Is White Sox's Grandal-McCann catching duo destined to break up?

If the White Sox were as deep at every other position as they are at catcher, they'd very likely still be playing in the postseason.

Zack Collins, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2016 draft, is an emerging slugger. On most major-league teams, he'd already be at the top of the depth chart.

With the Sox, Collins has been boxed out by two all-star catchers.

The Sox signed Yasmani Grandal to a four-year, $73 million contract last November. Less than a month later, they brought James McCann back on a one-year, $5.4 million deal.

Manager Rick Renteria enjoyed having a pair of premium catchers on the roster, even though it created obvious problems making out the lineup card.

"We're very fortunate to have two guys that obviously are accomplished, continue to contribute in big ways," Renteria said. "We just try to find a balance where we keep them either both in the lineup, rest one, just do everything we can to kind of maximize what we're capable of doing with them."

The balance was nearly equal, with Grandal starting 32 games behind the plate and McCann starting 27.

Grandal also started 7 games as the White Sox's designated hitter and 6 games at first base. McCann was the DH for 13 games.

Renteria hasn't played favorites over his four-year run in the Sox's dugout, but it's pretty clear he has a soft spot for Jose Abreu. McCann is right behind.

"We love McCannon," Renteria said. "Everybody loves McCannon. James has been the same since Day 1. Everybody knows how I feel about James."

Maybe the Sox offer McCann enough to come back for 2021, whatever that figure might be under the cloud that is COVID-19.

If they don't - and the guess here is McCann gets a more lucrative contract and becomes the No. 1 catcher for another team - Grandal still has three more years on his deal and was a good add for the White Sox in the strange season that ended in Oakland.

On the positive side, the 31-year-old catcher hit 2 home runs in 3 playoffs games, he led the Sox with 30 walks during the regular season and he was 4-for-8 throwing out base stealers.

On the negative side, White Sox pitchers had an ERA over 4.50 when Grandal was behind the plate, he batted .230 and a series of nagging injuries started in spring training and continued throughout the season.

Let's wait, hopefully, to see how Grandal fares over a full 162-game slate.

Assuming McCann exits, Collins is the obvious backup.

Limited to 4 games during the regular season, Collins had to try salvaging an important developmental year at the Sox's summer training facility in Schaumburg.

A needed left-handed bat that comes with some serious power, Collins is also showing needed defensive growth at catcher.

Yermin Mercedes is behind Collins on the White Sox's depth chart.

Even though he'll be 28 years old next season and was limited to 1 at-bat this year, Mercedes is an interesting hitter and an energetic performer.