The South Side Sentinel

[Mike RedSox]

Your regularly updated White Sox source of news and rumors.

[Mike RedSox]

11/27/2017 - It's been a big offseason for the ChiSox as they've shifted their focus from rebuilding to winning. Their moves reflect that of a team preparing for a playoff run, but will it be enough for a team with a -94 run differential that finished 20 games below .500? The Indians are the class of the AL Central but Detroit, Minnesota and KC all have needs if they're going to contend. Is now the right time to be trading young talent for the pieces required to win? Here is the Sox offseason in Review

Todd Frazier rejects qualifying offer.

After a 4+ WAR season the organization was hoping that Frazier would come back on a 1 year QO.  He rejected that offer instead deciding to hit the FA market.  He has rebuffed managements attempts to make him a multiyear offer instead expressing his desire to shop his wares elsewhere.

Traded for Carlos Martinez, Adam Wainwright.

Many believe it was a blockbuster but to GM Mike Ball trading for Carlos Martinez was a no brainer.  CarMart immediately takes over as the team's ace and after posting a 3.5WAR with a 4.84 ERA he hopes that the best is yet to come.  CarMart is an extreme ground baller who had a 57.9% GO rate.  Carlos is owed 84.5M over 7 years.

In Wainwright Ball get's veteran leadership and a great arm as the 36 y/o won 15 games and pitched 186 innings.  Wainwright is owed 19.5M this year and will hit free agency next season.

Ball said it was a tough decision giving up on three young arms in Giolito, Fulmer and Burdi.

Avasail Garcia and Zach Putnam denied arbitration.

With a crowded outfield and packed bullpen the Sox made the decision not to offer arb to Garcia and Putnam.  The Sox felt like they had too many roster spots invested in right handed bats and Putnam's arb figure of 3M was too much for this small market team to pay a so-so middle reliever.

Projected Lineup

With Frazier this team finished 4th in OBP but only 9th in Runs Scored and 13th in HRs in the AL.  Without Frazier this team will need young players Moncada/Devers/Benintendi to really step up and hit for power.

2B Yoan Moncada .327/.393/.600
DH Chris Koch .291/.376/.381
LF Andrew Benintendi .286/.360/.467
3B Rafael Devers .326/.375/.584
RF David Peralta .238/.334/.422
CF Charlie Tilson .327/.381/.477
SS Tim Anderson .262/.285/.392
1B Richie Shaffer .240/.316/.450
C Christian Vazquez .230/.303/.314

Projected Rotation

The starting rotation is a mix of veterans and young rising stars.  

RHP Carlos Martinez
LHP Carlos Rodon
RHP Josh Tomlin
RHP Adam Wainwright
LHP Eduardo Rodriguez

One to watch

Taken 12th overall in the draft, Brendan McKay posted solid but not spectacular numbers in rookie league ball.  McKay, fast approaching his age 22 season, management hopes that he will progress quickly and vie for a starting rotation spot next season.

Rumors

Apparently the team is still trying to keep in touch with Frazier about a 2-3 year extension.  While the team would prefer a left handed power bat, his ability to play both 1st and 3rd would be an asset.

While the bullpen seems complete the team wouldn't mind adding a pitcher with closing experience.  While Dan Jennings did a great job, his skill set and left handedness would be more valuable in a setup or specialist role.

[Commissioner Erick]

I'm not sure how quickly the wins will come, but the amount of high-end young talent on your major league roster is astounding.

[Mike RedSox]

Opening Day Update 4/26/2018

Current injuries: Closer Dan Jennings and CF Jacob May are out for a week or so.  In the meantime here is the opening day roster...

Finalized Pitching Staff:
1) Carlos Martinez
2) Carlos Rodon
3) Josh Tomlin
4) Eduardo Rodriguez
5) Adam Wainwright

Bullpen:
Closers: Dan Jennings, Dan Otero
Middle: Drew Storen, AJ Cole, Tommy Kahnle, Joe Smith
Long: Tyler Chatwood, Wilking Rodriguez

Starting Lineup:
2B Yoan Moncada
DH Chris Koch
CF Andrew Benintendi
3B Rafael Devers
LF David Peralta
SS Tim Anderson
1B Eric Hosmer
RF Charlie TIlson
C Christian Vazquez

Bench:
C Omar Narvaez
UTIL Matt Davidson
UTIL Gavin Checchini
OF Brandon Guyer

Down on the farm:
LHP Brendan McKay - Promoted to AA
LHP Trevor Rogers - Doing another year in Rookie League
RHP Reynaldo Lopez - Repeating AAA and needs to find some control

RF Kyle Jacobsen - Moving up to A+, needs to work on his ability to get on base
SS Ryan Lillard - Crushed A level and moving up to AA, could be ready at the end of this year

[Mike RedSox]

Progress?

Well we're more than a 1/3 through the season (41.9% to be exact) and the White Sox are turning heads... Or are they?

In a move that stunned the front office the Sox have yet to be awarded game of the week.  Thus far this year there have been 12 games of the week, Seattle vs Toronto makes 13.  This will be Toronto's 3rd GOTW, Seattle's first.

Asked why he even cares, White Sox GM and Manager Mike Ball responded, "because I'm thin skinned and I take everything personally!".  Mike has posted the game of the week articles in the locker room for team leaders Drew Storen and Eric Hosmer to motivate the squad to an impressive 42 and 26 record.  The pitchers have really taken it to heart as the staff boasts the lowest runs against in the AL.

When veteran Adam Wainwright was approached for comment the tension was palpable, "the GOTW can sit and spin, we're using it for motivation, it's for chumps anyway".  The affable Wainwright is posting his best season since we can remember.

Youngster Rafael Devers has his opinion too... "Our last Monday game is against the Royals, maybe they'll GOTW that train wreck".

Maybe they will Raffy, but regardless of notoriety this team is focused on winning the AL Central.  The team is 2nd in the AL in run differential, but while they might be on top now they may lack the depth it might take to finish strong.  Time will tell, but in the meantime this team is taking it one GOTW at a time.