By most accounts, the White Sox addressed their glaring needs this off-season.
The Cubs started in October with a long list of issues.
Left Field.
Center field.
Third base.
Second base.
Starting pitching.
Bench depth.
Left field has not been solved since Coghlan, Lake and Denofia are in a platoon competition. All track as journeymen bench players.
Center field was changed by the acquisition of Fowler, but how he adapts to the short, windy confines of Wrigley Field is going to be telling. This puts Alcantara into a super substitute role as CF and middle infielder.
Third base will be manned some day by Bryant, but with the trade of Valbuena for Fowler, Olt is the statue that must cover the position for several weeks to months. Olt, by all past measures, is a bust.
Second base is probably going to go to Baez, but his offense and strike out ratio could place him back in the minors. LaStella is another journeyman back up who may edge his way into a starting role, even over Alcanatara.
Starting pitching was problematic with Edwin Jackson and Travis Woods' off years. Lester signing puts a top of the rotation arm in position, but in reality he is only replacing Samardzija. The return of Hammel is also a 50-50 proposition since he had a good-bad season in 2014.
Bench depth continues to be replacing players with replacement value or less counterparts.
The buzz continues to be about the prospects, but the roster itself has not upgraded much of the glaring needs we have identified this off-season.
