Final Roster
Sep 26, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez hits a RBI single against the Kansas City Royals in the 8th inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
After combining the best pieces of both the ’05 and ’15 rosters, the final batting order and respective position set up looks like this: (’05 players are in bold)
1. CF Adam Eaton
2. LF Melky Cabrera
3. 1B Jose Abreu
4. DH Adam LaRoche
5. RF Jermaine Dye
6. 3B Joe Crede
7. C A.J. Pierzynski
8. SS Alexei Ramirez
9. 2B Tadahito Iguchi
SP: Chris Sale
CL: David Robertson
Rotation: 2015 starters (Sale/Samardzija/Quintana/Danks/Noesi-Rodon)
This would certainly be a dangerous team, and one that could seriously challenge for 99 wins, like the ’05 team accomplished. Then again, it’s all about chemistry and how the season unfolds. The ’05 White Sox weren’t touted on paper prior to their championship season, and the ’15 club has its own share of critics.
A lot had to break right for the ’05 club to gel and eventually bring a trophy back to Chicago, but at the core it was the pure talent of the roster that made them successful.
In the end, I’d take 55-percent of the ’15 lineup over what the White Sox had in ’05, and I think the pitching is actually stronger.
From my estimation, the ’05 team was stronger primarily at only four roster spots (RF,C, 3B, 2B), and maybe the back-end of the rotation as well, but the strength of this season’s front trio gives the ’15 rotation the overall edge.
Unlike the ’05 team, the ’15 club sports two legit superstars in Chris Sale and Jose Abreu, and on paper looks like the better overall roster. It’s easy to understand why expectations are so high, and with the talent on the South Side it’s playoffs or bust in 2015.