How much money can owner Jerry Reinsdorf throw at the Chicago White Sox? He went out an acquired Jake Peavy, a former Cy Young winner with the Padres. Peavy went 3-0 in his short stint as a starter this season. Peavy looked like an All-Star caliber pitcher. He pitched great against Detroit in the last series of the season. If he stays healthy, he will be a big help with the Sox. The other question is Alex Rios, the player the Sox acquired from Toronto. Rios did not have a good season with the Sox. He may have the tools, but didn't showcase them enough with Chicago. If the Sox part ways with Jermaine Dye, who again had a nice year, then Rios would start in rightfield. Is Rios a power hitter who can hit to all fields? or a guy who can hit his way on base? Can he drive in runs? That's what the Sox need.
What the Sox didn't show is performing crisp, error free baseball. Their baserunning was at times dreadful. I never saw so many players get thrown out at the plate. I think there were 2 players who got thrown out at the plate in one game. The team has talent. If they played well, they would have been in the mix for the title. As it was, they lost their shot when they tanked in the mot crucial time of the season, the last three weeks. They may be played .500 baseball at best. When they really needed a win, they lost the game. The bullpen, which was decent to good for most the season, pitched poorly, Guys couldn't hold leads or blew save chances.
That is not a formula for winning. The Sox need to play small ball with effective power hitting, and get great starting pitching, with a consistent closer. Bobby Jenks has talent, but he often walked the tightrope and crashed. When a closer crashes, the game is over. That can't happen next year. I'd like to see Posednik back. He hustles, gets on base, and scores runs. I thought he did a good job. Quinton finished strong. But he was out of the lineup for weeks.
I'd like to see Konerko come back. He is a dependable hitter, who drove in runs and hit some key home runs. He is a good attitude. He comes to the park and plays. If there were more players who played like him, The Sox could be in the post-season now.
The White Sox have no one else to blame but themselves. They need to look at themselves in the mirror.
