MLB season preview: It’s time for the White Sox offense to step up

Editor’s Note: With the arrival of baseball season we’re previewing each MLB team, from worst to best. We’ll look at their key offseason moves, projected lineup, best and worst possible outcomes plus examine the team’s fantasy implications with the help of friends from Roto Arcade. Our daily series continues with No. 17: The Chicago White Sox.

The Chicago White are one of those teams that “won the offseason” a year ago at this time, then the season started and, well, they didn’t win too much else. Their 76-86 finish was a huge disappointment, in no uncertain terms.

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(Getty Images) Rather than rebuild for 2016, the White Sox went out and added more. Their goal? Score some runs. The White Sox pitching rotation, led by Chris Sale and featuring the underrated Jose Quintana, has the chance to be very good. It’s the offense that needs to turn it around after finishing No. 28 in runs scored a year ago.

The White Sox have slugger Jose Abreu in the middle of the lineup, so that’s an encouraging start. They added Todd Frazier and Brett Lawrie to complement a lineup that also includes Melky Cabrera and Adam LaRoche. The White Sox have the potential to hit and, by doing so, have the potential to be a good team.

The AL Central is going to be tough this season, with the defending champ Kansas City Royals returning their core, the Detroit Tigers gearing up for another run, the Cleveland Indians owning a daunting pitching staff and the young Minnesota Twins hoping to take another step forward. So the White Sox better hit — or else. (Mike Oz)

Key additions: Todd Frazier, Brett Lawrie, Mat Latos

Key subtractions: Jeff Samardzija, Alexei Ramirez, Trayce Thompson

The White Sox found a way to bring in talent without spending a lot of money. The club gave up a fair amount of minor-league talent for Frazier, but he’s a major upgrade for the club. While Lawrie hasn’t impressed since his rookie season, he can at least be a league-average second baseman, which would also be an upgrade. The team also grabbed Alex Avila and Dioner Navarro at catcher. That platoon could be effective if Avila stays healthy. Latos is coming off a few injury-riddled seasons, but the White Sox do a great job keeping guys healthy, and Don Cooper is one of the best pitching coaches in the game. (Chris Cwik)

Carlos Rodon: The White Sox are depending on a ton of growth from Rodon, but that’s not necessarily a bad idea. The 23-year-old had an uneven first year in the majors, but already showed the ability to adjust and make changes against professional hitters. He managed to cut down on his walks in the second half, and while he’s not an exceptional control guy just yet, the improvement was a good sign.

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On top of that, Rodon started using his changeup more as the season went on. That was a big point of emphasis from the White Sox staff when he entered the year. The results showed down the stretch. Rodon posted a 1.81 ERA over his final eight starts. Sure, it’s a small sample, but Rodon’s pedigree suggests he’s capable of dominating at the big league level. In that sense, his numbers to finish the season are encouraging. (Cwik)

Lineup:
1. Adam Eaton, OF (.287/.361/.431, 98 R, 14 HR, 56 RBI, 18 SB)
2. Jose Abreu, 1B (.290/.347/.502, 88 R, 30 HR, 101 RBI)
3. Melky Cabrera, OF (.273/.314/.394, 70 R, 12 HR, 77 RBI)
4. Todd Frazier, 3B (.255/.309/.498, 82 R, 35 HR, 89 RBI, 13 SB)
5. Brett Lawrie, 2B (.260/.299/.407, 64 R, 16 HR, 60 RBI)
6. Adam LaRoche, DH (.207/.293/.340, 41 R, 12 HR, 44 RBI)
7. Dioner Navarro, C (.246/.307/.374, 17 R, 5 HR, 20 RBI)
8. Austin Jackson, OF (.267/.311/.385, 56 R, 9 HR, 48 RBI, 17 SB)
9. Jimmy Rollins, SS (.224/.285/.358, 71 R, 13 HR, 41 RBI)

Rotation:
1. Chris Sale (13-11, 3.41 ERA, 208.2 IP, 274 K)
2. Jose Quintana (9-10, 3.36 ERA, 206.1 IP, 177 K)
3. Carlos Rodon (9-6, 3.75 ERA, 139.1 IP, 139 K)
4. John Danks (7-15, 4.71 ERA, 177.2 IP, 124 K)
5. Mat Latos (4-10, 4.95 ERA, 116.1 IP, 100 K)

— compiled by Kyle Ringo

The White Sox finished last in the AL in home runs and runs scored last season. If they move to the middle of the pack in those categories this season, they’ll be a dangerous team capable of winning the AL Central. That’s a big reason why they added Todd Frazier and Brett Lawrie this winter, but it will take more than them filling in to bridge that gap. (Mark Townsend)

With Chris Sale, Jose Quintana and Carlos Rodon leading the starting rotation, the White Sox should have a pretty high floor. However, losing one of those pieces could be a huge problem. In fact, it could be the difference between competing for first place and sitting in last place come October. That’s how tight this division is and how little margin the White Sox have. (Townsend)

Is there a breakout candidate on this roster? First of all, we should mention that this is a team without many burning fantasy questions. The White Sox have clarity in the bullpen and everyday lineup, and the farm system isn’t exactly rich with elite, MLB-ready talent.

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If there’s a player on this roster poised for a breakout, it has to be Rodon, who we’ve already established is young lefty with vicious stuff. Here’s a highlight reel. If Rodon gives us 180-or-so innings this season, we’re looking at a mid-3s ERA and perhaps 185 punch-outs. At his current average draft position (151.3), he’s a ridiculous steal. Avoid the pitching minefield in Rounds 6-10; grab Rodon in the back half of your draft. (Andy Behrens)

Who wouldn’t want to be one of Spanky’s homies? That’s what White Sox outfielder Adam Eaton calls his Twitter followers, a nod to his handle @AdamSpankyEaton. Eaton brings the same energy to the Twittersphere that he does on the field. He’s a huge sports fan, tweeting about football, hockey, golf, auto racing and of course baseball. Join in on the fun, which also includes takes on TV and life, and cop one of these sweet Spanky’s Homies hats while you’re at it, too. You won’t regret it and the money goes to charity. (Israel Fehr)

I’m pretty sure my wife pays our bills.. At least I hope she still does that.. https://t.co/c8wgDt6yjz

— Adam Eaton (@AdamSpankyEaton) February 5, 2016

The White Sox named Jason Benetti as their new TV play-by-play voice for home games in 2016. He’ll sub for Hawk Harrelson, the South side booth vet, who is only doing road games this season. What makes that special is that Benetti has cerebral palsy and thus, he’s believed to be the first person with CP to be an MLB broadcaster.