Chicago White Sox

Now that the baseball season is winding to a close and the races are essentially over, it's time to look back and evaluate what went on in 2009.

The Sox were picked to finish in third place by most publications and that is exactly where they are right now. Though they were in the race for the division most of the year, they never built enough momentum to take a lead and fell out of the race in late August.

When you’re a fan of a team who had the potential to make the playoffs but falls short, there's always the question of “what if?”

“What if they had made it? They have such a good top of the rotation and a ton of veterans...they were made for the playoffs!”

I found myself asking “what if?” about this year's White Sox team. The Sox came into the season with low expectations, yet found themselves competing for a division title anyway. Now they sit six games back with too few games remaining to feel they actually have a chance.

HOOVER, Ala.—The box score would indicate a pitching duel reminiscent of the night before. But what really transpired Friday night at Regions Park was a pair of back-to-back-to-back missed opportunities by the Barons, followed by a battle within of who could care less. And a visiting club that was happy to mow over an uninspired home team.

The Chicago White Sox currently have a pitching prospect named Carlos Torres.

White Sox fans, I'd forgive you if you've never heard of him. Non-White Sox fans, I'd be shocked if you have.

Carlos Torres was ranked the White Sox's 25th best prospect coming into the year by Baseball America. 

Torres is 26, and he's a member of the rotation of the White Sox's Triple-A affiliate, the Charlotte Knights. He didn't reach Triple-A until a few months shy of his 26th birthday, which is part of the reason why scouts aren't thrilled with him.

Infielder grades

Outfielder + DH grades

Yesterday: infielders

Again, these grades are based on a combination of my own personal expectations and each player's WAR.

For a full archive of my articles, check out my page at Examiner.com.

The White Sox head into the All-Star break at 45-43, 3.5 games back of the division-leading Tigers, and you know what? For where this team was earlier in the year, that's really not bad. Until this weekend's predictable series at the Metrodome, the White Sox had not lost a series since June 8-11 against Detroit.

Peter Gammons was on ESPN 1000 with Waddle and Silvy today, and the possibility of Roy Halladay to the Sox was a major topic.

Blue Jay's GM J.P. Ricciardi recently said that they'll have to at least listen to offers for their ace starter, and the Sox seem to make a lot of sense as a landing spot. They've already tried to acquire an ace pitcher once this season, and they seem to have the requisite young talent to make an offer.

Team Name: Chicago White Sox

Year Established: 1901

City: Chicago

Ballpark: U.S. Cellular Field

League: American League

Division: AL Central

Number of Playoff Appearances: 9

Number of Pennants: 6

World Series Titles: 1906, 1917, 2005

All-Time Teams

Catcher: Carlton Fisk

First Base: Frank Thomas

Second Base: Eddie Collins

Third Base: Robin Ventura

Shortstop: Luke Appling

Those of you that follow the Sox closely may have heard the reference to the "three-year board" before. General Manager Kenny Williams has mentioned in the past that he has a board that he uses as a reference with all of the players in the organization and which ones he expects to be a part of the roster over the next three seasons.

I will now create my own three-year Board with my own guesses concerning the following:

-Which Sox players will still be around for the 2012 season

-Which Sox prospects we can reasonably expect to contribute to the team