The best and worst case scenarios on how the Chicago White Sox season will play out
By Todd Welter
The Chicago White Sox hopes to take back the AL Central crown from the Cleveland Guardians.
The Sox have a new manager in Pedro Grifol. They also have a new full-time starting first baseman in Andrew Vaughn as franchise icon Jose Abreu departed via free agency. Rookie Oscar Colas is expected to start in right field.
General manager Rick Hahn also inked left fielder Andrew Benintendi to the richest contract in franchise history. It was not a figure over $100 million and the Sox are still one of the few franchises to not pay out a contract like that but it is progress.
He also overpaid for starting pitcher Mike Clevinger who brought a lot of controversy with him.
Rick Hahn also brought back Elvis Andrus to play second base. Hopefully, this one-year experiment solidifies a position that has been a hole in the defense for a long time.
The Chicago White Sox needs to have a much better year in 2023.
Despite these changes, the Sox are still going to rely on a core of Tim Anderson, Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert, Dylan Cease, and Lance Lynn to get back into the playoffs.
In addition, a new manager, staying healthy, and having bounce-back seasons is what the Southsiders are banking on to win the division.
The projections do not seem to think that combination will get the job done. PECOTA forecasts the Chicago White Sox will finish third. Fangraphs has the White Sox winning 80 games.
The Sox still have an abundance of talent to beat the estimates. They also have a chance to be much worse than what the prognostications are saying.