With Spring Training just 9 days away, the 2017 White Sox roster will come into shape fairly soon. FanGraphs currently has the Sox projected for a 70-92 season, which does not seem too bad for a rebuilding year. However, we very well could see more players being traded from the current roster throughout the season. Without further ado, here is my projected 2017 Sox roster.
Offensive Projection:
C Omar Narvaez
1B Jose Abreu
2B Brett Lawrie
3B Todd Frazier
SS Tim Anderson
LF Melky Cabrera
CF Charlie Tilson
RF Avisail Garcia
DH Matt Davidson
Reserves: Cody Asche, Tyler Saladino, Geovany Soto, Willy Garcia, Carlos Sanchez
Offensive Overview:
The White Sox Opening Day starting lineup will not look drastically different than it did at the end of the 2016 season. Every player in the lineup above saw action at the major league level with the White Sox last season. Charlie Tilson and Matt Davidson will get the chance to bounce back from injuries in their White Sox debuts. Tim Anderson and Jose Abreu will look to bolster this lineup that struggled to put runs on the board last season.
Pitching Projection:
SP1 Jose Quintana
SP2 Carlos Rodon
SP3 Miguel Gonzalez
SP4 James Shields
SP5 Derek Holland
RP Nate Jones
RP Dan Jennings
RP Jake Petricka
RP Michael Ynoa
RP Zach Putnam
CL David Robertson
Pitching Overview:
The starting rotation has 4 members returning from last season, but it looks odd without Chris Sale. Jose Quintana will now get the opportunity to be the ace of the staff, which could boost his trade value if he succeeds in this role. The lone addition to this pitching staff is Derek Holland, who was signed to a 1 year deal this offseason. The bullpen also looks very similar, as every reliever listed above pitched in Chicago last season. Prospects such as Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, and Zack Burdi will not be on the Opening Day roster, but will make their Sox debuts in 2017.
Photo: Tom Ley, Deadspin.com
