September 6, 2014

NEAR FUTURE

Chicago baseball has been trending down. But, the near future may see a major turnaround for both franchises. Which one is closer to success?

The Cubs plan with current players seems to be cautious wait and see for 2015:

LF: Coghlan
CF: Alcantara
RF: Soler
3B: Bryant
SS: Castro
2B: Baez
1B: Rizzo
C: Castillo

SP1: Arrieta
SP2: Hendricks
SP3: T. Wood
SP4: Wada
SP5: E. Jackson

The White Sox plan is to rebuild quickly and compete in 2015:

LF: Vicideo
CF: Eaton
RF: Garcia
3B: Gillaspie
SS: Ramirez
2B: Sanchez/Simien
1B: Abreu
C: Flowers

SP1: Sale
SP2: Rodon
SP3: Quintana
SP4: Danks
SP5: Noesi

Both teams have found decent lead off hitters (Coghlan and Eaton). Both teams are comfortable with their projected infields. The White Sox have a much stronger rotation with Sale, Rodon and Quintana (#1, #1A, #2 quality starters) than the Cubs with Arrieta, Hendricks and Woods. However, the White Sox bullpen needs to be blown up and rebuilt.

The problem with the Cubs is that they may field a youthful bunch of free swinging .230 hitters. the White Sox have much more consistent hitters in the daily line up. The removal of Konerko and Dunn means the White Sox are in need of a DH, as well as a fifth starter.  The Cubs still need to bolster their starting rotation and outfield (LF and CF) with more consistent play.

Both team appear to be poised to be better in 2015. But neither seems to be over the .500 mark as their rosters stand today.