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.”
January 26, 2012
Robin Ventura talks about the 2012 Sox
January 24, 2012
White Sox invite 18 players to 2012 Spring Training
The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on minor-league contracts with right-handed pitcher Brian Bruney, left-handers Leyson Septimo and Eric Stults, catchers Damaso Espino and Hector Gimenez, infielders Dallas McPherson and Ray Olmedo and outfielder Delwyn Young. All eight players, in addition to 10 players within the White Sox system, have received non-roster invites to the club’s spring training camp in Glendale, Ariz.
Right-handers Brian Omogrosso and Jacob Petricka, catchers Michael Blanke and Josh Phegley, infielders Jim Gallagher and Tyler Kuhn and outfielders Jordan Danks, Jared Mitchell, Brandon Short and Trayce Thompson, all received invites to major-league camp from within the organization. Six of the 18 spring training invitees have major-league experience.
… Assuming the White Sox take 12 pitchers and make no further moves, one relief spot and four bench spots appear to be available. Brent Lillibridge and Tyler Flowers are certain to make the team, with Ozzie Martinez and Eduardo Escobar competing for the utility infield slot. Danks, Young, Gallagher, Bruney and Stults all have chances to compete for these final two openings.
Other White Sox links:
- J.J. has video from an excited Chris Sale, and text from a ready Jake Peavy.
- James looks at Juan Pierre’s games with the Sox, and the latest rumblings of Ozzie Guillen. Thankfully he’s not the Sox manager anymore. And KenWo has some advice for Mr. Guilllen.
- John Sickels ranked the farm systems of every baseball team, and Dave Gershman at BTB published his ‘Top 12 White Sox prospects’ list for 2012.
- Trayce Thompson gave an interview to Andrew Pentis of MiLB.com.
January 18, 2012
The Hardball Times projects the 2012 AL Central
American League Central Team Wins Losses DET 91 71 MIN 85 77 CHA 76 86 CLE 76 86 KCA 63 99
Other White Sox links:
- J.J. says the White Sox were close to signing Kerry Wood and looks at the link between Jared Mitchell and Josh Fields.
- James looks at the Michael Pineda-Jesus Montero trade, and Jake Peavy saying Ozzie Guillen quit on the Sox.
- Jim Thome was interviewed by Chuck Garfien (video). Big Jim, who the Phillies think of playing at 1B, thinks Adam Dunn, a player that’s very similar to him, will rebound this season.
- colin posts the 1st part of his pitching primer. Part 2 of colin’s pitching primer is here.
January 14, 2012
Jake Peavy: I didn’t quit on the White Sox; Ozzie did
Saturday, he said, “I know he had a hard time, saying I quit on him, which couldn’t be further from the truth,” Peavy said. “I would never quit on a team. … Ozzie didn’t finish the season with us the last (two) games. So I don’t know who quit on who.”
As J.J. says it wouldn’t be unreasonable for Peavy to say Ozzie checked out much, much earlier than the last two games.
Other White Sox links:
January 3, 2012
Why aren’t the Sox rebuilding?
The White Sox cleared payroll this weekend, trading Carlos Quentin and Jason Frasor to the Padres and the Blue Jays, respectively. As Eno Sarris predicted a month ago, Chicago didn’t get spectacular returns for either player. But the question still remains — why aren’t the White Sox tearing it all down and starting over? The answer might be because they can’t. …
Other White Sox links:
December 15, 2011
Jake Peavy has no problem with Don Cooper
Ozzie is another story though!
“Ozzie didn’t care for me at the end because I was shut down,” Peavy said. “It didn’t end on good terms. The one thing about it, Coop and I have an open relationship. There was one time where I disagreed about something he said about me being on and off after coming back from the surgery, and I told him about it.
“But let’s be real: The Sox don’t win a World Series without Mark Buehrle, and look at what Coop has done over the years. It takes time to know someone. I have no problems with (Cooper).”
September 10, 2011
The bulldog is sleeping
White Sox pitching Don Cooper and Peavy spoke to MLB.com about that decision on Saturday.
“Jake right now is shut down,” said Cooper of the right-handed starter. “The things we are looking at right now are, one, we want to win as many games as we can. Two, we want to keep everybody strong and healthy and continue to finish this season strong.”
“With the way we are playing and with how it looks for us winning, and just where we are at in the season, they made a decision to start to rest and the recovery in the offseason period and try to get strong for next year,” Peavy said.
How will the Sox catch the Tigers now? 
Here are Peavy’s final 2011 stats:
| Year | Age | Tm | Lg | W | L | G | GS | GF | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | IBB | SO | HBP | BK | WP | BF | Awards | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 30 | CHW | AL | 7 | 7 | .500 | 4.92 | 19 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 111.2 | 117 | 61 | 61 | 10 | 24 | 4 | 95 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 470 | 86 | 1.263 | 9.4 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 7.7 | 3.96 |
The K/BB ratio looks good. The HR/9 too. But his fastball is down about 1 mph from last year. Hopefully he gets his strength back in the off-season and has a nice year in 2012.
Other White Sox links:
- James looks at Jake Peavy’s shutdown and Mark Buehrle’s present and future.
- J.J. looks at Jake Peavy’s shutdown too.
- Charlie Leesman struck out 9 and walked 0 in Birmingham’s Game 3. Birmingham lost 3-2 in 11 and now trails the playoff series 2-1. Great Falls lost 11-1 and their series is now tied 1-1.
August 8, 2011
Has Jake Peavy turned the corner?
Injuries and the shift into a tougher park in the tougher league have caused Peavy’s career to stall over the last two years or so, but he’s shown signs of getting back on track over his last four starts. He dominated the weak-hitting Twins yesterday (8 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K) and more than held his own against the Yankees earlier in the week (7 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 4 K), and the good news that he’s consistently throwing 100+ pitches without showing signs of falling off in the later innings. He had a problem once his pitch count got past 75-80 earlier in the year and last season as well.
Seems like Peavy is slowly getting his strength back after last season’s injury.
Other White Sox links:
August 5, 2011
Brian Bruney DFA’d; Zach Stewart to start tomorrow
Zach Stewart to start Sat. Bruney DFA. Peavy pushed back a day—
Doug Padilla (@ESPNChiSox) August 06, 2011
Stewart made 1 start after being traded, Sunday with Charlotte:
| Player | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Stewart (L, 0-1) | 6.1 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4.26 |
| Reed | 1.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2.45 |
July 16, 2011
Trying to predict Adam Dunn’s 2nd half rebound
… The performance of this group of players did jump quite a bit in the 2nd half of the season with the biggest increase coming in the form of power (SLG increases by 0.115 and ISO increasing by 0.086). Using these numbers to predict how the rest of the season would go, Adam Dunn would have a 2nd half triple slash line of 0.198/0.340/0.427. …
BTW, Adam Dunn is felling good. And Jake Peavy agrees: “That looked like you.” Hey you two, get a room!
Other White Sox links: colin takes a close look at Sergio Santos, James speaks with White Sox Director of Amateur Scouting Doug Laumann, Mike says the White Sox have been very boring, FutureSox published their ‘Top 25 Sox prospects’ list, Jake Peavy’s arm is tired and his next start was pushed to Tuesday from Sunday, and Brett Ballantini posts his latest 13-item report card.
July 2, 2011
Jake Peavy wants White Sox players to become dirtbags
“I agree with Kenny in that we have to have more attitude,” Peavy told MLB.com. “We need a little more savvy and scrappiness. I’m saying in everything — pitching, defense, running bases, every aspect of our game. We have to find a way to play with a little more fire, a little more desire to win. I’m not saying there aren’t guys on this team who really want to win. But we need to get it in our blood. When we are at Wrigley Field, we have to flat out want to win more than the Cubs. It’s oozing out your pours. It will take a team with the talent like we have over the top.”
“The bottom line is we are four games behind a very good Detroit team. We can’t lay back. We have to show up every day, and for the next three hours, bust [our butts] and find a way to win. Get that mentality and attitude about us.”
Other White Sox links: J.J. examines Gordon Beckham’s opposite field power, James changes his blog’s interface and won’t put it all on JuDavid Holmberg,an Pierre and roll the dice (Thursday post), THT’s Harry Pavlidis looks at Phil Humber’s slider, and BTB’s Dave Gershman wonders if Daniel Hudson is the most underrated pitcher in baseball. Speaking of Hudson, Baseball America looks on David Holmberg’s success. That trade will keep haunting us for many years.
June 28, 2011
Dr. Fishbein is trying to straighten out Adam Dunn
Remember Dr. Fishbein? His new assignment is trying to straighten out Adam Dunn. Padilla @ ESPN:
As if Adam Dunn’s head wasn’t messed up enough, he just got schooled on the golf course by the team psychologist.
Talk about mind games.
The good news, though, is that Dunn spent the time last week talking things through with Jeffrey Fishbein, who has been with the club off and on since spring training. …
Other White Sox links: J.J. says Jake Peavy doesn’t belong to the bullpen and puts on his GM hat, James identifies the White Sox All-Star players, FutureSox recaps the moves in thew Sox minor league system, John Danks’ MRI reveled only a mild strain of his right obligue and he’s expected to return after one rehab assignment, Patrick Newman at Fangraphs recaps Herm Schneider’s greatest hits, and Joe Posnanski says 2011′s Adam Dunn is the least exciting player ever.
June 25, 2011
Jake Peavy is getting stronger
“Physically I feel good,’’ he said two days after throwing 5 1/3 innings and 104 pitches against the Cubs. “I’m looking forward to Colorado [next start]. “Obviously, I’m not even a year out of surgery yet [July 14], and I’ve always been told that a year out of surgery you should feel close to normal and be gaining strength. I hope I’m going to get stronger, but that stuff is to be determined. Certainly, I hope I can pitch the remainder of the season healthy, or semi-healthy, and help the team win.’’
Other White Sox links: J.J. doesn’t like Ozzie Guillen’s lineup moves, James tries to explain why Edwin Jackson hasn’t lived up to expectations, Jim calls the Dan Hudson and David Holmberg for Edwin Jackson trade the worst trade Kenny has ever made (aye on that), and MLBTR estimates how much would the Sox have to pay to sign Carlos Quentin to an extension.
June 18, 2011
Jake Peavy to start on Wednesday against the Cubs?
After breezing through six scoreless innings of a rehab start for Class AAA Charlotte on Thursday night, Jake Peavy appears ready to face the Cubs on Wednesday night at U.S. Cellular Field, pitching coach Don Cooper said Friday.Manager Ozzie Guillen said the six-man starting rotation also appears to be back, probably through the All-Star break.“Without discussing it with Ozzie and [GM] Kenny [ Williams], it looks like he’s lined up for the last game against the Cubs,’’ Cooper said. “That’s unofficial, as well as the six-man rotation. But all of that is going to be discussed and probably shook out after the game today or tomorrow. We’ll talk more about it.”
Other White Sox links: J.J. wants more Brent Lillibridge and less Juan Pierre, and Brett Ballantini updates his most and least valuable Sox players calculations. and colin looks at the last 15 Home Runs that were hit by Carlos Quentin.
June 16, 2011
Jake Peavy strikes out 9 and walks 0 in his rehab start and Dayan Viciedo is on fire
6/16:
Charlotte Knights Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Peavy 6.0 2 0 0 0 9 0 3.65 Pena, T (H, 1) 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 Whisler (BS, 1)(L, 1-1) 0.0 3 3 3 0 0 1 12.79 Corley 2.0 2 0 0 2 3 0 2.13 Pitches-strikes: Peavy 78-58, Pena, T 7-4, Whisler 16-10, Corley 38-21.
Groundouts-flyouts: Peavy 5-2, Pena, T 1-1, Whisler 0-0, Corley 3-0.
Batters faced: Peavy 20, Pena, T 3, Whisler 3, Corley 10.
Hey, Tony Pena is in Charlotte too. Unlike Peavy, he hasn’t been missed though.
Also, Dayan Viciedo went 3-4 with 2 doubles and a homer. He’s hitting .325/.370/.542/.913 with a 16/44 BB/K ratio in 249 AB. The dude is on fire. Bring him up Kenny!
UPDATE: Seems Peavy was pitching exclusively from the left side of the mound.
