Back for another installment of my MLB Offseason Breakdown for the 2020 season. If you are new here, what I do is write about all the acquisitions and losses the team had, my projected lineups and rotations, grade for the offseason, and my prediction for the team in the 2020 season. Let’s get into it.
Offseason Acquisition and Loses:
C Yasmani Grandal signs a 4 year $73 million contract
I really like this signing for the White Sox because this signing only makes your offense better. Grandal isn’t going to impress you with his batting average, but the 2-time All-Star knows how to affect the game. Last season Grandal had 28 home runs, 78 RBIs, 26 doubles, and had a slugging percentage of .468. Not to forget he’s a solid player to have behind the plate.
LHP Dallas Keuchel signs a 3 year $55.5 million contract
I don’t hate this signing by Chicago, because even though Keuchel didn’t impress last season in Atlanta, I like them taking a chance on the former Cy Young winner. If Keuchel can get his ERA down to 3.40 and pitches at least 180 innings, I see this as a successful signing.
DH Edwin Encarnacion signs a 1 year $12 million contract
Another good signing by Chicago as they get one of the best power hitters in the MLB. Encarnacion did miss some time due to injury last season, playing in 109 games in Seattle and New York, but was still able to hit 34 home runs and get 86 RBIs.
White Sox trade a minor league prospect to Texas for RF Nomar Mazara
Another good pickup for Chicago as they get a pretty solid young player in Mazara. Mazara is only 24 and had a very regular season for himself last year. He hit a career-high .268 and had 19 home runs and 66 RBIs. You can out Mazara anywhere in the lineup and he will produce.
RHP Steve Cishek signed a 1 year $6 million contract
Another one. White Sox continuing their strong offseason by getting one of the better relief pitchers in baseball. Cishek is one of the more underrated players in the MLB, having a career ERA of 2.69.
RHP Gio Gonzalez signs a 1 year $5 million contract
The White Sox make their starting rotation even better by adding Gonzalez. Gonzalez missed time last season with Milwaukee, but I feel like he could be a good 3-4 pitcher for Chicago.
Projected Lineup:
C: Yasmani Grandal
1B: Jose Abreu
2B: Leury Garcia
3B: Yoan Moncada
SS: Tim Anderson
LF: Eloy Jimenez
CF: Luis Robert
RF: Nomar Mazara
DH: Edwin Encarnacion
Projected Rotation
1. Lucas Giolito
2. Dallas Keuchel
3. Gio Gonzalez
4. Dylan Cease
5. Reynaldo Lopez
Offseason Grade: A+
2020 Prediction:
The White Sox did so much better than the previous offseason, and I would say this was a better result for them. Why waste all that money on Machado, when they got solid players this offseason. I see a huge jump in performance for this very young team as they will come in second place the AL Central, making the 1st Wild Card spot. The White Sox will win the Wild Card game, but lose in the ALDS.
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Previous Offseason Breakdowns:
MLB 2020 Offseason Breakdown: Arizona Diamondbacks
MLB 2020 Offseason Breakdown: Atlanta Braves
MLB 2020 Offseason Breakdown: Baltimore Orioles
MLB 2020 Offseason Breakdown: Boston Red Sox
MLB 2020 Offseason Breakdown: Chicago Cubs
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