On paper, White Sox finally look like a winning team

With the White Sox, what you see is what you're getting.

All things considered, it's a pretty good look.

“We're probably done with any major acquisitions,” general manager Rick Hahn said Thursday at Guaranteed Rate Field in advance of this weekend's SoxFest. “We're still debating various potential smaller additions, and there's still the occasional trade idea or free agent signing that picks up a little steam. So never say never.

“But in reality, I think the safe assumption is the bulk of our heavy lifting for this winter, at least, is over.”

The White Sox had quite an off-season haul, signing free agents Yasmani Grandal, Dallas Keuchel, Edwin Encarnacion, Gio Gonzalez and Steve Cishek.

They also acquired Nomar Mazara in a trade and signed Jose Abreu and Luis Robert to contract extensions.

“You look at each individual move and combine it as a whole and you realize how much better our team got in the matter of three months,” relief pitcher Aaron Bummer said. “Bringing all those guys in pushes it to that next level that we're going to be able to do some things and we're going to be able to win a bunch of ballgames.”

Oddsmakers are already projecting the Sox to win 84½ games this season, up from 72 last year. A team that hasn't had a winning record since 2012 looks vastly improved on paper.

As spring training nears, let's take a closer look:

First base

Abreu returns with a three-year contract, and he is the defending American League RBI champion.

If he needs a break or goes down with an injury, Encarnacion, Grandal and possibly James McCann provide quality depth.

Second base

Is Nick Madrigal going to break camp on the White Sox's roster?

“He's viable, but he's got a few more things to prove,” Hahn said. “He hasn't necessarily answered all the questions we have for him in the minor leagues. But we're going to go in with fresh eyes and a fresh approach in spring training and see where he's at and in all probability make an assessment there.

“I don't think we have him by any means written in pen as the Opening Day second baseman at this point. Could he change our minds? Yeah.”

Shortstop

After the 2019 season, Tim Anderson worked on his hitting and wound up winning the batting title last year.

This winter, Anderson has worked on his defensive game, particularly his throwing. After leading the majors with 26 errors last season, Anderson is driven to show he is a complete player.

Third base

Yoan Moncada broke out in a big way last year, and he's emerging as an MVP candidate.

Still only 24 years old, watch out if Moncada builds off his monster September (.412/.455/.647, 3 home runs, 15 RBI).

Left field

Eloy Jimenez had some expected growing pains when he broke into the Sox's lineup last April, but he was an offensive terror after settling in.

Even though he missed over a month with injuries, Jimenez led AL rookies with 31 home runs, 79 RBI and 240 total bases.

Center field

Robert has yet to play a major-league game, but he is a rare athletic talent and the gut feeling here is he blossoms into the White Sox's best all-around player in the very near future.

Right field

Mazara might be the weak link in the lineup, but he's only 24 and averaged 20 homers and 77 RBI in four seasons with the Rangers.

Catcher

Grandal moves in after a big 2019 season with the Brewers, when he ranked fourth in the majors in walks and was near the top of the leaderboard in nearly every offensive category for catchers.

Designated hitter

Encarnacion is still going strong at age 37, he is a proven DH and he combined for 34 home runs and 86 RBI in only 109 games with the Yankees and Mariners last year.

Starting rotation

This group was a weakness last season after Lucas Giolito, but not this year.

Keuchel and Gonzalez are established veterans and postseason tested, Dylan Cease should be much better after getting acclimated to the majors last year, Michael Kopech is fully recovered from Tommy John surgery and Reynaldo Lopez can still be a factor.

Bullpen

Closer Alex Colome returns for his second year with the Sox, and Bummer and Cishek are capable setup relievers.

If Kelvin Herrera is fully healthy, this could be a solid unit.