A.L. Central Preview: Pallid White Sox Rebuilding In 2012

In 2011, the Chicago White Sox put forward a “win-now” attitude and committed more than $120 million to prove it. The result was a sub-.500 record (79-83) and Adam Dunn, who had one of the most disastrous seasons in memory. This season, the signal appears to be “build for the future.”

The Action: Every general manager has to be a little bit of a gambler, but Ken Williams is really rolling the dice this time. He allowed popular but controversial manager Ozzie Guillen to go to Miami, and hired former third baseman Robin Ventura to run the Pale Hose. Williams also let Mark Buehrle follow Guillen to the Marlins for big money, and free-swinging outfielder Carlos Quentin was traded to his hometown San Diego Padres for two pitching prospects, which was seen as a payroll move.

Sox fans are split on the trade of closer Sergio Santos to the Blue Jays for highly-touted pitching prospect Nestor Molina. The club also moved another former Jay, reliever Jason Frasor, back north. Some key pieces were retained, specifically starters Gavin Floyd and John Danks, who hopes to get the start on Opening Day.

It’s A Lock: The youth movement is most obvious in the outfield, where Alejandro de Aza and Dayan Viciedo are expected to have first crack at the corner positions. They’re speed guys who might never develop major-league power swings, but they could be the building blocks for a fast team like the “Go-Go White Sox” of 1959.

The infield remains intact, with Brent Morel at 3B, Alexei Ramirez at shortstop, rising star Gordon Beckham at 2B and crowd favorite Paul Konerko manning first base. Veteran A.J. Pierzynski will mentor up-and-coming catcher Tyler Flowers.

Along with Danks and Floyd, the pitching rotation has Philip Humber, the often-injured Jake Peavy and lanky fireballer Chris Sale, who was originally groomed for the bullpen.

Hedge Your Bets: Dunn needs a bounceback season like few other players ever have. He needs to tighten up the holes in a swing that yielded a paltry 11 homers, 42 RBI and a horrifying .159 batting average with 177 strikeouts. Given that he’s been an all-or-nothing hitter since his days with the Cincinnati Reds, he won’t remind anyone of a player who also played for the Reds and the White Sox, Ted “Big Klu” Kluszewski.

CF Alex Rios is another player who needs a renaissance after posting anemic numbers (a batting average of .227, OBP of 265, 13 HR, 44 RBI, 11 SB). Former Cub Kosuke Fukudome has moved to the South Side, but what answers can he provide?

With Santos gone, Matt Thornton and Jesse Crain will anchor the bullpen. This could also be Addison Reed’s time to shine, but that’s far from guaranteed. Expected to tie it all together is Ventura, who has no experience as a manager at any level.

The Payoff: The MLB futures betting has the White Sox nowhere close to winning the Central division, and 70/1 to take the World Series; the Cubs have better odds, and they haven’t won it all since 1908. It could take a while before the Sox regain their footing.