- Adam Eaton CF
- Melky Cabrera LF
- Jose Abreu 1B
- Adam LaRoche DH
- Avisail Garcia RF
- Conor Gillaspie 3B
- Alexei Ramirez SS
- Tyler Flowers C
- Carlos Sanchez 2B
A few pundits believe that LaRoche will play more first base (due to his defensive skills) than Abreu which would put a better defense metric in play for the team. Any time a team can acquire a bat that also upgrades the defense, it is a win-win situation, an "A" grade.
Cabrera takes over for Vicideo, who will be traded by the Sox since he is only 25 and has power potential. On the defensive metric, it is probably a push. But Cabrera signing solidifies LF with a consistent bat so it was a "B+" move.
For a bullpen in distress most of last season, the acquisition of Zach Duke and Dan Jennings as lefty relievers must be a godsend for Don Cooper. Duke has had an up and down career, but got good numbers last season in Milwaukee. So these moves rate above par, "B."
The trade to get Jeff Samardzija to be the RHP in the rotation was risky genius because the Shark is a free agent after next year. But GM Hahn said that having Samardzija in the fold gives him "10 months" to negotiate an extension. The rotation clearly lacked a quality right handed starter so this move was needed and fixed, "A" grade.
The final bullpen piece is David Robertson as the new closer. Having succeeded as a closer as a Yankee, the pressure is off in Chicago. It was an expensive and needed stability move for the young pen, another "A" grade.
So far, the White Sox grade out with about an "A-" off-season which is very good. The one spot that is still lacking is upgrade at catcher, which could lead to one of those rare inter-city deals for the Cubs Welington Castillo.
