White Sox Lose the Mighty Quentin, But Still Have The Talent To Win

The White Sox playoff hopes were dealt a severe blow today as the team learned that Carlos Quentin will undergo surgery and most likely miss the rest of the season. 

Quentin was the feel good story of the year for the Sox after coming out of nowhere to make a strong push for the AL MVP.  The White Sox will surely miss their All-Star left fielder but they won’t quit on this season. 

Obviously they are worse off then they were with Quentin, but this White Sox lineup is built to sustain a blow like this.  Back in spring training Kenny Williams praised the depth that this Sox team had.

That depth has been tested this season when Alexei Ramirez stepped in for an injured Juan Uribe.  Ramirez hasn’t looked back since.  When Joe Crede’s back problems flared up it was Uribe’s turn to step up and step up he did.  He played a great third base and came through with some clutch hits.

Now the White Sox depth will be tested again.  Thank God Kenny Williams went out and got Griffey at the trade deadline.  The future hall of famer will slide over to left field and Swisher will be back out in center.  The suddenly hot team captain Paul Konerko will be back at first everyday. 

The White Sox have the bats to overcome this loss.  Griffey, Konerko, Thome, Swisher, and Dye have all been in close races and have all been to the playoffs.  It’s time for the Sox sluggers to step up and carry the load that they have neglected for much of the year, and they can do it. 

If Konerko and Dye stay hot they can carry this team all the way to the end of October.  Nick Swisher has shown signs of snapping out of his latest funk and Jim Thome is always dangerous.  Mix in the always steady Ramirez, Cabrera, and Peirzynski and the White Sox still possess the most potent lineup in the American League. 

Sometimes a big injury like this can fire up a team.  Quentin was a popular guy on the team and his teammates would like nothing more than to step up and pick off where he left of.  Remember this team was built to win without CQ, and now they will have to prove that they can do it. 

Jerry Owens is the ex-factor in all of this.  If Griffey’s back remains problematic the preseason centerfielder/leadoff man could find himself right back in the spotlight.  Owens is a great competitor and has a huge chip on his shoulder.  When Ozzie calls his number he will be ready.

With Owens at the leadoff spot the entire dynamic of the team changes.  Cabrera would move back to his familiar two spot and AJ could drop back in the order to help make up for the loss of Quentin.

Suddenly the slow White Sox will have some team speed with the possibility that Owens, Cabrera, and Ramirez can all steal a base. 

Since 2004 when Ozzie lost both Frank Thomas and Magglio Ordonez in the midst of a pennant race he has been lucky.  In 2005 and 2006 his lineup stayed intact down the stretch.  With 20 so odd games left the White Sox have the talent and the fire to get back to October.  But only if their veteran sluggers step up and earn their paychecks.