The White Sox have quietly but efficiently re-tooled their 2014 roster.
Subtracted from the roster were closer Addison Reed and LH starting pitcher Hector Santiago. Reed was a good closer and Santiago was the team's #4 starter. In return, the White Sox received CF Adam Eaton and 3B Matt Davidson. Eaton projects to be the lead off hitter and spark plug for the offense. Davidson is a major league ready AAA prospect who could fill the gaping hole at third base.
In addition, the White Sox signed several free agents: RHP Felipe Paulino, RHP Ronald Belisario and LHP Scott Downs.
Belisario will probably be in the role as new closer. Belisario signed a one year, $3 million deal. He ranked second in appearances in the National League last season as he went 5-7 with a 3.97 ERA in 77 games with the Dodgers last season. In relief for the Dodgers the last 4 years, f Belisario recorded four
saves, 220 strikeouts and a .227 opponents average in 273 games. This puts the pressure off Nate Jones to assume the closer role. A competition for the position will strengthen the options for manager Robin Ventura.
“Belisario provides us with a veteran reliever who owns a proven record of recording key outs at big moments of games,” general manager Rick Hahn said via the team press release. “He is a power arm with plus stuff who profiles well for our ballpark. He has experience pitching in hold and save situations, and we see him as yet another very strong option for Robin Ventura in the back end of our bullpen.”
Downs adds a veteran presence on the young pitching staff. Downs' deal is worth $3.75 million with a $250K buyout on year two, making it $4 million guaranteed. The 37-year-old Downs posted a 2.49 ERA with 7.7 K/9, 3.9 BB/9 and a 64.3 percent ground-ball rate in 43 1/3 innings between the Angels and Braves in 2013.
Additional veteran leadership was made when the team signed Paul Konerko to a one year, farewell tour contract. Konerko will not play much first base after the White Sox signed their big international free agent prize, Jose Abreu, who is expected to play 155 games at first and bat either 3rd or 4th in the order. Konerko will be a professional, and be an important bench player for the team.
The White Sox were also thin at catcher. So they picked up Adrian Nieto off waivers from the Washington Nationals. Nieto, 24, has played 6 season in the minors, batting .254 with some decent defensive skills. However, he has not played higher than High Class A ball.
The White Sox roster now stands at the limit of 40. It appears the team has set its core group for 2014. The Sox have 17 pitchers on the roster.
The projected starting rotation is: Sale, Danks, Quintana, Rienzo, E. Johnson or Paulino.
The bullpen will include: Belisario, Jones, Lindstrom, Veal, Webb or Leesman.
The pitching staff is still dominate left handed as a whole, which gives value in future trades.
The White Sox still have trading chips on the roster.
If Davidson is ready to start, then either Jeff Keppinger or Conor Gillaspie is expendable.
In addition, the outfield is crowded as well. Dayan Viciedo or Alejandro De Aza will either be bench platoon players or trade bait, possibly to acquire a veteran catcher.
Also, Alexi Ramirez and Gordon Beckham will be pushed by several rookie infielders this spring, including Carlos Santana, Marcus Semien and Leury Garcia.
