Chicago White Sox: What are needs to target in deals?
This season, the Chicago White Sox have struggled to score runs. That is just a fact. However, the organization is deeper in certain areas than they are in others.
While it is uncertain the deals they will make or whom the White Sox are targeting, here are the key positions for the team needs improve upon for the rest of this season and into future seasons.
Catcher
If the White Sox are going to make a deal for a position player in a major deal, catcher should be among the players involved.
Jun 16, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Starling Marte (R) crosses home plate to score as Chicago White Sox catcher Geovany Soto (L) takes a high throw during the third inning in an inter-league game at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
This organization is awful at that position, considering the fact that they don’t have anyone (minors or majors) who has MLB starting potential.
Geovany Soto will likely be gone before 2016, and Tyler Flowers is nothing more than a backup. When looking at most minor league scouting reports, the Sox might not have anything better on the way anytime soon.
Will they address this position over the next six months?
Well, it starts over the next month, however it will be easier to find even more talent over the winter. I don’t expect them to have a whole lot of depth at the catching position anytime soon, however the Sox need to find a major-league caliber starting catcher by the start of 2016.
Next: Third Base
Third Base
Feb 28, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox infielder Matt Davidson poses for a portrait during photo day at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
In December of 2013, Chicago acquired Matt Davidson in a trade with the Diamndbacks. It was their hope that he would become the third baseman of the future, however he has struggled in Triple-A.
While Davidson has power, his struggles to make contact in the minors is a red flag. If he can make better contact, not to mention become a better all-around player Davidson might be a legit big-league third baseman.
Until then, the Sox need to look at other options starting 2016. The Sox do have some depth in regards to young pitching, but if I were running the Sox I would be careful who I moved.
I don’t think a player the level of Josh Donaldson will be headed to the South Side (via trade at least). After what happened this year, the team needs to be careful who they spend money on due to the fact that when players get older they tend to get worse not better.
I don’t think I need to tell anyone that Conor Gillespie and Gordon Beckham are not adequate starting third baseman at the MLB level. The trouble will be finding one that will not only produce in 2016, but over the next few years as well.
Next: Second Base
Second Base
Jun 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox second baseman Carlos Sanchez (5) forces out Texas Rangers third baseman Adam Rosales (9) on the front end of a double play during the second inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
This position is less of an issue due to the fact that both Carlos Sanchez and Micah Johnson are both rookies this year.
While both have struggled on one side of the ball, it is very possible that one or both could become solid players at that position at some point.
In 131 at-bats with the White Sox this season Sanchez is batting .176 with an on-base percentage of .216. Johnson in his tenure with the White Sox in ’15 before being sent down to Triple-A Charlotte was batting .270 in 74 at-bats with a .333 on-base percentage.
In the field Johnson had three errors in 213 innings, while Sanchez currently has one error in 345 innings this season.
Next: Pitcher
Pitcher
Apr 17, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox hat in the dugout before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The saying is “you can never have enough good pitching.” While the organization has good pitching, I would not be opposed to getting another good starter.
However, they have to find a way to fill the holes at third base and catcher first.
Overall, the White Sox are still building due to the fact that there are multiple positions of poor players.
They will continue to build the MLB roster, as well as the minor league roster. When a team has little to no talent at both the major and minor league levels just two years ago, it is remarkable to think how much talent has been infused into the organization as a whole.
Developing players isn’t something that happens overnight, and there will be bumps in the road as well. It isn’t reality to think that the Sox would be back in the playoffs two years after they lost 99 games, but to improve the organization from top to bottom is.
Next: White Sox Triple-A Pitcher of the Month