Fourth place by default in 2013, and trotting out the talented but not desirable Ricky Nolasco as their Opening Day starter, the Twins provide a fine early litmus test on whether the Sox have transitioned from monstrosity to major league-quality franchise. As they often are capable of doing when Chris Sale takes the mound and flyballs from mercurial left fielders are flying into the seats, the Sox at least kept up appearances.
Read MoreDid we spend more time waiting for this opening day than last year? It seems like it. The winter was long and brutal like the season that preceded it. Or it could be that I always think the gap between seasons seems longer than the last time. In truth the days flipped off of the calendar at a standard rate, and now we all sit on the first of what we hope to be many Chris Sale Days of the year. To be celebrated near-weekly for as far into the future as I care to plan.
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The season is finally here, which gives us all one last chance to pontificate on what we think the season will be without a shred of information.
Read MoreRob, Nick, Matt and James sat down for a pre-Opening Day podcast that covered all the important topics of pre-season excitement, slagging opposing teams and assessing the viability of the starting rotations...until it goes off the rails and becomes discussion of what kind of breeding partner Alex Rios would be.
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Once you get over the delight that there's something worth watching and following in the White Sox outfield, the notion of the franchise resting on the shoulders of Garcia are somewhat terrifying. He's got a lot more natural ability, but Dayan Viciedo might have arrived with more polish.
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The annual Forbes MLB team valuations came out this week, and for the first time since Jose Canseco’s bulging trapezii were mercilessly fatiguing the seams of a White Sox uniform back in 2001, the business publication has estimated an operating loss for owner Jerry Reinsdorf and Co.; the club was $2.7 million in the red in 2013 they say.
Read MoreWhen the White Sox claimed Javy Guerra off of waivers from the Dodgers it seemed clear that he would be among those making the trip to Chicago when spring training ran its course. Today it’s evident that’s not the case, Guerra has been outrighted to Charlotte. Contributing to the assumption of his destiny with the big squad was his lack of minor league options, which means that he’ll have to clear waivers before reporting. He may be claimed by another team but the Sox brass making this decision so soon after their own claim leads me to believe they find that an unlikely turn of events.
Read MoreWhat do the White Sox have at each position after the 2014 offseason? The picture has gotten a bit clearer with the recent cuts and reassignments. Let's take a look at the White Sox's third base position to see how it stacks up for 2014 and beyond.
Read MoreMiguel Cabrera was likely always going to have one last mondo-payday, and his elite skills were likely always going to allow him to receive something that outstripped contracts given to Prince Fielder, Joey Votto and even Albert Pujols. But again, he had two years to get through, still produce and still ward off the creeping specter of injury before he could demand such things.
Ryan Howard was still pretty awesome when he signed his extension with the Phillies, now the emptied husk of his once robust production is the designated cudgel of every saber-friendly analyst. Cabrera is a much better actor, but the script still stinks.
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What do the White Sox have at each position after the 2014 offseason? The picture has gotten a bit clearer with the recent cuts and reassignments. Let's take a look at the White Sox's second base position to see how it stacks up for 2014 and beyond.
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This season will be the third in which Robin Ventura is at the helm of the Chicago White Sox and the second in which mystery as to who will close games for the team will likely drag all the way up to the start of the regular season.
In 2012, you might remember, it wasn't revealed that Hector Santiago was the team's closer until the second game of the regular season when he began warming up with the White Sox ahead in the top of the 9th inning against the Texas Rangers.
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Between hot dogs, cotton candy and cracker jacks, baseball games have always been forums for dietary escapism. Fans are stuck in one place for nearly four hours and are financially obligated to convince themselves they're having fun win or lose, so all the more reason to descend into a gluttonous fury. Your team got waxed but you ate two plates of funnel cake. What matters more?
Read MoreThe number of reigning Southern League MVPs who have opened the next season in the major league is likely not especially small. The number of reigning Southern League MVPs who have opened the next season in the majors after the incumbent in front of them was injured...is probably small since this is now a rare set of simultaneous circumstances but the point is, for all the accolades and accomplishments Semien has racked up while flying through the minor leagues, he puts the White Sox in what has become a rare position recently.
They have an injured starter (in this case Gordon Beckham, who will be out all of a handful of days) and they have a minor leaguer who is ostensibly qualified to serve as a replacement. Being unable to provide a minor league replacement has a brought the Chicago baseball world Orlando Hudson, Ray Olmedo, and it is probably going to bring it Hector Gimenez again at some point this year.
Opening week will allow the White Sox a brief respite from having to decide between Semien as a superior utility and third base platoon option to Leury Garcia, and Semien working full-time in Triple-A to become a permanent replacement.
A decision is probably necessary, since Jeff Keppinger has no scheduled return date and the Sox actually playing well could make this issue quite nuanced.
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Daniel Webb may be headed to Charlotte after all.
Earlier this week, after Mitchell Boggs was waived and Jake Petricka was send down, it appeared Webb had the inside track on winning the White Sox's last spot in the bullpen.
It appears, however, that the White Sox had other plans. The team claimed Javy Guerra off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, filling out their 40-man roster with — stop me if you've heard this before — a veteran arm with a mixed track record coming off of an injury-riddled season.
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Every spring I make my way down to Phoenix to kick back and enhance my anticipation of the upcoming baseball season by following the White Sox around the valley for a week. It tends to be my most enjoyable week of the year, as I shed all responsibilities and immerse myself completely in baseball. It’s that simple. I’m no scout, the things I notice may have merit, but likely less often than a trained and paid individual. There are things to notice, though, and during a time of year where stats mean very little there are advantages to getting an up close look at the action.
Read MoreNick Cafardo has reported something that has probably been true for a long time -- the White Sox would be interested in trading Adam Dunn. Dunn is owed $15 million for 2014, which will be the last year on his deal, his age 34 season.
It is certainly fair to say that Dunn's tenure with the White Sox has been a disappointment. The signing made sense at the time, as the team had positioned itself as a playoff contender that desperately needed lefty bats, walks, and power. Based on that description Dunn seemed an obvious choice.
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"Everybody wants to ramp up to Opening Day, but the season is a long season, so you can't really look at it like that, unfortunately,"
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What do the White Sox have at each position after the 2014 offseason? The picture has gotten a bit clearer with the recent cuts and reassignments. Let's take a look at the White Sox's first base position to see how it stacks up for 2014 and beyond.
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Much of the excitement leading up to the 2014 season has been built around anticipation for the young building blocks Rick Hahn acquired over the past six months.
In Jose Abreu, Adam Eaton, Avisail Garcia and pretty soon Matt Davidson, the White Sox have players fans can get excited to watch develop over the course of the next season and beyond.
The development of those four, as well as the likes of Erik Johnson and Marcus Semien, will be a major factor in whether 2014 is viewed as a success or failure. But while how those guys fare is key in shaping the team for success in 2015, 2016 and beyond, the team's success or failure in 2014 will largely be shaped by the performances of the incumbents.
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Come opening day, there will be a shiny new drinking establishment near Section 112 on the U.S. Cellular Field concourse. It’s called “Xfinity Zone,” which is not trademark infringement because the White Sox partnered with Comcast Corp.’s digital media brand to make this 2,200-square-foot, 12 flat-screen, social media wall, full menu, craft beer and cocktail dream a reality.
Read MoreThe Catbird Seat is a White Sox blog by White Sox fans that focuses on intelligent and humorous baseball commentary. Brought to you by ESPN's SweetSpot Network.
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