The team on the opposite side of town may have everyone talking during spring training, but it is Rick Hahn and the White Sox are making the real noise leading up to the 2015 MLB season. After finishing 73-89, Hahn has quietly had a spectacular offseason by adding pieces thru free agency that have reshaped the White Sox into a contender for this year’s AL Central crown.
Surprisingly, an ex-Cub was the biggest splash of the offseason, as Hahn traded for Jeff Samardzija while giving up peanuts in return after the A’s gave up their top prospect for Samardzija last year. Samardzija is a bona fide #2 starter and will be slated between potential Cy Young candidate Chris Sale and Jose Quintana. Whether it is for one year or five, the White Sox have 3 starters that manager Robin Ventura has supreme confidence in leading his team.
The White Sox bull pen had some glaring holes after last season and Rick Hahn made 3 key acquisitions to tighten things up on the back end after the bullpen finished the 2014 ranked 28th in the league with a 4.38 ERA. A reliable closer was at the top of list and Hahn signed ex-Yankee closer David Robertson to a 4 year, 46 million dollar deal. Robertson was the first closer for the Yankees after the great Mariano Rivera, and he posted a 3.08 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 96 SO and saved 39 out of 44 opportunities last year.
Hahn also obtained 2 solid left handers to enter into the bull pen mix, by signing Zach Duke to a 3 year, 15 million dollar deal and trading for Dan Jennings who posted a 1.34 ERA in 47 games last season. The Sox gave up Andre Rienzo to the Marlins for Jennings but that wasn’t much of a loss with Carlos Rodon waiting in the wings.
With Paul Konerko retiring and Dayan Viciedo being shipped out, the Sox signed 1st/DH Adam LaRoche to supplement the teams’ loss of power with a 2 year, 25 million dollar deal. The left handed batting LaRoche is also a gold-glove caliber first baseman and will be able to spell Jose Abreu in the field when the Ventura wants to DH his slugger.
We haven’t even mentioned Melky Cabrera… which was THE surprise signing of the offseason by the Rick Hahn. Cabrera, 30, a switch-hitter who will play left field for the Sox, batted .301/.351/.458 in 2014 for the Toronto Blue Jays. Cabrera sign with the Sox in the middle of December for 3 years and 42 million dollars. Sox fans are used to seeing below-average defense from their left fielders and Cabrera will not break that trend. If Cabrera can keep his offensive numbers while being average in the field, this will be a great signing by Rick Hahn.
Some other notable veteran signings include, Geovany Soto, Gordon Beckham and Emilio Bonifacio. None of these players will start for the Sox but their presence will be felt in the locker room and late inning defensive substitutions.
On paper, the White Sox roster can be stacked up against any team in their division. Especially, since the Tiger and Royals took a step back from last year, and the Twins/Indians held serve, the Sox have an opportunity to make a bid for the playoffs this year.
@WesEvans24