Day 5 of the 2015 Major League Baseball team overviews take us to the south side of Chicago, where the White Sox play their home games at U.S. Cellular Field. General manager Rick Hahn had an impressive off-season of moves that seemed to fill in the gaping holes on the White Sox roster. The 2015 Chicago White Sox will be a major competitor from the American League Central and big performances from key players will put them through the postseason.
Team Overview: 2015 Chicago White Sox
The 2015 off-season saw the White Sox revamp their bullpen, add new pieces to the line-up and bench, add an All-Star caliber pitcher and enter Spring Training without their captain, first baseman/designated hitter Paul Konerko, who retired after 18 seasons in the majors and 16 with the White Sox after the 2014 season. Chicago hasn’t finished in first place since 2008, only three years removed from their World Series title of 2005. From 2009-2012, they finished in either second or third place, but 2013 was a season to forget, when they went 63-99 and finish last in the division, as well as last year, when they went 73-89 and finished fourth.
General Manager Rick Hahn set out to upgrade the roster in whatever way was possible, and brought in a new left fielder, designated hitter, second baseman, utility man, two catchers, a starting pitcher, a dependable lefty reliever and a new closer. The rotation is definitely improved with the addition of Jeff Samardzija, acquired from the Athletics, and the line-up looks very good on paper, especially with the additions of Adam LaRoche and Melky Cabrera.
Roster Moves
He’s Here: 2B Gordon Beckham, 2B-OF Emilio Bonifacio, OF Melky Cabrera, P Zach Duke, P Onelki Garcia, P Dan Jennings, 1B-DH Adam LaRoche, P David Robertson, P Jeff Samardzija, OF J.B. Shuck
Non-Roster Invitees with chance to make roster: P Matt Albers, P Brad Penny, C Geovany Soto
He’s Gone: P Ronald Belisario, P Scott Carroll, OF Jordan Danks, 1B Paul Konerko, P Matt Lindstrom, C Josh Phegley, P Andre Rienzo, 2B Marcus Semien, OF Mosies Sierra
South Siders
The White Sox have gained a lot of success from two players they acquired early on in their careers and developed to the White Sox way of hitting: outfielders Adam Eaton and Avisail Garcia. On December 10, 2013, the White Sox acquired Eaton from the Diamondbacks in the three-team deal that also involved Mark Trumbo going from the Angels to Arizona. The White Sox lost pitcher Hector Santiago in the deal but got a speedy, ability-laden outfielder in Eaton. His impressive breakout 2014 season involved a .300 average with an American League leading 10 triples, a reasonable 15 stolen bases and the ability to start full-time. Most of the numbers he put up were career bests, mainly because it was his first season with 100 games, playing in 123 of them, 121 of them started in center field. Eaton’s potential for the future is unlimited with his speed and ability to now hit .300 or better, and the work hitting coach Todd Steverson and assistant hitting coach Harold Baines have put into Eaton has showed its peaks.
Avisail Garcia was another outfielder involved in a three-team deal, this one occurring on July 30, 2013, a day before the trade deadline, that sent Jake Peavy and Brayan Villarreal to the Red Sox, Jose Iglesias from the Red Sox to the Tigers, and Garcia and prospect Francellis Montas to the White Sox. Garcia led the International League (Triple-A) with a .374 average between Toledo (Tigers) and Charlotte (White Sox) before getting promoted after the trade of Alex Rios. In 2014, Garcia played until April 9, when he jammed his shoulder against the Rockies and was expected to miss the rest of the season. He returned on August 16, however, and finished the season with a .244 average and 7 homers and 29 RBIs in 46 games. Garcia figures to be the starting right fielder with Melky Cabrera coming in, and with a healthy season could show his full potential as a power hitter and contributor to the Chicago line-up.
Team Outline
(Red indicates a new acquistion)
C: Tyler Flowers
1B: Jose Abreu
2B: Gordon Beckham
3B: Conor Gillaspie
SS: Alexei Ramirez
LF: Melky Cabrera
CF: Adam Eaton
RF: Avisail Garcia
DH: Adam LaRoche
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