5 White Sox players with something to prove in 2024
White Sox general manager Chris Getz has seen the early predictions for the upcoming season.
He knows they're not good.
With Sox pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training Wednesday in Glendale, Ariz., Getz is both realistic and optimistic.
“Do I think we are, as an organization, where we need to be, to be a championship caliber club?” he asked on a Zoom call Monday. “We're not there yet. But we feel like we're stepping in the right direction and look forward to now getting to work. Our goal is to go beyond what the projections are.”
In order to bounce back from a 101-loss season, the Sox need to be better as a team across the board.
Individually, Getz had an interesting observation.
“We do have a lot of players that have a lot to prove to themselves,” the GM said. “I feel like they are highly motivated to prove not only that they're major-league caliber players, but they want to come together. They know that they have to come together for us to be successful.”
With the exception of star center fielder Luis Robert Jr., every player on the Sox's roster has something to prove. Here are the Top 5:
Andrew Benintendi
Last season was his first with the White Sox after signing the most lucrative ($75 million) contract in franchise history.
A lingering right hand injury took a major toll on Benintendi's offensive showing and he finished with a .262/.326/.356 slash line to go with 5 home runs and 45 RBI.
In late January, Benintendi said he's healthy, stronger and ready for a rebound year.
“I know Benintendi, who had a fine year last year, still wanted to do better than what he performed,” Getz said. “He’s committed to finding ways to improve.”
Eloy Jimenez
He's no longer a young, feared slugger.
Jimenez is now a 27-year-old reluctant designated hitter with a history of injury trouble.
In 120 games last season, the erstwhile left fielder hit .272/.317/.441 with 18 homers and 64 RBI.
“Offensively, we’ve seen the potential he has,” Getz said. “When he’s on the field, he’s a very productive player. Last year, other than the appendectomy, he had taken care of a lot of the issues he had in the past from a health standpoint. I feel like he’s well positioned to be productive on a regular basis.”
Dylan Cease
After going 14-8 with a 2.20 ERA and finishing second in American League Cy Young voting in 2022, Cease was 7-9 with a 4.58 ERA last season.
That's quite a dip, but the right-hander is durable, still young (27) and he is a strikeout machine.
The lingering question is, will Cease try to show he's still elite with the White Sox or another team? He's been linked to numerous trade rumors throughout the off-season.
“At this point, Dylan Cease, I expect him to be our Opening Day starter,” Getz said. “He's had an awesome off-season. I've been in contact with him regularly and I know his name has been out there publicly with potential trades and not surprisingly, it hasn't affected him. He's so professional and just focused on the task at hand.”
Yoan Moncada
In very likely his last season with the Sox, Moncada should be especially motivated.
The third baseman is set to make $24.8 million this season. He has a $25 million club option for next year but the White Sox hold a $5 million buyout.
Like Jimenez, Moncada has been hampered by one injury after another.
“When healthy, when he’s at his best, he can be a very productive offensive player,” Getz said. “He’s in a very good position based on his off-season work.”
Andrew Vaughn
He tied Robert for the team lead with 80 RBI and was second with 21 homes runs last season.
On the flip side, Vaughn posted a disappointing .258/.314/.429 hitting line and much more is expected from the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 draft.
“He expects to take a step forward,” Getz said.