All Hands On Deck: The Most Important Players On The 2011 White Sox
The Chicago White Sox have adopted the motto "We're All In" for the 2011 season. As the payroll sits at the highest in team history, any result less than a World Series championship is considered a failure. In order for the goal to be achieved, every player from the temporary fifth starter to newcomer Adam Dunn must have a successful campaign. Here are the top fifteen players who will have the most impact for the 2011 Chicago White Sox.
15: Will Ohman
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The newly signed lefty is coming off his second best season in his eleven year career. The Sox lacked a quality second lefty out of the pen until the emergence of Chris Sale. Ohman's importance will be shown when he is called to face opponents' powerful lefties. With the Sox facing the likes of Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, and Jim Thome eighteen games a year, Ohman will sure be called upon in many key situations.
14: Alexei Ramirez
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One prediction that White Sox broadcaster Hawk Harrelson got right was the one he made that Alexi Ramirez would develop into an elite shortstop with his bat and his glove. Winning a Silver Slugger Award displayed Ramirez's production at the plate. In the field Ramirez made "Jeter-type" plays on a daily basis. By signing him to a four year contract extension the White Sox made Alexi their shortstop of the present and future. His improved defense cannot be a fluke if the Sox want to play October baseball.
13: Edwin Jackson
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When the White Sox's lone acquisition of last year's trade deadline was Edwin Jackson, fan's trust in general manager Kenny Williams was put to the test. Once again Williams came out looking like a genius especially now that he was able to get Adam Dunn without trading the entire farm system. Jackson will start the season in the number four spot of the rotation and move to the fifth spot once Jake Peavy returns. The Sox hope the dominance he showed in the second half last season can display, once again, the depth of the pitching staff.
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12: Brent Morel
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Labeled as the next Joe Crede, Morel will play a large role early on in his career. Morel showed glimpses of his power and defensive ability after his September call up. Slotted as the number nine hitter in a dangerous order, Morel must be able to get on base at all cost in order for the team to manufacture runs. As Sox fans know from 2005 (Uribe and Crede), the bottom of the order can pay major dividends during a postseason run.
11: Alex Rios
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A contender for comeback player of the year, Rios put to rest all the upheaval over his terrible 2009 campaign with the White Sox. His production took a decrease during the second half but his twenty one home runs provided the upper part of the lineup with some power. By moving down in the order for 2011, Rios will be called upon to drive in Dunn and Konerko when they get pitched around.
10: Juan Pierre
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The lone speedster in the Sox lineup, Pierre is a catalyst for the offense. His ability to go first to third reminds Sox fans of Scott Podsednik. This coming year Pierre will have to improve defensively and will be called upon to steal even more bases than the sixty eight he had last year.
9: Gordon Beckham
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The sophomore slump bug bit Beckham last season. His batting average dipped below the Mendoza line countless times in the first half. However he did bounce back the second half of the season. In 2011 Beckham will need to be consistent in the field and at the plate. No matter where he is placed in the order the ability to get on base, that he showed in his rookie season, is key for Konerko and Dunn to reach triple digit RBIs.
8: John Danks
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Throughout a roller coaster season for the White Sox one consistent performer was Danks. Since his dreadful rookie season in 2006, Danks has formed into a premiere starter. Whenever Mark Buehrle decides to retire, Danks will become the team's ace. Until then Danks will be placed in the third spot of the rotation where he will look to have his fourth consecutive ten plus win season.
7: Matt Thornton
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Going into the 2011 season the one major question mark for the White Sox is their bullpen. No matter who is assigned to the closer role, Matt Thornton will get the ball in the late innings. Coming off an All Star season, Thornton can either be the team's closer or set up man. In either role Thornton will need to continue to keep hitters off balance with his sequence of fastball and off speed pitches. Another 2005 reference can be made when talking about Thornton. In 05 the back end of the bullpen was a mess with Shingo Takatsu, Dustin Hermanson, and Bobby Jenks all getting an opportunity to close. Still, lefty Neal Cotts was a force the entire season. Thornton will be put in that situation with the closer role still up in the air entering Spring Training.
6: Carlos Quentin
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In 2008 the emergence of Carlos Quentin was one of the talks of baseball. Unfortunately so was the fact that his season was cut short by a self inflicted injury. Ever since that season Quentin has not been the same offensively or in the field. With the addition of Dunn the load Quentin will have to carry will be much lighter but he still must perform at a higher level. For the Sox to play late into October, Quentin must hit over .250, a feat he has not achieved since that illustrious 2008 campaign.
5: Paul Konerko
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As captain of the team, Konerko has for the most part, been a force year in and year out. The one issue that has plagued his career is the season after a contract extension. His home run and RBI production slipped after signing an extension during the 2006 season. With the signing of Dunn, Konerko once again has someone who will carry the team with him. He also will get much needed rest at times when Dunn fills in at first base. As seen the past ten years, the offense usually runs parallel to the success of Konerko.
4: Gavin Floyd
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One of the major disappointments of 2010 for the White Sox was Gavin Floyd. Projected as having anywhere from twelve to fifteen wins, Floyd finished with ten. At times Floyd looked like a minor leaguer trying to find a place in the league. Other times he looked like an All Star with movement on his fastball that no one could figure out. For the Sox to capture another championship, Floyd must perform at dominant level every start.
3: Jake Peavy
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One of the most painful sights to watch for White Sox fans last season was when Jake Peavy ran off the mound after injuring his latissimus dorsi muscle. After starting to find his stuff late in the first half of the season, Peavy's injury was a major setback. Peavy is an upgrade over whoever is slated in the number five role of the rotation. If he is able to pitch well, Chris Sale can move to the closer role, which in part would upgrade the Sox bullpen. If Peavy is able to return healthy, and perform to his Cy Young form, the Sox rotation could be labeled the American League version of the Philadelphia Phillies.
2: Chris Sale
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The story of Chris Sale was one worthy of a movie. His emergence onto the major league scene, not even two months after being drafted, was something nobody expected. This offseason has been filled with rumors of which role Sale will have next season. If it is a starting role or the closer role, Sale will be a major part of the team. The reason his success is so important is because experts believe the cards are stacked against him. Every comment from how his wacky motion will lead to injuries to him falling into a sophomore slump have been mentioned. Sox fans just have to look to another second year performance by a former young flame throwing closer, Bobby Jenks, and take a deep breath.
1: Adam Dunn
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With all the money the White Sox invested in Dunn, he is the most important player for the 2011 White Sox. When the Sox signed Dunn, the team addressed about fifty different needs. More realistically they filled their needs for a: power hitting lefty, a player that could give Konerko a rest at first, a run producer, the list goes on. As seen countless times last season the Sox needed a left handed hitter that could put them over the top. Now that they have one, and with the money they dished out to get him, this clearly shows that they are all in for the upcoming season.
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