Chicago Tribune: Thomas dying breed

[Tweed]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-0502190283feb19,1,6855674.story?coll=chi-sportsnew-hed

"TUCSON, Ariz. -- It's always fun to be right, but sometimes you wish you were wrong. That's the case with my take on how badly an even more one-dimensional Frank Thomas is likely to fit in on the White Sox, who have been renovated around a National League model.

On Friday, Day 2 of pitchers and catchers at spring training, it was revealed that Thomas has been cleared to remain in Las Vegas until at least early March because he is recovering slowly from the surgery he had more than four months ago to repair a broken bone in his left ankle. This means it's highly likely he'll open the season on the disabled list, a first in his 16-year career. It probably means he will miss all of April and possibly May, as well.

You would think this would be a big deal for a club that already has subtracted Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Lee. But manager Ozzie Guillen didn't appear too upset. Nor did anyone else with the organization.

In fact, Guillen made it sound like the White Sox are just fine with Carl Everett, Ross Gload and Timo Perez in the designated hitter spot."

Hey, I'm a Cubs fan, but I have to be fair and balanced, right?

[madrchsod]

1. sammy sosa has personally and professionally

resurrected frank thomas as the "real man" in Chicago baseball. his personal demons in his career has lessen his appeal to the chicago fans but now with sammy`s human growth hormone use and the way he treated his fans makes frank a saint. frank never used steroids or human growth hormones and was in the minority of baseball players who quietly were disgusted with the use but no one would listen. in fact the white sox were the only team that said they wanted to be tested...
i`ve got my tickets for the white sox -yankees game and i hope frank is playing so i can cheer him..screw dusty "the dude" ,i`ll take ozzie and "fung" baseball on the southside!!!!!!!

[CubsFan1982]

2. Chicago still has an AL franchise?

I hadn't noticed. :P

Seriously, though, I think the Sox are due for a tailspin. They made practically no moves, lost Maggs, and did practically nothing to upgrade their pitching. Whereas the Cubs had talent aside from their superstar when they traded him, the Sox had almost nothing aside from Ordonez. I really think the Sox may be looking at 90 losses this season, at least.

[LSK]

3. are you nuts? only from a cubs fan

Uhhh the Sox signed El Duque who IF healthy is one of the top 5 pitchers in the AL (look at what he did in the 2nd half for NYY last year). That gives them 5 good starters in Garcia, Buerle, El Duque, Contreras and Garland now in the 5th spot (where they couldnt find anyone to win last year).

Also they got rid of Valentin which should greatly improve their infield defense and the new outfield should be better defensively.

Next time know something before posting nonsense!

[CubsFan1982]

4. You're counting on El Duque and Contreras?

Pardon me while I piss myself laughing.

El Duque, who is AT LEAST 38 years old, hasn't pitched a full season since 1999, and has pitched more than 200 innings only ONCE in his career? Contreras of the 5.50 ERA, leading the league in wild pitches, and gave up 31 bombs last year? Garland's never had a season with an ERA under 4. Buehrle is the only gem in that garbage heap of a rotation. You're fooling yourself if you think you're going anywhere with that staff.

Your LF had an OBP of .313 last season, and your new RF will be lucky if he hits 20 HR and drives in 80. Your outfield defense will be much better, I grant, but your offense will suck. If you're counting on your starting rotation to compensate for your offensive weaknesses, it'll be a long season.