No. 21 Twins | No. 19 Mariners | Nos. 20-11
No. 20: CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Last Season: 76-86
Projected record: 83-79 (tied for second in AL Central)
BBTN video preview: AL Central | Betting guide
Stop us if you've heard this one before: The White Sox filled some key needs during the offseason. ... They did that last offseason, too, and the results failed to match the hype. So this year, for every person who seems to think the White Sox can put it together in 2016, thanks to the additions of infielders Todd Frazier and Brett Lawrie, there are two more who refuse to be fooled. This seems to be the team that people say they aren't expecting much, but wouldn't be surprised to see them playing in October. With Chris Sale at the top of the rotation and Jose Abreu powering the offense, the difference-makers are legitimate.
The White Sox were among the worst defensive teams in baseball in 2015. Adding steady veterans like Brett Lawrie and Todd Frazier should see an improvement in the field in 2016. -- ESPN.com (graphic from Dan Szymborski)
There were expectations that the White Sox were going to have to rob Peter to pay Paul by trading Jose Quintana this winter for offensive and defensive upgrades. Then the White Sox figured out how to upgrade without puncturing a hole in their talented starting staff. Sale and Quintana are an unheralded 1-2 punch, capable of doing some serious damage, if only the defense can help the cause and Quintana can get just a tiny bit of run support.
Yes, the White Sox got the upgrades they needed at second base (Lawrie) and third base (Frazier) while remodeling the catching position with Alex Avila and Dioner Navarro. But they aren't as deep as many other teams, and a key injury or two could bring their house of cards tumbling to the ground. Avisail Garcia, once a big-time prospect, has watched his stock plummet since a shoulder injury in 2014, and the club can't weather another season of bad offense and defense.
No. 19 Mariners | No. 21 Twins | Nos. 20-11
