White Sox Q&A Mailbag
White Sox Twitter is full of interesting people and perspectives. I thought it would be fun to let the people ask questions, and I will give my best answers.
2024 Predictions
Who do you think will have the best “comeback” year this year and stay healthy? – JackHill43
Eloy Jiménez. We have said this about him for years, but I genuinely believe this is the season he puts it all together. He has been fantastic this spring. 2024 is also the last guaranteed year of his contract, and he needs to prove he belongs in the White Sox future plans. I think he will.
What guys in the bullpen do you think will be reliable contributors in your opinion? – J_Hart32
Jordan Leasure is the guy I am most excited about. He has had a fantastic spring and could be the closer of the future. Beyond him, I am also excited for Deivi Garcia and Prelander Berroa. Both are young pitchers with good stuff who should have opportunities to succeed. Garrett Crochet, too, assuming he is a reliever. The Sox bullpen might be decent this season, even though it lacks notable names.
Do you think the Sox end up being competitive in a weak 2024 AL central – ManuelB50677866
Short answer, maybe. The defense has improved dramatically, and the pitching will be better than people think. It depends on whether this team will be able to hit at all. The AL Central is not good, so there is a scenario where the Sox can at least be competitive this season.
What are your predictions for Team Ace stats. Team MVP (Hitter) Stats. And standings for the 2024 white sox – rdub_99
My team ace is Dylan Cease unless he gets traded. I will go with Eloy for Team MVP, as I believe he will have a better season than Robert. Standings-wise, I have the Sox going 66-96 and finishing last.
Trade Talk
Realistically, what would be players you’d want to trade for? I’m all in on a Matt Waldron deal personally, dude looks like he’s got potential. – suxcast312
Given that the White Sox will never pay good free-agent pitchers under Reinsdorf’s ownership, I would target young pitchers with team control on teams with good pitching depth. Emerson Hancock of the Mariners, Trevor Rogers of the Marlins, and Landon Knack of the Dodgers all come to mind. Truthfully, though, the Sox need just about everything. Any trade that makes the organization better is a trade they should make.
Is there any reason not to trade Eloy at the deadline if he can bring back something of value? Hard to see Getz wanting to resign him – AustinH71737919
It largely depends on how he performs this season. Eloy is one of the few players on the team who has proven he can hit for any power, so it might be in the Sox best interests to keep him beyond 2024 if he has a good season. He has two team options for 2025 and 2026, which is also a factor.
If Yoan has a great 1st half, should the Sox trade him or extend him? – AlviousGoCats
In this scenario, I would trade him. Moncada does have a $25 million team option for 2025, but it is tough to envision the Sox picking that up unless he has an absolutely monster season. The Sox also have Bryan Ramos waiting in the wings, so I expect this to be Moncada’s last season on the south side.
What do you want out of a Dylan cease trade? – Pikmin1148603
In a perfect world, a couple of starting pitchers and a left-handed hitting outfielder. However, the Sox should take the best overall talent package regardless of position.
Random Questions
Do you think the Sox could be in play for some of the remaining mid-tier free agents like Lorenzen, Pham, Duvall, etc.? – Chisox_34
In my opinion, the Sox are done signing notable free agents except maybe Michael Lorenzen if Cease gets traded. The payroll dropped significantly this offseason, as evidenced by all of Chris Getz’s bargain bin signings. The likely scenario is them going into the season with the team they have now.
Why are the White Sox the way that they are? – bdemps7
Two words. Jerry Reinsdorf. Until he no longer owns the team, we are in this holding pattern of abysmal baseball. Hopefully, the Sox will have a new owner sooner rather than later.
What about Danks – abeds15
John or Jordan? Either way, I liked them both.
What’s Ron Karkovice up to these days? – angrysteveworld
Karkovice was before my time, but his facial hair was majestic.
Who’s the best Sox player of all time and why is it Leury Garcia? – rwjc18
I was too hard on Leury when he was here. He had a much more significant role than he should have, which was not his fault. I will never forget his playoff home run and will fondly look back at his time here just because of that moment.
Why does it seem like we can’t develop young talent like other teams can? – ChiSports_03
There are many factors involved here. The Sox have just lagged behind most other teams in the basic stuff. The lack of teenage international signings, analytics, nutritionists, and a cohesive development plan throughout the organization immediately comes to mind. They have to shift into the modern way MLB teams operate. Hopefully, that will start happening soon.
Who you starting a franchise with Jordan Danks or Trayce Thompson? – SoxTrain
Both are Sox legends in my eyes.
What is the best 108 fan interaction with an opposing team’s right fielder that you can recall? – STRiKER45x
Somehow, I have never sat in Section 108 at a Sox game. Hoping that will change this season.
I enjoyed this a lot; stay tuned for the next one!