*Photo from Forbes*
Welcome to the offseason report series, where every team's offseason is reviewed. The Chicago White Sox are up first, simply because they had one of the busiest offseasons.
What you need to know
The White Sox started off the winter with a goal to bring back 1B Jose Abreu. They were able to accomplish that goal when he accepted their qualifying offer of $17.9 million, but that offer was quickly nullified when he signed a 3 year, $50 million extension shortly after. They then struck a deal with the best catcher available in Yasmani Grandal for 4 years and $73 million to boost the hitting production. Early in December, the White Sox traded for OF Nomar Mazara from the Texas Rangers. Towards the end of December, the White Sox hit the starting pitcher market by signing lefties Gio Gonzalez and Dallas Keuchel. They started off 2020 by picking up a power bat in Edwin Encarnacion for the DH spot. They went to top prospect Luis Robert and extended him for 6 years before playing a single major league game. They ended February by extending reliever Aaron Bummer and now here we are.
Moves I like
I like a lot of what the White Sox did in the offseason. I think extending Robert is a great idea because they did it with Eloy Jimenez before last season and it worked out well for them, so they must've wanted to lock up as much of their young core as possible. I like Gonzalez for the back of the rotation and Encarnacion for power and veteran leadership for all the rookies and younger players. Mazara is a piece of outfield depth with fantastic power, and Keuchel can be the face of the rotation along with up and coming ace Lucas Giolito. I like bringing Abreu back into the fold, and picking up a clear number one catcher in Grandal, who is good defensively and offensively. Nothing to complain about here.
2020 outlook
The White Sox had question marks entering the offseason, and that would reflect on 2020. The White Sox filled their roster with smart moves that should pay off in 2020 and in the years to come. The White Sox should become serious playoff contenders this year and challenge the Minnesota Twins for the AL Central crown. The South Side of Chicago is back, and better than ever.
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