This offseason was expected to be a slow one for the Black Sox, as the core of the team coming off an 85 win season in 2008 was young and improving and had no real major weaknesses that couldn’t be addressed internally, other than the bullpen. However, things changed quickly shortly after the arbitration period was completed.
On November 22nd, the Black Sox traded Jose Lopez to the Birmingham Bandits in exchange for 24-year old SP prospect Tim Jones, 34-year old reliever Darrell Dowdle and 22-year old 3B prospect John Robinson. Lopez never quite reached the level that the Black Sox anticipated when they acquired him back in 2007 and was expendable simply due to the progression of a multitude of outfielders in the Black Sox system. Dowdle pitched the last 11 seasons with the Bandits after 3 in Long Beach and has a career ERA of 3.64 to go along with 99 saves and a 538/266 k/bb ratio. He is certainly entering the twilight of his career but has not showed any signs of slowing down recently. Jones and Robinson are both quality prospects that add depth to the Black Sox system.
On November 27th, the Black Sox made a more surprising move, trading 31-year old CF Chris Neal to California for a pair of 21-year old prospects, SP Al Hall and CL Victor Waller. Neal was a key part of the Black Sox run last season, moving to CF and responding by playing error-free ball in 132 games while hitting .290 with a .350 OBP hitting primarily 1st or 2nd in the order. He was known to potentially be available due to the emergence of prospect Bart Lavigne who hit .294 with a .384 OBP in AAA and .400 with a .471 OBP in 30 AB’s at the major league level. However, the expectation was that he would move to LF. Those plans surprisingly changed when Hall and Waller were offered. Both are potentially high-ceiling contributors but are a couple years away.
As a result of moving 2/3 of their outfield from 2008, the Black Sox then turned to the EBA Free Agent market and were able to settle on three guaranteed years with 7-time EBA all-star and 4-time Glove Wizard Award winner Brodie Burt, who hit .318 with a .444 OBP in 1,002 EBA games. He has been penciled into the leadoff spot in the lineup, playing LF. His offense should potentially represent a big upgrade at the top of the lineup with potential to score over 100 runs with around .400 OBP.
The latest move came last night as the Black Sox agreed to send 27-year old Juan Rivera, along with 27-year old first baseman Thomas Taylor to the Baltimore Monarchs in exchange for 3 highly regarded prospects. Coming to Chicago are 2B/SS Jimmy Brennan, CF Fernando Colon and SP Dennis Tolbert. Brennan, combined with 2B Enrico Torres should provide an outstanding AAA middle infield in 2009 – both are high ceiling infielders that are about a year away from contributing at the big league level. Colon looks a lot like Lavigne, and looks to be a couple years away from a big league promotion, and will start the year in A-ball. He looks to be the eventual replacement for Brodie Burt in LF after his contract is up. Tolbert is another solid arm in the Black Sox system that scouts believe could eventually be a #3 starter. Rivera was someone who never quite lived up to his potential in Chicago but reports from spring training stated that this could be a break out year for the 27 year old. He could potentially be a top-flight pitcher in this league, but the truth of the matter is that Jason Brooks proved that he is ready for a full-time spot in the rotation this year.
Other additional moves this offseason resulted in (1) the acquisition of 2B Tom Lee via the Rule 5 draft from California. Lee will be the backup 2B and looks to have solid potential with a solid bat, and great defensive and baserunning potential. (2) The signing of 35-year old MR Jerry Bostic to a 3-year contract to help solidify the bullpen. Bostic has great numbers throughout his career as a lefty-specialist and will fill that role in Chicago. (3) Signing of three outfielders, RF Bob Grant, CF Hartmann Farber and RF Esteban Duarte. Each will compete for a backup OF role and potentially could see some time in AAA this year.
It should be another interesting year in Chicago this season – they will not surprise anyone after their strong start in 2008 and only time will tell if the swap of Neal/Burt and Rivera/Brooks were good ones for the short and/or long term health of the franchise.
2009 V1 - Black Sox Offseason Summary
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Re: 2009 V1 - Black Sox Offseason Summary
Chicago scares me this season. Had it not been for a 2nd half collapse, you guys had the division. I think 2009 may be the year you make a real run at it. Chicago's pitching is better than Madison's. Madison's offense is better top to bottom. But I think your pitching may be better than mine compared to my offense being better than yours. Should be a fun 2009 season.
Chris Wilson
LB Surfers 95-96
FL Pac Champs: 95
Madison Wolves 99-2039
JL MW: 99-2009, 17, 20, 21
JL WC: 12
JL: 01, 04, 09, 12
FL Heartland: 32
FL WC: 31, 33
BBA Champs: 04, 09
Portland Lumberjacks 2040-
FL Pacific: 50
FL WC: 49, 51
FL Champs: 49, 51
Vic Caleca TN of the Year 2046
LB Surfers 95-96
FL Pac Champs: 95
Madison Wolves 99-2039
JL MW: 99-2009, 17, 20, 21
JL WC: 12
JL: 01, 04, 09, 12
FL Heartland: 32
FL WC: 31, 33
BBA Champs: 04, 09
Portland Lumberjacks 2040-
FL Pacific: 50
FL WC: 49, 51
FL Champs: 49, 51
Vic Caleca TN of the Year 2046
Re: 2009 V1 - Black Sox Offseason Summary
I hope you are right - we played better than I expected through the All-Star break and much worse than I thought was possible past afterwards. Looking forward to the challenge this year.7teen wrote:Chicago scares me this season. Had it not been for a 2nd half collapse, you guys had the division. I think 2009 may be the year you make a real run at it. Chicago's pitching is better than Madison's. Madison's offense is better top to bottom. But I think your pitching may be better than mine compared to my offense being better than yours. Should be a fun 2009 season.
Re: 2009 V1 - Black Sox Offseason Summary
Yeah thats going to be a fun battle to watch, good luck to you both
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