Chicago White Sox better in 2005 or better in 2008?

Over the past three seasons, the Sox have experienced a 90 win season, numerous all stars, joy, heartbreak, and one of the worst years in recent memory. What has changed from the 2005 team that dominated the post season to the 2008 team who has now increased their lead to 6.5 games.

First base 2005- Paul Konerko

First base 2008- Paul Konerko

Not much has changed at first for the Sox in the past few seasons. The quiet team leader has been racking up good numbers while being overshadowed by the north side first baseman in Derrek Lee. Despite a slow start in 2007, and 2008 Konerko has been putting up good numbers and should continue in 08.

Who had the better player- 2005, a younger Paulie is a better Paulie

Second base 2005- Tadahito Iguchi

Second base 2008- Alexi Ramirez

After GM Kenny Williams sent off Tadahito for practically nothing, Sox fans had to watch young talent struggle with Danny Richar and Pablo Ozuna at second base. Iguchi did not put up the big numbers that he did in Japan but was very solid none the less. A solid glove and a great guy to bunt or get the guy over or drive in was missed in 2007. Iguchi, who is currently on the Padres, was a big quiet reason the Sox struggled the way they did in 2007. Kenny Williams could have brought in the second best mystery man of the year in Alexi Ramirez. Nicknamed the "Cuban Missile" Ramirez has been just that. Making game saving plays (Royals 6/6/2008) and now with his bat heating up, the loss of Iguchi has vanished in Sox fans minds. Ramirez, has slowly taken over the starter job from Juan Uribe who has struggled at the plate in 08. Ramirez should continue to start and heat up his bat and steals.

Who had the better player- 2005, Iguchi was solid all year round, Ramirez needs to continue to prove he belongs after a rough first month.

Shortstop 2005- Juan Uribe

Shortstop 2008- Orlando Cabrera

"Ground ball over the head of Jenks, Uribe throws...out! and the White Sox have won the World Series." That phrase will solidify Juan Uribes name in Sox fans minds forever. Uribe, who has been arguably won of the best DEFENSIVE short stops in baseball, has been overshadowed by his poor hitting. Uribe has never been a great hitter even in hitter friendly parks such as Coors Field and US Cellular Field. In 2008, Kenny Williams made a controversial trade sending solid starter Jon Garland to the Los Angeles Angels for shortstop Orlando Cabrera. Although Cabrera has struggled with the bat in 2008, with the weather heating up, his average and production should go up too. Cabrera has won everywhere he has played (Boston, LA) or has played well (Montreal) to be considered a top shortstop in the game.

Who has the better player- 2008, Cabrera is overall a better shortstop who can field and hit, something the south side has been lacking since Ozzie Guillen graced the position.

Third base 2005-Joe Crede/Pablo Ozuna

Third base 2008- Joe Crede/ Pablo Ozuna

Joe Crede also known as "Joe Clutch" on the south side has been a key figure to their success. Back in 2005, Crede thrilled us with his clutch ninth inning hitting and his spectacular diving plays at the hot corner. Crede, never made an all star team or a gold glove, has been one of the most if not the most unappreciated players in the game today. With a back problem that forced him out of the 2007 season, Crede started slow in 2008 but has come on strong lately. Pablo Ozuna has been a super sub especially in 2007 when Crede went down. Ozuna can play third,second, short and any outfield position and is a key player for any team to give their starter a day off or too. Ozuna has barley played in 2008 due to the hot streaks the starters have been on lately. Although the future is hazy for Crede who can become a free agent after this year and whos agent (Scott Boras) doesn't like dealing with the White Sox and vice versa, he was still a key part to the World Series run.

Who has the better player- 2005 Crede/ Ozuna were great year round. With the usual slumps players go through, they were solid and steady all year round. Crede is starting to hit better than he did in 2005 but, that's just of late.

Left field 2005- Scott Podsednik

Left field 2008- Carlos Quentin

Scotty Pods was a great lead-off hitter in 2005. He was among the leagues best in stolen bases and although the stats didn't always show it, batting average. Pods was the man who started the 2005 offense. He stole bases left and right which made it easier for guys like Iguchi and Konerko to drive him in. Despite being a force on the base paths, Pods also delivered in the field and for his efforts made the 2005 all star game. Sox fans will most remember Pods for his game 2 walk off home run in the World Series. The most surprising part of this team and all of Major League Baseball has been Sox left fielder Carlos Quentin. Kenny Williams looked like a mastermind on this one sending a AA player to the D-backs for Quentin. Although Quentin has cooled off of late, he was the man that carried the team for the months of April and May. Quentin leaded the league in homers,and RBIs for some time and for those months, seemed to be the only white Sox hitting anything.

Who has the better player- 2005 Podsednik mainly because of his ability to get on base and create havoc. Its too early to tell how good Quentin could be but you cant replace Scott Podsednik by just having 2 1/2 good months.

Center field 2005- Aaron Rowand

Center field 2008- Nick Swisher

Heartbreak was the feeling in the off-season of 2005-2006 when Sox fans found out that fan favorite Aaron Rowand had been traded to the Phillies for future hall of famer Jim Thome. Rowand, arguably the greatest defensive center fielder since Ken Griffey Jr. or  Jim Edmonds was the heart and soul of the 2005 team. He did not have the greatest average or hit the most homers but he was consistent. It hurt fans and Rowand, who was drafted and raised by the Sox to let him go but no one will forget Rowand and his spectacular glove. Nick Swisher and Aaron Rowand are very similar. Both are fan favorites, both are known for the defense/hustle instead of their offense and both play center field. Swisher, who started hot, has become terribly cold. The thoughts of fans wishing they got Rowand back in the off season was apparent half way through May when Swisher started struggling. Swisher has recently picked up his game and started hitting the ball again. Hopefully, Swisher can continue his hot hitting and put the comparisons to rest.

Who has the better player-2005 Rowand because the man was a leader of the outfield who played great defense for many of years. Swisher, who can be just as good and even better, can't erase that in only 2 1/2 months.

Right field 2005- Jermaine Dye

Right field 2008- Jermaine Dye

Dye has been a surprise since Kenny Williams picked him up as a free agent. Dye has always stayed healthy with his stay on the south side and his numbers have always been among the teams best. In 2005, Dye was the back up punch the Sox needed behind Konerko and especially with Frank Thomas on the DL. Dye ended up with great numbers and was the World Series MVP in 2005. The 2008 Dye has shown the same production as three years before. Dye has been an offensive force in the lineup behind Jim Thome and Paul Konerko making that 3,4,5 punch one of the best in baseball. Dye who is getting up there in age, proves that its just a number.

Who has the better player-2008 Dye mainly because of his consistency. Dye, who's homers have fallen since 2005 has kept his batting average around 300 (despite 2007) and has been a force in the game. Both Dyes are good but if you want a guy who will probably hit around 290 with 30 homers, than 2008 Dye is your pick.

Catcher 2005- AJ Pierzynski

Catcher 2008- AJ Pierzynski

Some argue that without Pierzynski calling the games he did and being the teams firery leader, that the Sox wouldn't have won the World Series or even make the playoffs. Pierzynski who was a controversy everywhere he went proved all the people wrong in San Francisco in 2004. When people said he wouldn't work with the pitchers, he proved them wrong making the Sox starting staff one of the best in baseball. Although not known for his bat, Pierzynski struggled at the plate in 2005 by only hitting .257. His leadership and defense made up for it during the stretch run and the postseason. In 2008, Pierzynski came off his hottest start yet by currently hitting .298 and continuing to call great games to an up and coming staff. Pierzynski has to be thanked for the growth of Gavin Floyd, John Danks, and Bobby Jenks over the recent years. The veteran knows how to handle pitchers and is one of the best in the league.

Who has the better player-2008 Pierzynski because of his hot .298 average. Pierzynski groomed pitchers in 05 with Buehrle,Garcia,Garland, and Contrearas who for the most part were veterans. In 2008 Pierzynski is working with young guys in Floyd and Danks and has made them winners, alongside pitching coach Don Cooper.

Starting pitching 2005- Buehrle, Garcia, Garland, Contreras, El Duque

Starting pitching 2008- Buehrle, Vazquez, Floyd, Contreras, Danks

The 2005 pitching staff in the post season was one of the best by a staff in history. The starting pitching only lost one game, ALCS Game 1, but dominated the rest. Contreras, Garcia, Garland all threw complete games and Buehrle was masterful and crafty as always, even coming out of the bullpen in Game 3 of the World Series. El Duque will best be known for getting out of a jam in Game 3 of the ALDS in Fenway Park, bases loaded, no one out. The 2008 staff has carried the team through its poor hitting months in April and May. Gavin Floyd and John Danks have emerged to be the future of the staff. Chicago also were used to 2 up and coming guys on the north side by the name of Prior and Wood, hopefully for the Sox, Floyd and Danks future are brighter. Buehrle has struggled out of the gate but Buehrle is Buehrle and should regain his form. Vazquez is up in the league leaders of K's and W's along with reborn pitcher Jose Contreras who has 6 wins.

Who has the better player-TIE its too hard to tell because they both have been so great. You can argue 2005 is better because the way they dominated the Red Sox, Angels, and Astros throughout the postseason and helped the team get over 90 wins before that. The 2008 team shows great promise because of the emergence of Floyd and Danks along with Contreras regaining his touch so far this year. Overall, any team should beg and plead to have such solid rotations as these.

Bullpen 2005-Neal Cotts, El Duque, Damaseo Marte, Dustin Hermanson, Cliff Politte and Luis Vizcaino

Bullpen 2008- Matt Thornton, Octavio Dotel, Nick Masset, Scott Linebrink, Boone Logan, Esteban Loaiza

The 2005 bullpen did a great job for then closer Dustin Hermanson. They had everything you needed with a clutch performer (El Duque) a lefty specialist (Neal Cotts) and a power arm (Luis Vizcaino). Although they werent that used in the 2005 postseason, they were important for them getting there cause people forget, with less than a week to play the Cleveland Indians were only 1.5 games back in the standings. The 2008 bullpen has been superb thus far. Kenny Williams has really re-amped this pen by bringing in veterans Linebrink and Dotel along with home grown guys in Masset and Logan. Linebrink is a great set up man, Dotel is a power reliever, and Masset is a long relief guy who has thrived in that role.

Who has the better player-2008 mainly because they are more powerfull. Although Cliff Politte was a good set up man, he is no Linebrink. Thornton is a better lefty specialist than Cotts, mainly because he can throw 100MPH gas and the 2005 team didn't even have a long relief guy, which is vital like Nick Masset.

Closer 2005- Bobby Jenks/Dustin Hermanson

Closer 2008- Bobby Jenks

Many people forget through the weight issues, the POD "Boom" song and the 102mph gas that Hermanson was a great closer in 2005. The man saved over 30 games in 2005 and his job was taken away from him. Mainly because of an injury and the emergence of a man who can throw a baseball 102 mph, Hermanson was replaced in the postseason. Jenks came on by throwing gas and his "hammer." Jenks was almost unhittable in the 9th and dominated anyone that came at him. In 2008, Jenks has continued to be just as consistent by getting over 30 saves the past 3 years. Although Jenks cant throw the heat like he used too, he's still one of the best closers in the game today.

Who has the better player-2005 Jenks because the guy threw 102 miles per hour. No one touched him at the stretch run or throughout the playoffs. Jenks velocity now sits around the 95mph and is still good but not as dominant as he used to be.

FINAL

2005 Players-7

2008 Players-5