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Chicago White Sox: A Rebuild Worth The Wait

By Josh Marshall

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Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few months, you already know about the rebuild going on for the Chicago White Sox. A rebuild that is going to take time and require patience from fans on the South Side.

The Chicago White Sox started a massive rebuild this off season when they traded away perennial All-Star and fan favorite Chris Sale. Many fans, including myself saw this coming from a mile away. Sale was getting very frustrated with the way White Sox management ran things and he didn’t shy away from controversy.

After a drama filled spring training that saw Adam LaRoche retire due to his son not being allowed in the clubhouse, it was all down hill from there. Sale was an avid supporter of LaRoche’s son being in the clubhouse and made sure his voice was heard to the media, calling out Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn for banning Drake LaRoche from the clubhouse.

And how could any of use forget the epic cutting up of the throwback jerseys? Sale basically packed his bags for himself.

As a life long White Sox fan, I was sad to see Sale go. But when I saw who they got in return from Boston for him, how could you not get a little excited? The White Sox received four top prospects including, Yoan Moncada, Michael Kopech, Luis Basabe and Victor Diaz.

Moncada, perhaps the biggest name the White Sox acquired this off season, is a flat-out stud. He is considered by most in the industry to be the top overall prospect in all of baseball. As great as Moncada is, he was expendable for Boston. They really did not have anywhere to play him.

Related Story: White Sox Trades That Still Must Happen

Enter the Chicago White Sox, a match made in heaven for Moncada. Not only will Moncada compete for an opening day roster spot but he will have a chance to do so at his usual position, second base.

Moncada is a raw talent when it comes to playing second base, but he has all of the tools needed to be a high-level everyday starter at the major league level. Not to mention playing next to a long time friend and mentor Jose Abreu.

Abreu should certainly help Moncada out when it comes to playing at a big league level. Look for Moncada to compete for an opening day roster spot and shine under the lights in Chicago for many years to come.

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Kopech, Basabe and Diaz are other young and talent prospects to get excited about. Kopech is a starting pitcher who has a cannon for an arm and is giving White Sox fans plenty to look forward to. Basabe is an outfield prospect who hasn’t hit double A ball yet, but is full of talent.

The White Sox didn’t stop at just trading away Sale. Adam Eaton was traded to the Washington Nationals for a plethora of young and exciting talent. After missing out on Sale, Washington had to make a splash at the winter meetings. To do that, they traded for Eaton, sending over Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Dane Dunning.

Giolito was ranked as the third best prospect in all of baseball just a short year ago. He is a hard throwing righty who has all the potential in the world to become the next ace of the Chicago White Sox.

Lopez is another high-ranking prospect. He is a 23-year-old righty whose fastball sits in the mid 90’s. Lopez also comes over with some experience at the major league level going 5-3 with Washington last season.

Not only did Rick Hahn acquire a lot of talent for the future of his organization, but doing so he also acquired some young talent that has had major league experience under their belts. Moncada, Lopez and Giolito have all spent time at the MLB level.

Mix this young talent and some of the veterans that are on the team now, and this could be the start of an amazing rebuild for the Chicago White Sox. Also add in the players Hahn has drafted the past couple seasons, all eyes will be on Chicago.

Now don’t get me wrong, they still have a long way to go before they are competing for a division or World Series title. But that should not stop Sox fans from being excited to see a rebuild finally come to the south side.

Next: Yoan Moncada a Major Breakout Star?

I personally don’t expect the White Sox to win more than 60-65 games this year. Honestly though, all that matters is that they can develop this young talent by getting them experience at the major league level. White Sox fans have to learn how to be patient.

This rebuild was long overdue and will not make them overnight contenders. If the Chicago White Sox do it right, they will be in it for the long haul. You should be too.

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