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Gregor: Sox on the rise, but how high can they go?

If you're still trying to shake off the chill after retrieving the newspaper this morning, here's a warm thought: Spring training starts later this week.

Baseball is almost here, and the White Sox' biggest challenge is shaking off back-to-back losing seasons.

Well aware of the poor showings and increasing fan apathy, Sox general manager Rick Hahn filled more roster holes than anticipated this winter.

Hahn solidified the starting rotation with right-hander Jeff Samardzija, a near perfect fit to pitch between left-handers Chris Sale and Jose Quintana.

He found a closer in David Robertson, who replaced Mariano Rivera in New York last season and barely flinched while converting 39 saves in 44 opportunities.

He found a needed No. 2 hitter in Melky Cabrera, who replaces Dayan Viciedo in left field.

He upgraded the cleanup spot by signing Adam LaRoche, who should give No. 3 hitter Jose Abreu much better protection.

Hahn also added more beef in the bullpen with Zach Duke and Dan Jennings, and he did the same with the bench by signing Emilio Bonifacio, Gordon Beckham, Geovany Soto and George Kottaras.

The White Sox are widely viewed as a team on the rise, but plenty of questions remain. He's a look at the Top 3:

Can Abreu improve?

On all of the radio shows I've been on this winter, both locally and nationally, that has been one of the first questions raised.

I'm sticking with my stock answer - yes, Abreu can be even better.

Considering his impressive .317/.383/.581 hitting line and 36 home runs and 107 RBI last season, the American League Rookie of the Year certainly set the bar high early.

But Abreu injured his ankle in spring training last year and never seemed to be fully healthy. He got little or no protection from Adam Dunn or Paul Konerko, who are both now retired. Also, with his rookie year behind him, the 28-year-old first baseman/designated hitter knows what it takes to compete for a full major-league season.

White Sox hitting coach Todd Steverson has no doubt that Abreu can improve.

"If the man stays consistent at what he did (in 2014) and he improves in any other areas that may have been transgressions for him, then we're all in," Steverson said.

"I'm sure he'll start to realize, seeing pitchers over and over again, when they're pitching to him, when they're not pitching to him, have a bit more patience than he did at the plate instead of trying to do everything by himself sometimes."

How good is the rotation?

There are 30 teams in major-league baseball, and Sale, Samardzija and Quintana all ranked in the Top 30 in ERA last season.

Sale was third overall with a 2.17 ERA, Samardzija was 22nd at 2.99 and Quintana 30th at 3.32.

"I do believe you are not going to have a break when you come through Chicago and face that rotation," Hahn said.

There is little doubt Sale, Samardzija and Quintana stack up as three of the top starters in the game, but there is a steep drop-off after that with John Danks and Hector Noesi.

Keep an eye on Carlos Rodon, the White Sox' first-round draft pick (No. 3 overall) last June. At some point this season, the hard-throwing lefty is expected to join the rotation and make a major impact.

Who needs to step up?

Hahn had a tremendous off-season, but he understandably wasn't able to plug all the holes.

Tyler Flowers returns as the starting catcher, and his power numbers (15 homers, 50 RBI) were good in 2014. The .241 batting average, .297 on-base percentage and 159 strikeouts in 407 at-bats were not good, but the Sox like the way Flowers calls games and handles the pitching staff.

The starting second base job likely goes to Micah Johnson, who is best known for stealing 84 bases in the minor leagues in 2013.

Johnson's biggest problem has been staying healthy, and his defensive skills also are suspect. If Johnson fails to emerge as the starting second baseman in spring training, Carlos Sanchez, Bonifacio and Beckham will get looks.

Third base is another soft spot with Conor Gillaspie, an average defender at best who hit only 7 home runs last season while fading badly in the second half. If Matt Davidson rebounds from a forgettable season at Class AAA Charlotte, he could force Gillaspie out of the starting lineup.

• Follow Scot's White Sox and baseball reports on Twitter @scotgregor.

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