Chicago White Sox Preview

ABOUT BASEBALL breaks down & previews the 2005 Chicago White Sox.

2004 Record: 83-79, 2nd in AL Central
Home Ballpark: U.S. Cellular Field
Manager: Ozzie Guillen

2005 Prediction: 83-79, 3rd place in AL Central

New In Town:
Jermaine Dye (OF) from Athletics
Dustin Hermanson (SP/RP, rhp) from Giants
Orlando Hernandez (SP, rhp) from Yankees
Tadahito Iguchi (2B) from Japan
Bobby Jenks (RP) from Angels
A.J. Pierzynski (C) from Giants
Scott Podsednik (OF) from Brewers
Luis Vizcaino (RP, rhp) from Brewers

Outta Here:
Roberto Alomar (2B) to Devil Rays
Carlos Lee (OF) to Brewers
Magglio Ordonez (OF) to Tigers
Scott Schoeneweis (SP, lhp) to Blue Jays
Jose Valentin (SS) to White Sox
* signed minor league deal.

Lineup:
Scott Podsednik CF
Tadahito Iguchi 2B
Paul Konerko 1B
Frank Thomas DH
Jermaine Dye RF
A.J.

Pierzynski C
Aaron Rowland RF
Joe Crede 3B
Jose Uribe SS

Rotation:
Mark Buehrle LHP
Freddy Garcia RHP
Jose Contreras RHP
Orlando Hernandez RHP
Jon Garland RHP

FUN FACT: The 1919 White Sox became known as the "Black Sox" when they deliberately lost the World Series that year in a gambling scandal still talked about today.

Outlook: The Sox have a relatively deep rotation, but nobody on their mound is going to intimidate you. Slugger Magglio Ordonez, one of the club's most productive stars, is gone, but Sox GM Ken Williams prefers a team with speed & defense - and he might have it. Look for the Chisox to stay competitive for most of the year, but finish up in third place - a few games above .500.