Chicago White Sox: Time to keep buying for rest of ’16
The American League Central is most likely going to have a race to the finish between four teams this season, and it may not bring the best baseball in the majors, but it could bring the closest division race of the six. The Chicago White Sox have already started making moves, but they need to keep adding to their roster.
If you take a look at the Chicago White Sox this season, you realize they had one heck of a April to start the ’16 season, but since then they’ve had more twists, turns, highs and lows than a roller coaster at an amusement park will have these summer months.
After 66 games this season, the White Sox are 33-33 overall, while the Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals lead the division with each having a 35-30 overall record.
That said, the White Sox are still in the race to become champions of the AL Central this season. Although they at one time had a near 10-game lead, they’ve since allowed the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals get back into the race for the divisional title with no end in sight as to who will ultimately take home the crown once the regular season is complete.
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The White Sox have been busy as of late by trading for right-handed pitcher James Shields from the San Diego Padres, who after two starts with the “Good Guys” has been quite bad for them, with Shields allowing 14 runs (13 earned) on 17 hits (four home runs) and six walks in just seven innings pitched since joining the team.
In fact, Shields in his first two starts has been terrible as his ERA with the White Sox is 16.71, and before joining the White Sox, his ERA was 4.28 with the Padres in 11 starts.
Besides the trade for Shields, the White Sox have added Tim Anderson from the Triple-A level as their new starting shortstop and at times leadoff batter, and this season they have released former starting shortstop Jimmy Rollins and starting pitchers Mat Latos and John Danks for their sub-par play in ’16.
Another move the White Sox have made is signing free agent Justin Morneau as the new designated hitter and part-time first baseman, though Morneau was sent straight to the disabled list upon signing with Chicago.
Even with all of those moves, the White Sox need to stay buyers this season, as they’ve proven this year they can compete at times, but they are not consistent enough with the current roster.
Bruce Levine of Chicago CBS Local wrote this of the White Sox staying buyers this season, quoting Todd Frazier:
"“He wants to win, no doubt. He said to me he wasn’t getting any younger, and so why not keep battling? We have the team to do it. We have the team to get into the playoffs. We have a team that can do some damage.”"
Frazier is correct, and he’s not just saying this to toe the team line … this White Sox roster has a lot of solid players there, and currently the addition of Anderson to the lineup has also worked out well, but they still need more.
Shields doesn’t seem to be the answer they were looking for in free agency at pitcher, so maybe they can do something there, but still keep him on the roster somehow since they do owe him $20-plus million for the rest of this year and next season. They could use some improvement possibly in right field as well, and the Cincinnati Reds have a batter in Jay Bruce who would be a nice fit on this roster, as he does have power, and playing in U.S. Cellular Field would be good for him as well.
In a different article by Levine of Chicago CBS Local, it states the following about the prospect of the White Sox having interest in Bruce:
"“Chicago will once again approach the Cincinnati and other clubs regarding left-handed bats. Reds outfielder Jay Bruce remains a logical target. He’s making $12.5 million here in 2016 before he becomes a free agent at season’s end. There’s also a $1 million buyout option for 2017.”"
Following Wednesday night’s 9-8, 13-inning loss to the Atlanta Braves, Bruce is batting .273 with a .911 OPS. On Wednesday night against the Braves, he was 2-for-6 with two runs and two RBI.
There could be additions made to the bullpen as well, and eventually others on the roster, including Jose Abreu, will start to get back to their career averages, whether it be at the plate or on the mound.
With the way the AL Central has played itself out thus far in ’16, the White Sox would be making a big mistake if they didn’t try to reach the AL postseason for the first time since ’08, as that most likely means winning the Central to do so.
Going into the schedule on Thursday, the White Sox are 2.5 games back of the AL Central lead (Kansas City and Cleveland are tied for the lead, and Detroit is 2.0 games back), still in the thick of things.
Next: Todd Frazier Hitting for Power, Not Average
If the White Sox stay buyers and make good, smart moves, they can compete for a postseason spot for the remainder of the season, and in doing so, bring championship baseball back to the South Side.