The Sox did well across the board. I hope they don't fall flat now. They really need to have a solid year and build on this momentum.

Agreed, MSF. They may not make the playoffs and that's fine if the team at the very least shows promise and finishes above .500. Baby steps.

I too will be very disappointed if they finish under .500. I would think a lot would have to go wrong for that to happen (injuries, under performing players, etc.).

My current prediction for the division:

1. Cleveland
2. Chicago
3. Detroit
4. Kansas City
5. Minnesota

KC lost their ace and will see regression in their bullpen. Butler is gone and I'm not convinced Morales is the answer.
If their young starters don't step forward...it will get ugly in KC.

Detroit lost Scherzer and Porcello and still has questions in the bullpen. We already know Martinez is hurt and he wasn't about to duplicate last year anyway.
The end is near...

Cleveland looks like a World Series contender. They have some holes, but their core is solid and they have more reinforcements on the way from the minors.
Their window is here and if we want to win the division we'll have to go through them.

That's why I have us 2nd. Cleveland had a really good year last year, so just a bit of improvement over last year would put them over the hump.
I think they'll see some improvement, but IMO they'll benefit more from KC and Detroit sliding.

I am not sold on the Indians, at all. Hell, Giambi retired, there goes at least 1 W against us this year.

Kluber appears for real to me, he was tough in 2013 as well, just not as consistent. I just have a hard time liking them. Bauer, meh. Other than Kluber no one gets me excited in their rotation. I like Brantley.

Cleveland = meh.

If the Sox don't have key players spending time on the DL and still don't finish over .500, it's on Ventura.  This is the best roster he has had, he better manage it well.

Brian Anderson, OF-turned-pitcher-turned-OF, wants one last chance

by Tom Verducci - Posted: Tue Feb. 24, 2015

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The first words Bill Clinton spoke as president, as he opened his first inaugural address in 1993, could stand as the official motto of spring training: “Today we celebrate the mystery of American renewal.” Every camp every year is the birthplace of another chance, not just for each team, but also for the many desperate souls who show up without a guaranteed contract.

Among the non-roster players invited to camps this year are Baltimore pitcher Mark Hendrickson, a 40-year-old grandfather; Kansas City catcher J.C. Boscan, 35, who across 18 pro seasons has come to the plate 5,043 times (all but 30 of them in the minors) and never hit a triple; Washington second baseman Dan Uggla, the home run leader among active players at his position; and Kansas City pitcher Ryan Madson, a survivor of two Tommy John surgeries who earned $9.25 million over the past three years whole throwing exactly one inning – in A ball.

To find the craziest renewal story of all, however, you must dig even deeper – all the way to a back field at the Chicago White Sox minor league camp. Here, not even invited to major league camp, you will find Brian Anderson, a former first-round pick who turns 33 next month, who hasn’t played baseball since 2012, who hasn’t had a hit on any level of professional baseball in six years, and who last year was working for a genetic testing company in Arizona.

read more:  http://www.si.com/mlb/2015/02/24/brian-anderson-spring-training-white-sox-pitcher-outfielder

Robertson wants to win... likes his new team... here to do his job... yada yada yada.

From the article "The Chicago bullpen ranked 28th among MLB teams last season in ERA (4.38) and batting average against (.265) and blew 21 saves -- tied for seventh most in the majors. If Robertson can help restore some order late in games, White Sox management won't care how often he shaves."

& teams blew more saves then the white sox?


http://espn.go.com/blog/spring-training/post/_/id/2700/robertson-liking-his-new-surroundings

Ah luv it when The Hawkeroo says "c*cks*cker":

http://www.rollingstone.com/sports/features/hawk-harrelson-baseballs-ultimate-homer-still-rules-on-the-south-side-20150422

Rodon yet to consistently fill the zone
Left-hander has issued 15 walks in 16 innings over first three starts

By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | @scottmerkin | 1:17 AM ET

CHICAGO -- There's little doubt in the minds of anyone associated with the White Sox that Carlos Rodon will develop into a frontline starter, much sooner than later.

But for the 22-year-old southpaw, who made his third big league start during a 4-3 loss to the Indians on Wednesday night at U.S. Cellular Field, this ascension clearly remains a work in progress. It's a sentiment that Rodon himself fully understands after walking five in six innings while striking out four and holding the Indians to just one run.

"Yeah, little steps, day by day, getting better," said Rodon, who threw just 56 of his 103 pitches for strikes. "I just have to fill the zone."

"Give him some time," said White Sox center fielder Adam Eaton, who homered for a second time as a member of the South Siders. "He'll be good for us and we have all the faith in the world in him. When it does come around, it's going to be dangerous."

read more:  http://m.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article/125706144/white-sox-left-hander-carlos-rodon-yet-to-consistently-fill-the-zone