After miserable 2018 offseason, White Sox fans now asking, "Manny Who?"

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After a year of being ridiculed over their failure to sign Manny Machado, the White Sox have come back with a vengeance this offseason. They’ve added 2/5 of a starting rotation, upgraded their catching, designated hitter and right field through free agency and a trade. They will add a center fielder and second baseman early, or at the start of the 2020 season through their farm system. That’s an amazing amount of upgrades from one season to the next.

Sox looking at upgrades in seven of nine positions

Counting the DH as a position player, the Sox figure to have upgraded five of their nine position slots. In addition, Eloy Jimenez should be even better in 2020 after a 31 homer, 79 RBI rookie season. Yoan Moncada made huge strides in his sophomore season season. If he improves any more, he’ll be one of the best players in baseball. 

Matters of concern

One player I do worry about regressing is Tim Anderson. Tim emerged as a genuine offensive force in 2019, winning a batting title with an average of .335. I doubt he’ll replicate that. I’m more concerned about his defense. Tim led the AL in errors with 26. He has to be better in 2020. His footwork was just atrocious at times. With the Sox being a better team in 2020, those mistakes will be more glaring.

Defense in general could be an issue for the Sox in 2020. Corner outfielders, Eloy Jimenez and Nomar Mozara both have defensive limitations. Luis Robert should be fine defensively in center field for the Sox, but figures to have a lot of ground to cover. Last year’s primary center fielder, Adam Engel figures to see a fair bit of action as a defensive replacement, and starter against left-handed pitching.

Forget two chickens for every pot, I'll take a decent starter for every game

So, who led the White Sox in innings pitched last season? I thought it was Lucas Giolito. Actually, however, it was Ivan Nova. Nova was functional as a fifth starter last season, but it probably isn’t good sign when he’s the staff leader in innings pitched. It’s an even worse sign when Dylan Covey and Carson Fulmer are starting games for you.

The addition of Dallas Kuechel and Gio Gonzalez, coupled with the return of Michael Kopech should put some of those bad memories for Sox fans to rest. The backend of the Sox bullpen was solid last season. Look for the Sox to add to it.

Looking forward, not backward

This offseason has White Sox fans saying, “Manny Who?” I’d definitely rather have Edward Encarnaction, Yasmani Grandal, Dallas Kuechel and Gio Gonzalez than Manny Machado. He’s a possible Sox lineup against a right handed starter for the 2020 White Sox:

1. Tim Anderson

2. Yoan Moncada

3. Yasami Grandal

4. Jose Abreu

5. Edwin Encarnacion

6. Eloy Jimenez

7. Luis Robert

8. Nomar Mozara

9. Nick Madrigal

Looks pretty good to me. I think my MLB package is going to get a workout in 2020.