Post by Chi-Town Sox on Dec 3, 2010 1:49:54 GMT -5
The White Sox are once again looking forward to another good season ahead of them. However, they are still in the best division by far in all of baseball. Chicago feels as though the odds are stacked against them however with 2 modern day Yankee type teams in their division (Twins and Indians).
The Twins currently have almost double the payroll as the White Sox and are spending 36 million over their payroll budget....adding to the confusion and frustration, the Twins signed ex White Sock Phil Garner for 5 years 10 million a year....to sit the bench...?
The Indians have a little over 1.5 times higher payroll as the White Sox and are spending 27 million over their payroll budget.
Yet, just like the modern day Tampa Rays, The White Sox still have a very good shot at winning the division or atleast getting a wild card spot.
Manager Greg Manning had many challenging choices to make in the offseason with many all-star quality players having their contracts run out. But Mr. Manning is determined not to act like the Yankees of modern day and keep the payroll to a minimum compared to the budget. He feels as if this will keep his team at the top of the division for the long run, instead of putting all his eggs in the next few years basket.
He decided the White Sox couldnt afford such contracts of 11+ million a year for Don Larson, 13+ million a year for Rick Langford, 5+ million a year for Phil Garner or 4 + million a year for long time White Sock Gene Richards.
The priority signings were starting CF Andy Van Slyke and 1B Brick Smith because both of these players have plenty of good years left.
The White Sox locked up Van Slyke for 7 yrs at 6.75 million a year, which is a HELL of a bargain. They also locked up Brick Smith for 5 years at 3.5 million per year which Manning thought was fair market value.
Going into the off season, the White Sox had many voids to fill. Two starting pitchers and their starting SS walked away along with a stud bench player in Richards. They also wanted to improve their bench and bring in some younger guys that could play longer.
The White sox needed bargain players as they were already near their payroll budget, but they still needed high quality players to compete this season.
SS Replacement: The White Sox called up AAA stud Ross Jones to the Majors this year. Manning felt like he was ready for the big time and he was a good cheap option to replace Garner. Hopefully he will put up similar numbers to what he put up this spring, hitting .414 in spring ball.
Signature #1
SP Tom Hausman: The White Sox were very pleased to be able to sign Hausman for 1 year 400k a year. Going into free agency, Manning thought Hausman was the best SP in FA...which is saying a lot compared to the talent that was there. Sure, his overall rating is a measly 80, but thats only because his Health is so low. with a control rating of 100 and a movement rating of 93, Hausman should be a great asset being the #2 SP for the 1986 season.
Signature #2
SP Rob Dressler: The White Sox locked up Mr. Dressler for 2 years at 4 million per year. They were willing to go up to around 7 million a year, but luckily he didnt get bid up that high. Dressler was the 3rd option SP for Manning going into FA behind Hausman and Larson. Larson ended up being paid to high for Manning's blood as signed with the Reds for around 7 million. Dressler is another underrated player with only an overall rating of 83. But again, health issues are bringing this number down. With a control rating of 99 and movement rating of 93, Dressler should put up solid numbers being the #4 starter in Chicago.
Bench Signatures:
Gene Richards: Manning has always loved this guy and didnt like the fact of him playing elsewhere. He couldnt resign him for 4 million a year though so he tested the FA waters. This moved paid its dividends as the White sox were able to sign him for 400k a year.
C Dwight Lowry: Much controversy over this guy in FA this year {CUT - Rand} Lowry brings a great upgrade from old washed up Ted Simmons who was promptly released
CF Reid Nichols: an upgrade from Dion James, Manning decided to sign him and release James.
SS Frank Taveras: an upgrade from Gary Weiss, Manning decided to sign him and relase Weiss, who was promptly picked up by the Expos.
Kelvin Torve: Called up from AAA as Manning thought he was ready for the big leagues. He is an improvement over Willie Upshaw, who was promptly cut after the decision.
It should be an interesting year in Chicago as they fight for a playoff spot. According to the 100 season simulator, the White Sox are predicted to take 2nd place in the division to Minnesota and take the Wild Card spot. Obviously this will change 100 times during the season, but its a good starting point and what Manning considers to be a great achievement considering the Payrolls of the other 2 teams in the division.
The Twins currently have almost double the payroll as the White Sox and are spending 36 million over their payroll budget....adding to the confusion and frustration, the Twins signed ex White Sock Phil Garner for 5 years 10 million a year....to sit the bench...?
The Indians have a little over 1.5 times higher payroll as the White Sox and are spending 27 million over their payroll budget.
Yet, just like the modern day Tampa Rays, The White Sox still have a very good shot at winning the division or atleast getting a wild card spot.
Manager Greg Manning had many challenging choices to make in the offseason with many all-star quality players having their contracts run out. But Mr. Manning is determined not to act like the Yankees of modern day and keep the payroll to a minimum compared to the budget. He feels as if this will keep his team at the top of the division for the long run, instead of putting all his eggs in the next few years basket.
He decided the White Sox couldnt afford such contracts of 11+ million a year for Don Larson, 13+ million a year for Rick Langford, 5+ million a year for Phil Garner or 4 + million a year for long time White Sock Gene Richards.
The priority signings were starting CF Andy Van Slyke and 1B Brick Smith because both of these players have plenty of good years left.
The White Sox locked up Van Slyke for 7 yrs at 6.75 million a year, which is a HELL of a bargain. They also locked up Brick Smith for 5 years at 3.5 million per year which Manning thought was fair market value.
Going into the off season, the White Sox had many voids to fill. Two starting pitchers and their starting SS walked away along with a stud bench player in Richards. They also wanted to improve their bench and bring in some younger guys that could play longer.
The White sox needed bargain players as they were already near their payroll budget, but they still needed high quality players to compete this season.
SS Replacement: The White Sox called up AAA stud Ross Jones to the Majors this year. Manning felt like he was ready for the big time and he was a good cheap option to replace Garner. Hopefully he will put up similar numbers to what he put up this spring, hitting .414 in spring ball.
Signature #1
SP Tom Hausman: The White Sox were very pleased to be able to sign Hausman for 1 year 400k a year. Going into free agency, Manning thought Hausman was the best SP in FA...which is saying a lot compared to the talent that was there. Sure, his overall rating is a measly 80, but thats only because his Health is so low. with a control rating of 100 and a movement rating of 93, Hausman should be a great asset being the #2 SP for the 1986 season.
Signature #2
SP Rob Dressler: The White Sox locked up Mr. Dressler for 2 years at 4 million per year. They were willing to go up to around 7 million a year, but luckily he didnt get bid up that high. Dressler was the 3rd option SP for Manning going into FA behind Hausman and Larson. Larson ended up being paid to high for Manning's blood as signed with the Reds for around 7 million. Dressler is another underrated player with only an overall rating of 83. But again, health issues are bringing this number down. With a control rating of 99 and movement rating of 93, Dressler should put up solid numbers being the #4 starter in Chicago.
Bench Signatures:
Gene Richards: Manning has always loved this guy and didnt like the fact of him playing elsewhere. He couldnt resign him for 4 million a year though so he tested the FA waters. This moved paid its dividends as the White sox were able to sign him for 400k a year.
C Dwight Lowry: Much controversy over this guy in FA this year {CUT - Rand} Lowry brings a great upgrade from old washed up Ted Simmons who was promptly released
CF Reid Nichols: an upgrade from Dion James, Manning decided to sign him and release James.
SS Frank Taveras: an upgrade from Gary Weiss, Manning decided to sign him and relase Weiss, who was promptly picked up by the Expos.
Kelvin Torve: Called up from AAA as Manning thought he was ready for the big leagues. He is an improvement over Willie Upshaw, who was promptly cut after the decision.
It should be an interesting year in Chicago as they fight for a playoff spot. According to the 100 season simulator, the White Sox are predicted to take 2nd place in the division to Minnesota and take the Wild Card spot. Obviously this will change 100 times during the season, but its a good starting point and what Manning considers to be a great achievement considering the Payrolls of the other 2 teams in the division.