Is Contention Upon the White Sox earlier than expected?

[greg775]

I shouldn't start a new thread, because people get upset when I do that, but I couldn't resist. The thread on our rotation looking strong makes me want to share what the talk shows were saying tonight as they discussed the Duffy trade rumors.

KC Royals are probably going to start rebuilding and shopping Duffy in the words of the host, "because teams like the White Sox and Twins have passed them and will dominate the division the next five years."

Hmmm ... the KC announcers think the Sox already are contenders whereas our fans think there's two additional seasons of tanking left in us. Just thought I'd pass on that in KC, perhaps cause of the head to head meetings in which the Sox looked good last year vs. KC, the people are thinking the Sox rebuild is over and the time to win is starting.

 

That's food for thought for those who are looking forward to two more seasons of tank. Has the team arrived or not? KC people say the Sox have arrived no matter how badly many fans want more top five draft picks.

Edited December 15, 2017 by greg775

[Chicago White Sox]

I shouldn't start a new thread, because people get upset when I do that, but I couldn't resist. The thread on our rotation looking strong makes me want to share what the talk shows were saying tonight as they discussed the Duffy trade rumors.

KC Royals are probably going to start rebuilding and shopping Duffy in the words of the host, "because teams like the White Sox and Twins have passed them and will dominate the division the next five years."

Hmmm ... the KC announcers think the Sox already are contenders whereas our fans think there's two additional seasons of tanking left in us. Just thought I'd pass on that in KC, perhaps cause of the head to head meetings in which the Sox looked good last year vs. KC, the people are thinking the Sox rebuild is over and the time to win is starting.

 

That's food for thought for those who are looking forward to two more seasons of tank. Has the team arrived or not? KC people say the Sox have arrived no matter how badly many fans want more top five draft picks.

No one here cares what KC people have to say about our rebuild.

[hi8is]

Edited December 15, 2017 by hi8is

[LittleHurt05]

Nobody is upset if you start new threads.

[caulfield12]

Not with the Indians so much better positioned the next two years.

 

It would take another DL Debacle from their starting rotation...and, even then, the rest of the AL is going to be so competitive that the Indians/Twins should be able to run up the win totals against the Tigers/Royals just as well as anyone. It would take some crazy luck to get us to anything above .500 next year without adding someone like Machado.

 

Granted, it was NEVER the plan to be truly competitive until 2019 at the earliest, and more likely, 2020.

[mac9001]

Unless they spend $60 million on the bullpen and find a semi competent starter I'm betting on more losses in 2018 than 2017. As of right now Fulmer and Covey (maybe) are our 4th and 5th starters and James Shields is the staff ace. Short of Nate Jones nobody else in the bullpen deserves a major league job. Unless there's some serious cash thrown around this could be pretty ugly.

 

I could easily see us running 10-15 different starting pitchers out there this year.

[hi8is]

Nobody is upset if you start new threads.

+1

[BlackSox13]

I think there's a serious crack problem in KC.

[Dam8610]

In answer to your question, Greg, likely not, but if it were, even you would have to rate the rebuild well at that point.

[ChiSoxJon]

Unless they spend $60 million on the bullpen and find a semi competent starter I'm betting on more losses in 2018 than 2017. As of right now Fulmer and Covey (maybe) are our 4th and 5th starters and James Shields is the staff ace. Short of Nate Jones nobody else in the bullpen deserves a major league job. Unless there's some serious cash thrown around this could be pretty ugly.

 

I could easily see us running 10-15 different starting pitchers out there this year.

Hard for me to agree with that

 

I think both the rotation and lineup will be improved quite a bit from last year

 

Bullpen is pretty gross

 

Hoping CWS just brings in some fliers and let the kids play and calls it an offseason

 

Focus on bringing in MM next year and maybe Cody Allen and another reliever or two

[greg775]

In answer to your question, Greg, likely not, but if it were, even you would have to rate the rebuild well at that point.

I'm just saying if the baseball world is saying we've arrived, why don't we arrive? Let's win, baby.

[caulfield12]

The TALENT is there.

 

You've also got a VERY iffy Rodon, not knowing what to expect out of Giolito/Lopez/Fulmer (more growing pains), Shields and Covey (probably another veteran flier or rehab guy like Holland)...and potentially Michael Kopech in the second half.

 

More importantly, you have no semblance of a bullpen...with Nate Jones potentially your closer.

 

I know that thought alone will give Greg nightmares.

 

 

It's like saying the Royals arrived in 2013.

That's where the White Sox should be in 2019 with a great offseason of FA moves, in the same position (as KC in '13), about 10 games over .500 and just outside the playoff picture.

[Dam8610]

I'm just saying if the baseball world is saying we've arrived, why don't we arrive? Let's win, baby.

 

Some dude in KC is not "the baseball world". I'd like to see this team compete for a wild card next year, because that means everything is going right, but it's still easy to see a 90+ loss team in 2018 and that not necessarily reflecting poorly on the rebuild.

[hogan873]

The Sox aren't ready to compete despite what a guy in KC says. If they do acquire Machado, they'll have a pretty good offense that still will have a couple holes. The starting pitching has the potential to be really good, but that's only if things work out as they should. When the season starts, their rotation will be Giolito, Lopez, Shields, Fulmer, and maybe Covey (hopefully not). Who knows what we'll get out of Shields, and Giolito, Lopez, and Fulmer will still be learning and getting used to pitching in the majors. The bullpen is a mess. All that being said, I do expect them to be better than last year, but they will not be ready to compete. 2018 will be a building year for POSSIBLE contention in 2019 and certain contention in 2020 and beyond.

 

By the way, no one gets upset when you start a thread.

[Bob Sacamano]

Hard for me to agree with that

 

I think both the rotation and lineup will be improved quite a bit from last year

 

Bullpen is pretty gross

 

Hoping CWS just brings in some fliers and let the kids play and calls it an offseason

 

Focus on bringing in MM next year and maybe Cody Allen and another reliever or two

 

 

That bullpen is going to blow a lot of games.

[hi8is]

Some dude in KC is not "the baseball world". I'd like to see this team compete for a wild card next year, because that means everything is going right, but it's still easy to see a 90+ loss team in 2018 and that not necessarily reflecting poorly on the rebuild.

There's a slim ass chance of that considering our bullpen... if you even want to call it that. LOL

[ChiSoxJon]

That bullpen is going to blow a lot of games.

That;ll be the glaring weak point

 

CWS moved on from some talented guys last two years but hopefully spend on it next year

[Balta1701]

That;ll be the glaring weak point

 

CWS moved on from some talented guys last two years but hopefully spend on it next year

That rotation might have a lot of 8 run, 3 inning games too.

[Dick Allen]

This was a 95 loss team that has added Wellington Castillo. Fulmer won't be as good as he was his last 3 starts. Pretty good odds Giolitto won't be as good as his starts, considering his ERA in AAA was about 2 runs higher. They still suck. Many growing pains are still in store.

[bmags]

It was actually pretty nuts how well the bullpen did in mid-august through september considering the talent. Infante/Minaya ended up being acceptable and Bummer turned it around. At least with infante...that seems unsustainable.

 

The only help we may be getting as of now is Veiera? At least in 2019 we are talking about Jones and Burdi back. It's another reason why I'm just kinda shocked they didn't get a bullpen arm in rule 5.

[Y2Jimmy0]

No. The White Sox aren't contenders in 2018. Steamer has them projected to win 63 games. They will probably do a bit better than that but they lack the pitching depth and overall talent to even consider contending.

 

Starting Pitchers on the 40 man: James Shields (bad), Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Carson Fulmer (young), Dylan Covey (very bad), Carlos Rodon (rehabbing).

 

Relievers: Nate Jones (hurt last year), Juan Minaya (unproven), Gregory Infante (meh), Danny Farquhar (solid but unspectacular), Thyago Veiera (not a lock to make roster initially), Jace Fry (unproven, young), Aaron Bummer (tremendous upside, unproven).

 

That's the current pitching staff. There will be additions but that's not the staff of a contender.

[Bob Sacamano]

This was a 95 loss team that has added Wellington Castillo. Fulmer won't be as good as he was his last 3 starts. Pretty good odds Giolitto won't be as good as his starts, considering his ERA in AAA was about 2 runs higher. They still suck. Many growing pains are still in store.

 

Yeah everyone seems to think these guys are going to come up and hit and pitch great right away.

[Balta1701]

Yeah everyone seems to think these guys are going to come up and hit and pitch great right away.

*Jiminez will but that's exception*

[mmmmmbeeer]

I think Giolito will be put up very solid #2 numbers this season. It was all mental with him and, after several solid starts last season, I think this kid is going to dominate this season. I definitely see struggles from Lopez and especially Fulmer. Lopez will improve as the season goes along but I just see this being the year Carson is sent to the pen for good. Rodon will take several months to get right and then still be susceptible to the occasional blowout (please trade his ass).

 

There's no way this team competes in 2018. I think it will be extremely fun baseball to watch as we see the chemistry continue to grow, young guys catching on to the MLB game, and some of our top guys coming up throughout the season but, really, they're going to be really s***ty for at least the first half of the season. We may see a late run/streak but it won't be enough to snag a WC spot....though it will leave us pumped for 2019.

[Heads22]

I think Lucas can be Jon Garland.