White Sox Poll: What has been the best recent move?
Jul 8, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) takes the field for batting practice prior to a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago White Sox have done a lot to change the face of the team since the terrible year that was the 2013 season. Though finishing that poorly that year did eventually pay some dividends, there have been many moves that have turned the White Sox team that will report to spring training in February.
Of there many moves the White Sox have made over the past two seasons/offseasons, I’m here to ask you what signing/trade was your favorite. Feel free to let us know which move was your favorite and why.
Here are some of the signings/trades that have revamped the White Sox roster to become hopefully a contender in not only the AL Central in ’15, but the AL in general.
May 9, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) hits a single RBI against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct. 29, 2013: Jose Abreu signs six-year free agent deal
A couple days before Halloween 2013, the White Sox gave a scare to the rest of the AL Central when they acquired the services of Abreu after he defected from Cuba.
The investment on Abreu was a six-year deal for $68 million as they were the highest bidder for the eventual AL Rookie of the Year.
If teams would have realized the player Abreu would become his first MLB season, I believe teams would most likely bid a higher number on Abreu. But they didn’t, and the White Sox were rewarded by Abreu for their faith in him.
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Abreu finished the season with a team-high .317 batting average as he batted third in the White Sox order. He also had an on-base percentage of .383, and he led the majors with a .581 slugging percentage and in OPS+ of 169.
The first baseman of the White Sox was fourth in the AL MVP voting and was also a Silver Slugger Award winner.
Maybe the best part about Abreu is he’ll only continue to improve at the plate and on the field. Plus, the White Sox have surrounded him with other talented players in the batting order. Abreu is or will eventually be the face of the franchise, so expect lots of great things from No. 79 on the White Sox roster.
Sep 28, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Adam Eaton hits a single against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Dec. 10, 2013: White Sox trade of centerfielder Adam Eaton
Eaton was a part of a three-team trade that saw him come to the White Sox from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Also in the trade were the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
In that trade, the White Sox ultimately traded pitcher Hector Santiago and minor league player Brandon Jacobs.
Obtaining Eaton in this trade was a very good move for the White Sox because it gave them a natural in centerfield, plus they finally had an actual leadoff hitter.
Eaton responded by batting .300 in his first season with the White Sox, and it seems like he’ll be on the roster for some time to come.
For the White Sox centerfielder, he’s eligible for arbitration in 2016 but can’t become a free agent until 2019. This past season, Eaton made $511,000, so that is a bargain to have a player of the caliber of Eaton at that price, because he’s worth a lot more than that.
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Eaton made just four errors last season in the outfield in 121 games for a .988 fielding percentage. At the plate, besides batting .300, Eaton led the majors with 10 triples.
What I enjoyed the most about Eaton’s arrival to the White Sox was just the energy he brought to the ball club, which I’ve said on many occasions. I believe he helped keep the team loose when times weren’t so great during parts of last season, a season where the White Sox were fourth in the AL Central.
You do realize with Eaton, he’s only played in 211 MLB games and already has the .300 average in a season? He’s going to be come a very solid player for the White Sox, and in ’15, if he can stay healthy, he will really make his mark with the team next season.
Sep 7, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche (25) hits a solo home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
November 25, 2014: Adam LaRoche signs 2-year free agent deal
This was the move that really began what was the signing frenzy the White Sox have taken part in this offseason thus far.
LaRoche will end up being a very quiet but successful signing for the White Sox as the newest designated hitter, replacing Adam Dunn, who held the post for most of the season in ’14.
Though LaRoche is 35 years old, I believe he’ll be a big addition to the roster became he’ll be able to help Abreu with his defensive play, because LaRoche was a NL Gold Glove finalist in ’14 at first base. In ’12, he won the award.
The past four seasons at first base, LaRoche had fielding percentages of (’11-14) 1.000 (412 chances), .995 (1,367 chances), .991 (1,251 chances) and .994 (1,200 chances).
At the plate last season, LaRoche batted a respectable .259 in 140 games (494 at-bats). In that span, what is good about LaRoche is he had 92 RBIs and 19 doubles.
LaRoche wasn’t cheap for the White Sox, as he’ll be paid $12 million in ’15 and $13 million in ’16.
Though he won’t be getting the chances he’s become accustomed to at first base since he’ll be the designated hitter most of the time, just having LaRoche there as a veteran leader who has played in the postseason is a great thing to have.
Plus, maybe he’ll become a mentor of sorts for Abreu at first base to help him improve his game at the position.
Aug 3, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Zach Duke (59) throws to a St. Louis Cardinals batter during the seventh inning at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Brewers 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 18, 2014: White Sox sign Zach Duke to repair bullpen
Zach Duke had a rebound season in ’14, and for that season with the Milwaukee Brewers, the White Sox were all over Duke this offseason and signed him for the next three seasons.
Duke will receive $4.5 million in ’15, $5 million in ’16 and $5.5 million in ’17. By the ’17 season arrives, Duke will be 34 years old.
About the ’14 season by Duke … what caught the interest of the White Sox was his 58.2 innings on the mound where he accumulated a 2.45 ERA, much better that the 2013 season where his ERA was 6.03 with the Cincinnati Reds and the Nationals.
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Duke has a 1.125 WHIP and K/9 of 11.4, which will be very good for this bullpen to have this upcoming year, especially compared to what we had to watch the past couple seasons when the bullpen came into tough spots late in games.
Also with Duke, he brings a 1.2 WAR (wins above replacement). Duke also allowed under one run per appearance in ’14, as he allowed 19 runs in the nearly 53 innings he pitched.
The hope with Duke is he pitches like he did last season, and not like he did in ’13, but I feel with Don Cooper as his pitching coach and a change in the way he pitches from the ’13 season to the ’14 season, he’ll fit in just fine with the White Sox next year.
Sep 22, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec. 9-16: White Sox gain their Big 3
This seven-day period was Christmas come early for all White Sox fans, and it was maybe the biggest moment of all for the 2014 calendar year.
It began with the Dec. 9 trade for right-handed pitcher Jeff Samardzija, where the White Sox also gained RHP Michael Ynoa for Chris Bassitt, Josh Phegley, Rangel Ravelo and Marcus Semien.
Samardzija is in the final year of his contract, so the White Sox are going to do everything possible to win and sign Samardzija to a long-term deal.
The new RHP for the White Sox played for both the Oakland Athletics and Chicago Cubs in ’14. In his time with both teams, Samardzija pitched 219.2 innings, where he finished with a 2.99 ERA with 202 strikeouts.
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Samardzija’s ERA in ’14 would have been the second-best ERA on the White Sox in ’14, as Chris Sale had an ERA of 2.17 with 208 strikeouts.
The next day, the White Sox signed closer David Robertson to a four-year contract, finally giving the White Sox an actual closer they can depend on. Robertson’s deal is for four years, $46 million. In ’15, Robertson will earn $10 million.
In ’14 with the New York Yankees, Robertson finished with 39 saves (more than the closer by committee the White Sox had in ’14). Robertson has pitched 60-plus innings the past five seasons, including 64.1 last season, where he struck out 96 batters. In ’11 he had a 100-strikeout season in 66.2 innings.
Dec. 16 was the surprise signing for the White Sox with left fielder Melky Cabrera joining the Good Guys. Cabrera’s deal is for three years, $42 million with the LF earning $13 million in ’15.
Cabrera is coming off a season where he batted .301 with 16 home runs, 35 doubles and 73 RBIs. He’s a major upgrade over the left fielder of 2014 in Dayan Viciedo, especially in the field.