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Chicago White Sox
By John Donovan, CNNSI.com The distraction that was David Wells is gone, the bat of the Big Hurt is back and the rest of the American League Central has moonwalked its way back to the Chicago White Sox. What's not to like about this team's chances in 2002? Granted, first baseman/designated hitter Frank Thomas -- who missed virtually all of last season after tearing an arm muscle in April -- may not be quite what he was in 2000. Back then, the Big One dealt out the Hurt (.328, 43 home runs, 143 RBIs) instead of getting it. Still, it'd be a mistake to underestimate Thomas' worth. The Sox stumbled in the first half of 2001 without him and were three games under .500 and 13 games behind the Minnesota Twins at the break. The Sox made a respectable second half of it, finishing 83-79, eight games behind the champion Cleveland Indians. Even without Thomas, the Sox were a solid hitting team in 2001 (.268, fifth in the league, second in homers with 216), anchored by guys like Magglio Ordonez (.305, 31, 113) and Paul Konerko (.282, 32, 99). With Thomas back and with a decent effort from newly acquired leadoff man Kenny Lofton, the Sox should win a few more games on improved run-scoring ability alone. They probably won't even miss Jose Canseco. The Sox won't have to worry about the bad mouth or the bad health of Wells (he's back with the Yankees), so their pitching certainly will be none the worse off. If Mark Buehrle can come close to the 16-8 record and 3.29 ERA he posted in 2001, the Sox will be ecstatic. Everyone has an eye on 22-year-old righty Jon Garland, too, who started 11 games after the break in 2002 with a 3.54 ERA. Closer Keith Foulke (42 saves in 45 chances, 72 games overall) will make it easier on all the starters, including ex-Pirates hurler Todd Ritchie. There are questions. Buehrle is a control pitcher who walked only two batters every nine innings last season. But he threw more than 100 pitches a start. That's a lot of work for a kid who will be barely 23 on Opening Day. Still, the Sox have better pitching than most, better hitting than anyone in the Central … what's not to like? Up for grabs: Lofton should have no trouble winning the center field job, but his days as a prototypical leadoff hitter are over (.322 on-base percentage with 16 steals in 2001). Aaron Rowland, Brian Simmons -- or young slugger Joe Borchard -- will be there if Lofton falters. Third base is Joe Crede's for the taking. Jose Valentin can get the job done, too. Spring chicken: Borchard, the former Stanford quarterback who was the team's first-round pick in 2000, will be getting a close look. The switch-hitter had 27 homers in Class AA last season. He may not be ready by season's start. But reports are that if the Sox aren't where the Sox expect to be by midseason -- meaning first place -- Borchard may get his shot.
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