According to a report from Tom Van Riper of Forbes.com, few teams have been better at improving their efficiency in the 2012 MLB season than the Chicago White Sox. Van Riper reports that the White Sox reduced their payroll by $30.9 million, yet have so far improved their winning percentage by 44 points, making them the fourth-most improved "moneyballers" from 2011 to 2012.
How have the first place White Sox managed to do that? According to Van Riper, the young guys have been key:
4) White Sox
Payroll: -$30.9 million; Winning Pct.: +.044 (.488 to .532)
Shed several big money veterans; getting a lot out of youngsters like Alejandro De Aza and Chris Sale.
Alejandro De Aza (who has a .774 OPS and 14 steals) and Chris Sale (9-2 with a 2.27 ERA and 2.58 FIP) both earn near the league minimum for the White Sox, yet have played pivotal roles the in the team's first half success.
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