Chicago White Sox

Losses: IF Josh Fields, IF Chris Getz, OF Jermaine Dye, OF Scott Podsednik, OF Dewayne Wise, P Octavio Dotel, P Bartolo Colon

Gains: OF Juan Pierre, UT Mark Teahen, OF Andruw Jones, P Jake Peavy, P J.J. Putz, Omar Vizquel, Daniel Cabrera

Analysis: The White Sox had an underrated off-season. I haven't heard many whispers about them, with most of the world focusing the AL Central around Joe Mauer and the Twins. With Joe Nathan likely off to season-ending (hopefully not career threatening) surgery, maybe the ChiSox will get some attention. Chicago lost some players, but it was mostly spare change. Josh Fields is a player that had a chance to show himsel but never did. Chris Getz is an extra in the show. Those two were sent off to Kansas City for Mark Teahen. Teahen is going to step in and play 3rd base for the Sox. He'd jumped around positions, playing some 1st base and OF. He had worked on 2B for the Royals before injuries forced him back into the OF. Jermaine Dye's time was up in Chicago. His production was slowly falling off and the White Sox didn't want to pay him. Scott Podsednik came in and had a nice year in 2009 after down years, but he was never meant to stay too long. Octavio Dotel and Bartolo Colon are nothing more than coinflips at this point in their careers. One loss that is interesting is Dewayne Wise, who made one of the biggest catches in White Sox history, robbing (I believe it was Gabe Kapler) of a HR to save Mark Buehrle's perfect game in the 9th inning. But he refused a AAA assignment and is now in Philadelphia. The Sox bring in with Teahen, a couple fading outfielders in Andruw Jones and Juan Pierre. We'll have to see what the two have left. Jones showed some promise last season in Texas after just spiraling downwards upon receiving a huge contract in LA. Pierre was still an important piece in LA but the youth movement there left him a 4th OF. Pierre looks to prove he can still start (he did nicely starting in place of Manny during his suspension last season). The pitching staff gets a huge boost as a healthy Jake Peavy will be taking the hill. The ChiSox also bring in an apparently healthy J.J. Putz to help get to closer Bobby Jenks. They bring in an interesting idea in Daniel Cabrera (eventually someone will get him to fulfill his potential, right?) and the consummate professional in Omar Vizquel.

More moves: I don't see anything necessary, but Kenny Williams is always on the lookout.

2010 Thoughts: The White Sox are looking good for the upcoming season. As always, there are X-factors. For the ChiSox, they can be found in the outfield. Carlos Quentin returns from injury. He showed a little something at the end of last season after returning, but he was playing at an elite level before the injury. If Quentin can return to form, the Sox are a completely different team. The other X-factor, Alexis Rios. Rios lost his stride last season in Toronto and was dumped to the White Sox for nothing. If Rios can find his swing, that will go a long way toward a division championship. Elsewhere in the line-up, Gordan Beckham is getting his chance to shine, Pierre his chance to start again, Paul Konerko his chance to defy age, and Andruw Jones his chance to return to his old ways. The line-up has the ability to be anywhere from good to near unstoppable, depending on if the players can take advantage of these chances. The pitching rotation looks solid with the addition of Jake Peavy. He takes over the Ace role, sliding Mark Buehrle to a very good #2, and then Gavin Floyd, Freddy Garcia and John Danks to fill the other 3. If Danks can pitch like its 2008, this rotation will do a lot of damage. It then hands off work to a formidable bullpen. APT is expecting a bounce-back year form J.J. Putz. Together with last season's acquisition of Tony Pena, the ChiSox shouldn't have much of an issue getting to Bobby Jenks. Scott Linnebrink is there too to help out. They have a legit lefty in Mark Thornton and Randy Williams as a second lefty with the ability to go long. The bullpen is one of the better reviewed thus far.

Prediction: Ozzie Guillen's squadron will take this year's AL Central crown.

-APT