Threat Level: 5
A lot of me wants to give them a higher threat, but I just can’t. Their bottom of the lineup seems like a bad idea and the back end of their rotation is weak. Chris Sale is undoubtedly an ace, but the rest of the staff has a lot to prove. Jose Abreu might be a smash (literally), but he has never played in the major leagues before, so it is tough to tell how exactly he’ll work out. This team shouldn’t be terrible, but I don’t think they can be great.
Major Acquisition: Jose Abreu
The White Sox made a splash by signing Cuban defector Jose Abreu (no relation to one-time Yankee Bobby Abreu) to a 6 year/$68 million contract. I, for one, am excited to see what this guy can do in the bigs. Apparently the dude has some power.
Projected Lineup
1. Adam Eaton CF
2. Alejandro De Aza LF
3. Jose Abreu 1B
4. Adam Dunn DH
5. Avisail Garcia RF
6. Alexei Ramirez RF
7. Connor Gillaspie 3B
8. Marcus Semien 2B
9. Tyler Flowers C
Projected Starting Rotation
1. Chris Sale LHP
2. Jose Quintana LHP
3. John Danks LHP
4. Erik Johnson RHP
5. Felipe Paulino RHP
Closer
Nate Jones RHP
Yankee Killer: Chris Sale
In 3 career starts against the Yankees, Sale is 2-0 with 25 strikeouts in 22.1 innings pitched and has only surrendered 13 hits (19 base runners) and 3 total runs. 3!! Maybe this is the year the Yankees “get to” Sale for more than 1 run per start.
White Sox Killer: Ivan Nova
Nova is 2-1 against the White Sox with a 2.73 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 5 career starts. He has struck out 28 in 33 innings. Nova broke out in 2013. Let’s hope he continues to improve in 2014.
When They Play The Yankees:
IN NY: 8/22-8/24.
IN Chi: 5/22-5/25.
