Up for discussion next, the offseason of the Chicago White Sox. Sun-Times writers Joe Cowley and Chris De Luca have differing viewpoints on GM Ken Williams' work.
The points to argue:
- White Sox second basemen (mainly Chris Getz and Brent Lillibridge) are hitting .233/.313/.302 this year. Should Williams have acquired a veteran? Cowley mentions Orlando Hudson, who would've cost the team's #23 pick.
- Did Williams make a mistake in not acquiring a leadoff hitter and/or center fielder? The Sox have tried Getz, Lillibridge, Jayson Nix, and others leading off, resulting in a .289 OBP. In hindsight the better #1/2 hitters available were probably Felipe Lopez (a Scott Boras client), Willy Taveras, Coco Crisp, Hudson, and Freddy Sanchez. It's been Brian Anderson, Scott Podsednik, DeWayne Wise, and Lillibridge in center field; the free agent market was weak.
- Should the White Sox have made an effort to mend the relationship and re-sign shortstop Orlando Cabrera? They did offer him arbitration, but with the expectation he'd decline.
- Should the Sox have gotten more than Wilson Betemit, Jeff Marquez, and Jhonny Nunez for Nick Swisher and Kanekoa Texeira? Or should they have kept Swisher?
- How about Javier Vazquez, who was dealt with Boone Logan for Tyler Flowers, Jon Gilmore, Santos Rodriguez, and Lillibridge? The Sox replaced Vazquez with Bartolo Colon.
- Should the Sox have tried to hammer out a deal with Boras to retain Joe Crede? The third baseman jumped to the Twins for a $2.5MM base salary and is hitting .237/.302/.454 in 106 plate appearances with stellar defense.
