Oz Fest '10

(Picture from ESPN.com)

Sox fans gather round. I have a little story to tell. A story about a genius GM, one that takes brilliant chances and gets the job done season in and season out. A GM that is not afraid to shop every single player at any given time. This is a story about a manager that most can't understand. A manager that is out spoken and true. A manager that brings a "University of Miami" feel to it (for those of you that watched The U the other night on ESPN you know what I'm talking about). This is a story about a certain team in the beautiful CHICAGO, I-L. A team that HAS hoisted up a World Series Trophy in the past 100 years (and just in case you want to know the exact amount of time to the seconds its been since this last happened, check this out). A team that has one solid pitching staff, and a line-up that favors the Cell. A team that should be able to win the AL Central with ease. Of course I am talking about the Chicago White Sox.

Today Kenny Williams added another player to the Sox already stellar lineup, that person being Juan Pierre. The 32-year old will be joining the likes of Alex Rios, Mark Teahen, J.J. Putz, Jake Peavy, Mark Kotsay, and Andruw Jones as another new addition in 2009. Pierre who is now 32, hit .308 last season (117-380) with 30 stolen bases, 57 runs scored, in 145 games with the Dodgers. He ranked fifth in the national league in steals yet only started 76 games. Thus giving the Sox another missing piece that should fit perfectly into "Ozzie Ball".

Kenny Williams has been a genius since he's been in Chicago, and he has created a championship-like team in a very short time once again. The Sox now have the opportunity to take this division handily and put themselves up there with the best in the American League (i.e. the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, Minnesota and Detroit). Picture this starting rotation, Mr. Perfect Mark Buehrle, Peavy, Danks, Floyd, and good ol' Sweaty Freddy Garcia. That is the perfect righty-lefty combination. It has to be one of the best pitching rotations in all of baseball. Add in the Bullpen that now has Thornton, Putz (the two reportedly have a Bromance), and Linebrink as set-up guys for the BIG, the BAD Bobby Jenks and that is a monster pitching staff that opposing hitters have to get through. But wait its not over, you have to factor in the possible starting lineup, that is light years beyond the team we fielded last year:
1. Juan Peirre LF
2. Gordon Beckham 2B
3. Carlos Quintin RF
4. Paul Konerko 1B
5. Possibly Andruw Jones/ Mark Kotsay DH (hoping we sign a better hitter for this spot)
6. A.J C
7. Alex Rios CF
8. Alexi Ramirez SS
9. Mark Teahen 3B
(of course actual batting spot is hypothetical, but the starting lineup should be spot on)

That starting lineup is dangerous, quick, and powerful. This is the kind of lineup where any person can be the hero on any given night. The funny thing is, Kenny is no way done making moves yet. I know we are only a little past a month since the end of last baseball season, but with the Bears sucking and the Bulls playing for their 1.4% chance of the playoffs, I'm ready to start listening to my Go-Go White Sox CD. It is getting truly exciting on the South Side, and maybe, just maybe this is another perfect team for Ozzie to coach.