Three Position Battles That Must Be Finalized Before Spring Training Ends for the Chicago White Sox
The starting right field job is trending toward Dominic Fletcher, but Gavin Sheets is still getting at-bats this spring. Bench and bullpen spots are still up for grabs.
The Chicago White Sox Opening Day roster is still far from being finalized. Manager Pedro Grifol admitted as much with just five more Cactus League games left.
Grifol on O-Day roster: "Normally at this time your team is set. Ours is not yet. That’s a credit to our scouts, Gene Watson, Chris Getz, the front office, they put together a group of players this year that are flat-out competing. There’s some decisions to be made."
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) March 20, 2024
The White Sox starting lineup should be finalized except for one spot. We will address that shortly. The only surprise switch could be Max Stassi being the official starting catcher over Martin Maldonado. Since neither is going to provide much offense, it really does not matter who starts at catcher so long as they can handle the pitching staff and play better defense than Yasmani Grandal.
The starting rotation should be set since there is no one left to compete for the fifth spot. Rookie Nick Nastrini has had a wonderful spring and has earned that final spot. One thing is for sure, the starting rotation is the epitome of cheap.
A Crochet, Soroka, Fedde, Flexen, Nastrini rotation would cost White Sox $13.79 million in salary this season.
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) March 20, 2024
The Sox do have three position battles that need to be finalized over these final Cactus League games.
1) Starting Right Fielder
Dominic Fletcher and Gavin Sheets have been getting the bulk of the at-bats there. Fletcher is struggling at the plate while Sheets is thriving. Remember, this is spring where stats do count, and guys are sometimes working on things to get ready for the season.
Fletcher was acquired by the current front office while Sheets is from the prior regime. However, general manager Chris Getz was the director of player development under former GM Rick Hahn. Getz is more focused on defense and Fletcher is the better player in that area. That is probably going to the deciding factor for both players who hit left-handed.
Kevin Pillar is a non-roster invite who is also having a better spring at the plate than Fletcher. He will most likely be the fourth outfielder.
2) Bench Roles
Braden Shewmake was on his way toward being the utility infielder. Then he sprained his ankle, and it is looking like he will start the season on the IL.
That means non-roster invitees Danny Mendick, Zach Remillard, and Mike Moustakas have an opening to win a job. Moustakas can play first and third along with second in a pinch. Mendick and Remillard can play second, shortstop, and third.
Moustakas is a veteran power left-handed bat who provides a great clubhouse presence. He is struggling at the plate this spring. Remillard is having the best spring training at the plate of the three.
If Sheets makes the team, he can fill the left-handed power bat off the bench while also being able to play first. That could doom Moustakas. At the same time, Moustakas is a former Kansas City Royal with ties to Grifol. Veteran Brett Phillips also still cannot be ruled out for the fourth outfielder spot with his amazing ability to roam the outfield. He is also a former Royal.
Sheets does have a minor league option left, so he could be sent to Triple-A Charlotte in favor of the veterans.
3) Bullpen
Michael Kopech has been banished to the pen permanently. He still has value with his stuff in relief. Plus, he might be better suited facing certain parts of a lineup and not an entire hitting order (and more than once).
Steven Wilson was acquired in the Dylan Cease trade. He was slated to be one of the San Diego Padres primary setup pitchers, so expect him to have the same role on the Sox.
John Brebbia was one of Getz's free-agent signings this offseason. He has been an effective reliever during his six-year career. Deivi Garcia is having an outstanding spring along with rookie Jordan Leasure.
That is five relief pitchers that should make the Opening Day roster. If the Sox want to carry eight bullpen arms, that leaves three more spots up for grabs.
Tim Hill is pitching great this spring and has a leg up in winning a job since he is a southpaw. Tanner Banks is another lefty who should win a job as the pen's long arm. Veteran Touki Toussaint has had a terrible spring, but he still has value as a possible extra starter that can be kept in the pen.
Dominic Leone and Jake Cousins have also thrown well this spring. They could round out the bullpen. The Sox could choose to go with veterans like Jesse Chavez, Bryan Shaw, Jake Woodford, or Nicholas Padilla instead despite Chavez, Shaw, and Woodford not having as strong of Cactus League compared with Leone or Cousins.
Next. Next. Chicago White Sox Opening Day Roster Projection. dark