3 Chicago White Sox

ENEMY LINES

A RIVAL SCOUT SIZES UP THE WHITE SOX

The White Sox have got lots of power—and in their ballpark, it's big power. . . . Chicago has also always been a very righthanded club, so Adam Dunn brings balance. He'll strike out, but he's a threat to make something happen every time he's up. He is going to get on base and score a lot of runs. . . . Gordon Beckham had a nice spring. He's a good two-hole hitter who puts the bat on the ball. After his rookie season, pitchers have adjusted to him; now it's his turn to adjust. He's been hitting the ball hard this spring. . . . He could be a little more patient, but Alexei Ramirez is just bubbling over with ability. He has a chance to be a star—an offensive middle infielder with pop. Defensively his hands are great, he throws well, and he gets to a lot of balls. . . . At 35, Paul Konerko is getting old, but a good hitter like him is going to get his hits. Still, to expect him to have the kind of year he had last year? I just can't go out on a limb like that. . . . You could argue that three guys in the rotation are No. 1 pitchers: Mark Buehrle, Jake Peavy and John Danks. . . . All of Danks's stuff is above average. He cuts and sinks his fastball, curve and change. . . . The bullpen is good. Chris Sale has the stuff to close games. That breaking ball, that's a strikeout pitch. And he's got a big fastball too. . . . Sale and Matt Thornton are very similar. This is just my thinking, but Thornton has been very good as a setup guy, so why would they take a chance on moving him? He gives the team a safety net behind Sale.

THE LINEUP

WITH 2010 STATISTICS

MANAGER OZZIE GUILLEN

8TH SEASON WITH WHITE SOX

[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]

[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]

PROJECTED PAYROLL $125,200,000