Comparing the 2016 team at the ASB vs 2015

[SoCalSox]

So, we've finally hit the All-star break. All in all, the Sox have pretty well kept up to what most projections had them at, right above .500.

 

Just to recap:

 

2016: 45-43 (Tied for 3rd, .5 game back of 2nd, 7 games back of 52-36 Cleveland, 4.5 back in WC race w/ 2 teams in front)

 

Sox finished 12-7 in their last 6 series including 5 of 6 series wins.

 

2015: 41-45 (Dead last, 1 back of 4th, 2 back of 3rd, 6.5 back of 2nd, 11 back 52-34 KC, 6.5 back in WC w/ 10 teams in front)

 

So, overall when you really break it down, the Sox are in a much more manageable position this year with not quite as many holes. The biggest question is, which race is more obtainable? The division or wild card.

 

Lastly, will the Sox make any moves before the deadline? I for one am not willing to accept Jackson & Morneau coming back as their "pickups". I think they could use another bat on top of that & at least one pen arm.

[caulfield12]

1. TOR/BOS +11

 

3. HOU +7 2 GB

4. DET +3 4 GB

5. CHW/KCR +2 4 1/2 GB

7. SEA +1 5 GB

8. NYY E 5 1/2 GB

 

Seven teams ahead of us, not TWO. You're not counting the divisional leaders like you did for last year's standings?

 

In terms of their positioning vs. Boston, Toronto and Houston (THIS YEAR), those three teams are clearly MUCH better than LAA/Minnesota at the top this time last year.

 

Toronto added Price/Tulo and the Rangers added Hamels and both those teams took off from the same relative position as the White Sox. We're a few games over .500 instead of a few games below .500, but there's a lot more to contend with at the top of the race.

 

Plus, Boston and Houston are very well stocked financially and prospects-wise to make improvements via the trade market. Boston's already gone out and gotten Ziegler. Toronto is raking in the attendance, so they'll certain do something (their prospects are down because of all the trades) in terms of adding on veteran salary/expiring contracts. No choice when you have so much competition in the AL East and everybody wants to avoid a one shot and you're out elimination game.

 

 

 

Wild Card Standings Last Five Days of July, 2015

 

JULY 27

 

LAA +12

MIN +6

3. TOR/Balt E 3 GB

5. TB -1 3 1/2 GB

6. CHW/TEX -4 5 GB

8. CLE -6 6 GB

 

 

JULY 28

 

LAA +11

MIN +5

3. BAL +1 2 GB

4. TB E 2 1/2 GB

5. TOR -1 3 GB

6. CHW -3 4 GB

7. TEX -5 5 GB

8. CLE -7 6 GB

 

 

JULY 29

 

LAA +10

MIN +4

3. BAL +2 1 GB

4. TOR E 2 GB

5. TB -1 2 1/2 GB

6. CHW -2 3 GB

7. TEX -4 4 GB

8. CLE -8 6 GB

 

 

JULY 30th

 

LAA +9

MIN +5

3. TOR/BAL +1 2 GB

5. CHW/TB -1 3 GB

7. TEX -3 4 GB

8. CLE -7 6 GB

 

 

JULY 31st

 

LAA +8

MIN +4

3. TOR/BAL +2 1 GB

5. CHW/TB/TEX -2 3 GB

8. CLE -6 5 GB

Edited July 10, 2016 by caulfield12

[Lip Man 1]

Odds are long this team could make the playoffs. Don't trade anything more. Foolish endeavor.

 

Mark

[pettie4sox]

stand pat but if you get a blow away offer, pull the trigger

[NCsoxfan]

I'll probably get ripped for quoting such basic stats, but just looking at high level team batting & pitching statistics, it's amazing how mediocre the team is. Batting stats pretty much rank between 18-21 across most categories. Even pitching which I assumed to be top 10 is more in the 10-15ish range.

 

Compared to last year looks like the offense is about 5 spots better, but not materially better. So overall still mediocre but definitely a better mediocre team.

[caulfield12]

Haha...that's a good way to put it.

 

Better mediocre team. Brooks Boyer, get right on that one for the second half...will rank right up there with the busted THE WILL TO WIN campaign that never even got off the ground because of team play.

 

And really, a lot of that's due to Frazier, Cabrera and now Tim Anderson...and Eaton's overall game improving.

[NCsoxfan]

I am surprised how high opponents batting average is (.261) ranking 17th

[GreenSox]

Lastly, will the Sox make any moves before the deadline? I for one am not willing to accept Jackson & Morneau coming back as their "pickups". I think they could use another bat on top of that & at least one pen arm.

The Sox are better than last year; but last year, they weren't as good as theirrecord.

they could buy and add maybe 2-3 wins; wouldn't be enough especially considering the other teams will buy.

But as others have pointed out, he likely won't buy a pure rent, so he can then explain to us that we are merely in year 2, and that this is all part of his 3 year window.

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

I suspect a relief pitcher or 2 might be obtainable The bat will be much harder. Might have to roll with a better bullpen and hope Morneau does as good as the last 2 years without the aid of Coors ( Field not the beer). If we do get another bat I would suspect it to be more of a complimentary piece than a Bruce, Cargo or Lucroy..

Relying on help from the minors in the BP is a fools errand.

[greg775]

First of all, this team does not have TWTW. I think Hawk would admit that if he had truth serum.

 

Last year to this year ... this team is the same team basically but I'll agree it might be a little better. If it's better it's only because Anderson is way better than Lexi already. This year's Melky has been better than last year's. Eaton is the same; Avi is worse; Abreu is worse; Lawrie has been better than last year's 2B options; Anderson way better than Lexi; Frazier way better than last year; catcher pathetic both years; DH pathetic both years; Robin can't find a spot for one of our better hitters, Saladino.

Defense is a little better this year; baserunning a little better. Yes our bullpen is a little better. Starting pitching actually is worse despite Sale's amazingness.

 

So yes this year's team is a little better than last year's but still blows. CONCLUSION: IT IS NOT A CONTENDER and most reasonable people (to borrow an FBI Comer line) would not buy players in hopes of making the playoffs. Another option would be more appropriate.

Edited July 11, 2016 by greg775

[Y2Jimmy0]

The White Sox have the best pitching of all those teams. Need to hit and beat teams in the division though.

[hi8is]

I suspect a relief pitcher or 2 might be obtainable The bat will be much harder. Might have to roll with a better bullpen and hope Morneau does as good as the last 2 years without the aid of Coors ( Field not the beer). If we do get another bat I would suspect it to be more of a complimentary piece than a Bruce, Cargo or Lucroy..

Relying on help from the minors in the BP is a fools errand.

Imagine if the Bruce trade went through in the offseason and they had signed Cespedes.

 

SS - Anderson

CF - Eaton

LF - Cespedes

DH - Bruce

1B - Abreu

3B - Frazier

RF - Melky

2B - Lawrie

C - Navaro

[soxforlife05]

Imagine if the Bruce trade went through in the offseason and they had signed Cespedes.

 

SS - Anderson

CF - Eaton

LF - Cespedes

DH - Bruce

1B - Abreu

3B - Frazier

RF - Melky

2B - Lawrie

C - Navaro

 

I don't think they ever had any intention of signing one of the big 3 outfielders. The only way was if they accepted the Sox lowball offer.

[hi8is]

I don't think they ever had any intention of signing one of the big 3 outfielders. The only way was if they accepted the Sox lowball offer.

We won't know for sure but insiders here said the offers were real. One being higher that an accepted offer ( Gordon ).

 

We certainly know they didn't want to sign one of the big 3 AND trade for Bruce.

 

But that lineup sure would have been tits.

[southsider2k5]

The White Sox have the best pitching of all those teams. Need to hit and beat teams in the division though.

 

The defense has also gone from being an absolute liability, to an asset. That has really helped the pitching out of a lot of jams.

[Swingandalongonetoleft]

Division seems infinitely more attainable than a WC.

[Jose Abreu]

If we improve at beating teams in our division, we will make the playoffs.

 

If we continue to struggle beating teams in our division, we will not make the playoffs.

 

It's as simple as that.

[southsider2k5]

If we improve at beating teams in our division, we will make the playoffs.

 

If we continue to struggle beating teams in our division, we will not make the playoffs.

 

It's as simple as that.

 

Literally what we do against the AL Central in the second half is the key to the season. Good post.

[Dick Allen]

If we improve at beating teams in our division, we will make the playoffs.

 

If we continue to struggle beating teams in our division, we will not make the playoffs.

 

It's as simple as that.

That's the key. You can say the Sox suck but the basically have the same record as Detroit and KC while getting pantsed by them so far. I really doubt they don't beat them a little more often in the second half. Head to head vs. Cleveland will be key. Hopefully Hahn does something to the roster to make them better positioned to kick their ass.

[southsider2k5]

The Indians are 26-11 vs the ALC

 

KC 21-11

 

SOX 14-19

DET 13-18

 

MIN 6-21

 

8 of the White Sox wins came against the Twins.

 

For the rest of the way we have 13 games against Detroit, and 10 each against Cleveland, Kansas City, and Minnesota. With 75 games left in the season, 43 of them are against our division.

 

 

[Jake]

Big difference from last year's team: at the break last year, the Sox position players had a cumulative -3.1 WAR, by far the worst in the league. We also had a team 76 wRC+, worst in the league and by far worst in the AL. This year we're 26th in position player WAR, so it isn't as if we're setting the world on fire, but the bats are not so far from league average and the kind of leap necessary to push us into the playoffs isn't nearly as far-fetched. If Morneau is a 110 wRC+ bat at DH and Abreu returns to 2015 form (not an amazing year by any stretch) while everything else more or less holds steady, you're not far off right there. Have a couple things break our way and we're not unworthy.

[greg775]

Literally what we do against the AL Central in the second half is the key to the season. Good post.

And that's why I say "sell." The problems they have in the division won't be fixed this year. It's a scouting problem and Cleveland, Detroit and KC will win eight of every 10 vs the Sox the second half. Sell.

[Dick Allen]

And that's why I say "sell." The problems they have in the division won't be fixed this year. It's a scouting problem and Cleveland, Detroit and KC will win eight of every 10 vs the Sox the second half. Sell.

7-26 is actually slightly better than winning 2 out of 10.

 

I will make you a wager the Sox go better than 7-26 vs. Cleveland, KC and Detroit the rest of the season.

[kitekrazy]

The coaching hasn't improved. It seems they are much better at scoring in later innings.

[kitekrazy]

And that's why I say "sell." The problems they have in the division won't be fixed this year. It's a scouting problem and Cleveland, Detroit and KC will win eight of every 10 vs the Sox the second half. Sell.

 

Try to see the lack of logic in this.