Chicago White Sox: Best and Worst Case Scenarios for 2015
Aug 30, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
We are less than a week and half away from the opening night of the 2015 baseball season. Teams are in the process of finalizing their rosters and setting up their depth charts.
Every team is in first and their respective fan bases are filled with optimism hoping that this is the year that their team wins the World Series. Today, we will look at the best case and worse case scenarios for the Chicago White Sox.
Expectations are high, but the primary factor that determines where a team finishes is luck. Some teams get lucky and their guys stay healthy the entire year, where as in most cases a team loses a significant player to an injury that impacts them the whole season.
The thing is nobody can predict injuries which is why luck plays such a significant role. Not everyone’s best case scenario is winning the World Series mind you. Sometimes it’s just making it above .500 and showing progress that they are on the right path.
However most teams worse case is finishing last in their respective division and while it sucks most times it can be attributed to poor luck such as losing their best player to an injury. Nonetheless, there is a silver lining in that you can rebound quickly and improve the overall talent that a team has throughout their organization by drafting well or signing free agents to improve the big league club’s depth.
Next: Worst Case for the White Sox
Worst Case
Sep 24, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers (21) and starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Pitching
The ace of the staff in Chris Sale gets injured. Yes, he’s already injured and more than likely going to miss his first start, but I am talking about an injury that takes more time away from the season.
The acquisition of Jeff Samardzija doesn’t live up to expectations and the White Sox trade him at the midway point of the season for prospects.
The back end of the rotation contributes nothing and gets knocked around. The fourth and fifth spots don’t even win 15 games between the two of them.
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The bullpen’s acquisitions don’t pan out or get injured and the back end of the rotation becomes a revolving door and nobody has a preset role.
Offense
Last year’s rookie of the year, Jose Abreu gets mired in a sophomore slump and his stats plummet.
Adam LaRoche turns into Adam Dunn while Melky Cabrera flops. The sparkplug of the offense in Adam Eaton gets hurt making defensive plays.
The team cant find viable solutions or contributions from the bottom of the order.
Overall
The team does not live up to the hype and falls flat on their face. Robin Ventura gets fired and the teams finishes a surprising fifth in the division behind the pesky Twins. Fans are left wondering if they’ll be waiting 88 years before another title.
Next: Best Case for the White Sox
Best Case
Aug 13, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jose Quintana (62) pitches the ball against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Pitching
The ace of the staff in Chris Sale only misses his first start and throws over 200 innings and wins the Cy Young. Both Samardzija and Quintana win 15 games as the second and third starters.
Carlos Rodon replaces either John Danks or the fifth starter at the time and makes the rotation the best in the AL.
The bullpen becomes one of the best in the AL with contributions from Jesse Crain, Zach Duke, and David Robertson.
Offense
Jose Abreu dominates again and posts a 40-home run season with a .300 batting average, and finishes in the Top 3 of the AL MVP voting.
The free agent acquisitions of LaRoche and Cabrera earn their money as LaRoche provides the power and Cabrera provides the ability to get on base.
Micah Johnson earns the second base job and keeps it by stealing bases and playing solid defense.
Avisail Garcia realizes his potential and gives the White Sox another powerful bat.
Overall
The White Sox shock the pundits and win a close race for the AL Central. From there it’s a crap-shoot but they make it to the World Series and bring the title back to the Southside of Chicago.
Next: Zach Putnam having spring struggles