Season Preview

With the prediction of the sox winning the division for a second straight season by White Sox GM Kenny Williams, I decided that I am going to make my own prediction on the sox this season. After checking out Willaims's prediction here, I disagree a little with his prediction. He feels very confident in his team. Now almost every GM thinks their team can win, and realistically most teams don't even have a chance. But that's not exactly the case with the sox. They have the veteran leadership to win some games this year, but they also have a lot of youth.

The Central Division should be pretty good this year. The Indians have picked up some good players this offseason, including former Cubs Kerry Wood and Mark Derosa. I know they had a bad season last year, but it was mainly due to some key injuries. The Indians should do well this season. Detroit has one of the best offenses in baseball and if their pitching could improve they would can be in contention for the division. The Twins are always a good team; Expect that again this season. And well the Royals are the Royals; Don't expect much from them this season.

The sox will contend for the division title this year. However, their youth will cost them some games. The Indians will play solid baseball all season. They will end up surpassing the sox and win the division this year. The sox will finish second behind the twins. Detroit and the Royals will end up at the bottom of the division.

Where have the sox been this offseason?

On Friday the Cubs released that they were sold for $900 million dollars. With this deal finalizing it seems that the cubs have done nearly everything this offseason (Ok not as much as the Yankees) with the hope of this year finally ending the world series drought. I just like to add that this the year for the Cubs (I know cliche) but i cant say this for the south siders. The Whitesox have been dormant this offseason. Their biggest acquisition, Bartolo Colon, hasn't played a full season in two years. This is surprising to me because the Sox were one of the eight teams in the playoffs last season. They definitely have the base of being another playoff contending team. However, It is uncertain if this season is going to be a rebuilding year, with the young nucleus they have, or a season with the intent of making the playoffs.

Thats the question, what will the Sox due this season? There have been comparisons to that of the world series winning team in 2005. That team was filled with youth but led by veterans. This season is somewhat of the same. They still have veterans Mark Buehrle, Jim Thome, and Jermaine Dye. The Sox could reach another playoff appearance or could end up 3rd (or even 4th) in their own division. As a Cubs fan I hope its the second one. For another opinion of the Sox's offseason visit here.

Sox Following Obama's Call

After an inspiring inauguration of 44th President Barack Obama the White Sox have issued a new call to service. Obama called for Americans to better there communities through community service. The Whitesox have followed up on this by creating the White sox Volunteer Corps. Sox fans and others wishing to help out the local community are invited to join. Those wishing to sign up can do it through the Whitesox website or by clicking here. The Sox already have an outstanding charity organization raising over $1.5 million to several local non profit organizations. You can find more information about this by clicking here or visiting the Chicago White Sox official website.

I think this is a great thing for the Chicago community and the Whitesox organization. I think helping out the local communities in Chicago can do a lot of good for the city. It is also a good model for other communities to follow. I know several MLB teams have charities and volunteer programs. I hope every team will follow in the Sox's footsteps and create there own volunteer corps in their local communities. I personally challenge my favorite team the cubs to step up to the plate and make a volunteer program better than the one in south side. This friendly competition (if were to happen) could do a lot for Chicago.

Hello, Welcome to my blog on the Chicago White Sox. I will comment on the Sox through the eyes of a die hard Cubs fan. However, this will not be a blog of bashing the Sox, but one that covers the important news stories during the season.

I hope you will enjoy this blog.
Go Cubs!

Contreras Returning Early?

Jose Contreras looks to be farther on the recovery track than expected for the right-hander. Jaime Torres Contreras's representative stated after talking to him Friday, "He told me he was way, way ahead of schedule." Contreras's season ended early last season with a ruptured Achilles tendon on August 9 during a game against the Red Sox. The hard worth ethic of Contreras seems to have rewarded him with an earlier return.

I regret to say that this would be great news for the Sox rotation for he was next expected to return to action until after the All-Star break. With the acquisition of veteran Bartolo Colon and Contreras's return brings a veteran contribution to a young rotation. Every rotation needs a good combination of youth and veteran pitchers to win. The White Sox have this with an early Contreras return. Contreras is expected to report to spring training, but it is uncertain what how active he will be. The Sox have a bounty of young pitchers that can step in until his return. His return would have a big impact on White Sox rotation.

Links

For more info on Contreras's return click here http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp