Team Recap: Chicago White Sox

For previous recaps, click here.

Record: 88-74, 2nd Place in the AL Central

Offensive Leaders: Paul Konerko .977 OPS, 4.2 WAR

Pitching Leaders: John Danks 3.72 ERA, John Danks/Gavin Floyd 4.3 WAR (Edwin Jackson had a 3.24 ERA and 2.0 WAR in 11 starts with the team.)

Surprise: After looking like he was near the end of his career after posting an .824 OPS from 2007-2009, Konerko exploded to have the best season of his career at 34. Konerko established career highs in HR (39), AVG (.312), OBP (.393), and SLG (.584), earning a nice 3 yr/$37.5MM extension that will take him through 2013.

Disappointment: After a strong rookie season with an .808 OPS at third base, people were extremely excited about Gordon Beckham’s sophomore campaign. Originally a shortstop before being drafted out of the University of Georgia, Beckham was supposed to make a seamless transition to the keystone where his bat would become one of the best amongst his second baseman peers. Instead, Beckham never put it all together, hitting .257/.317/.378 with only 9 HRs. Beckham’s walks dropped and his strikeouts spiked, though a strong second half saved him from the .182/.285/.234 line he had on May 21st. Beckham is young enough to make adjustments and his second half performance should give the White Sox reason to be hopeful.

Defining Moment: After floundering at the beginning of the season, the White Sox rattled off eleven consecutive victories from June 15-June 26, moving from 7.5 games back to 1.5 when the streak ended. The White Sox rode that streak to a 36-17 record across June and July to hold the division lead when August began by a half game. The White Sox couldn’t keep it up though, and were only one game over .500 the rest of the way as the Twins warmed up to take the division by six games. The hot streak at least applied some pressure to the Twins and made the AL Central an interesting place to be.

Outlook: With the Twins offseason looking like a series of subtractions, the White Sox should have a very good chance next season. Though Konerko has little chance of replicating his 2010 performance, the addition of Adam Dunn should give the team some much needed punch from the DH that was missing last season. Chicago shouldn’t need to score too many runs as the rotation will continue to be a strength with Mark Buerhle, Gavin Floyd, John Danks and Edwin Jackson being joined by either a healthy Jake Peavy or Chris Sale. There’s not much in the farm system should the team need reinforcements, but Kenny Williams should never be discounted. The Twins may be favorites to many for the division crown, but at this moment, my money’s on the Pale Hose.