Season comes to a close

It's a little bittersweet but the 2012 White Sox season comes to a close after tonight's 9-0 win over the Cleveland Indians. The win gives the Sox a final record of 85-77 under Robin Ventura's inaugural season as manager.

Seeing that the pressure was off, Gavin Floyd turned in his best start of the year. He pitched 7 innings of 3 hit ball. Floyd will end up with a 12-11 record on the year that was filled with mediocrity for him.

Dan Johnson who sat on the bench much of September clubbed three home runs tonight. There was also a Dayan Viciedo sighting. Viciedo looked everything the player Sox fans wanted him to be in September and went 3-4 including a 9th inning solo home run.

There's mixed emotions about this year as many, including myself, had low expectations for this squad. This team was in the race longer than in previous years and sat in first place for much of the season. So watching other teams celebrate their playoff births is a little tough to swallow.

Just two weeks ago the Sox were sitting in first place and counting down their magic number. A complete tailspin was about to unfold as they dropped every series until this one. Meanwhile, the Tigers manned up and are now gearing up for the postseason while the Sox will get to golf, hunt, drink, or whatever it is they do in the offseason.

Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn will have some decisions to make this offseason on players like A.J. Pierzynski, Gavin Floyd, Matt Thornton, and Jake Peavy.

It's already been noted that the Sox will not pick up the $22 million club option on Peavy and will exercise the $4 million buy out making him a free agent. The decision is will they sign him to a lesser multi-year deal which seems unlikely.

I would assume Kevin Youkilis is gone. Youk seemed to miss Boston more than he was interested in helping the Sox win the division and I'm sure there is a team out there willing to overpay for his services. 

The interesting story will be A.J. I would be all for resigning A.J. but at what cost? I'm not sure what catchers are out there to be had and I don't really consider Tyler Flowers to be a long term answer.

The Sox have been in MLB purgatory since the end of their 2008 playoff run. Not good enough to get over the top but not God awful either. As usual it should shape up to be an interesting offseason on the south side and Kenny Williams has been promoted to team President and Rick Hahn will take over G.M. duties.