2020 finish: 35-25, 3rd in AL Central, lost 2-1 to A’s in ALWC
Key additions: Tony LaRussa (manager), Adam Eaton (FA WAS), Liam Hendricks (FA OAK), Lance Lynn (trade TEX)
Key subtractions: Rick Renteria (manager), Alex Colome (FA MIN), James McCann (FA NYM), Edwin Encarnacion (FA), Nomar Mazara (DET), Yolmer Sanchez (waived BAL), Dane Dunning (trade TEX)
You know, I feel bad for Rick Renteria. Manages the Cubs for a season, 2 years later they win the World Series. It kind of feels the same way on the South Side. He managed the White Sox for 4 seasons. He and the team mutually parted ways, which I found odd since the White Sox are close to making a deep playoff run. They brought in 3 time World Series Champion, and former White Sox manager Tony LaRussa. LaRussa is now 76 and many criticized the move as he is unlikely to connect with the young players. So far this spring, he seems to be making a good connection to them, which is a good thing since the vast majority of their team are under 30. Can the Sox live up to the lofty expectations?
Many people are predicting the White Sox to go far this postseason. The leader of the group is reigning MVP Jose Abreu. Was coming off a 2019 where he led the AL with 123 RBI with 33 home runs. He was on pace for 51 home runs and 162 RBI! That’s insane. No reason why he won MVP. Entering his age 34 season, he’s showing no signs of slowing down. He’s projected for 33 home runs, 105 RBI, with about a .279 average. He could be in contention for a repeat MVP award. Tim Anderson was in discussion most of the season for MVP as well. There were thoughts that he might steal votes away from Abreu, but he didn’t. Anderson has really come on the past few seasons. He can’t play defense but he can sure hit the ball. He’s now becoming a more complete hitter and works hard to continue improving. Led the league in hitting in 2019 with .335, was right there again in 2020. He should be north of .320 for the 3rd straight season. With Grandal, Abreu, Moncada, and Robert all hitting behind Anderson, he should score plenty of runs too. At 3B Yoan Moncada took a major step back last year. Going from a 140 OPS+ to a 94. His average dropped 90 points! I would likely chalk this up to covid as he battled it and suffered from some of the after effects. He seems healthy and ready to go this spring. He’s hitting .313 but has yet to hit a home run. At 2B, one of their top prospects will be starting for them. Nick Madrigal is hitting .286 but has yet to take a walk. All he will likely give you is decent average and not much more. Maybe double digit home runs but that’s pushing it.
Adam Eaton returns to the Pale Hose after playing the last 4 seasons in Washington. During that time, he won a World Series so not only do they bring back a manager that won, but also a veteran leader that has won. At this point of his career he’s likely more of a .260 hitter with a handful of home runs. The other two outfielders are where the excitement comes. Luis Robert finished 2nd in the NL and his name has already been floating around as a potential MVP candidate. He has tons of power and can steal. Could be a 30-30 player but more likely 20-20. Eloy Jimenez can’t play the field worth a lick, but they really only want him in the lineup because of his bat. He already has 45 home runs in 2 seasons (14 in the shortened season). He almost hit .300 last year but I think he’s more of a .275 guy.
Projected lineup via Fangraphs
Tim Anderson SS
Yasmani Grandal C
Jose Abreu 1B
Yoan Moncada 3B
Eloy Jimenez LF
Luis Robert CF
Adam Eaton RF
Andrew Vaughn DH
Nick Madrigal 2B
Lucas Giolito wondered if he was made to pitch in the majors after a disastrous 2018. He changed the way he throws the ball going to more of a short arm (think Billy Wagner in a way) and boy has that helped. He finished 6th in the Cy Young in 2019 and 7th in 2020. I think he can take another step and potentially earn that Cy Young this year. Speaking of Cy Young, Keuchel has one (2015). He hasn’t really gotten close to that again until last year. In his first season with the Sox, he quietly put up a sub-2 ERA (1.99). He will give you many innings so you know when he pitches, the bullpen won’t need a lot of work. Another innings eater is Lance Lynn. The Sox acquired him this offseason. Lynn is your old school bulldog pitcher. He threw over 200 innings in 2019 and led the league with 84 last year. With a rotation starting with Giolito, Keuchel, and Lynn, the Sox are in good shape. The back end is where things start to get a little iffy. It’s here that could really hurt their chances for the postseason. Cease came with Eloy over from the Cubs in the Jose Quintana trade. Cease, a high prospect, has floundered so far. He will need to take a step forward this year. Carlos Rodon is mainly just filling in the 5th spot until the team feels Michael Kopech is ready to take it over full time. Kopech has a lightning quick fastball and seems fully healthy from Tommy John in 2018.
Projected rotation via Fangraphs
Lucas Giolito
Dallas Keuchel
Lance Lynn
Dylan Cease
Carlos Rodon
Liam Hendricks – closer
Prospects you should know
Andrew Vaughn – Natural power with 30 HR, .300 ave potential. Very good chance he is their DH this season.
Michael Kopech – yep, still a prospect. Opted out in 2020, missed 2019 with Tommy John, ready to go for 2021. Could crack the rotation or could be out of the pen. Either way, electric stuff!
Garrett Crochet – Drafted in 2020, debuted in 2020. First player since Mike Leake in 2010. Live arm, could be given same path as Chris Sale.
Yoelqui Cespedes – defected from Cuba. Younger brother of Yoenis. Above average raw power. Can play all 3 outfield positions. Could debut next year.
Worst case scenario – I don’t see them finishing worst than 3rd but if the young hitters regress this year, it could happen
Best case scenario – Many people have pegged the White Sox for the World Series
My prediction: 1st in AL Central
