After already acquiring veteran catcher Yasmani Grandal, veteran 3B Gio Gonzalez and reaching new pacts with core guys like José Abreu and Eloy Jimenez, the White Sox kept up the free agent spending, by agreeing to a 3 year $55.5 million deal with starter Dallas Keuchel, while also agreeing to a 1 year $12 million contract with former Yankees slugger Edwin Encarnacion.
The White Sox went 72-89 in 2019, which was 17 wins better than the previous year, and are poised to be a whole lot better with these veteran guys they have brought in. Keuchel may not still be the CY Young pitcher, he was on the Astros from 2015-2018, but he’s still a reliable and solid pitcher, you feel comfortable handing the ball too night in and night out. The move also gives Chicago, a nice 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation with young ace Lucas Giolito and now Dallas Keuchel.
As for Encarnacion, he was a no-show in the playoffs for the Yankees l, but had some great regular season moments with the Yankees and Mariners blasting 34 bombs between the two teams in 2019. He can provide some pop to a young and on the rise White Sox offense.
Also, with the Indians diminishing because of their “Half rebuild”, the Chicago White Sox have a real shot at overtaking the Twins for the AL Central title.
PREDICTION: As of now, I say the White Sox go 84-78, just barley finishing 2nd in the Central. I just think the experience will
play a factor down the stretch, as a lot of these guys don’t know what it’s like to be in a playoff race. We will see what happens though this upcoming season.
I would also like to say that this may not be my final prediction for these guys, as a whole lot can change from now until the season begins.
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