The Chicago White Sox busy offseason has no doubt put them in a much better spot than they were last season. The additions to both the offense and the defense are moves that will likely put them in the playoff mix in 2020.
The Chicago White Sox were recently ranked at 17th of 30 on a preseason power rankings list. Despite the fact that they have added significant firepower to their squad and will clearly be in playoff contention this season, they are not yet the team with the target on their backs. The pitching staff looks strong, but it is not quite at the level it needs to be for a serious World Series run just yet.
The Chicago White Sox likely have most of the arms they need to be World Series contenders within the next few years. That will require that many youngsters step up and fill their roles, and the veterans in the rotation will need to do their jobs and provide the strength the club needs to compete.
To begin with the starting rotation, this appears to be the area that some young arms need to step up and make some serious noise. The South Side does have a rather strong staff already; with the additions of Dallas Keuchel and Gio Gonzalez in the offseason, the Sox have added depth and experience with these two lefties.
They also have RHP Lucas Giolito returning after a season in which he posted a 3.41 ERA. This is the clear top three for the White Sox, but they will need to stay healthy and pitch the way they’ve proved themselves capable of if they want to make a legitimate run at the playoffs and World Series in the future.
Dylan Cease (24) and Reynaldo Lopez (26) appear to be the four and five starters at the moment, and they will benefit from some more experience in the majors this season.
Michael Kopech (23) was assigned to Triple-A Charlotte to start the year, but when the season does eventually get underway, he will be monitored closely by the organization and it will only be a matter of time before he gets the call back up to the show.
These are three of the younger arms that have an opportunity to step up and transform the rotation into one that can compete for a 100-win season in the coming years.
In the bullpen, there are many strong arms that will give the Sox a good chance to win games this season.
signed an extension in the offseason and will look to continue to provide strength in the late innings, while
Alex Colomewill serve as the team’s closer again in 2020.
Reliever Steve Cishek switched over to the South Side from the Cubs in the offseason, and he will be a significant addition for those late innings. Other middle relievers include Jimmy Cordero, Evan Marshall, and Carlos Rodon, among others. The bullpen does appear strong, but one or two more arms would benefit the pen down the line, especially for the middle innings.
A lot has to go right for the Sox this year to be that team, but this staff has already shown promise and potential to be something special in the near future. Keuchel is a former Cy Young winner, and he and Gonzalez have both posted 20+ win seasons in the past.
These two southpaws along with Giolito will need to be on their A-game to give the Sox a chance at the postseason in 2020, but the potential for these three to make a serious impact on the success of the team is undeniable.
The myriad of young arms in the Chicago White Sox’s system is extremely promising, and time will tell if Kopech and company are the answers for the staff. In the upcoming years, they will likely need to sign another powerful arm or two to upgrade the staff to one that ranks among the league’s best.
Nevertheless, the puzzle pieces are falling into place on the hill in Chicago as they appear ready to make their name known as serious playoff contenders.