5 spots set, but bullpen remains an issue for Sox
With an eye toward 2010, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams added Jake Peavy and Freddy Garcia to the rotation late last season.
The Sox' starting five is solid, but the bullpen is still a work in progress. Let's take a look:
Is Bobby Jenks still the closer? He is, but a fairly quick change could be in the works if Jenks struggles like he did in 2009 while blowing a career-high 6 saves and allowing 9 home runs, the most among American League closers.
Carrying 300 pounds on his 6-foot-4 frame last year, Jenks was challenged by Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen at the end of the season after landing on the disabled list with a strained calf.
Jenks gradually took the criticism to heart over the winter, shedding 25 pounds while working on his strength and flexibility and swearing off alcohol. He was a little behind at the start of spring training, but Jenks is determined to get it back together and perform like the all-star he was in 2006-'07.
What if Jenks fails again? Considering his fastball is consistently clocked at 97-98 mph, Matt Thornton is a viable option to pitch the ninth inning.
But newcomer J.J. Putz is the obvious choice to replace Jenks if the need arises.
Fully recovered from June 9 surgery to remove bone chips from his throwing (right) elbow, Putz was a premier closer for the Seattle Mariners in 2006-'07, saving a combined 76 games.
Why were they able to sign Putz for only one year at $3 million? Even though the 33-year-old right-hander has been sharp since the first day of spring training, there is the injury issue. But Putz could have accepted more lucrative offers from several teams, including his hometown Detroit Tigers.
Putz signed with the White Sox for three reasons: He believes they can contend for the playoffs; he is tight with Thornton; and camp is conveniently right down the road from his off-season home in Peoria, Ariz.
Is Scott Linebrink still on the roster? He is, and the struggling setup man has two more years (and $10.5 million) remaining on his contract.
Desperate to revamp the Sox' abysmal bullpen after the 2007 season, Williams personally scouted Linebrink and pounced on the right-hander with a four-year deal.
Linebrink was worth every penny early in 2008, going 2-2 with a 2.37 ERA in the first half of the season while reeling off 14 straight scoreless appearances in May.
In July, Linebrink pitched in back-to-back games against Oakland, injured a muscle in the back of his right shoulder and hasn't been the same since.
Preferring to blame his ragged showing over the past season and a half on an inability to get ahead in the count rather than any lingering health issues, Linebrink enters the upcoming season with diminished expectations.
Who gets the final two spots in the bullpen? With Jenks, Putz, Thornton, Linebrink and Tony Pena all set in the 'pen, manager Ozzie Guillen has been pumping up former starter/nonroster invitee Daniel Cabrera this spring, but the 6-foot-9 righty has to prove he can consistently throw the ball over the plate.
Converted shortstop Sergio Santos has a power arm but needs more seasoning in the minor leagues, as does top prospect Clevelan Santeliz.
Daniel Hudson is probably the best bullpen candidate, but the Sox might want him to go back to Class AAA Charlotte and remain a starter.
Left-hander Randy Williams has a lively arm and Guillen is a fan.
AL's bestWhere we rank the top closers:1. Mariano Rivera, Yankees2. Joakim Soria, Royals3. Brian Fuentes, Angels6. BOBBY JENKS, WHITE SOXFalse16722000White Sox' reliever Bobby Jenks reacts after getting the Oakland Athletics' Nomar Garciaparra to ground out to end the tenth inning.Associated PressFalse <div class="infoBox"><h1>More Coverage</h1><div class="infoBoxContent"><div class="infoArea"><h2>Stories</h2><ul class="links"><li><a href="/story/?id=364463&src=162">For starters, Sox expect rotation to be one of baseball's best <span class="date">[03/08/10]</span></a></li></ul></div></div></div>