10. Scott Linebrink - White Sox RP (Acquired via Free Agency)
The bullpen was a huge reason why the White Sox stumbled to a 72-90 record last season. Inconsistent to say the least, the bullpen was always good for giving up the big hit at the wrong time and couldn't hold a lead for closer Bobby Jenks. Sox GM Kenny Williams signed Linebrink to a $19 million, four-year contract in hopes of shoring up the bullpen with a veteran presence that will hold a lead until Ozzie can throw in Jenks. Much of the Sox overall success will depend on the arm and consistency of Linebrink.
9. Kevin Hart - Cubs RP
The former Baltimore Oriole (the player to be named later in the Freddy Bynum trade) and Cubs minor league pitcher of the year, was nothing but impressive in his short stint with the Cubs last season. Besides being my buddy's cousin (what's up Travis), Hart was dominating in the Cubs postseason run a year ago, striking out 13 and only walking 4 in 11.0 innings of work. His wicked slider is perfect for the pen and if last year proves anything, Pinella trusts the kid enough to use him in key spots to take some of the pressure off of Marmol.
The bullpen was a huge reason why the White Sox stumbled to a 72-90 record last season. Inconsistent to say the least, the bullpen was always good for giving up the big hit at the wrong time and couldn't hold a lead for closer Bobby Jenks. Sox GM Kenny Williams signed Linebrink to a $19 million, four-year contract in hopes of shoring up the bullpen with a veteran presence that will hold a lead until Ozzie can throw in Jenks. Much of the Sox overall success will depend on the arm and consistency of Linebrink.9. Kevin Hart - Cubs RP
The former Baltimore Oriole (the player to be named later in the Freddy Bynum trade) and Cubs minor league pitcher of the year, was nothing but impressive in his short stint with the Cubs last season. Besides being my buddy's cousin (what's up Travis), Hart was dominating in the Cubs postseason run a year ago, striking out 13 and only walking 4 in 11.0 innings of work. His wicked slider is perfect for the pen and if last year proves anything, Pinella trusts the kid enough to use him in key spots to take some of the pressure off of Marmol.
8. Josh Fields/Joe Crede - White Sox 3B
Alright, so I know putting both Crede and Fields in one slot seems like cheating. But the truth of the matter is their futures will be linked until Kenny finds a way to separate the future from the gloried past. During the offseason, Williams declared one of them will be gone and all bets are on Crede being the one dealt before Opening Day. Sox fans owe a lot to Crede and it will be a sad day when he is shipped out of town. But the players the Sox will receive in any deal is sure to help make the transition much easier to deal with.
7. Kerry Wood - Cubs P
"We got Wood!"
The one time Rookie of the Year is most likely headed to the closer role this year. Wood will take over the role not because he is the most dominating pitcher in the pen (see Carlos Marmol), but because he's a 'Chicago guy'. There would be nothing more exciting for the fans of Wrigley to see Mr. Wood slowly saunter to the hill, pick up the old pill and strike out the side to save the day. Simply put, Wood and closer go together like Anna Benson and Playboy!
6. Geovany Soto - Cubs C
Like Hart, Soto came up from the minors to impress the Cubs faithful by hitting .389 and becoming the power and RBI machine at the bottom half of the lineup the Cubs so desperately needed. Soto will also give the Cubs some legitimacy behind the plate. It will be nice to have a chance to throw a base runner or two out for a change. Look for Soto to keeps the Cubs offense moving from Ramirez to Soriano during the season.
5. Jose Contreras - White Sox P
The biggest reason the Sox were champs in '05 was the stellar starting pitching they received from guys like Contreras. The Cuban righty had a tough go last season and the Sox desperately need him to put up solid numbers this year in order to have a chance in the powerhouse that is the AL Central. He posted a 10-17 record and 5.17 ERA last year while giving up a career-high 117 earned runs. In order for this team to contend, Contreras will certainly have to do better than that.
4. Jon Lieber - Cubs P (via free agency)
The only question mark in the Cubs rotation for next season, Lieber has been a consistent pitcher throughout his career (4.28 career ERA). However, his inability to stay healthy has been the only chink in his armor. Lieber keep his walks down and has proven to possess the ability to win at Wrigley despite being known as a fly ball pitcher. If healthy, look for Lieber to give the Cubs a solid season with an ERA around 4.40 and 13 wins. If not, Ryan Dempster will take over. Please stay healthy Lieber, PLEASE!
3. Orlando Cabrera - White Sox SS (via Jon Garland trade)
Sox GM Kenny Williams traded away the team's most consistent starting pitcher in Jon Garland for Cabrera. He wasn't the big name player fans were expecting to receive for Garland, but Cabrera should provide the team with solid glove work and a consistent threat at the plate. He can swipe a bag or two (20 in '07) and has a career on base percentage of .321. Just like it did in '05, the Sox offense will depend heavily on Cabrera in '08 to get on base consistently enough for the mashers in the middle in the lineup to drive in.
2. Nick Swisher - White Sox OF (via trade with the A's)
No, he's not quite the player Sox fans expected to be roaming the outfield like free-agent Torri Hunter would have been. But Swisher is no slouch and will be pivotal in the team's chances this year. He provides a clubhouse presence in the same mold Aaron Rowand did in '05 and is considered somewhat of a free spirit. Personalities aside, Swisher is a dependable outfielder that has some power at the plate. He knocked 22 out of the park a year ago, hit .251 and had 78 RBI. While he does have a propensity to strike out way too often (131 last year), Swisher is going to have to meet the lofty expectations of Sox faithful and hold down either left or center field for a team lacking any credible outfielders outside of Jermaine Dye.
1. Kosuke Fukodome - Cubs OF (via free agency)
The Cubs major off-season signing, Fukodome is the latest attempt to replace the void Sammy Sosa left when he was shipped off to Baltimore. With an unusual sense of optimism that I have never felt before, I am looking forward to seeing what the Japanese player is made of. I took a look at four fellow Japanese players (Hideki Matsui, Kenji Johjima, Akinori Iwamura and Ichiro Suzuki) who made the leap from Japan to the states. By comparing their last full season in Japan to their first season in MLB, I feel as though I have gotten a pretty good feel of what kind of Major Leaguer Fukodome will be in his rookie season. Because of better pitching and larger ballparks, the trend is unmistakable. There is a 30 to 40 percent cut in home runs and RBI, while on-base-percentage suffers a massive drop somewhere in the neighborhood of 60 to 80 percent drop in points. The drop in OBP frightens me the most because his eye at the plate was one of the major selling points to the Cubs in signing him. But all in all, Fukodome is looking at having a good season with a .290 to .300 batting average, 18 HR, 80 RBI and a .370 OBP. Furthermore, he will be a solid defender and play fundamental baseball. A rare quality among Cubs RF of the past.
7. Kerry Wood - Cubs P
"We got Wood!"The one time Rookie of the Year is most likely headed to the closer role this year. Wood will take over the role not because he is the most dominating pitcher in the pen (see Carlos Marmol), but because he's a 'Chicago guy'. There would be nothing more exciting for the fans of Wrigley to see Mr. Wood slowly saunter to the hill, pick up the old pill and strike out the side to save the day. Simply put, Wood and closer go together like Anna Benson and Playboy!
6. Geovany Soto - Cubs C
Like Hart, Soto came up from the minors to impress the Cubs faithful by hitting .389 and becoming the power and RBI machine at the bottom half of the lineup the Cubs so desperately needed. Soto will also give the Cubs some legitimacy behind the plate. It will be nice to have a chance to throw a base runner or two out for a change. Look for Soto to keeps the Cubs offense moving from Ramirez to Soriano during the season.5. Jose Contreras - White Sox P
The biggest reason the Sox were champs in '05 was the stellar starting pitching they received from guys like Contreras. The Cuban righty had a tough go last season and the Sox desperately need him to put up solid numbers this year in order to have a chance in the powerhouse that is the AL Central. He posted a 10-17 record and 5.17 ERA last year while giving up a career-high 117 earned runs. In order for this team to contend, Contreras will certainly have to do better than that.4. Jon Lieber - Cubs P (via free agency)
The only question mark in the Cubs rotation for next season, Lieber has been a consistent pitcher throughout his career (4.28 career ERA). However, his inability to stay healthy has been the only chink in his armor. Lieber keep his walks down and has proven to possess the ability to win at Wrigley despite being known as a fly ball pitcher. If healthy, look for Lieber to give the Cubs a solid season with an ERA around 4.40 and 13 wins. If not, Ryan Dempster will take over. Please stay healthy Lieber, PLEASE!3. Orlando Cabrera - White Sox SS (via Jon Garland trade)
Sox GM Kenny Williams traded away the team's most consistent starting pitcher in Jon Garland for Cabrera. He wasn't the big name player fans were expecting to receive for Garland, but Cabrera should provide the team with solid glove work and a consistent threat at the plate. He can swipe a bag or two (20 in '07) and has a career on base percentage of .321. Just like it did in '05, the Sox offense will depend heavily on Cabrera in '08 to get on base consistently enough for the mashers in the middle in the lineup to drive in.2. Nick Swisher - White Sox OF (via trade with the A's)
No, he's not quite the player Sox fans expected to be roaming the outfield like free-agent Torri Hunter would have been. But Swisher is no slouch and will be pivotal in the team's chances this year. He provides a clubhouse presence in the same mold Aaron Rowand did in '05 and is considered somewhat of a free spirit. Personalities aside, Swisher is a dependable outfielder that has some power at the plate. He knocked 22 out of the park a year ago, hit .251 and had 78 RBI. While he does have a propensity to strike out way too often (131 last year), Swisher is going to have to meet the lofty expectations of Sox faithful and hold down either left or center field for a team lacking any credible outfielders outside of Jermaine Dye.
1. Kosuke Fukodome - Cubs OF (via free agency)
The Cubs major off-season signing, Fukodome is the latest attempt to replace the void Sammy Sosa left when he was shipped off to Baltimore. With an unusual sense of optimism that I have never felt before, I am looking forward to seeing what the Japanese player is made of. I took a look at four fellow Japanese players (Hideki Matsui, Kenji Johjima, Akinori Iwamura and Ichiro Suzuki) who made the leap from Japan to the states. By comparing their last full season in Japan to their first season in MLB, I feel as though I have gotten a pretty good feel of what kind of Major Leaguer Fukodome will be in his rookie season. Because of better pitching and larger ballparks, the trend is unmistakable. There is a 30 to 40 percent cut in home runs and RBI, while on-base-percentage suffers a massive drop somewhere in the neighborhood of 60 to 80 percent drop in points. The drop in OBP frightens me the most because his eye at the plate was one of the major selling points to the Cubs in signing him. But all in all, Fukodome is looking at having a good season with a .290 to .300 batting average, 18 HR, 80 RBI and a .370 OBP. Furthermore, he will be a solid defender and play fundamental baseball. A rare quality among Cubs RF of the past.
Honorable Mention
Sox: John Danks, Carlos Quentin, Octavio Dotel, Danny Richar and Alexei Ramirez
Cubs: Felix Pie, Carlos Marmol and Eric Patterson.
BY: Matthew Olsen (Sox) and Zach Martin (Cubs)
Sox: John Danks, Carlos Quentin, Octavio Dotel, Danny Richar and Alexei Ramirez
Cubs: Felix Pie, Carlos Marmol and Eric Patterson.
BY: Matthew Olsen (Sox) and Zach Martin (Cubs)
6 comments:
Honorable Mention-Carlos Marmol and Eric Petterson? What in the good name of Harry Caray do you speak of? Marmol WILL have an ERA of .046 and be the power in the pen, again. But Patterson? He's just like his big brother-lazy and dismissable. Look for him to not make it to the show until Soriano gets hurt, again. And even then, DeRossa can play anywhere on the field, he'll have a shot at OF before that drub is called up again. And Fukudome? Why keep an eye on him? Because he played good ball across the pond? Or keep an eye on him because he had elbow surgery in the off season and we need to see if he can even throw?
We know what marmol is capable of, why put him on this list when i don't think his role is going to change... and patterson has been the most consistent hitter in the minors for the cubs playing three diff pos. And Fuk because the Cubs are putting hopes in him to play RF and bat 5th on this guy and yes with the surgery it is a question mark but still the number one new comer to the windy city.
ps patterson will get a chance at CF when pie sucks and then the cubs will trade for one... that is all.
The Sox are betting the house on a guy who they had to shut down in the middle of the second half last season so he wouldn't lose 20 games. I have no idea why I'm optimistic this season...
Nice job both of you guys. Rick, I completely agree with you about Jose, thats why he's on their list... Zach spot me 11 games and ill put some mad money ($2-$5) on the Sox having more wins than the Cubs.
Alright O! I think we spent too much on Linebrink, but if he does help get us to the big man with a lead more often than not, look out AL Central. The Sox should be solid, I like Fields, Quentin, and Richar playin a lot and helpin the team. GO SOX!!
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