White Sox: PECOTA Predicts Third Place Finish in Division for 2018
White Sox projected to finish in third place in American League Central division this upcoming season by PECOTA. Another losing year could take place in 2018.
The Chicago White Sox are projected to finish with another losing record in 2018 according to PECOTA. Baseball Prospectus PECOTA projections have the team finishing with a 73-89 record this upcoming season, good for third place in the American League Central division.
Last year, PECOTA predicted a 76-86 record and fourth place finish in the division for the Sox. This was with the Sox having a roster featuring Jose Quintana, Todd Frazier, and David Robertson. All of the aforementioned players were traded before the end of July last year and the Sox ultimately finished with a 67-95 record and in fourth place.
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This year, however, the Sox are projected to finish higher in the division than 2017 and with a much better overall record. PECOTA projected Cleveland to not only win the division this year but to also have the second-best record in the AL at 97-65. The complete division projections for 2018 are listed below.
Cleveland 97-65
Minnesota 81-81
White Sox 73-89
Detroit 68-94
Kansas City 66-96
This will be another rebuilding year for the Sox and expectations remain low for a team that isn’t expected to compete for another season or two. With Yoan Moncada, Lucas Giolito, Carson Fulmer and Reynaldo Lopez getting their first taste of a full MLB season, this year will be similar to 2017 in the development of the youngsters.
The Sox have solid veterans in Jose Abreu, Avisail Garcia and Welington Castillo who will potentially contribute well this year. Unlike last season, the Sox don’t have many players they could trade before the trading deadline. However, Luis Avilan and Joakim Soria could be flipped for prospects if they perform well in the first half of the season.
Next: Predicting Debuts of White Sox Top Prospects
Many Sox fans aren’t concerned with the team possibly finishing 2018 with another losing record. There will be more top prospects promoted this season as the Sox continue their rebuilding efforts towards building a contender in the future. Expect another fun, but losing year on the South Side. The team is close to contending, but it most likely won’t happen this season.