White Sox: Five Intriguing Spring Training Storylines
White Sox open Spring Training with no expectations of contending. What will be the most intriguing storylines for the Spring?
The Chicago White Sox began Spring Training this past Tuesday in Glendale, Arizona. While the team isn’t expected to contend this upcoming season, there are still some intriguing storylines for the South Siders. The Sox won’t have the expectation from fans and the media of contending for the postseason. This could work in the favor of the Sox as they’ve failed to live up to lofty expectations over the past two seasons.
With a new season upon Sox fans, the start of Spring Training has to be a welcome sight. Fans don’t have to wait much longer to see live baseball, and they can get the chance to see some of the young prospects the team acquired over the offseason. Despite this being the first Spring Training without Chris Sale since 2010, the Sox will still field a pitching rotation that features Jose Quintana. However, could this be the last Sox Spring Training for Quintana?
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The Sox have other trade candidates in Todd Frazier, David Robertson and Jose Abreu. Although neither player was traded this offseason, this could very well be each players last Spring Training with the Sox. The last update regarding a potential trade between the Sox and Nationals hit a stalemate with the start of Spring Training quickly approaching this past Monday.
As Spring Training begins, there will be other things for fans to watch as the Sox prepare for the upcoming season. Who will win the battle at second base between Tyler Saladino and Brett Lawrie? Will Rick Renteria be able to keep the Sox motivated for the start of the season? These are just some storylines Sox fans should watch out for, but there’s much more in store for the South Siders in Arizona.
How will the new prospects do this spring?
The White Sox added some talented prospects over the offseason through trades of Sale and Adam Eaton. The trades vaulted the Sox farm system into the top half of baseball and added some valuable depth to the organization. With the start of Spring Training, Sox fans will finally get to see some of these prospects perform in Arizona. But how will these prospects do with the Sox?
Lucas Giolito, who was acquired from the Washington Nationals along with Reynaldo Lopez and Dane Dunning will be on the Sox Spring Training roster. Giolito is a long shot to make the team out of Arizona, but should get some valuable starts this spring. Although Giolito struggled in his brief MLB stint with the Nationals last season, he will look to put that behind him and focus on being a good contributor for the Sox future success. Lopez, who could be a solid addition to the Sox bullpen in the future, figures to get some game action this spring.
Yoan Moncada, who was acquired from the Boston Red Sox along with Michael Kopech, Victor Diaz and Luis Alexander Basabe will begin his first Spring Training with the Sox. Moncada, the no. 2 ranked prospect in MLB could be the Sox second baseman of the future. With Lawrie and Saladino above him on the depth chart, Moncada is very long shot at making the Sox coming out of Spring Training. However, a solid spring would bode well for the native Cuban’s confidence heading into this season.
Will Frazier get an extension?
Frazier has gone on record stating that he would love to play in Chicago past this season. But with the Sox in a clear rebuild, will the team actually resign the veteran slugger to an extension or trade him during the season?
Frazier has also stated he would like to be a clubhouse leader for the younger players this season. With his ability to lead a team, it would make sense for the Sox to extend him this spring. However, he could also increase his trade value this season and make it hard for the Sox to not move him before the trading deadline.
The Sox haven’t had a clear leader since Paul Konerko retired, and Frazier could very well be the leader this team needs during its rebuilding. If the Sox don’t extend Frazier this spring, it could mean the inevitable end of his time on the South Side. Although it might be brief, Frazier will most likely be remembered positively by Sox fans.
How Will Rick Renteria Handle First Spring Training As White Sox Manager?
Robin Ventura should have never managed the Sox. However, Sox fans endured some of the worst stretch of baseball in over two decades. Mercifully Ventura ‘stepped down’ and the Sox replaced him with someone who actually had managerial experience in Renteria.
This will be the first spring Sox fans will get to see Renteria manage the team, and he’s already stated the South Siders will play for the organization first. This has to be good news for Sox fans to finally have a manager that will show passion for the team. Ventrua wasn’t a bad person, but he just wasn’t an ideal choice to be leading a major league ball club. He really had no business doing so.
Renteria should get a chance to manage the Sox next contending team, but for now the focus will be on player development. This will be very important for the future of the Sox. Renteria will be a good change of pace for the Sox this upcoming season. Hopefully, there won’t be any controversy for the Sox similar to last Spring Training.
Is This Jose Quintana’s Last White Sox Spring Training?
Quintana has been mentioned in trade rumors throughout this offseason, but he began Spring Training as a member of the White Sox. Will this be his last Spring Training with the Sox? Although he hasn’t been traded yet, it doesn’t mean he will be around for the remainder of the upcoming season.
The All-Star pitcher could improve his trade value with a very strong first half this season and another appearance in the Midsummer Classic. Quintana is currently the best pitcher on the trade market, but the Sox haven’t received a trade offer worthy of moving the native Colombian.
If the Sox hold onto Quintana throughout Spring Training, he will certainly get his first Opening Day start of his career against the Detroit Tigers on April 3. This would be a good way for the Sox to start the season at home with one of the more popular players still on the team. The Sox don’t have to rush to trade Quintana, and his durability will be much needed to start the season for a rebuilding ball club.
Who Will Win Battle at 2nd Base?
Last season Lawrie appeared in 94 games before ending his season with a hamstring injury. Saladino would later assume the role of starting second baseman and excelled for the Sox. With the upcoming season, who will win the battle at second base this spring?
Lawrie has battled injuries throughout his career, and he could find himself regulated to the bench if he gets injured again. Saladino hit a career-high .282 in 93 games for the Sox last season, and played solid defense at second base. Lawrie hit .248 for the Sox, but did lead the team with 22 doubles before his injury.
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The Sox battle at second base could be one of the more intriguing stroylines during Spring Training. Saladino has yet to start a full season for the Sox since being called up in 2015, but this could be his chance to do so this upcoming season. For Lawrie, this is his contract year and he will need to stay healthy in order to start a full season for the Sox.