MLB Spring Training: Chicago White Sox Full Preview
2015 Chicago White Sox in review
76-86, 4th in AL Central, 12th in AL
Top three hitters: 1B/DH José Abreu (.290, 30 HR, 101 RBI), CF Adam Eaton (.287, 14 HR, 56 RBI), LF Melky Cabrera (.273, 12 HR, 77 RBI)
Top three pitchers: SP Chris Sale (13-11, 3.41 ERA, 11.8 K/9), SP José Quintana (9-10, 3.36 ERA, 4.8 WAR), CL David Robertson (34 SV, 3.41 ERA)
Key offseason transactions
Additions: 3B Todd Frazier (via trade), IF Brett Lawrie (via trade), C Alex Avila (free agent), C Dioner Navarro (free agent), RHP Mat Latos (free agent), RHP Jacob Turner (free agent)
Losses: SS Alexei Ramirez (declined team option), RHP Jeff Samardzija (elected free agency), IF Gordon Beckham (elected free agency), C Tyler Flowers (elected free agency), 2B Micah Johnson (trade), CF Trayce Thompson (trade), RHP Frankie Montas (trade), C Geovany Soto (elected free agency)
Rotation
- Chris Sale
- José Quintana
- Carlos Rodon
- John Danks
- Mat Latos/Erik Johnson
The 1-2-3 punch of Sale, Quintana and Rodon is right up there with the best in the AL. We all know what Sale can do, but Quintana doesn’t get enough credit for his work. The “kind of no-decisions” compiled a 9-10 record last season, but didn’t get much help along the way. In fact, in his first six losses last year, Quintana allowed a total of four runs.
Beyond Sale and Quintana, it gets a little messy. Carlos Rodon had a very respectable rookie
campaign, finishing 9-6 with a 3.75 ERA. If he can reach double figures in the win column this season, the Sox will be in a good spot. We’ll see during spring training if he’s curbed his control a little more, as that was his main issue last year, leading to high pitch counts and early hooks.
John Danks and his monster contract (due nearly $16 million) will be on the books for one more season. It’s really a thorn in general manager Rick Hahn’s side right now, as that money could have gone towards improvements at other positions this offseason, notably shortstop and right field. However, Danks will likely churn out another seven-win season and essentially, his main objective will be to act as an innings-eater.
Hahn made a sneaky move by signing Mat Latos to a one-year, $3 million deal. It’s the definition of a low-risk, high-reward type deal and could pay big dividends if Latos returns to form. Latos has had three 14-win seasons, but struggled last year, going 4-10 with a 4.95 ERA. Erik Johnson and Latos, both right-handers, will battle it out in spring training for the final spot in the rotation.
Lineup
- CF Adam Eaton
- DH José Abreu
- LF Melky Cabrera
- 3B Todd Frazier
- 2B Brett Lawrie
- 1B Adam LaRoche
- C Alex Avila/Dioner Navarro
- RF Avisail Garcia
- SS Tyler Saladino
The 2016 White Sox will look considerably different on the field than last year’s team. Todd
Frazier, acquired as part of a three-team deal involving the Dodgers and Reds, will provide a big boost in the middle of a lineup that ranked last in the AL in home runs last season (136). Trading for Frazier did not come without a hefty price, however. The Sox dealt away an MLB-ready second baseman in Micah Johnson, a promising young outfielder in Trayce Thompson and one of their top pitching prospects, Frankie Montas. However, the third base position has long been a weakness for the Sox, so pulling the trigger on the Frazier deal was a must.
Second baseman Brett Lawrie was a tremendous pickup by Hahn. Lawrie was acquired in exchange for two lower-level prospects and is a guy who is capable of having a 20 HR, 70 RBI season. He’s an instant big-time upgrade at second base.
Replacing the catching tandem of Tyler Flowers and Geovany Soto with Alex Avila and Dioner Navarro is another instant upgrade for the Sox.
If Adam Eaton can continue at the pace he reached during the second half of last season and Avisail Garcia finally reaches expectations, the Sox will not be short of offensive output.
There is still plenty of time for Hahn to lure another free agent upgrade to the South Side, however. Shortstop Ian Desmond’s name has been rumored with the Sox, as well as outfielder Dexter Fowler.
Bullpen
After a tumultuous few seasons of poor bullpen contribution, the Sox finally saw some improvement last year and it should continue this season. David Robertson should reach 30
saves again with his arsenal of pitches and impressive command. Jake Petricka, Zach Putnam, Dan Jennings and Zach Duke are all nice pieces, but the real key to the bullpen continuing on this path of success will be Matt Albers, who re-signed with the team on a one-year deal back in late January. Albers has dealt with injuries throughout his career, but when healthy, has been impressive. Last year, in 30 appearances, Albers had a 1.21 ERA and a WHIP of 1.07.
2016 outlook
Looking at the job Rick Hahn’s done this offseason, Sox fans have a lot to be excited about in 2016. Upgrades at three positions should help the offensive output and the rotation has a solid foundation. If the bullpen holds up, Chicago could make some noise in the playoff hunt this year. Are the Sox a World Series-caliber team? Likely not. However, it certainly would be within their capability to sneak in as a wild card team.
What do you think about the White Sox chances in 2016? Let us know in the comment section below.