White Sox - 7/10/02

BY MARIO SCALISE
LATEST TEAM INFO
RECORD: 42-46
PLACE: 2nd
GAMES BACK: 7.5
Instead of ending this disastrous first half of the 2002 season with a bang, the Sox ended it with a thud, a big loud thud. 13 games before it, the Sox were imbarking on a key stretch with four games against the Twins, and three a piece against the below average Cubs, Tigers, and Indians. It was a chance for them to make amends and show they are better than there then 36-39 record suggested. Well, after splitting with the Twins and taking 2 of 3 from the Cubs, the Sox lost four of their six games against the Tigers and Indians. Those losses have basically put their playoff chances on the brink of extinction.

POSITION PLAYER 1st Half REVIEW/ 2nd Half PREVIEW
PLAYERS NOTED ARE ONLY NOTED FOR FANTASY PURPOSES. ALL OTHER PLAYER HAVE NO SIGNIFICANT FANTASY IMPACT AT THIS POINT
Sandy Alomar - C
What's Done: Alomar has put up strong numbers thus far with a .306 average and a good number of RBI's considering him only playing in half the games. Reason for that is injury. Alomar just came off the DL for his shoulder a short while ago.
What's to Come: If the Sox decide to keep him he'll likely become the everyday starter once again with backup Mark Johnson doing little to grant PT. If traded though, it will likely lead to him in a backup role. Not many contenders are, or have expressed interest, in an aging, injured 34-year old catcher with a close to 3 million dollar salary.

Frank Thomas - DH/1B
What's Done: Thomas has once again been the focal point of attention, but once again, it isn't from his offense. Thomas has scuffled for the most part this season despite having 54 RBI's and 14 homers. He's looked baffled at outside pitches, afraid of inside pitches, and has recently expressed a sour feeling for sitting on the bench.
What's to Come: Although Thomas would accept a deal, and it would be tempting for the Sox to deal him and his 10 million a year salary, it's unlikely to happen. Like Alomar, it will be hard for any team to pick up Thomas. His inability to play the field leaves him only open for AL teams, while his high salary leaves him only open for a team like the Yanks, which is an unlikely fit despite the Yanks interest in a DH. Thomas is expected to start again on Thursday, if so, look for a more aggressive and determined Thomas.

Paul Konerko - 1B
What's Done: Konerko has emerged as a star in both Chicago and baseball. He's put up monster numbers being amongst major league leaders in practically every offensive category. He's hit for a high average, hit for a high number of homers, while still being the known clutch hitter that he is.
What's to Come: Not really sure. He's on pace for 130+ RBI's, but it may be hard coming from a #5 hitter on a team close to being dismantled. His season was going good up until June, which is when he broke out with a .340 average and 12 homers. April and May weren't bad either; he batted .371, 4, 28 in April and .295, 4, 20 in May. You can't doubt him until he proves otherwise.

Ray Durham - 2B
What's Done: Not a great first half from Durham, but with the majors weak at second baseman, he's done good enough. His defense went through a bad spell comitting 14 errors, while his offense followed the offense of Lofton, as it sunk after the opening three weeks.
What's to Come: Durham has come around of late finding some playing time in the leadoff spot with Lofton on the bench. Durham is expected to be the first Sox, if any, dealt if the team continues to struggle. Durham isn't having a good year, but he will still be a valuable commodity on the market with teams like the Dodgers and Braves in need of a leadoff hitter/second baseman. Either way, a strong second half is a pretty good bet considering it's FA year.

Royce Clayton - SS
What's Done: Clayton started off the year on the wrong foot offensively with an average that flitered around the .200 mark until a late surge. Luckily, his offense came around much earlier, while his defense became even more reliable.
What's to Come: Tough situation. The Sox want to, but don't want to deal the 32-year old shortstop. They want to because Clayton is making close to 5 mil this year and is a free agent, but his value is so low that dealing him wouldn't give you much in return. They would rather keep him and hope his success of late carries into the second half like last year. Not a bad pickup for any fantasy team in desperate need of a shorstop.

Jose Valentin - 3B/SS
What's Done: He's played better than people think, but not as good as people expected. After putting up strong 2000 numbers while playing short, many thought the constant switching of 2001 hampered his bat. Valentin has played third full-time this year and still hasn't shown the offense of 2000 despite an improved defense and .400+ BA with RISP.
What's to Come: With prospect Joe Crede on the rise and ready to come up according to GM Kenny Williams, the Sox may consider trading him to a team in need of a versatile, all heart type player. Valentin has a year left on his contract and is getting paid a reasonable amount. If Valentin isn't dealt and Clayton stays, the eventual callup of Crede will put him in a platoon role. stay tuned.

Carlos Lee - LF
What's Done: Lee started the first half the way he started and ended 2001's second half. He continued to stay overaggressive and undisciplined at the plate, which led to his platoon stint with Liefer. He's come around of late showing patience, and is making an effort to go opposite field.
What's to Come: He was the talk of the town in trade talks in the off-season and early part of the season, but his latest development has put all talks on hold. Lofton has struggled of late putting Rowand in center, while Liefer has demanded a trade. That has left Lee in left, but for how long? He still has plenty of potential and could very well breakout if the right team comes along.

Kenny Lofton - CF
What's Done: After the first three weeks, not much. Lofton jumped out of the gate like a 37-year old with something to prove, but age and health caught up to him. Lofton, who was once up in the .350 BA range, is down to .250. He hasn't stolen a base in nearly three weeks and was recently benched the three games leading into the all-star break.
What's to Come: The development of Borchard and play of Rowand will determine if Lofton is here or not come August 1st. It's unlikely Lofton will pick up his play and make his season a respectable one, but if last year is an indication of things to come, it's not out of the question. A trade to a serious WS contender may be what Lofton needs as a jump start.

Magglio Ordonez - RF
What's Done: There is no comment needed. He's continued to show all of baseball that he's one of the best outfielders in the game. The all-star snub was the only downer to his first half.
What's to Come: Same old, same old. Expect neither a strong finish or sluggish end, just pattented Ordonez.

QUICK TAKE
The Sox should definately play better as a team, but it won't mean the players will have improved, atleast the current ones. With the Sox a ways behind the Twins and the deadline almost three weeks away, watch out for some quick trades and quick callups. If so, the evergy level for the Sox will double.
Safe Callup Bets

Joe Crede

Willie Harris

Joe Borchard

THE REMAINING PLAYER REPORTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE NEXT ISSUE, FRIDAY, JULY 12th.