Chicago White Sox: Recapping the offseason and what’s left to do
By Ryan Sikes
Dallas Keuchel gives the White Sox a very nice 1-2 punch with Lucas Giolito.
The White Sox also shored up their rotation in a ten-day-span, signing both Gio Gonzalez and Dallas Keuchel to free-agent contracts. Gonzalez has taken a circuitous route to the team’s rotation, initially drafted by the Sox in the first round of the 2004 MLB Draft. After stops in Oakland, Washington, and Milwaukee, the 34-year-old will look to build off his recent success. Gonzalez made 17 starts for the Brewers last season while posting a 3.50 ERA and striking out 78 batters in 87.1 innings.
Keuchel, 32, didn’t sign with a team until after the MLB Draft last year due to the draft pick that was tied to him had he signed before. The Sox gave him a very reasonable, but risky, three-year deal worth $55.5 million. The former 2015 Cy Young Award winner posted a 3.75 ERA while striking out 91 in 112.2 innings. His 1.28 HR/9 and 3.12 BB/9 last year were the highest since the 2013 season. Hopefully, a full offseason will aid Keuchel in returning to dominant form because they will be counting on him to be a very nice complement to Lucas Giolito, who experienced a breakout year in 2019.
The Opening Day rotation is projected to be:
- Lucas Giolito
- Dallas Keuchel
- Reynaldo Lopez
- Gio Gonzalez
- Dylan Cease
So what’s left for this team that looks ready to compete in 2020?
If there’s a weak spot on this roster, a strong case could be made that improvements to the bullpen are needed. Consider the fact the White Sox bullpen was ranked 17th in combined ERA last season and also how important it is for competitive teams to have a strong bullpen. It would be smart for Hahn to add another arm or two.