Kuzul

The Chicago White Sox are not averse to a little turnover on the 25-man roster. It actually seems to be an annual occurrence that the White Sox part ways with at least one veteran who was a long-time fan favorite. In 2011, it was Mark Buehrle. Last year, A.J. Pierzynski bid the White Sox a fond farewell. Will longtime captain Paul Konerko be this offseason’s veteran departure? What about the rest of the active roster? Let’s look at the wholly unscientific, completely arbitrary and unsubstantiated odds that each player will be on the 25-man roster in 2014. Contract and productivity factors will be weighed—as well as potential midseason trade possibilities—to determine the probabilities. Each player will be grouped based on his position, starting with the pitching staff.   *Statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. Contract information provided by Cots Baseball Contracts.Begin Slideshow

The Chicago White Sox have lineup questions that must be answered before the 2013 season begins. It will be up to second-year manager Robin Ventura to squeeze every ounce of offensive production out of the White Sox batting order. It will not be an easy task. See, a lot has changed for the White Sox offense since the end of the 2012 season. Gone to free agency are veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski and third baseman Kevin Youkilis. They have been replaced by infielder Jeff Keppinger and—for the moment, at least—Tyler Flowers. While Keppinger may actually bring an offensive skill set that is better fitted to the White Sox, Flowers looks to be a less-than-ideal option at the plate. Then, there is always the feast-or-famine left-handed-hitting strikeout machine, Adam Dunn. White Sox team captain Paul Konerko is another reason for concern. How he responds to an offseason procedure to remove bone fragments from ...

Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn is now dealing with a shallow pool of available free agents. Not so thin, however, that the White Sox cannot find a free-agent steal among them. As Hahn wades through what free agents are left, there are two areas the White Sox must address. The first thing the White Sox need is a left-handed hitter. The only two that have any value, though—Adam Kennedy and Kelly Johnson—don't appear to improve the team. So, that means a left-handed stick will more than likely come in the way of a trade. Gavin Floyd’s name is still being mentioned as someone who is available and Jason Kubel has emerged as a rumored target for the White Sox. Now, the other position Hahn has stated needs to be addressed is in the bullpen. With the departure of Brett Myers likely, the Sox are going to need another set-up man. Good news on ...

The 2013 Chicago White Sox are going improve upon their record in 2012. Matter of fact, the White Sox will make the playoffs in 2013.The White Sox are not going to get there because of the recent addition of Jeff Keppinger. Rather, it is their pitching that will take them to the postseason in 2013, starting at the top.Chris Sale (17-8, 3.05 ERA) stands to build upon his breakout 2012 season. He is taking steps to ensure that his arm is stronger going into the 2013 season after setting career high in starts (29) and innings pitched (192) last year.First-year manager Robin Ventura and pitching coach Don Cooper seemed to do a very good job ensuring that Sale was not overworked. They gave the left-hander extended periods of rest between starts multiple times last year, which will pay dividends in 2013.Following Sale at the top of the rotation will be Jake Peavy. Fresh off a two-year, $29 ...

The Chicago White Sox are fortunate to have a guy like Dylan Axelrod who has pitched in almost every situation. Unfortunately for Axelrod and the White Sox, he doesn’t excel in any one area. So, what will Axelrod's role with the White Sox be in 2013? Well, if the composition of the White Sox’ pitching staff remains the same—with six starting pitchers on the 25-man roster—Axelrod (2-2, 5.47) should be the long-relief specialist to open the season. This conclusion is based in statistics. A deeper look inside Axelrod’s statistical splits on BaseballReference.com reveals a curious trend. See, Axelrod is at his best during the middle innings. In fact, his batting average against (BAA) was at its lowest during innings three through seven. Outside of a .360 BAA in the fifth inning, it never topped .267 and was as low as .125 in the sixth. ...

Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn appears open to anything, that includes trading Dayan Viciedo. Hahn would be wise to keep an open mind because trading Viciedo could help the White Sox immensely. According to CSNChicago.com White Sox Insider Dan Hayes, Viciedo is one of several White Sox youngsters who may be available. As evidence, Hayes cited “four rival executives” who believe that Hahn is “open” to trading the young left fielder. Make no mistake about it; Viciedo’s days in a White Sox uniform could be numbered because of his contract status. Hayes pointed out in his article that “Viciedo’s contract stipulates he must earn 80 percent of the $3.5 million he pulled in last season, which equates to $2.8 million.” Factor in the $1 million pro-rated share of his $4 million signing bonus and Viciedo stands to get, at minimum, a $300,000 raise in 2013. At $3.8 million, he may be a bit out of Hahn’s price ...

When the Chicago White Sox acquired Kevin Youkilis on June 24, they filled a very real need at third base. Now, as the MLB free-agency period begins, the White Sox must decide whether Youkilis fits into their plans for 2013. The impact Youkilis provided to the White Sox was tangible. It seemed as though every hit over the first month he was in Chicago won a game. It was a marvelous time to be a White Sox fan. Unfortunately, the season ended without a trip to the postseason and general manager Rick Hahn must now choose whether he wants to keep Youkilis in a White Sox uniform.To be fair, Hahn stated during a radio interview Thursday on ESPN 1000’s “The Waddle and Silvy Show” that he would like to re-sign the third baseman, but only at a reduced price. With teams like the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers bandied ...

In a bold move Tuesday afternoon, the Chicago White Sox signed Jake Peavy to a contract extension and picked up the option on Gavin Floyd. With Peavy and Floyd penciled into the 2013 starting rotation, the White Sox signaled that they intend to win the AL Central next year. As reported by Jon Heyman from CBSSports.com, Peavy’s extension is worth $29 million over two years. Peavy, 32, had an impressive campaign in 2012. He went 11-12 with a 3.37 ERA and struck out 194 in 219 innings. Along with Chris Sale, Peavy was a constant for the White Sox rotation this past season and he would have been missed. Almost simultaneously, MLBTradeRumors.com reported that the White Sox had picked up Floyd’s $9.5 million option. Floyd’s 2012 stats (12-11, 4.29 ERA and 144 Ks in 168 innings) were less impressive than Peavy’s, but he is as solid a No. 4 starter ...

Paul Konerko, long time team captain and first baseman of the Chicago White Sox, is worthy of the MLB Hall of Fame.  If he is elected, he will join some rare company in White Sox franchise history.  Konerko is, without question, the face of the White Sox in every way and has been since the soon-to-be-enshrined Frank Thomas left town.  It goes without saying that if Konerko, a 2005 World Series champion and six-time All-Star selection for the White Sox, did get elected, it would not be on the first ballot. In fact, his best chance is probably going to be the Veterans Committee, which will take a while.Making the case for Konerko's HOF worthiness is not all that difficult as there are nine very distinct reasons why Konerko deserves the honor. @SuggestSmithBegin Slideshow

When the 2012 season opened for the Chicago White Sox, left-handed pitcher Chris Sale was an unknown entity.  As a converted reliever, the White Sox really had no idea what type of season Sale would have.  As it turns out, first-year manager Robin Ventura and White Sox fans were in for a welcome surprise. Sale, 23, turned into the ace of the staff and his stat line (17-8 with a 3.05 ERA, 192 strikeouts in 192 innings and a 1.135 WHIP in 29 starts) was among MLB’s best.  It was the best season a White Sox starting pitcher has had in some time, and exceeded even the most optimistic expectations. So, with 2012 in his back pocket, can Sale turn into a guy the White Sox can count on for years to come?  If his strengths are compared to future Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson, there is no reason to believe ...