Chicago White Sox still focused on finding No. 1 catcher
It's going to be another busy off-season for general manager Rick Hahn and the Chicago White Sox.
In no particular order the Sox very likely will be looking for a new manager, and Don Cooper (pitching) could be the only coach returning in 2017.
Ace starting pitcher Chris Sale could be traded if the White Sox get the right offer. Ditto for No. 2 starter Jose Quintana.
Outfielder Adam Eaton could be traded for prospects as well, as could first baseman Jose Abreu, third baseman Todd Frazier, left fielder Melky Cabrera and closer David Robertson.
No matter what direction the Sox decide to travel, the off-season is going to be lot more interesting than the current season, which mercifully ends Oct. 2.
For now, we'll focus on a familiar hole that never seems to get filled - catcher.
"We've been in that situation for a few years now where we are trying to find a long-term solution at catcher," Hahn said. "Over this past year, with Zack Collins in the draft, we took someone who we feel at some point in the future is going to be able to help us there. And we acquired a kid via trade, Alfredo Gonzalez, who has been playing real well in Double-A."
Collins was the No. 10 overall pick in the June draft, and the White Sox are confident he's going to damage with the bat.
Before agreeing to a $3.4 million signing bonus with the Sox on June 24, Collins posted a .363/.544/.668 hitting line with 16 home runs and 59 RBI in 62 games with the University of Miami (Florida) as a junior this season.
Assigned to high Class A Winston-Salem after signing, Collins held his own with a .258/.418/.467 slash line, 6 homers and 18 RBI in 36 games.
He can hit, but can Collins catch?
The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder was behind the plate for 18 games with Winston-Salem, and Collins threw out three of 19 basestealers (16 percent).
That's not good, but the White Sox expect Collins to improve with experience. In addition, developing a rapport with the staff and pitch framing are equally or more important as throwing out runners.
Still a work in progress as a catcher and hitter, Collins is heading to the Arizona Fall League.
Only 21, Collins figures to play most of next season with Class AA Birmingham, and maybe he joins the Sox at some point in 2018.
That means the White Sox need a No. 1 catcher for 2017.
Hahn mentioned Gonzalez, acquired for cash considerations in a July 2 trade with the Houston Astros.
The 24-year-old catcher slashed .296/.358/.341 in 39 games with Birmingham, and he threw out seven of 32 basestealers (22 percent). On the flip side, Gonzalez has hit just 7 home runs in 324 minor-league games.
Throw Gonzalez into the 2017 mix with current White Sox catchers Omar Narvaez and Kevan Smith, but all three project out as backups at best.
Maybe the Sox get back a legitimate No. 1 catcher in an off-season trade, or maybe they find a stopgap for a season or so until Collins is ready. The White Sox entered the current season with Alex Avila and Dioner Navarro on one-year contracts, but neither veteran worked out.
"There are some options in the pipeline, but certainly heading into this off-season we are going to find a direction for 2017 and some answers for 2017 behind the plate," Hahn said.
Scouting report
White Sox vs. Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet today and Saturday; WGN Sunday
Radio: WLS 890-AM
Pitching matchups: The White Sox's Miguel Gonzalez (4-7) vs. Trevor Bauer (11-8) today at 6:10 p.m.; Jose Quintana (12-11) vs. Cody Anderson (2-4) Saturday at 6:10 p.m.; Carlos Rodon (7-10) vs. Josh Tomlin (12-8) Sunday at 12:10 p.m.
At a glance: The Sox play their final road series of the season. They are 1-5 in stops at Kansas City and Philadelphia to begin the trip. The Sox are 6-10 vs. the first-place Indians this season. Cleveland is heading to the postseason without injured starters Danny Salazar (forearm) and Carlos Carrasco (broken hand). Gonzalez has won 2 of his last 3 starts while allowing 6 runs in 20 innings.
Next: Tampa Bay Rays at U.S. Cellular Field, Monday-Thursday
- Scot Gregor