2a. Mark Teahen 3B- Chicago White Sox
Before recent news surfaced Mark Tehaen’s signing with the Chicago White Sox was going to be my biggest offseason acquisition for the AL central. Teahen was acquired from the Kansas City Royals on November 6th in exchanged for Chirs Getz and Josh Fields. He was then signed on for three years at a cost of $14 million, avoiding arbitration.
28 year old Teahen has untapped talent that White Sox scouts see him exploiting starting in 2010. In past years Teahen was shuffled all around the Kansas City diamond and also spent time in right field. While Teahen versatility is an asset, it should benefit him to see some continuity being the White Sox everyday third baseman. This move also allows the White Sox third baseman from ‘09, Gordon Beckham, to move to a more natural position in second base. Rounding out Chicago’s infield will be Alexei Ramirez and veteran first baseman Paul Konerko. This infield will be a talented bunch, both in the field and at the plate.
I love the Mark Teahen acquisition solidifying the hot corner for Chicago at a reasonable price. The White Sox also made late season trades that brought Alex Rios and Jake Peavy to the south side and now have a superb free agent class making the White Sox my clear-cut favorites in the Central.
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This I don't get. I see Mark Teahen as a rich man's Nick Punto. He can play multiple positions and is a better hitter, but still not a very good hitter. Along with that, Teahen isn't a good defensive player either. His strikeout rate has increased each of the past three years, and his walk rate has decreased. That's a recipe for disaster if you're a hitter playing on a corner.
ReplyDeleteOnto your prediction of the White Sox being the 'clear-cut' favorites...I don't want to say you're wrong because its still early, but I just don't see this happening. They have an awful outfield (Pierre, Rios, Jones, and Quentin...maybe someone convinced Kenny Williams that its 2006?) and lost their best hitter to a division rival. Their pitching staff should be solid (though I don't think Peavy will be anywhere close to as good he was in SD) but they're going to have a real problem scoring runs. Their highest returning OBP from last year is Paul Konerko at .353. They might be able to compete up until August, but just like last year I think their inability to score runs will again be their downfall.
Don't Compare him to Nick Punto! Punto should be in Double-A tops. He is awful. The Twins now have a chance because he will not have to start the majority of the games for the Twins.
ReplyDeleteYes Teahen hasn't been extremely productive but I personally see him being successful in Chicago. So maybe this is more than a prediction than on a basis of past success.
You thought Valverde was severely overrated, didn't understand why people liked Pierre, Ankiel was only successful because the nl central is poor and Putz i'm sure you didn't like either because he's a reliever.
Could i really put Thome ahead of Teahen or any of those guys being as Thome will be a bench player? Scherzer could be effective in Detroit but hasn't shown signs of past dominance. In my opinion Teahen will be the most effective and fits the White Sox needs well.
The Twins will be solid competition to the White Sox in the central after the addition of Hudson. If i needed to pick i would lean towards the White Sox a my favorite despite the fact I hate them.