By ‘White Sox Correspondent’ Brian Madsen Follow @brianm731
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One thing is for sure, the 2014 season can not be worse than the 2013 season was for the White Sox. It’s impossible right?
While Sox GM Rick Hahn thought the 2013 team could find a way to relive a little bit of the magic they captured during the 2012 season, they couldn’t even come close.
The Sox began 2013 on a fast start, going 4 – 2, and ending the season’s opening week home stand on a Dayan Viciedo walk off HR.
The White Sox are hoping for a bounce back season from Dayan Viciedo after an injury-riddled 2013 campaign that saw him strike out at a very high rate, and hit just 14 HR and knock in 56 RBI. This coming after a breakout season in 2012 during which Viciedo hit 25 HR, knocked in 78 RBI, and look destined for a solid career with the White Sox. 2014 could be a make or break season for Vicideo. He will, more than likely, split time with Alejandro De Aza in LF.
Everything seemingly went down hill from there for the 2013 Sox, including Dayan Viciedo’s hope for a repeat of his 2012 success. Especially when Alejandro De Aza, is one of your best players.
De Aza managed to hit 17 HRs, knock in 62 RBI, swipe 20 bags, and score 84 Runs (all career highs in 2013).
For what was, statistically, one of the best teams defensively in 2012, turned into one of the worst in 2013.
The potentially dynamic double play combo of Gordon Beckham and Alexei Ramirez, who flourished in 2012, collectively laid an egg in 2013.
Ramirez committed the most errors by any short stop in 2013, and Gordon Beckham made bone head mistake, after bone head mistake.
Sox fans frustration with Beckham hadn’t been higher than it was in 2013. What was once Beckham’s strong suit, defense, had become a liability.
Couple that with less than average production at the plate, Beckham may finally be labeled a bust if things don’t change in 2014.
Add Alejandro De Aza’s poor defense in center field, and even worse base running mistakes to the mix, and you have four previously crowned “core” players for the White Sox whose potential has not come to fruition.
The good thing is, almost everyone else on the White Sox 2014 roster will be new to the mix. Sure, there’s Paul Konerko, and there’s Adam Dunn.
Adam Dunn signed a 4 YR/$56 MIL deal prior to the 2011 year. It looked bleak and abysmal after his 1st year, hitting .159 with 11 HRs, yet he was back to his old self in 2012, clubbing 42 HRs and driving in 96 for the team – even with having a .204 Average. In 2013, he started hitting about .100 in the 1st month. His BA last 3 months: June: .274, July: .277, August .267 – before struggling to a .159 clip in Sept. While his HRs were down a little bit, he still clubbed 34 HRs and drove in 86 RBI – with an OPS of .762. It was his 8th 34+ HR season in the last 9 years. This slugger could make a great trade chip at any point this season – and maybe fetch a young player in return.
Konerko who, understandably, was displeased with the 2013 Sox campaign as well his own.
I would have rather seen Paulie ride off into the sunset and bring his career to a close. But, I understand his desire to come back for one last hurrah.
I just don’t think the Sox should have saved a roster spot for an aging veteran who doesn’t have much to left give. But that’s just me.
Dunn will put up 25-30 HR’s and 85 or so RBI again in 2014, but his act has certainly worn thin on the south side of Chicago. 2014 will mercifully be the last season here for Dunn.
And yes, Tyler Flowers and Josh Phegley aren’t “new” guys either, but I’m hoping Adrian Nieto or a soon-to-be-acquired catcher (Francisco Cervelli or Austin Romine) can provide some relief behind the plate going forward.
This is one position that still really worries me.
But everywhere else you look around the diamond, all you see are new and young faces for the White Sox. And that’s exciting. Rick Hahn has somehow been able to infuse this organization with young, promising, salary-controlled players, in less than a year’s time.
I’m not sure who I’m more excited about. The young Cuban slugger Jose Abreu who has superstar potential?
Maybe Adam Eaton, acquired in a 3 way trade from the Diamondbacks, who has the potential to be an on-base machine and catalyst for the White Sox offense for years to come?
Or is it Avisail Garcia, the potential 5 tool player Rick Hahn managed to acquire from their intra-division rivals, the Tigers?
And though Matt Davidson, acquired from the Diamondbacks for Addison Reed, may start off 2014 in Charlotte, he has the potential to be a offensively potent 3rd baseman for the Sox for many years.
Put all of these new faces together with a pretty solid pitching staff, and you have the potential for a very fun team to watch for quite a while. Chris Sale is a star.
José Quintana is a solid 2-3 starter in almost any rotation. John Danks will be two years removed from shoulder surgery and should be much improved from last year.
Erik Johnson comes highly touted and really impressed in 2013.
Felipe Paulino is coming off Tommy John surgery, but could be a low-risk, high-reward signing by Hahn.
Add some new veteran relievers into the bullpen in Scott Downs, Ronald Belisario, and Mitchell Boggs, and combine them with the young Nate Jones and Daniel Webb.
Matt Lindstrom may be in line for the closer’s role, competing with Nate Jones.
Pitching should be a strong suit again for the Sox in 2014. Potentially.
Potential can be a scary word for a baseball team. But potential is also very exciting. I can’t remember the last time the Sox had so many “potentially” good, young players.
One thing is for sure, Rick Hahn seems to have this organization going in the right direction, and quickly. Potentially.
Paul Konerko announced that the 2014 season will be his last. Konerko has 434 career HR, 1390 RBI, and 6 All Star appearances in his 17 year career. What will most likely not be a HOF career, will certainly go down as one of the best in White Sox history. Konerko was the direct replacement for Frank Thomas, who was just voted into the HOF. The recently signed Jose Abreu will more than likely take over Konerko’s full time duties at 1st base once the captain hangs up his cleats.
*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com and their partners***
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A big thank-you goes out to our ‘White Sox Correspondent’ Brian Madsen for preparing today’s featured article. Brian was born and raised in Chicago Heights, IL, a south suburb of Chicago.
He attended Illinois St. University, majoring in education/teaching. Brian now lives in Joliet, IL with his wife Suzanne two daughters, Abby, 9, and Grace, 4.
He has worked at The Little Guys Home Technology for 12 years as a salesman/system designer/custom integrator.
Brian is an avid White Sox, Bears, Blackhawks, and Bulls fan.
Follow Brian On Twitter Follow @brianm731
Please e-mail me at: mlbreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. To subscribe to our website and have the Daily Reports sent directly to your inbox, click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
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Tagged: adam dunn, Adam Eaton, addison reed, Adrian Nieto, alejandro de aza, alexei r, avisail garcia, chris sale, Daniel Webb, dayan viciedo, Felipe Paulino, gordon beckham, jose abreu, Jose Lobaton, jose quintana, Josh Phegley, Matt Davidson, matt lindstrom, mitchell boggs, nate jones, paul konerko, rick hahn, ronald belisario, scott downs, Tyler Flowers
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