Bernfield: Not quite contenders, but White Sox clearly improved
Despite winning in the 2015 off-season, the Chicago White Sox didn't do a lot of winning last year once the calendar flipped to April.
They traded for Jeff Samardzija, paired him with Chris Sale, and believed it would lengthen the starting rotation and create a formidable 1-2 punch. They signed Melky Cabrera and Adam LaRoche to bolster their offense. And they signed closer David Robertson, one of the best relievers in the game, to a multiyear deal.
Yes, 2015 was supposed to be memorable year on both sides of town.
Instead, things quickly went south on the South Side. Stained by bad defense, poor fundamentals and underperforming big-name acquisitions, the White Sox quickly sank to the bottom of the standings and were out of the race from the start.
They finished 76-86, fourth place in the AL Central. Management responded by doubling down and adding more pieces for 2016.
General manager Rick Hahn flipped two minor-league pitchers to Oakland for fiery and versatile infielder Brett Lawrie, bolstering the team's defense and providing an offensive upgrade at second base.
Then he made an offer the Reds and Dodgers couldn't refuse for The ToddFather. In the seven-player swap, the White Sox acquired all-star third baseman Todd Frazier from Cincinnati, while sending three prospects to Los Angeles. Frazier should be the best White Sox third baseman since Joe Crede.
Clearly, the team isn't interested in tearing things down. They believe they can win right now.
Can they?
The team's resurgence depends on whether those veterans who disappointed in 2015 return to their career averages. The three left-handers atop the White Sox' rotation — Chris Sale, Jose Quintana and youngster Carlos Rodon — must deliver consistent performance. And the newcomers need to be a lot better than the newcomers were last season.
With Frazier, Lawrie and shortstop Jimmy Rollins, the White Sox have veterans across the diamond and better defense. They also offer leadership and grit — qualities the Sox appeared to lack last year.
Rollins provides mentorship to developing shortstop Tyler Saladino and was a positive influence on future shortstop Tim Anderson in spring training.
Neither Dioner Navarro nor Alex Avila figures to be great behind the plate but together should be better offensively than Tyler Flowers. Among American League catchers with at least 250 at-bats last season, Flowers' .295 on-base percentage and 9 home runs ranked 11th in the American League.
Austin Jackson solidifies the Sox' defense in the outfield, while righty Mat Latos has an opportunity to flourish in the fourth spot in the starting rotation without pressure to be more than adequate.
All of these moves look good on paper, just as the moves did last season. The White Sox still might not have enough talent to reach the postseason for the first time since 2008, however, unless they find a little luck along the way.
But they will be better. Expect them to be in the race until the end of the season. It might not be the playoff run the organization hopes for, but it's progress.
• Jordan Bernfield is an anchor and co-host of “Inside The Clubhouse” on WSCR 670-AM The Score. He also works as a play-by-play broadcaster for ESPN. Follow him on Twitter@JordanBernfield.