The Chicago White Sox 2023 off-season can be characterized primarily by the continuing exodus of the team’s core that had the promise of reaching and winning the World Series as recently as just two seasons ago. A new manager, a payroll shed, and a locker room culture shift later, White Sox fans are staring down the barrel of a 60-win campaign in 2024.
Backdrop
This is a far cry from the 2022 team that was touted as an AL Central favorite and pennant contender. The White Sox flaunted a deep and versatile starting lineup led by AL MVP and RBI leader Jose Abreu. They had a pitching staff littered with quality hard-throwing arms and a plethora of depth. The 40-man roster was buoyed by top prospects and proven veterans who sought to validate the franchise’s previous struggles. All signs pointed to Chicago getting out from beneath the shadow of the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central.
The promise of the 2022 season was left unrealized. Injuries to starting 3B Yoan Moncada, C Yasmani Grandal and OF/DH Eloy Jimenez began the spiral. The log jam at 1B with Abreu, Andrew Vaughn, Gavin Sheets, and others did not lend itself well for replacing the losses in the field. Injuries to the pitching staff exacerbated the depth in the White Sox system. Health setbacks ultimately tanked the bullpen and rotation for the rest of the season. These disappointments left the Sox at a pedestrian 81-81. This placed the team at a major crossroads, with serious decisions needing to be made to shape the future of the club.
Contributing Factors
The mainstays in baseball operations Rick Hahn and Kenny Williams opted to crater and the core fell apart. Jose Abreu signed with the World Series champion Houston Astros on a three-year, $48M deal. This set the tone for the 2023 season where the Sox went a putrid 61-101. Following Pedro Grifol’s first season at the helm, the exodus continued. Liam Hendriks opted to move on to Boston and sign with the Red Sox, ending one of the only feel-good stories for the White Sox. Yasmani Grandal inked a new contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates on a one-year, $2.5M deal. Tim Anderson left for the Miami Marlins on a one-year, $5M deal. These moves and the lack of replacements have left little room for fans to be excited for the 2024 White Sox. On the brighter side of things, it will be a team ripe with opportunities.
Dylan Cease was scheduled to be the marquee starter for the White Sox. This was until he was traded to the San Diego Padres last week. Aside from Steven Wilson, none of the trade chits have played above AA so the immediate impact on the major league roster is primarily negative. As a result of the Cease trade, Garrett Crochet will be the opening day starter. The southpaw heads up a rotation filled out by Erick Fedde, Mike Soroka, Chris Flexen, and Nick Nastrini.
Starting Rotation Additions
Fedde signed a 2-year, $15M deal after playing in the KBO. Soroka is in his first year in Chicago after the White Sox acquired him from the Atlanta Braves. Mike Soroka missed all of 2021 and 2022 with an Achilles injury. He could only appear in seven games in 2023 due to forearm inflammation. In exchange for Soroka among others, the White Sox sent Aaron Bummer to Atlanta. Flexen signed with the White Sox on a 1-year, $1.75M deal after playing with the Rockies and Mariners in 2023. Flexen had been in the bullpen and the starting rotation in both Colorado and Seattle during the 2023 season. Nastrini has the inside track to the fifth starter slot after his impressive performance in the Cactus League. Other candidates for the final spot include Chad Kuhl and Jake Woodford.
Whoever doesn’t make the cut for the rotation will join a piecemealed bullpen headlined by Michael Kopech and Touki Toussaint. Touissant is likely to see some time in the rotation at some point during the season, just as he did in 2023. Kopech had aspirations for making the rotation but the once highly-rated prospect hasn’t panned out as well as he or the team had hoped.
The rest of the quality Sox bullpen has been divvied up since 2022. The most recent departure was Aaron Bummer, sent packing in the trade for Mike Soroka. Deivi Garcia, Tanner Banks, Tim Hill, John Brebbia, and the recent trade acquisition of Steven Wilson forecast a filling out the rest of the bullpen as the season starts.
Position Player Additions
Chicago signed Martin Maldonado to a 1-year, $4.25M deal with a team option for 2025 to replace Yasmani Grandal. Call it a wash at catcher with the defensively-limited Grandal opening the path for the offensively-limited Maldonado to take over in 2024. At shortstop, Tim Anderson’s complex and hectic 2023 left a lot to be desired. His departure sets the stage for Paul DeJong to strike some life into the position for the Sox.
The White Sox acquired Nicky Lopez in the Aaron Bummer trade. The Chicagoland native has the inside track to start the year at second base. The competition for Lopez is a lot easier after the team designated Zach Remillard for assignment. The question mark in right field has been the most pressing issue for the White Sox in recent years and there will be another potential suitor this spring in Dominic Fletcher. Fletcher heads to Chicago after a February trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Looking Ahead
It’s uncertain how the returning members of the White Sox will respond to the off-season moves after a disappointing 2023. The direction of the club is even more in flux after the Dylan Cease trade. As a result, speculation has intensified that other trade assets Luis Robert Jr., Eloy Jimenez, and Yoan Moncada could be the next to leave town.
The start of the 2024 season isn’t going to be a huge point of pride for White Sox fans. They are the overwhelming favorites to finish last in the AL Central. Chicago is likely to continue a massive roster overhaul in its first full season under new GM Chris Getz. In all likelihood, it’s going to be a long summer on the south side of the Windy City.
Also Read: Dylan Cease Traded to the Padres in Blockbuster Deal, Boston Red Sox: Former All-Star Closer Joining, Can Luis Robert Jr. Repeat His 2023 Breakout Season
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