2007 Chicago White Sox Baseball Preview

The team won it all in 2005 and then didn’t get to the post-season in 2006. The Chicago White Sox (90- 72) will be looking to replace RHP Freddy Garcia, who they traded to Philadelphia. They also need the rest of the rotation to find their footing early and keep it throughout the season.

Chicago’s 4.61 team ERA was one of the worst in the league. RHP Jose Contreras (13- 9, 4.27) and LHP Mark Buehrle (12- 13, 4.99 ERA) must get back to their former form. Jon Garland (18- 7, 4.51 ERA) and Javier Vazquez (11- 12, 4.84 ERA) have the potential to be potent pitchers. Closer Bobby Jenks (3- 4, 4.00 ERA, 41 SV) is in an elite class but needs to lower his ERA, while set-up man Mike MacDougal is becoming one of the best.

The club hit the most homers in the AL (236) and scored the second-most runs (868). DH Jim Thome (.288 AVG, 109 RBI, 49 HR), Paul Konerko (.313 AVG, 113 RBI, 35 HR) and Jermain Dye (.315 AVG, 120 RBI, 44 HR) bat in the three to five spots! That’s a whole lot of power. Add in catcher A.J. Pierzynski (.295 AVG, 64 RBI, 16 HR), Joe Crede (.283 AVG, 94 RBI, 30 HR) and Tadihito Iguchi (.281 AVG, 67 RBI, 18 HR) and there’s plenty of offense.

Overall, this is a fine infield. At second base, Iguchi has All-Star potential while shortstop Uribe has a strong arm and is a good fielder. Third baseman Crede is a Gold Glover. At first, Konerko knows the position.

When the owner won’t sign a pitcher for more than three years, it’s tough to keep a solid rotation together. Thus, owner Jerry Reinsdorf has made GM Ken Williams’ job extremely difficult. Manager Ozzie Guillen, a good baseball man, may want to temper his remarks this year and keep his focus on the field.

This team has the potential to be a contender in October. The division title and the Wild Card are both possibilities. Offense was no problem in 2006, but the Sox pitching fell apart. It all comes down to arms.

Read more on the White Sox other AL Central division competitors like the Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, and Kansas City Royals.

For more info on the White Sox check out the MLB official page for Chicago baseball news.