5 Chicago White Sox

ENEMY LINES

A rival scout sizes up the White Sox

It's going to be a long year for the White Sox. They made the assessment that they're not going to compete with Detroit, and they've got to retool, and now's a time to do it.... With this team in transition, Robin Ventura might be a good manager for them. Even though he doesn't have a lot of experience, he was always a leader as a player, and he's very even-tempered.... John Danks is coming off a terrible year, but he and Gavin Floyd are legit starters. They're going to give you 200 innings each, they've got good stuff, and they compete.... Jake Peavy is not nearly what he used to be—he used to throw 95 with great movement, now it's 90, 91—but he's a fierce competitor.... Chris Sale could be real good, but he still throws like a reliever. It's a good arm, and it's lefthanded, but he goes on adrenaline instead of establishing all three of his pitches.... Addison Reed is a rookie, but he should be an effective closer. It's not a 100-mph fastball, more like 92--94, but he doesn't walk anybody. If you strike one guy out and don't walk anybody, you're going to close 90 percent of games.... Gordon Beckham is playing great at second, and I think he should hit .270 with 15 home runs.... Alex Rios is a very talented player, but he just hasn't made enough contact.... In camp Adam Dunn was hitting balls to leftfield, which I've never seen him do. I think he was behind after his appendectomy last April and should have gone down to the minors and gotten some at bats. If he just makes contact, he hits 35, 40 home runs.... Dayan Viciedo is not the most athletic guy in the world, but I bet he'll hit 20 home runs.

THE LINEUP

With 2011 Statistics

MANAGER ROBIN VENTURA

1st 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.]

NEW ACQUISITION