White Sox additions of veteran relievers this offseason could help bullpen become a major strength of the team this upcoming season.
If the Chicago White Sox are going to surprise many people this year and reach the postseason, the team’s bullpen could be a huge factor. This offseason, the Sox added two veteran relievers to its bullpen which can help the team this upcoming season.
The Sox won’t be expected to contend in their second rebuilding season, but they have a stronger bullpen than they had to end 2017. Luis Avilan and Joakim Soria were acquired this offseason via trade to help solidify the Sox bullpen for 2018. Both relievers have veteran experience with the latter having experience as a closer.
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With the Sox adding Avilan and Soria, the bullpen will be much better than it was at the end of last season. Although the Sox bullpen was very poor in August after the trades of David Robertson, Dan Jennings, Tommy Kahnle and Anthony Swarzak, they had a better month in September. However, the Sox still needed to add more veterans for this upcoming season.
While the Sox added veterans in Avilan and Soria, they also have some solid relief options from last season. Juan Minaya and Gregory Infante both had good final months of 2017 for the team, and Nate Jones could provide a nice setup option for the Sox this season. Despite his injury, Jones has been a reliable setup man when healthy in the past.
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The Sox could very well trade Avilan and Soria this season if their values are high and the team isn’t winning. But if they are winning, expect both relievers to be a big reason for the team’s surprising success. Rick Hahn did a good in acquiring more depth for the Sox bullpen and it could pay immediate dividends this year for a team nobody expects to be competitive.