White Sox Thoughts

Sox thoughts through week 1. Record:3-3

• Good to Scotty Pods starting off hot, he’s as important he’s as important as anyone in the lineup. Hitting over .360 coming into Oakland, Podsednik went 3-4 with a homer on Monday and scored a couple runs. All the nagging injuries he’s had since the second half of 2005 might be finally healed now, and that would be huge for the top of the Sox order.

• Mixed thoughts on Darrin Erstad so far. I really thought Brian Anderson was going to break out this season- now it seems clear that he’s not in the White Sox future plans. Because they’re paying Erstad in peanuts, he was a good signing no matter what. Veteran’s like Erstad are important in the clubhouse; he’s a good veteran presence who knows how to steal a base and still has a little speed left. He also let’s Ozzie hit Iguchi seventh or eighth, which is something they wanted to do last season but Uribe couldn’t handle the heat in the 2 hole.

• You have to be impressed with John Danks. Making his first major league start against the best pitcher in baseball, the only runs he allowed came from a three jack hit by the reigning AL MVP. Its good Danks was able to make the rotation this year because it gives him a full season where he won’t have too much pressure on him. With Buerhle maybe leaving after this season, and with Contreas getting old and bad, Danks could be the third starter next season if he continues to develop.

• The bullpen has pitched well so far. Massett, Sisco, and Aardsma all look legit. Massett could play a big role this season because he’s the Sox only long reliever, and Sisco looks as good as advertised. Aardsma has the highlight of the season so far, coming in with the bases loaded against the Indians and striking out the side. It was a little reminiscent of El Duque in game three of the 2005 ALDS against the Red Sox.