Chicagoist's 2014 White Sox Preview
By Benjy Lipsman in News on Mar 31, 2014 4:00PM
The White Sox and their fans would like to forget all about 2013, which saw the team lose 99 games in the franchise's worst campaign since 1970. As the South Siders fell from contention last year, GM Rick Hahn began shipping off many of the team's high priced talent. The retooling process continued throughout the off-season, with a number of additions and a big free agency signings. But while the team is already in transition, one longtime leader remains for a while longer. 2014 is likely to be most remembered for Paul Konerko's curtain call.
Key Departures:
Jake Peavy - SP
Alex Rios - RF
Gavin Floyd - SP
Addison Reed - Closer
Key Additions:
Jose Abreu - 1B/DH
Avisail Garcia - OF
Adam Eaton - OF
Matt Davidson - 3B*
Felipe Paulino - SP
With the Sox hopelessly out of contention by the All-Star break in 2013, Hahn traded Jesse Crain, Jake Peavy and Alex Rios to cut the team's payroll and begin the rebuilding process during last season by landing pieces like Avisail Garcia. In the off-season, he made two deals with the Arizona Diamondbacks trading closer Addison Reed for Matt Davidson (* who begins the season in the minors) and landing Adam Eaton in return for Hector Santiago. The biggest splash came when the Sox signed Cuban defector Jose Abreu to a $68 million contract, landing one of Cuba's top young sluggers. Having lost Gavin Floyd to the Braves in free agency, the Sox signed former Royal pitcher Felipe Paulino to help round out the rotation.
Projected Line-Up:
Adam Eaton - CF
Alejandro De Aza/Dayan Viciedo - LF
Jose Abreu - 1B
Adam Dunn/Paul Konerko - DH
Avisail Garcia - RF
Alexei Ramirez - SS
Conor Gillaspie - 3B
Gordon Beckham - 2B
Tyler Flowers - C
Projected Starting Rotation:
Chris Sale
John Danks
Jose Quintana
Felipe Paulino
Erik Johnson
With the addition of Adam Eaton in center field, the Sox will likely platoon Alejandro De Aza and Dayan Viciedo in left, and Avisail Garcia getting a shot to play every day in right field. With Abreu's addition and Konerko's return, the Sox are a bit heavy at first base/designated hitter. Konerko isn't expected to play every day, but instead join the line-up against lefties -- meaning he's out of the line-up on Opening Day for the first time since 1999. But we may see more Paulie than we expect as the season -- his final -- winds down or if Adam Dunn struggles once again. The line-up certainly got younger, and should hopefully produce more offense than the 2013 version. Last year the Sox managed just 598 runs -- worse than every team but Miami. Alexei Ramirez and Gordon Beckham (who begins the season on the DL) again fill the middle of the infield and must prove that they can bounce back after backsliding in each of the past couple seasons. Without management finding a better option behind the plate, Tyler Flowers gets another shot at proving he's capable for the every day job. Conor Gillaspie begins the season at the hot corner, but he's likely just keeping it warm until Matt Davidson gets the call.
The South Siders' pitching was middle of the pack and the team lost some key arms from last year. Gone are Jake Peavy and Gavin Floyd from the rotation. Chris Sale is among the best pitchers in baseball, and the Sox's ace will be counted on to anchor a rotation with lots of questions. Jose Quintana was solid in 2013. But beyond the two of them are lots of questions. John Danks looks to return to pre-injury form, after missing most of 2012 and part of 2013 following shoulder surgery, he posted a 4-14 record and 4.75 ERA last year. He looked good in Spring Training, so perhaps he's finally healthy again. Bringing up the back of the rotation are rookie Erik Johnson and Felipe Paulino who pitched last with Kansas City. He's only 13-32 in his five year career and his lifetyle ERA approaches 5. The White Sox traded a number of young arms as part of their rebuilding process, so they no longer have Hector Santiago or Zach Stewart to fill in should somebody falter or get injured.
The bullpen is likewise thinner than in the past. It's not yet clear who'll step into the closer role following Reed's departure, with Nate Jones, Matt Lindstrom and Daniel Webb in the mix. But the team's past track record suggests there's a serviceable closer waiting in the wings already on the roster. Ronald Belisario, Maikel Cleto, Scott Downs, and Donnie Veal round out the 'pen.
With a retooled roster and a payroll down substantially from last year's opening day ($91 million vs. $118 million), the Sox are for perhaps the first time in the Kenny Williams era conceding that they're in a rebuilding phase. Certainly, we can expect the Sox to win more games than the 63 they managed last season. But even approaching .500 would be a major feat. It's possible, however, if the new additions perform well, the rotation stays healthy and Robin Ventura can work the magic that caused 2012's squad to challenge for the division until the last week of the season. We're going to predict the White Sox finish the season 77-85, ahead of only Minnesota in the AL Central. So expect most of the focus in '14 to be on No. 14 and his final season on the South Side.