Manager: Ozzie Guillen
Arrivals: SS Orlando Cabrera, RP Octavio Dotel, RP Scott Linebrink, OF Carlos Quentin, IF/OF Alexei Ramirez, OF Nick Swisher
Departures: RP David Aardsma, IF Alex Cintron, OF Darin Erstad, SP Jon Garland, IF/OF Andy Gonzalez, OF Scott Podsednik, OF Ryan Sweeney, OF Luis Terrero
Offseason grade: C+
An explanation: Back in November, I wrote this article about how to fix the White Sox in the offseason. Let's see how they fared against what I said they need to do, now that we're just a few days away from Opening Day:
1. Trade Jon Garland or Jose Contreras, and resolve the Joe Crede/Josh Fields dilemma.
Did it happen? Part one, yes. Part two, no. Garland was traded to the Angels for Orlando Cabrera in a very savvy move, but Crede is still with the club while Fields has been shipped off to AAA Charlotte.
The Garland deal not only saved the Sox $3 million (nearly enough to pay all of Alexei Ramirez' contract), but Garland is a Type B free agent while Cabrera is a Type A. Therefore, if the Sox lose Cabrera, they'll get a higher supplemental draft pick next year than if they had lost Garland to free agency. So, while the move depleted the starting rotation, it still was the right call.
2. Make a big splash, either through a trade or free agency.
Did it happen? Yes, when the Sox traded away Gio Gonzalez, Fautino de los Santos, and Ryan Sweeney for Nick Swisher. When I wrote that they should make a big splash, I really was hoping it'd be through free agency (like signing Torii Hunter) so the Sox wouldn't have to part ways with a player like Gonzalez. Unfortunately, due to the Swisher trade, the Sox now are left with only one good pitching prospect–Aaron Poreda–in their farm system.
3. Get a leadoff hitter.
Did it happen? Short answer, no, long answer, yes. The Sox didn't acquire Swisher with the intention that he'd lead off, but he may end up doing that for a good portion of this season if Jerry Owens can't stay healthy. Ramirez also is a future leadoff hitter, but he probably won't see much time there unless Owens struggles and Swisher's bat is needed in the middle of the lineup.
4. Fix the bullpen.
Did it happen? They certainly did their best to fix the bullpen in getting Scott Linebrink and Octavio Dotel. I can't complain about either of those signings.
5. Remember that last season was an anomaly.
Did it happen? Seems like it. Nobody really expects the Sox hitters to do as poorly as they did last year.
The C+ grade was because the Sox didn't acquire that true leadoff hitter, traded away their two best pitching prospects, and didn't resolve the Crede situation.
Starting rotation
Mark Buehrle and Javier Vazquez will lead this rotation and are a very underrated 1-2 punch.
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