do not have much upside, so the potential for busting really is not there. Josh Fields could be the closest to it because of his strong final two months. He had a slow start to his career, and if that carries over into 2008, he could see Joe Crede take away much of his playing time. However, Fields could be seen as a potential sleeper for the same reasons.
Late Round Steal: Mark Buehrle
He’s not the pitcher he was in ‘04 and ‘05, and noting any AL pitcher as a late round steal might be a reach, but you could do a lot worse than Beuhrle if you need to fill out your rotation late in the draft. He has his moments, without doubt, as he showed with a no-hitter last year.