Bringing Buehrle Back

One of the biggest question this offseason is whether or not Mark Buehrle will be returning to the White Sox. His contract is up and there are talks that he will be headed to his hometown, St. Louis. This is a reasonable expectation, but I don't think that will happen.

First, if Buehrle leaves the White Sox won't have anyone that's ready to be an ace and will have almost no veteran presence on the pitching staff. Buehrle is vital to this team. Getting rid of him would be giving up the 2012 season.

Second, Buehrle does want to go to St. Louis, but only if he has to choose another team. He wants to stay with the Sox above all other things. If the Sox give him a fair offer, he will come back. He isn't going to leave the Sox unless the Sox decide to get rid of him. He wants to stay.

I just have very little reason to believe that he will leave. I think Kenny Williams wants Buehrle back and will do as much as he can to give him a good enough contract offer. Buehrle wants to play here and the Sox want him back. That should mean that he will come back. I don't want to see the post-Buehrle White Sox yet.

Sale in the Rotation

It was recently announced that Chris Sale would be in the White Sox rotation in 2012. There was some fans and writers saying that he might be in the rotation last year at the start of the season, but that never happened. This is different. He will be in the rotation next year. I think this was a smart move. After a very short stay on the White Sox in 2010, they wanted him to have a full year in the majors before making him a starter. In that year, he had ups and downs but overall had a very good year. I think he’s good in the bullpen, but I really want to see what he can do in the rotation.

If Buehrle or Floyd leave the Sox this year, his presence in the rotation will be needed even more. I think he can be a very solid 5th starter this coming year and possibly move up in the rotation.