Apr 19, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Los Angeles Angels left fielder J.B. Shuck (3) runs the bases after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago White Sox will go through Spring Training with battles at second base, backup catcher and the bullpen. Once all of that is settled, there will be likely be five starters, seven relievers, eight positional starters and five bench players.
The bench is guaranteed to feature Adam LaRoche (who will be the starting designated hitter), Gordon Beckham, Emilio Bonifacio and the winning backup catcher (Geovany Soto, George Kottaras or Rob Brantly). That leaves one spot and a debate as to what that player needs to bring to the table.
The identity of the team’s everyday players consist of a good mix of power, speed and defense. The bench doesn’t exactly have that same balance.
Beckham provides excellent reserve defense at third, short and second but not much offense. Bonifacio can also contribute in the infield as well as all three outfield positions. His specialty, however, is his speed and ability to hit for average. Soto or Kottaras do provide some pop, but backup catchers don’t typically get at-bats in a pinch.
That leaves a need for power bat that could replace outfield run producers Melky Cabrera and Avisail Garcia. At this point, they have four guys in camp who could fill that need.
Next: Which of these 4 players will be on roster?