Chicago White Sox: Expectations, roster going forward
Jun 18, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher
Chris Sale(49) throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
As of Friday (Dec. 12), the Chicago White Sox have assembled a solid ball club.
Can the win the World Series with it? I doubt it, but I don’t think they are done adding pieces to the mix.
Lets take a look at the team position by position.
Starting Pitching
1. Chris Sale (LHP)
2. Jeff Samardzija (RHP)
3. Jose Quintana (LHP)
4. Hector Noesi (RHP)
5. John Danks (RHP)
Numbers 1-3 in the starting rotation are going to be formidable. Each of those top three pitchers had an ERA of under 4.00.
Sale ended last season with an ERA of 2.12, while Quintana saw his ERA finish at 3.32 and with the Oakland Athletics and Chicago Cubs last season, Samardzija’s ERA was 2.99. The top three White Sox pitchers also combined for 588 strikeouts last season, with Samardzija having 202, Sale 208 and Quintana at 178.
While there is a drop off after that, it is still reasonable to think that the Sox will have a good rotation in 2015.
It will be interesting to see if Carlos Rodon will be in the mix at all next year, especially after Ken Williams said he would likely start out in the bullpen.
The big question marks are going to be Noesi and Danks. If they can be solid No. 4 and 5 starters it will be an rotation that leads the Sox to a lot of wins.
If not, they will need to rely on Sale and Samardzija more to pick up the slack, which could most likely happen next season.
Sep 15, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher
Jake Petricka(52) delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals in the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City won the game 4-3. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Bullpen
Closer: David Robertson (RHP)
Set Up: Zach Duke (LHP), Zach Putnam (RHP), Jake Petricka (RHP)
LH Specialist: Dan Jennings (LHP)
Others: Javy Guerra (RHP), Daniel Webb (RHP), Eric Surkamp (LHP), Maikel Cleto (RHP).
With Robertson (formally of the New York Yankees) closing out games for the Sox in ’15 the bullpen should be significantly better. Last season, Robertson (who signed a 4 year, $46 million deal) finished with 3.08 ERA and 39 saves.
The closer also had 96 strikeouts in ’14. The White Sox bullpen had 21 blown saves in ’14, Robertson had five all of last season.
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The end of game should, in fact, be a lot better.
Duke (a free agent signing this offseason) should be a huge help against lefties, as well as later in games.
I also believe that the experience that some of the younger pitchers got last year is really going to benefit them in 2015, especially Petricka, Putnam, Webb and Guerra.
Don’t be surprised if the White Sox add another arm or two in the pen before the season starts, which will give this current roster of pitchers a different look before Opening Day.
Aug 1, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman
Jose Abreu(79) reacts after hitting a single in the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins at U.S Cellular Field. The Chicago White Sox won 10-8. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
Lineup
1. Adam Eaton (CF)
2. Alexei Ramirez (SS)
3. Jose Abreu (1B)
4. Adam LaRoche (DH)
5. Avisail Garcia (RF)
6. Conor Gillaspie (3B)
7. Dayan Viciedo (LF)*
8. Tyler Flowers (C )*
9. Micah Johnson (2B)*
*not set in stone
As for the above lineup, I could see some changes made.
The bottom third of the lineup needs some work, and second base may be a tryout between multiple players, including Johnson and Carlos Sanchez. Sanchez took over at second base when the White Sox traded Gordon Beckham at the trade deadline. He batted .250 with five RBIs in his time on the MLB roster. Johnson played in the minors all of last season.
Viciedo will likely be traded (possibly to the Seattle Mariners), and there is talk that General Manager Rick Hahn is interested in Astros catcher Jason Castro, which would be an upgrade over Flowers.
Next: Rule 5 Draft: White Sox select Peter Tago
With a couple of smart moves this team is in good shape. Next year has a chance to be a fun one for Sox fans, something we’ve needed for quite some time.
With the AL Central being winnable (but still very competitive), it should be an interesting season on the South Side in 2015 to say the least.