Chicago White Sox: Bold predictions for spring training

3. Nate Jones is named Closer

After trading David Robertson last July, the Chicago White Sox have lacked a clear closer.

Juan Minaya closed out games for the last month of the season but wasn’t exactly brilliant with a 4.53 ERA.

The Chicago White Sox brought in Jeanmar Gomez, who saved 37 games for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2016. Former All-Star closer Joakim Soria was acquired from the Royals in January, but he hasn’t closed out games consistently since 2015.

Nate Jones pitched in just eleven games in 2017 before undergoing nerve repositioning surgery in July. With an upper-90s fastball and deadly slider, Jones has all the makings of a late-inning reliever.

Jones owns a career 3.12 ERA in 251 innings. After an 8-0 rookie season in 2012, he has been a mainstay in the Chicago White Sox bullpen.

Injuries have been the only thing in the way of a closing spot for Jones. Jones was the clear-cut favorite for the role in 2014 but underwent season-ending surgery before the season even started.

Minaya and Soria are both serious competitors for the spot, as is the flame-throwing Thyago Vieira, who will likely start the season in the minor leagues.

Don’t expect the Chicago White Sox to name a closer until the final week of Spring Training. Given he pitches well and stays healthy, the job should belong to Nate Jones.