AL Cent	Won	Lost	Runs	Runs A
DET	89	73	771	696
CWS	79	83	696	716
CLE	78	84	700	728
MIN	74	88	679	741
KCR	71	91	681	779

sg @ RLYB uses his 2012 Marcel forecasts (1/28):

Team	W	L	RF	RA	Div	WC 1	WC 2	PL%
DET	84	78	747	708	43.0%	2.4%	10.1%	55.4%
CLE	83	79	722	708	30.6%	2.9%	7.8%	41.3%
CHA	79	83	686	703	15.2%	1.5%	4.2%	20.9%
KC	79	83	691	714	10.8%	1.9%	4.1%	16.9%
MIN	68	94	693	813	0.4%	0.0%	0.1%	0.5%

Other White Sox links:

• James looks at this year’s SoxFest, and also contrasts it with previous SoxFests.
• J.J. asks which members of the 2005 team would you want back. Also on CSN, Gordon Beckham’s says his confidence is back.
• colin publishes his scouting report on John Danks.
• BTB’s Bill Petti calculates the number of players with negative fWAR since 2002 and the Sox have the 3rd-highest number.
• Matt Garioch at minorleagueball says there are a lot of good high school prospects at the upcoming draft. The same thing can’t be said for college prospects.

Laumann says he can see multiple prospects play against each other in the SEC, but often cannot in high school. #SoxFest—
White Sox Talk (@WhiteSoxTalkCSN) January 29, 2012

Although Laumann says he expects more high school guys to be drafted here in the future. And that ends the penultimate seminar of the day.—
White Sox Talk (@WhiteSoxTalkCSN) January 29, 2012

other related tweets

Interesting: Laumann says the Sox's picks are valuable that they don't want to gamble on taking a kid who won't sign in early rounds.—
White Sox Talk (@WhiteSoxTalkCSN) January 29, 2012

Hahn says the Sox will spend more on the draft and internationally with the new CBA. #SoxFest—
White Sox Talk (@WhiteSoxTalkCSN) January 29, 2012

Hawk Harrelson argued on Saturday that Moneyball was a “fraud” and tore into Billy Beane as a general manager, rhetorically asking how many playoff games those sabermetrically-oriented teams ever won. Hawk further dismissed the book and movie, saying he’s neither seen or read the work, but doesn’t need to because, as he puts it, it’s a bunch of BS.

But on Sunday, assistant general manager Rick Hahn lauded Moneyball, saying he “enjoyed the book very much” as a learning tool. He added that it offered a good insight into how teams find market inefficiencies and run a business. Although, for Hahn, the movie had some inaccuracies, namely in how it didn’t mention the A’s stout pitching staff from the year.

"It's a peanut butter and jelly issue. You can have both, so why choose one?" Hahn on sabermetrics and scouting. #SoxFest—
White Sox Talk (@WhiteSoxTalkCSN) January 29, 2012

Good thing Hawk is only an announcer and Hahn is the Assistant GM. Hopefully Hahn is the next Sox GM.

@scottmerkin Thanks buddy. Its my Bday today. Tell all my fans I said I'll catch them next year for sure.—
Jermaine dye (@JermaineDye) January 29, 2012

LILLIBRIDGE ON HIS APPROACH TO HITTING: “When Manny (Ramirez) was here, it was great to pick his brain because he’s an amazing hitter.  He said he looks for a spot, not a pitch.  Doesn’t matter if you watch two strikes go by, wait for your spot.”

Brent Lillibridge seems to be the Gordon Beckham fallback plan:

Hahn adds Lillibridge is probably the fallback plan if Beckham falters. #SoxFest—
White Sox Talk (@WhiteSoxTalkCSN) January 28, 2012

Fan: How do you deal with struggling high salary players? Robin: Invite him to the bench.—
Doug Padilla (@ESPNChiSox) January 28, 2012

No more ‘Can’t bench/disrespect the veterans’?

The White Sox assistant GM recounted that post in a seminar Saturday, noting that the Sox have liked OBP for years — just like every other team in baseball:

Although, if Hahn had his way, he’d like the perception that the Sox don’t use advanced stats to persist. “It makes it easier for us to maneuver when they don’t know where we’re going to go,” Hahn said.

also,

RV says he's in middle in sabermetrics vs. personal evaluations.—
Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) January 28, 2012

When I asked Kenny Williams about Cespedes he said: "Who's that? Is he a pitcher? Is he Japanese?"—
Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) January 28, 2012

but

Don't let Williams' comical misdirection fool you on the Cuban players. White Sox have interest: Concepcion could be the most likely target—
Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) January 28, 2012

KW says Nestor Molina could reach majors as early as mid-2012.—
Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) January 28, 2012

Kenny says no money left, not even to add a utility guy. This is your team Sox fans.—
Doug Padilla (@ESPNChiSox) January 27, 2012

1. Nestor Molina, RHP     [NEW]
2. Addison Reed, RHP     [Previous Rank: 2nd, no change]
3. Simon Castro, RHP     [NEW]
4. Tyler Saladino, SS     [Previous: 9th, +5]
5. Trayce Thompson, OF     [Previous: 3rd, -2]
6. Jacob Petricka, RHP     [Previous: 4th, -2]
7. Hector Santiago, LHP     [Previous: 16th, +9]
8. Keenyn Walker, OF     [Previous: 7th, -1]
9. Eduardo Escobar, SS     [Previous: 6th, -3]
10. Dylan Axelrod, RHP     [Previous: 19th, +9]
11. Jared Mitchell, OF     [Previous: 5th, -6]
12. Andre Rienzo, RHP     [Previous: 11th, -1]
13. Jhan Marinez, RHP     [NEW]
14. Gregory Infante, RHP     [Previous: 14th, no change]
15. Erik Johnson, RHP     [Previous: 17th, +2]
16. Charlie Leesman, LHP     [Previous: 15th, -1]
17. Pedro Hernandez, LHP     [NEW]
18. Andy Wilkins, 1B     [Previous: 13th, -5]
19. Scott Snodgress, LHP     [Previous: UNR]
20. Brandon Short, OF     [Previous: 12th, -8]
21. Jeff Soptic, RHP     [Previous: UNR]
22. Kevan Smith, C     [Previous: 24th, +2]
23. Ozzie Martinez, SS/2B     [NEW]
24. Ryan Buch, RHP     [Previous: 18th, -6]
25. Michael Blanke, C     [Previous: 32nd*, +7]

http://smellslikemascot.blogspot.com/2012/01/tiger-central.html

Ventura was asked about a few key matters during an interview session with White Sox beat reporters on Thursday and came up with a few pre-Spring Training solutions. The White Sox starting rotation, which looks to be one of its strongest suits, seems all but set with John Danks, Gavin Floyd, Chris Sale and Jake Peavy. According to Ventura, Philip Humber has the advantage at No. 5 over any of the young newcomers such as Nestor Molina or returnees such as Zach Stewart or Dylan Axelrod.”Phil would be that leader heading into the clubhouse,” Ventura said of Humber, whose breakout 2011 effort resulted in a 9-9 record and 3.75 ERA. “I don’t see anything changing with that at this point. We will see during Spring Training, but I’m confident in Phil in doing that No. 5 position.”Humber posted an 8-5 record with a 3.10 ERA and .218 opponents average against in the first half, but had a 1-4 mark, 5.01 ERA and .287 average against after the All-Star break.

Reliever Matt Thornton‘s season was slightly reversed, as the left-hander posted a 2.45 ERA over 52 games after May 1 following an 8.64 ERA in April. Thornton also had blown saves in his first four chances, although he didn’t have the best of luck behind him. Even with that slow start, Ventura tabbed Thornton on Thursday as his leading 2012 closer candidate over rookie Addison Reed and Jesse Crain. “I’m leaning on Matt doing that,” Ventura said. “I don’t think those type of things are concrete. I would like to see him do that, but we’ll see how that goes in Spring Training with him and how he feels.”

In Ventura’s estimation, the team doesn’t have a true utility infielder at this point. Brent Lillibridge earned high praise from Ventura for his versatility and talent, but he wasn’t identified as a possible backup shortstop. Ventura said that Alex Rios could see time in both left field and center field, and as of now, Alejandro De Aza looks to be the leadoff man. Of course, it’s just late January and things could change by the end of Cactus League action. “Gordon [Beckham] could probably do it depending on how he feels about that and how he looks in Spring Training, as far as getting on base,” Ventura said of the leadoff slot. “He has more power than normal leadoff guys, but he’s one of them.”

The Chicago White Sox, Comcast SportsNet, WGN-TV and WSCR-AM 670 (The Score) have announced the team’s 2012 spring training broadcast schedule.The White Sox will have six Cactus League games televised from Arizona (five on Comcast SportsNet and one on WGN).  WSCR, the club’s flagship radio station, will air nine games (including four interactive broadcasts).  The Sox also will webcast 12 additional spring training games free on whitesox.com, up from nine in 2011.

The first televised spring training game is by WGN on Friday, March 9 at 2:05 p.m. CST when the White Sox face the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch – Glendale.  Comcast SportsNet will televise the first of its five spring games on Friday, March 23 when the Sox face the Arizona Diamondbacks at 9:05 p.m. CDT in Glendale.  CSN will close out their spring broadcast schedule on Tuesday, April 3 when the White Sox play the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park at 7:00 p.m. CDT. …

complete schedule follows:

J.J. Stankevitz:

The Stuff

His fastball rates plus with mid-to-late 90s velocity and tailing action into right-handed hitters.  He spot his heat at both sides of the plate and shows above average command of all his pitches.

The slider has been labeled a plus-plus pitch by some scouts.  Terrific downward biting action.  He throws it with great confidence.  A true swing’ n’ miss offering.

His change-up has been called average. which in fine since his likely destination is the bullpen and the fastball/slider combo is plenty good enough there.  It’s a pitch he could show from time to time to give left-handed hitters something to think about. …

Stats: B-R, FG, SC