2020 White Sox season preview: Coming for the Central crown
The Chicago White Sox haven't made the postseason since 2008 - a putrid stretch that has produced just one winning season ('12). The club's ready to contend for a playoff spot this year after a transformative offseason that landed the team several high-profile veterans to pair with a young core poised to take a major leap forward. The team should be battling the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians for the American League Central title if everything goes to plan.
2020 Breakdown
2019 record: 72-89 (3rd in AL Central)
Payroll: $175,331,833
Projected record: 31-29 (3rd)
World Series odds: +2000
3-year trend: 2017 (4th); 2018 (4th); 2019 (3rd)
Key addition: Yasmani Grandal
Key subtraction: Ivan Nova
Highest projected WAR: Yasmani Grandal (2.3)
X-factor: Luis Robert
Prospect to watch: Andrew Vaughn
Winter report card: A
Projected Lineup
| Order | Player | Pos. | Proj. WAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tim Anderson | SS | 0.8 |
| 2 | Yoan Moncada (S) | 3B | 1.4 |
| 3 | Jose Abreu | 1B | 0.2 |
| 4 | Yasmani Grandal (S) | C | 2.3 |
| 5 | Edwin Encarnacion | DH | 0.2 |
| 6 | Eloy Jimenez | LF | 0.6 |
| 7 | Luis Robert | CF | 1.1 |
| 8 | Leury Garcia (S) | 2B | 0.1 |
| 9 | Adam Engel | OF | 0.0 |
Bench
| Player | Position | Proj. WAR |
|---|---|---|
| James McCann | C | 0.1 |
| Zack Collins (L) | C/1B | 0.0 |
| Danny Mendick | 3B | 0.1 |
| Cheslor Cuthbert | IF | 0.0 |
| Nicky Delmonico (L) | OF | 0.0 |
*Bold indicates player acquired during offseason
There are a lot of dangerous hitters on this team, including arguably the team's best overall player, Moncada, who's back after recovering from COVID-19. Robert, a prototypical five-tool player, is considered by many to be the favorite to take home AL Rookie of the Year. Grandal and Encarnacion have five All-Star Game appearances between them, and the former is one of the best all-around catchers in baseball. Jimenez, meanwhile, hit 31 homers in his age-22 campaign in 2019.
Rotation
| Pitcher | Throws | Proj. ERA |
|---|---|---|
| Lucas Giolito | R | 4.23 |
| Dallas Keuchel | L | 4.40 |
| Reynaldo Lopez | R | 4.95 |
| Dylan Cease | R | 4.42 |
| Gio Gonzalez | L | 4.86 |
Chicago's rotation is much deeper with the additions of Keuchel and Gonzalez, and the veteran lefties complement the hard-throwing youngsters. Giolito finished sixth in AL Cy Young voting during an All-Star season in 2019. Cease, who was one of the club's top pitching prospects, has a chance to be just as good as Giolito. Much was expected from flamethrower Michael Kopech after recovering from Tommy John surgery, but the big righty decided to opt out of the season.
Bullpen
| Pitcher | Throws | Proj. ERA |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Colome | R | 4.22 |
| Aaron Bummer | L | 3.44 |
| Steve Cishek | R | 4.69 |
| Evan Marshall | R | 4.38 |
| Kelvin Herrera | R | 4.49 |
| Jace Fry | L | 3.81 |
| Jimmy Cordero | R | 4.34 |
| Ian Hamilton | R | 4.20 |
| Carlos Rodon | L | 4.57 |
| Tayron Guerrero | R | 4.86 |
| Carson Fulmer | R | 5.05 |
The White Sox boast some solid arms in their 'pen. Bummer, who signed a five-year extension during the offseason, and free-agent acquisition Cishek form a filthy right-lefty combo late in games and will be tasked with getting the ball to Colome in the ninth. The former All-Star closer owns a career 3.07 ERA with 126 saves. More is expected out of Herrera after joining Chicago on a two-year, $18-million pact in January 2019. He posted an ugly 6.14 ERA in 51 1/3 innings last season.
Key injuries/absences
| Player | Position | Absence |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Kopech | SP | Opted out of 2020 |
| Nomar Mazara | OF | Undisclosed |
(Projected WAR/ERA source: FanGraphs)