Chicago White Sox: 2017 Season Review and Offseason Preview

What went right, what went wrong, and what are the top priorities for the Chicago White Sox this offseason?

With the Houston Astros making the World Series this year, there was a constant reminder on TV screens across the country of the last time the White Sox made the series. That was in 2005, when they swept the Astros for the third World Series title in team history. Three years later, the White Sox made the playoffs again but lost in the ALDS. They haven’t been to the postseason since.

On the bright side, White Sox fans can look to this year’s Astros for inspiration. The Astros bottomed out with three straight seasons of 100 or more losses while building a terrific farm system that has produced great major league players. The White Sox haven’t sunk to those depths, but did lose 95 games this season while in the midst of a full rebuild.

Of the eight highest-paid players on the White Sox, six were traded or released before the end of the season. This group included their top starting pitcher at the time, Jose Quintana, along with third baseman Todd Frazier, outfielder Melky Cabrera, and closer David Robertson. The two remaining high-salary players are Jose Abreu and the untradeable James Shields (making $21 million per year).

Losing all that talent didn’t help the team win games this year. They were 67-95 and finished fourth in the AL Central. Those 67 wins were their fewest since an ugly 63-99 season in 2013. It was a case of taking one step back so they can take two steps forward. One bright note might be that they went 15-15 over their final 30 games.

As the White Sox continue to graduate minor league talent to the big leagues, let’s take a look at what went right, what went wrong, and the team’s top offseason priorities.