Chicago White Sox, 2015 (76-86 4th in central division)

Key additions: Todd Frazier, Brett Lawrie, Dioner Navarro, Jimmy Rollins, Alex Avila, Matt Latos, Austin Jackson

Returning players: Adam Eaton, Jose Abreu, Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, Melky Cabrera, John Danks, David  Robertson

Outlook: The Chicago White Sox had a quiet offseason. Although they signed All-Star 3rd baseman Todd Frazier and 2nd baseman Brett Lawrie, they didn’t give the bang that the fans were looking for. The White Sox were supposedly “In” on every prospect on the market, but didn’t reel in the big fish. They failed to sign guys like Yoenis Cespedes, Alex Gordon, and Dexter Fowler to fill their gap in right field, Reindstorf and company did not give the fans the big signing that they were looking for.

Recently, the White Sox were able to finish off their offseason with the addition of Austin Jackson. On the surface, White Sox fans will see a guy that struggled at the plate last season playing most of the year with the Seattle Mariners before being traded to the Chicago Cubs shortly before playoffs. When I look at this move, I feel that it will work great for the upcoming season.

The Sox now have the ability to: promote competition between Eaton, Jackson, and Avicil Garcia, give  Manager Robin Ventura the ability to ride the hot hitter at any given time in the season, and  allows the sox to be much stronger defensively.

When looking at the White Sox potential lineup in 2016, Adam LaRoche looked to have the starting designated hitter spot locked down. March 15 made that statement untrue as LaRoche decided to retire, walking away from a 13 million dollar contract, and leaving the designated hitter spot wide open.

Shortly after the announcement, it was leaked that the reason for LaRoche’s retirement was because Executive Vice President Kenny Williams told LaRoche that he had to cut back on bringing his 14 year old son to the facility every day. This caused backlash from many media outlets, but really why is this a problem. A 14 year old kid does not belong in an MLB locker room day in and day out.

Mike Holland, Director of Development and Planned Giving, was happy with the retirement, “I think this move is great, it sets a precedent for the season. It shows the players that the management wants more focus.” He also agreed that the MLB locker room is no place for a 14 year old, “I don’t think it was an unreasonable request, they asked him to reduce the visits not eliminate them.”

Filling LaRoche’s spot may be the underperforming right fielder Avisail Garcia. Garcia busted onto the scene after beng picked up in a midseason trade with Detroit in 2013, after which he hit .283  with 7 homeruns and 31 RBIs in just 244 at-bats. Next season the Sox saw more of the same thing from the talented outfielder, but he tore his labrum,  ending  his season. Coming back from that injury in 2015, Garcia had a dismal season, hitting  just .257 in 553 at-bats.

Garcia has been challenged this offseason as well, and will be fighting for a spot. However, competition is just what Garcia might need. He came into camp with a new stance, and hopefully a new attitude to get better, and now compete. My bold prediction of the year is that Garcia comes back from his first healthy off-season and produces middle of the order numbers at designated hitter.

Another competition going on in camp is for shortstop, between 26 year old Tyler Saladino and 37 year old Jimmy Rollins. Rollins, who was brought in just before spring training, was signed to a minor league contract, and now has a real chance of being seen on opening day at shortstop.

However, I see Saladino being the opening day shortstop, at least until top prospect Tim Anderson comes up from Class AAA Charlotte. This call up will likely happen in June or July if Anderson continues the rapid path of his development.

Next we can look at the rotation the White Sox will sport this spring, which Don Cooper sees as is the perfect hybrid between strikeouts and ground balls. Sale, who set several White Sox strike out records in 2015, has come back 10 pounds heaver with an attitude to win. Sale is tired of waiting for the White Sox to be winners, and wants to pitch in a playoff game.

Following Sale, the team will be able to trot out a rotation with trusty veteran Jose Quintana, young starter Carlos Rodon (who if he improves his control should be a consistent part of the rotation), John Danks (the highest paid player on the team), and new acquisition Matt Latos.

Although the White Sox have a solid rotation, the work of their bullpen will determine how far they may go. David Robertson (who had 34 saves last year), should be the closer, while Zack Duke will be the set-up man, creating the 1-2 punch that the Sox are looking for to end games. Guys like Nate Jones, Jake Petricia, Dan Jennings, and a few others will round out the young bullpen.

Overall the Chicago White Sox look to be poised for a successful year and have come out of the gates in spring training with a new attitude. Sox fans have several reasons to be excited. One Mount Carmel fan, senior Jake Lenti, is most excited for the middle of the order, “The 3-4 punch of Abreu and Frazier is going to provide a lot of pop in the heart of the order.  We should see a lot home runs on the Southside this year.”

Whle this offseason has brought several new acquisitions, with 13 million dollars free and clear the White Sox have the power to make a move to add another asset either now or later in the year if there’s the chance for a late season playoff push.

If their big name players play like they are paid, I see the Sox competing in the division and winning a wild card spot. Soxtober 2016 could be upon us.

My projected opening day line-up                            projected rotation

Adam Eaton LF                                                              Chris Sale SP

Melky Cabrera RF                                                          Jose Quintana SP

Jose Abreu 1B                                                                 Carlos Rodon SP

Todd Frazier 3B                                                              John Danks SP

Brett Lawrie 2B                                                               Matt Latos SP

Avicil Garcia DH

Austin Jackson CF

Alex Avila C

Tyler Saladino SS