Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Cubs or White Sox, who's better in 2019?



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A few months ago I wrote an entry about how the Cubs and White Sox would look in 2019.  A few things have changed since then.  Here is an updated look at the Cubs and White Sox of the future

Catcher: Willson Contreras has some rough edges, but looks to be a budding star. Even his current backup, Victor Caratini has a somewhat similar profile. On the south side, Zack Collins could see the action behind the plate in 2019. Zack was projected as a bat first catcher. His defense is coming along and he is progressing as a low average, decent OBP guy with good power. Edge: Cubs

Infield: What the Cubs infield will look like in 2019 is anybody's guess. Rizzo and Bryant should be on the corners, but the middle infield slots are a mystery.  Addison Russell, Javy Baez and Ian Happ are all in the mix, but one of them will probably be gone.  At this point I would guess that Russell is probably the safest bet to stay in Chicago, but that's far from a sure thing. Look for something to happen this winter to clear things up.. The Sox will probably have a Cuban connection on the right side with Jose Abreu at first and Yoan Moncada at second. The Sox seem to think Tim Anderson will be a fixture at short. They're more sold on that than I am. Matt Davidson looks to be Todd Frazier 2.0 at third. That's not a terrible thing. Sox 2017 first round pick, Jake Burger is a  bat first guy who could be the Sox third baseman by 2019.  Both infields should be pretty good in 2019. Edge: Cubs

Outfield: Once again, it's hard to project who will be where in 2019, but I will start with right field for the Cubs. I doubt Jayson Heyward will be gone because of his albatross of a contract. The Cubs have been slow to commit to Albert Almora Jr. in center. However, with no other viable option, I'll go with him. For purposes of this article, I'll put Schawrber in left, though Kyle being with the Cubs in 2019 is far from a sure thing. I don't have great confidence in that outfield. For the Sox, I'm plugging Luis Robert in center. That's a pretty aggressive projection but Robert is supposed to be a high profile talent. I've got Avisail Garcia in right, with other Garcias , Willi and Leury, also being factors in the outfield picture.  The Sox picked up highly touted Yankee prospect, Blake Rutherford, in the David Robertson-Tommy Kahnle-Todd Frazier trade.  I'll plug in left field for now.  I wouldn't be surprised to see the Sox add a mid level free agent outfielder between now and 2019.  Eloy Jiminez, acquired from the Cubs in the Jose Quintana trade, could move Avisail Garcia from right field to DH.  He will be in the Sox lineup relatively soon.  Maybe as early as 2019.  Both the Cubs and White Sox outfield projections are cloudy, The Sox just have more high ceiling prospects.  Edge: White Sox

Staring pitching: The Cubs are in a bind right now. Picking up Jose Quintana helped, but there are other holes to plug.  Jon Lester looks to be sliding, while Kyle Hendricks should still be a good starter. The Cubs rotation is in for a makeover.  With the Cubs hiring of new pitching coach, Jim Hickey, I will guess the Cubs will sign Alex Cobb as a free agent.  Look for the Cubs to make a high profile trade using some young guys off their major league roster for a cost controlled starting pitcher.  The Sox have the potential for an excellent starting rotation by 2019. Carlos Rodon looked good when he was healthy.  Health is a concern going forward.  Lucas Giolito looked good in a late season call up.  I think he's for real and is a top of the rotation starter.  Reynaldo Lopez  did okay in his 2017 debut with the White Sox, and figures to get better.  I think he's a 2-3 starter.Carson Fulmer was surprisingly effect in his late season call up with the Sox.  I'm still not as sold on him as I am on Giolito and Lopez.  Fire balling Michael Kopeck impressed in AA last season and has the highest ceiling of any starter in the Sox system.  Dylan Cease, acquired in the Jose Quintana trade, could also make his mark by 2019.   Edge: White Sox

Relief pitching: The Cubs had an unsettled pen by the end of the year and changes are looming.  The lack of ability of their relievers to throw strikes was troubling.  The Cubs are going into this offseason looking a closer.  Wade Davis faltered down the stretch a bit, but may be resigned as a free agent. Carl Edwards Jr. was dominant at times and clueless at other times.  By 2019 he figures to be a staple in the Cubs pen.  Inconsistent left hander, Justin Wilson could also be around.  All in all, guessing any team's bullpen in two years is a tough proposition.  The 2017 Sox bullpen was constantly changing on the fly last year.  They traded off some nice pieces for prospects.  David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle were traded to the Yankees for prospects and even later waves of Sox relievers, such as Tyler Clippard were also sent packing.  Amazing, the Sox pieced together a decent pen by the end of the season.  That was based in large part on the work of Al Albuqerque, Danny Farquhar and closer, Juan Minaya.  If any of those guys will be with the Sox in 2019 is questionable.   Edge: Even

For the first time in some years, the Sox may have more help on the farm than the Cubs. The Cubs transformation happened quicker than most people thought it would.  I think the same thing will happen with the White Sox.

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