Monday, April 21, 2014

The Gap That's Keeping The White Sox From Contending


Chicago, IL- It may just be four weeks into the season, but the White Sox are in the AL Central division race. Currently the Sox sit at 9-10 two games out of first place. Every team in the division has nine wins besides the Cleveland Indians. The White Sox look on pace to actually defy analyst's predictions, as many analysts have them under .500 to finish the season. Even though the White Sox are under .500 at the moment, it doesn't look like it's going to stay that way.

A key part of the White Sox competing has been their offense. According to MLB.com, the White Sox are tied in baseball with the Rockies for runs scored. Both teams have scored 106 runs. Without a doubt, the Rockies are a very good offensive team. However, the White Sox offense has shined this year too. According to MLB.com, Adam Eaton is fourth in the American League in OBP with .373. He has been thriving for the White Sox as their new lead-off man. Alexei Ramirez has been ranked second in baseball for offensive shortstops. He currently has a line of .360/.400/.587/.987 with 4 HR and 14 RBI. The numbers might not stay that hot, but it's a surprise to see Alexei hitting this well early in the season. He has a career AVG of .250 in the month of March and April according to FanGraphs. Dayan Viciedo has also had a hot bat in the beginning of the season. According to FanGraphs, Viciedo is career .249 hitter in March and April, but so far he has hit .321. Is Viciedo poised for a breakout year? Is he finally going to be the player the White Sox thought they signed in 2008 out of Cuba? Only time will tell, but so far he has been good. Adam Dunn has been doing well with a line of  .269/.418/.481/.899 with 3 HR and 8 RBI according to FanGraphs. According to MLB.com, Jose Abreu, the big off-season signing for the White Sox, has a disappointing slash line of  .243/337/.541/.878, but has shown the pop with 5 HR and 17 RBI. Connor Gillaspie has also been playing well with a line of .305/353/.407/.760 with 12 RBI. One player who has been hitting well, but is known to be an early fluke is Tyler Flowers. So far, Tyler has a line of .389/.421/.463/.884 with 1 HR and 6 RBI. All in All, the White Sox offense has been the highlight of their play so far.

On the other hand, The White Sox pitching has been the problem for the team. The pitching ranks dead last in the American League with a 5.18 ERA according to MLB.com. If the pitching was better the White Sox would look like a true contender, but that's not the truth. The White Sox pitching also is dead last in WHIP with 1.53 according to MLB.com. However, Chris Sale has not been a problem, as he has numbers right now of 3-0, 2.30 ERA, .168 AVG, .84 WHIP, and 29 K in 27.1 IP according to MLB.com. Besides Sale, the White Sox starting pitching has an ERA of 5.29 with a FIP of 5.05 according to FanGraphs. That is not good because this team can't just depend on Sale to carry them to the postseason. The bullpen has also been terrible with many veterans not getting the job done. According to Spencer Impellizzeri of Rant Sports, Matt Lindstrom is only 1-for-4 in save opportunities.Also according to Spencer Impellizzeri of Rant Sports, two veteran free agent signings Ronald Belisario and Scott Downs both have  ERAs north of 8.00. Nate Jones hasn't been good either, but he is heading to the DL. To sum up, the White Sox pitching needs to improve if they are going to contend, or some trades will have to occur. 

The White Sox fielding has not been bad as it is ranked ninth in the American League with a .981 FPCT.

So far, the White Sox have been an average team all around. The hitting has been getting the job done, but the pitching can't live up to that success. Some moves might have to be made to improve the pitching, but it can't be done from the minors. The White Sox are trying to help find Tommy Hanson get his groove back, but he is not a plan a situation to improve the rotation. The team might need to move Adam Dunn or hope that Felipe Paulino improves when he comes back so they can acquire the arms that they need. However, moving Dunn would hurt the White Sox offense unless they sign Kendrys Morales after the First-Year Player Draft. Time is not running out for the White Sox just yet, but if they want to close the gap blocking them from contention they have to make a move soon.

-Daniel

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