Chicago White Sox will NOT re-sign Ken Griffey Jr. | Offseason Talk
As a White Sox fan this bit of MLB news is more interesting to me than anything about Bud Selig’s decisions on the currently stalled World Series or the lopsided Presidential race. The Chicago White Sox will not re-sign Ken Griffey Jr. for the 2009 season and this might have been a “You’re fired,” reply “No I quit.” circumstance.
Griffey’s short stint didn’t leave a lot of memories at the plate but neither did the team as a whole (besides what it took to even make it to the playoffs in the first place). I will always remember that we had him during the 2008 playoff push, and his incredible home plate gun-down in the Minnesota play-in game that helped preserve our 1-0 victory. That was an awesome game. I love Junior Griffey and I wish the first ballot hall of Famer the best.
Losing in the first round of the playoffs to the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 wasn’t a major disappointment considering the White Sox ended their season with tough injuries that sidelined Team MVP and Almost AL MVP Carlos Quentin. as well as the playoff perfectionist Jose Contreras. We assuredly could have used Jose Contreras down the stretch when our 4 man rotation was limited to 3 days rest the final weeks of the season.
Word is Contreras’ ruptured 36 year-old achilles tendon will keep him out until the 2009 All-Star break, in which case he would finish the season coming out of the bullpen. That is only early speculation at this point but it is known that Contreras is already working hard to come back as early and healthy as possible.
There is now the starting position opening in CF for the Southside Good Guys and there are a lot of options (in no particular order):
1. Brian Anderson – Brian showed a lot of potential off the bench last year (finally) and was a superb late inning defensive replacement. But the White Sox probably want to find that everyday guy that could possibly be a lead off man in the order. Which Brian is not. I expect the same role out of Brian next year but who knows until after spring training which I believe will be the big question mark entering the 2009 regular season.
2. Nick Swisher – We all know and love Swisher’s presence on the field and in the locker room. Nick had some great power last year but struggled in the batting average department reducing his role to a 7-8-9 guy. He also seemed to be a liability covering ground in CF and his arm is not anything to brag about. Swisher Sweet can take this spot with a more efficient bat but he still won’t be a prototypical lead off guy.
3. Jerry Owens – The young speedster and lead off hitter hit hard times in spring training with an injury and couldn’t find a spot on the major league roster until the 40 man call ups. Owens has a lot of upside and has incredible base stealing abilities being really fast and having a high success ratio, 35 for 44 in his short career. With Orlando Cabrera most likely taking a long term deal somewhere else this could be the opening for Jerry to start in CF and be the more efficient lead off hitter for Kenny and Ozzie.
4. Dewayne Wise – Wise was pretty phenomenal late last season and some would argue that this is his job to lose. The career minor leaguer got his shot late 2008 and took full advantage especially in September and the playoffs.  He may be good trade bait this offseason because I could see the southpaw
giving a NL team some much needed experience in a platoon.
5. Bobby Jenks – Hey can’t we double switch this guy in the ninth inning during save opportunities? And I really wanna see the fat boy slide around on his belly in the outfield before I die. I am pretty sure Jenks would throw out EVERY tag up fly ball runner as long as it was hit right to him. The offseason is for dreaming right?
In all seriousness the solution in CF is again within the organization. The four options now are solid and dependent on spring training performance and the direction Ozzie wants his batting order to progress in. Free agency will be used to primarily to fill needs in the bullpen, a replacement for Orlando Cabrera, and even perhaps Joe Crede’s replacement if the health of his back is still an issue. GO GOOD GUYS!
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[tags]chicago white sox, ken griffey jr., mlb[/tags]
Tags: bobby jenks, Brian Anderson, Chicago White Sox, dewayne wise, Jerry Owens, Jose Contreras, ken griffey jr, MLB, nick swisher, offseason
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I vote for Bobby Jenks in CF. He can probably cover about as much ground as Griffey and would have a more consistently strong arm (Griffey’s amazing throw against Minnesota notwithstanding.)
JK…I think you are right, a lot of it depends on what Ozzie and Kenny’s vision is for the lineup. We have to get more speed and more fundamentally sound hitters who can get on base, move runners over, etc. Plus, with Quentin and Dye at the corners, we need an outfielder who can cover some ground. I don’t know if Brian Anderson is that guy yet. And I have heard rumors that the White Sox are looking to trade Paulie to the Angels for Chone Figgins to play third. This would put Swish at first and give us a solid #2 hitter in Figgins who get on base and do the little things in front of the boppers.
This would still leave a hole in center. it will be interesting to see who will be out there and available for us to go after. Can Gus Johnson play center field for the White Sox? He does everything else…
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The speed is what you need….the rays have proved that, the twins proved that against us….bats are nice but base running and defense change games.
Owens, anderson and wise all have the wheels you get them a hitting coach and see who comes out on top…don’t bother with swish there, he’s a solid utility guy and I think first might work for him, with konerko’s glove less than perfect.
you have to give guys time in the starting spots to prove they can perform. I say let those guys duke it out, the front office needs to make it clear that the job is up for grabs but they’ll keep it at home if they can. going out after someone is great, but save the payroll for the bullpen.
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appreciate the info guys, thanks
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