Renteria: Rebuilding Chicago White Sox aren't going to roll over
After four straight losing seasons, and with a grand total of zero playoff appearances since 2008, the word rebuild sounds very good to most Chicago White Sox fans.
But rebuild is often code for "take your lumps now," and that sounds bad in the Sox's clubhouse.
That's why, as they prepare to open the season Monday afternoon against the Detroit Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field, the White Sox are not listening to any talk of rebuilding the roster.
"I think the players want to go out there and perform and they want to do well, regardless of whether it's a young team or an old team," first-year manager Rick Renteria said. "No player, no team ever wants to go out there and say, 'I'm just going to allow myself to get beat.'
"They want to play good baseball and they're hoping they can do certain things that will allow them to give us a chance to compete on a daily basis and hopefully come out on top on a daily basis.
"It would be terrible for me to go out there and talk to my players about just rolling over. That's not the way it works, and there is no professional athlete that is going to do that. I don't expect to do it, and I don't expect them to do it."
Since the first day of spring training, veteran Sox players have been quick to point out ace starter Chris Sale (traded to Boston) and outfielder Adam Eaton (traded to Washington) are the only key regulars missing from last year's team.
"We picked up some young guys, but they are still in the minor leagues," said third baseman Todd Frazier, who has quickly emerged as the White Sox's leader in his second season with the club. "We lost one of our starters and a hitter. We've got basically our crop back, with Jacob May.
"It's the same basic lineup, if you want the truth, with another speedster (May) and a guy (Cody Asche) who can hit the ball as well. We just have to dominate on offense and the pitching has to step up."
Frazier thought he was close to being traded to the Dodgers before free agent Justin Turner returned to Los Angeles right before Christmas on a four-year, $64 million contract.
With Frazier headed for free agency at the end of the season, there is a chance he gets moved before the July 31 nonwaiver deadline.
"I'm happy to be here," said Frazier, who led the White Sox with a career-high 40 home runs last year. "I like this place. I like it a lot. My family likes it here. We moved into a new spot the other day, looking out over Navy Pier. It's pretty cool. I'm excited and can't wait to start the year. I think everybody here is."
Frazier's perpetually positive attitude might change if the Sox get off to a slow start and general manager Rick Hahn starts making more trades, but it's early April and all is well.
Hahn got maximum value for Sale and Eaton, and he is looking for similar returns on players such as Jose Quintana, closer David Robertson and Frazier.
"I'm not necessarily surprised," Renteria said when asked about Hahn's recent inactivity. "I'll just say I'm kind of happy they're still here with us and they're going to be part of this club as we start, and hopefully they're going to impact us in a positive way as they have throughout their careers and in the spring.
"They've been really instrumental helping us formulate the attitude the club has taken on over the last six or seven weeks."
Scouting report
White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet Monday and Wednesday; WGN Thursday
Radio: WLS 890-AM
Pitching matchups: The White Sox's Jose Quintana (13-12 last season) vs. Justin Verlander (16-9) Monday at 3:10 p.m.; James Shields (6-19) vs. Jordan Zimmermann (9-7) Wednesday at 1:10 p.m.; Derek Holland (7-9) vs. Daniel Norris (4-2) Thursday at 1:10 p.m.
At a glance: The Sox have won four straight opening-day games at home. They were 7-12 vs. the Tigers last season (6-4 at home). Quintana makes his first opening-day start. The left-hander tied for third in the American League with 23 quality starts last season, was sixth with 208 innings pitched and seventh with a 3.20 ERA. Verlander was second in Cy Young voting last season. The White Sox have two new faces in their starting lineup, Cody Asche at designated hitter and rookie Jacob May in center field.
Next: Minnesota Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field, Friday-Sunday
- Scot Gregor