Chicago White Sox 2011 Preview, Predictions & Odds

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They faded down the stretch, finishing second to the Twins. With Paul Konerko back and the addition of Adam Dunn, the White Sox figure to be in the mix again in 2011.

Chicago White Sox 2010 MLB Record: 88-74
Chicago White Sox 2010 MLB Home Record: 45-36
Chicago White Sox 2010 MLB Away Record: 43-38

Chicago White Sox 2011 Betting

Chicago White Sox Odds to Win the American League: +1000
Chicago White Sox Odds to Win the World Series: +2500

Chicago White Sox 2011 Preview & Prediction

Four American League teams had four hitters with at least 70 RBIs last season. Three of those teams made the playoffs. The White Sox were the team left out. This season, the Sox hope for even more pop from their lineup, with the addition ofAdam Dunn, the improvement of Gordon Beckham and the arrival of rookie Brent Morel. Combine that with a solid rotation built around John Danks, Mark Buehrle, Gavin Floyd and Jake Peavy, and Chicago believes it has the formula to improve on last season’s 88-win team. The Sox will battle the Twins and Tigers for control of a division they should have won more than twice in the last 10 seasons, given their spending trends over the last decade.

Chicago White Sox Manager: Ozzie Guillen – Eighth year Record: 600-535

Outspoken and outlandish, the former White Sox shortstop is both beloved and respected by his players, and he gets the most out of them.

Chicago White Sox 2011 Projected Batting Order: LF Juan Pierre (L), SS Alexei Ramirez (R), CF Alex Rios (R), DH Adam Dunn (L), 1B Paul Konerko (R), RF Carlos Quentin, 2B Gordon Beckham (R), C A.J. Plerzynski (L), 3B Brent Morel (R),

Chicago White Sox 2011 Projected Rotation: LH John Danks, LH Mark Buehrle, RH Edwin Jackson, RH Gavin Floyd, RH Jake Peavy.

Chicago White Sox 2011 Projected Closer: LH Chris Sale

2011 Chicago White Sox Offense:

Despite his poor on-base skills, OF Juan Pierre will continue to lead off because of his high contact rate. He’ll run a ton. SS Alexei Ramirez could start the season in the NO.2 hole, but don’t be surprised if 2B Gordon Beckham moves up from the bottom third of the order if Ramirez has one of his typical slow starts. OF Alex Rios found his swing again last year. He’s a 25/25 threat who gets a boost from Chicago’s upgraded middle of the lineup. 1B Paul Konerko is coming off an MVP-type year, but we’re not counting on a repeat performance from a 35-year-old who just landed athree-year deal. Adam Dunn steps in as their primary DH. Moving to HR-friendly U.S. Cellular Field, he could lead the majors in homers. OF Carlos Quentin’s name was floated on the trade block this winter, so he could be on a short leash. His peripherals suggest he should bounce back. 3B Mark Teahen continues to regress. He might not last as a regular if prospect Brent Morel continues to impress. Expect C A.J. Pierzynski to begin a steady decline.

2011 Chicago White Sox Rotation:

John Danks is probably the best in a rotation of good-not-great arms. Guillen is willing to let him work deep into games, and with Chicago’s upgraded lineup Danks could be in line for 18 wins. Mark Buehrle continues to chug along as an effective innings eater. He doesn’t miss many bats and can be very hittable at times, limiting his fantasy value. It was a little strange to see Edwin Jackson pitch so well for the Sox after struggling so badly against inferior N.L. lineups, but he could return to 2009 levels and get alot of run support. Gavin Floyd has thrown well the past two seasons, but hasn’t gotten a lot of luck. He’s a nice lateround fantasy pick-up. His stock is tumbling, and now Jake Peavy is coming off lat surgery (near his pitching shoulder) and could miss the first two months of the year. He wasn’t dominating against A.L. lineups in a hitter-friendly park. When we went to press, underwhelming prospect Lucas Harrell was potentially the fifth starter by default, assuming Chris Sale doesn’t move in from the bullpen.

2011 Chicago White Sox Bullpen:

Long-time closer Bobby Jenks is gone, and the Sox are undecided who will replace him. The safe choice is Matt Thornton, who has dominated both lefties and righties over the years and was just fine filling in for Jenks in the past. We’ll get a better read this spring, but it seems Guillen and the Sox brass would rather plug top prospect Chris Sale into the role. He’s young, and they might actually need him in the rotation (where he’d be more valuable to the organization), but the job is his to claim. Jesse Crain could end up in the saves mix if the other two falter, but he’s really more of a set-up guy.

2011 Chicago White Sox Middle Infield:

Alexei Ramirez has quietly become one of the best shortstops in the American League. He was named the Silver Slugger winner after batting .282 with 18 homers and 70 RBIs, and many felt he deserved the Gold Glove over Derek Jeter. He plays with an infectious spirit and a creative style developed long ago in Cuba. He has enough arm to make plays deep in the hole, regularly sending the White Sox into the dugout with a pitcher pumping his fist. Beckham was viewed as Ramirez’s equal entering 2010 but took a step backward at the plate while moving from third base to second. He was confused and frustrated before crushing the ball in the second half of the season.

2011 Chicago White Sox Corners:

Paul Konerko is too good for anyone to let walk away. His return was uncertain throughout 2010, but he put his head down and continued to prepare for games as relentlessly as anyone this side of Jim Thome, and the result was a new three-year contract, with a small raise. He’s 35 but still in the prime of his career, benefiting from work to become a better fielder and smarter baserunner. He’s the guy the White Sox want at the plate with the game on the line. Morel is untested but appears solid as a third baseman. He offset a .231 average with excellent fielding during a September trial, and he improved as a hitter climbing through the minors. There’s depth at the position if Morel doesn’t hit, with Omar Vizquel, Mark Teahen and Dayan Viciedo on the roster.

2011 Chicago White Sox Outfield:

Alex Rios anchors a veteran cast that offers speed and pop. He has made GM Ken Williams’ huge gamble pay off. The waiver claim that brought him to Chicago late in 2009 was effectively the organization’s biggest ever free agent signing, as he was owed $62 million. He’ll have to keep producing, as he’s signed through 2014, but the gauge is pointing upward after his best season since 2007. He’s among the league’s top two-way players, covering ground and making plays in center field while using his bat and his speed to be disruptive at the plate. Workaholic/buntaholic Juan Pierre had the fourth-best on-base percentage among AL leadoff men last season (.339), behind Ichiro Suzuki, Derek Jeter and Austin Jackson. Right fielder Carlos Quentin was the subject of offseason trade rumors after he tested manager Ozzie Guillen’s patience by failing to hit .250 for the second year in a row. He drives in runs, however, and should feel less heat with Rios, Dunn and Konerko hitting in front of him.

2011 Chicago White Sox Catching:

A.J. Pierzynski is like the outfield showers at U.S. Cellular Field. You can count on him to be there in the heat of the summer. He returned with a two-year contract after exploring the free agent market. This is Pierzynski’s seventh year as the White Sox catcher and 11th as a big league regular. He’s four seasons removed from his last appearance as an All-Star but remains durable. That’s a very valuable quality as the Sox haven’t developed any young catchers to push Pierzynski. Tyler Flowers was considered a likely successor but went backward in 2010, making the re-signing of Pierzynski a popular decision.

2011 Chicago White Sox Bench:

Dunn will be the centerpiece of the campaign if the White Sox succeed in overtaking a Minnesota team that appeared entrenched at the top of the AL Central when 2010 ended. Williams had tried to acquire Dunn in a trade with Washington before the July 31 deadline but struck out. He seemed even less likely to get Dunn when the signing period arrived in November, his hands seemingly tied by the 2009-10 additions of Rios, Peavy and Jackson, but owner Jerry Reinsdorf bought Williams’ push to increase the payroll. U.S. Cellular Field should allow Dunn to hit more than the 38 homers he managed at spacious Nats Park in both 2009 and ’10. Alejandro De Aza is in position to be the fourth outfielder, while Vizquel, Teahen and Viciedo provide depth in the infield.

Chicago White Sox 2011 Season Predictions

The addition of Adam Dunn and the re-signing of Paul Konerko give the White Sox a potent lineup anchored by some big thumpers. Overall, though, this team still feels like it’s missing something: a legitimate ace. Bold GM Kenny Williams might be able to pull the trigger on a deal. But the Sox still face tough challenge overtaking the Twins in the AL Central – We predict that the Chicago White Sox will finish 86-76 & 2nd in the AL Central Division.

Chicago White Sox 5-Year Win Trend

2006: 3rd AL Central 90
2007: 4th AL Central 72
2008: 1st AL Central 89
2009: 3rd AL Central 79
2010: 2nd AL Central 88

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