Post by Chi-Town Sox on Sept 13, 2010 14:31:15 GMT -5
Well the 1985 season is underway, and after the first sim the Chicago White Sox have the best record in the league at 9-3. For most, this is probably a huge surprise seeing as the White Sox won a mere 62 games only 2 seasons ago in 1983.
However, the new GM Greg Manning has made winning a priority for the fans of Chicago. He made a ton of huge moves in the offseason to place the White Sox with a good chance at making the playoffs and seeing how far they can go.
The White Sox acquired RF Myron White first from the Indians who is batting 2nd for the Sox this season. The Sox gave up a talented young Catcher that was not going to be used in Chicago as more than a bench catcher since they have Bob Geren. White is planned to be a long time RF for the Sox and is expected to have a stellar first full season as a starter.
Next the Sox acquired IF Phil Garner from the braves for a couple of draft picks. This move was huge for the White Sox chances at going anywhere this season. Phil Garner will be batting 9th and playing SS for the Sox replacing long time SS Bobby Valentine. Valentine was washed up and could no longer play in the MLB at a high level. He needed replacing, but SS prospect Ross Jones was not ready to play in the majors yet. Phil is expected to only play 1 season with the Sox because he will be asking for too much money to continue and Ross Jones will be ready by next season. Nonetheless, Garner is a huge asset to the Sox this season.
The next move was made with the Mariners acquiring SP Tommy Boggs, which spelled doom for long time SP Dennis Martinez in Chicago. Boggs will be the number 5 starter this season in Chicago. He is not happy about it, but he will still perform at a high level when needed. Boggs is an upgrade from Martinez, and is also a cheaper option. Boggs is expected to play a few seasons in Chicago.
The next, and perhaps the biggest move of the offseason was trading for SP Rick Langford from conference rivals Minnesota Twins for a couple of draft picks. Not only is Langford a complete stud and will win a ton of games for Chicago this season, it takes away all of those wins that he would have won for the Twins. Langford is only expected to play 1 season in Chicago because he asks for an ungodly amount of money, though well deserved, way to expensive for the mere 41 mil budget that the White Sox have.
All of these deals combined with the team the Sox already have are combining for what looks to be a hell of a team. Andy Van Slyke is off to a hot start batting .347, though it will not stay that high, he should still have a solid season and possibly scoring up to 150 runs. The bash brothers of Kevin Mitchell and Andre Dawson will combine for over 230 RBIs. 3B Brook Jacoby enjoys batting 5th in the lineup and is showing it with his production, currently batting .438.
Tom Candiotti is off to a Cy Young like start with a 1.80 ERA and a 2-0 record. Bill Caudel is also starting out great with a 1.80 ERA with 3 saves. Tom Edens however is off to a bad rookie season. This is expected to to change and should end up with a decent rookie season. Probably not up to George Stabelin standards, who is pitching pissed off at being screwed out of the Rookie of the Year in the AL in 1984.
There are a few rookies on this team making their debut this season and all will make a huge difference.
Marty Barrett is the only hitting rookie who will be starting at 2nd base and batting 8th. Marty has great contact and eye and should be serviceable at 2nd base.
Tom Edens is making his debut as the number 4 starter. Edens is a future cy young winner with great stuff. Edens should have a pretty solid rookie season and win quite a few games.
The bullpen has been completely re-done with 3 rookies making their debuts. Rick Aguilera will be the #1 short RP and is another future stud. Rick has a good chance at becoming the closer of the future. Ed Vosberg is the #2 RP and is nothing to take a sniff at. Vosberg should have a very good career with a chance at becoming the setup man or closer in the future. Mark Knudson is making his debut as the long reliever. Knudson doesnt look like much, and isnt very intimidating, but damn, this kid gets the job done as witnessed by his current 2.61 ERA over 10.1 innings.
Overall there seems to be no weak spots on this team with a solid lineup, rotation, and bullpen. After simming this season 100 times, the Sox have a 70% chance at making the playoffs and a 6% chance at winning it all. These numbers are amazing considering where the White Sox were just 2 seasons ago with a 62 win season.
However, the new GM Greg Manning has made winning a priority for the fans of Chicago. He made a ton of huge moves in the offseason to place the White Sox with a good chance at making the playoffs and seeing how far they can go.
The White Sox acquired RF Myron White first from the Indians who is batting 2nd for the Sox this season. The Sox gave up a talented young Catcher that was not going to be used in Chicago as more than a bench catcher since they have Bob Geren. White is planned to be a long time RF for the Sox and is expected to have a stellar first full season as a starter.
Next the Sox acquired IF Phil Garner from the braves for a couple of draft picks. This move was huge for the White Sox chances at going anywhere this season. Phil Garner will be batting 9th and playing SS for the Sox replacing long time SS Bobby Valentine. Valentine was washed up and could no longer play in the MLB at a high level. He needed replacing, but SS prospect Ross Jones was not ready to play in the majors yet. Phil is expected to only play 1 season with the Sox because he will be asking for too much money to continue and Ross Jones will be ready by next season. Nonetheless, Garner is a huge asset to the Sox this season.
The next move was made with the Mariners acquiring SP Tommy Boggs, which spelled doom for long time SP Dennis Martinez in Chicago. Boggs will be the number 5 starter this season in Chicago. He is not happy about it, but he will still perform at a high level when needed. Boggs is an upgrade from Martinez, and is also a cheaper option. Boggs is expected to play a few seasons in Chicago.
The next, and perhaps the biggest move of the offseason was trading for SP Rick Langford from conference rivals Minnesota Twins for a couple of draft picks. Not only is Langford a complete stud and will win a ton of games for Chicago this season, it takes away all of those wins that he would have won for the Twins. Langford is only expected to play 1 season in Chicago because he asks for an ungodly amount of money, though well deserved, way to expensive for the mere 41 mil budget that the White Sox have.
All of these deals combined with the team the Sox already have are combining for what looks to be a hell of a team. Andy Van Slyke is off to a hot start batting .347, though it will not stay that high, he should still have a solid season and possibly scoring up to 150 runs. The bash brothers of Kevin Mitchell and Andre Dawson will combine for over 230 RBIs. 3B Brook Jacoby enjoys batting 5th in the lineup and is showing it with his production, currently batting .438.
Tom Candiotti is off to a Cy Young like start with a 1.80 ERA and a 2-0 record. Bill Caudel is also starting out great with a 1.80 ERA with 3 saves. Tom Edens however is off to a bad rookie season. This is expected to to change and should end up with a decent rookie season. Probably not up to George Stabelin standards, who is pitching pissed off at being screwed out of the Rookie of the Year in the AL in 1984.
There are a few rookies on this team making their debut this season and all will make a huge difference.
Marty Barrett is the only hitting rookie who will be starting at 2nd base and batting 8th. Marty has great contact and eye and should be serviceable at 2nd base.
Tom Edens is making his debut as the number 4 starter. Edens is a future cy young winner with great stuff. Edens should have a pretty solid rookie season and win quite a few games.
The bullpen has been completely re-done with 3 rookies making their debuts. Rick Aguilera will be the #1 short RP and is another future stud. Rick has a good chance at becoming the closer of the future. Ed Vosberg is the #2 RP and is nothing to take a sniff at. Vosberg should have a very good career with a chance at becoming the setup man or closer in the future. Mark Knudson is making his debut as the long reliever. Knudson doesnt look like much, and isnt very intimidating, but damn, this kid gets the job done as witnessed by his current 2.61 ERA over 10.1 innings.
Overall there seems to be no weak spots on this team with a solid lineup, rotation, and bullpen. After simming this season 100 times, the Sox have a 70% chance at making the playoffs and a 6% chance at winning it all. These numbers are amazing considering where the White Sox were just 2 seasons ago with a 62 win season.