Southside Small Market or Youth Movement?
Posted by Scott on December 5, 2008
Over the course of the past two weeks the Chicago White Sox have traded Nick Swisher to the Yankees for prospects, and Javier Vasquez and Boone Logan to the Braves for prospects. Add in the signing of 19 year old Cuban talent Dayan Viciedo a little over a week ago, and you have a team that appears to be getting younger. GM Ken Williams decided not long after the postseason was over to let Ken Griffey Jr. go, and the rumor mill is hot and heavy with potential deals involving Jermaine Dye or Bobby Jenks. Add in the fact that the Sox at least at this point don’t plan on retaining 3B Joe Crede (3B of now/future Josh Fields is coming off of knee surgery), and expect another team to take SS Orlando Cabrera off their hands while gaining a couple of extra draft picks for Cabrera, and one is left with a choice of two conclusions.
Conclusion One: The White Sox are trimming the payroll, dumping higher salaries in a way relatively reminiscent to earlier in the decade and restocking the minors with servicable talent. This method would be following the “Small Market” mentality that the rest of the division has at this time. Both Minnesota and Cleveland have been very successful this decade using this model. You can also look to this year’s AL Champion Tampa Bay Rays and within the past few years Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins as advocates of using this model.
Conclusion Two: The Sox are going with more of a small ball, with speed and defense mentality. Certainly players like Griffey, Swisher, Cabrera, and Crede aren’t really the type that fit in a system that relies on singles, doubles, stolen bases, solid base running with the occasional home run. Then again, arguably neither are Jim Thome or Paul Konerko, along with the previously mentioned Dye. However, even those teams that play small ball need those big bats in the lineup to keep their opponents honest. If this team is willing to play hard nosed Ozzieball, then this would be the way to go with the roster. Players who can get on base definitely make the middle of the Sox lineup far more dangerous, and with a solid centerfielder, the defense in the outfield improves greatly.
No matter which of these two paths Kenny Williams is determined to lead this franchise, one thing is for sure. The Chicago White Sox, and the AL Central will likely be the one division worth watching against this upcoming season.
