Three Things I Know About the 2009 White Sox

1. The 2009 Sox will live and die by the long ball. Much like 2008, when the Sox led the majors with 235 of them, this year's offense will be reliant on homers when it comes to putting runs on the board. Sure, our power took a hit when we subtracted Joe Crede, Ken Griffey Jr. Nick Swisher, and even Juan Uribe. Sure, adding speedy infielders like Chris Getz and Brent Lillibridge give the Sox' lineup a little bit of a different look. But ultimately the Sox' biggest biggest strength is hitting balls really hard and really far, and this showed itself to be true right from Opening Day, when Jim Thome deposited a Kyle Farnsworth fastball in the left-center field bleachers to give the Sox a 3-1 lead and an early win. When the offense went 18 innings without an extra-base hit though, they (unsurprisingly) did not score even a single run.

2. When healthy, the 2009 White Sox probably have the most complete starting rotation in the AL Central. Mark Buehrle has been one of the steadiest pitchers this decade, throwing at least 200 innings each season since 2001. Youngsters John Danks and Gavin Floyd are both coming off stellar 2008 campaigns in which they combined for 401.1 innings and 29 wins. Though Danks' periphiral stats seem to bode better than Floyd's (2.79 K/BB and 0.7 HR/9 for Danks, 2.07 K/BB and 1.3 HR/9 for Floyd), both have the potential to be perennial All-Stars for the next several years. Bringing up the rear in the rotation are grizzled veterans Jose Contreras, who made a lightning-quick recovery from an Achilles injury, and Bartolo Colon. The Sox will be lucky to get a combined 30 starts from the pair, but through their first start they have looked decent enough (Colon moreso). With the rest of the divisions' rotations struggling through the first week, the White Sox look much better, their starters having combined for a 3.35 ERA through the first seven games.

3. The White Sox still lack a starting center fielder and leadoff hitter. Through the season's first two games, journeyman DeWayne Wise (who's never had more than 175 at-bats in a season) was 0-8 with 4 strikeouts. The Sox should know what they're getting with Wise: decent speed and power, but lack of plate discipline and low walk rate. DeWayne Wise is not a capable leadoff hitter, but the Sox' other options are only marginally better. Rookie second baseman Chris Getz has the speed that Ozzie desires in a leadoff hitter, and his good knowledge of the strike zone and high contact rate make him a more logical choice. Other options include Brian Anderson, whose impeccable defense in center field have kept him on the team, but inability to hit a breaking ball have kept him from starting, is another candidate, though he should only be considered against left-handed pitching. The White Sox should certainly keep their options open through trade. The Yankees' crowded outfield has left Melky Cabrera the odd man out, and the Nationals' Elijah Dukes finds himself in a similar situation. Options such as these are certainly worth inquiring about if the Sox remain in contention throughout the season.