White Sox catcher James McCann could represent an integral part of his team’s jump to contention, which might opt for a sort of veteran infusion to supplement a blossoming young core led by Yoan Moncada, Lucas Giolito, Tim Anderson, and Eloy Jimenez. As The Athletic’s James Fegan writes, McCann sees himself as one of the first veterans to steer the young club towards that next step. He compares his team to recent versions of the Indians and Royals, who rode young cores to World Series berths from 2014-2016 as McCann watched from Detroit. He’s enjoyed his best offensive season, riding a strong first half to an All-Star selection, though he prides himself in his game-calling and management of a pitching staff. His collaboration with breakout star Lucas Giolito, along with a strong showing at the plate, has earned him a spot in the Sox clubhouse for 2020 and beyond.
- Brewers megastar Christian Yelich, who suffered a fractured kneecap after fouling a ball off his right knee, is showing signs of progress more than a week after the injury. Per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, Yelich could be walking with crutches in about a week, with the possibility of running as early as the end of October. That’s not to say that he’ll be ready in time for a potential playoff return, however. While that doesn’t make the absence of the Brewers’ franchise player any more bearable, it’s encouraging that he’s making progress in his recovery.
- The Cardinals are going to exercise caution with injured second baseman Kolten Wong, who tweaked his hamstring on Thursday while running. An MRI on Friday revealed that he didn’t suffer anything worse that a mild-to-moderate hamstring strain, per Anne Rogers of MLB.com. That’s encouraging, especially after a situation last year in which Wong may have made the same injury worse by continuing to run despite the strain. For fear of aggravating the injury, he won’t be able to play until he demonstrates that he can swing and field without complication, though Wong, who’s been one of the stars of the second half for the Cards, says he is feeling better so far.
- Tigers third baseman Jeimer Candelario may be playing himself out of the Tigers’ future plans, writes Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. Thought to be the third baseman of the future when he was acquired from Chicago in 2017, Candelario has taken steps backward this season, with his wRC+ plummeting to just 67. The organization hasn’t completely given up hope yet, though the 25-year-old is running out of chances to rediscover his swing if he’s to stay on a Major League roster as a corner infielder. He hopes that playing winter ball after the season—something he wasn’t able to do last year because of a wrist injury—will help him get on the right track.
The sox are having a magical year in terms of so many breakouts. Will be interesting to see how Hahn handles the offseason
The White Sox figure to be one of the more active teams this offseason. They will also be buyers for the first time since beginning their rebuild 3 years ago, focusing on the pitching staff by adding a veteran arm or three. They will seek a front end starter and maybe another for the backend of their rotation as an insurance policy to cover a young rotation that also comes with significant health concerns. One of those will likely be a southpaw to balance out a rotation that leans right-handed. Also look for them to add a veteran bullpen arm, perhaps another lefty.
Rick Hahn will continue to prioritize the acquisition of young and controllable talent in any trade conversations. Their biggest priority outside of pitching is a solid left-handed bat to balance out a batting order that also leans right-handed. Most likely that addition will be the White Sox new right-fielder. In order to facilitate an acquisition like this, the front office might have to consider moving one of their better prospects for the first time. This would be the norm for any team that is ready to transition from rebuild mode to contending status.
The key is to identify the prospects who are keepers and those that are expendable. The Dodgers are an organization that has been very adept at this practice and also one that the White Sox might be talking with this winter since they do have a seeming surplus of young and impactful left-handed hitting outfielders on their active roster.
Shut Wong down. Unless the Brewers really push it for the last series, the Cardinals are doing enough to win and are making a strong push for the division, keep him healthy and ready to go for October.
McCann has regressed badly in the second half.
Keep him, but team should pursue more help, and should key in on Grandal.
If you look at McCanns past numbers it was a lock that he was bound to regress. He isn’t an everyday catcher on a good team but can easily be platooned
Does anyone read charts? McCann’s .323 avg ended up a .274 between the ASB and today. But I wouldn’t call it regression since his 2016-2018 seasons are all considerably below this season’s production in every category?
His only bad month was July, and it was really, really miserable. Outside of that, he has still been good-to-very good.
@maximumvelocity
Agreed. I would love to see them get Grandal, especially in case McCann is a one-year wonder. Definitely keep McCann, if nothing else, to be Giolito’s catcher if he does prove to be a one-year wonder.
Plus, getting Grandal could make Collins valuable trade bait to be a part of a trade to get that finishing piece. Of course Collins has to show he can make it in the pros if he’s going to have any trade value (he obviously has some, but not near enough trade value right now to be the centerpiece of a deal on the Sox end).
Personally, I don’t think McCann will be a one-year wonder, but I seriously doubt he will ever be an All-Star again.
For the most part, McCann has a history of hitting left handed pitching. Getting Grandal would make a very good catcher pairing with Grandal getting the majority of the starts.
McCann will be splitting time with Collins next year! The White Sox are not going out to get a catcher this offseason when they main concern is to get a top of the rotation starting pitcher and another outfielder.
Luis Robert is more talented and probably going to have the highest WAR out of all those White Sox players mentioned in this post in 2020.
@ Strike Four
As long as he doesn’t get off to a bad start offensively like Eloy did this year. Robert’s defense shouldn’t be a problem for him, so I could see it. Yoan would probably be the only one of them who could seriously challenge Robert in WAR if Robert has a great rookie season. Well, possibly Giolito if he repeats this season (or even tops it).
I’d bet on Moncada, but I’d love to see Robert top everyone.
I think Moncada will be by far the top player, once his defense has an uptick, and he starts walking more, which I expect given his improved plate discipline.
I assume you are just speaking in terms of the 2020 season. Long term I’d wager that Luis Robert will be the White Sox top player. They are both 5-tool talents. I love Moncada but I believe Robert is better equipped to put up bigger numbers with a couple of those tools. His run tool will result in more SB’s which could very well make him the White Sox leadoff hitter beginning in 2020, a role he filled most often in his ascension through the minors even when paired with speedy Nick Madrigal who usually hit #2. I do like Moncada’s chances to be an elite defensive 3B but feel the same about Robert in CF which is considered the more premium position of the two.
I also thought Candelario would be the 3B of the future but he has a chronic wrist injury that will never fully heal and will limit his power. It also doesn’t help that the tigers have a stud 3B in AA Issac Paredes(actually got him in the same trade as candy) he may have a spot as a 1B while the tigers rebuild but I don’t see him in the long term plans
No one ever brings up his wrist issue. I heard last season he could rehab or get surgery. He chose rehab. I hate when players do that. He had a lot of hype.
I watched him tonight and there just isn’t any pop. Get the surgery (if he still can)
Al can not catch a break with the prospects he trade for, first Franklin Perez and now Candelario.
McCann is 100% right. Either way, this team is set up as an offensive powerhouse for years to come. It’s all depending on SP, but the arrow is pointing up with Gio, Cease, Kopech, Lopez. Add a 1/2 SP and this team will thrive.
Yap – time to spend money. Starters you mentioned are going to be fine probably all are 2s and 3s. Need a #1. Try to trade for a guy like Fullmer on Detroit or Archer on Pittsburgh.
“Need a #1.“
“Try to trade for a guy like Fullmer on Detroit or Archer on Pittsburgh.”
Those 2 thoughts shouldn’t be put together…
If the White Sox are targeting a legitimate #1 veteran starter this offseason it will need to be via the trade route. Despite what many White Sox fans are hoping their beloved will not be signing Garret Cole who is the only slam-dunk ace in this winter’s class.
There does figure to be a coup[e of #1’s available in the trade market this offseason. Michael Fulmer and Chris Archer no longer qualify for that role.
Fulmer is returning next season after missing the entirety of 2019 due to TJ surgery. The White Sox have enough of those starters in their own system including Michael Kopech and Carlos Rodon.
Archer is a former ace who has been slip-sliding for a few years and comes with his own health concerns. His performance now is more in line with that of a #4 or #5 starter. The Pirates will need to decide if they are willing to pick up the first of his two remaining team options this offseason. Most teams would be willing to gamble on a $9M investment in 2020 for a former ace who will turn 31 next week, but we are talking the Pirates here.
If the White Sox do seek a true ace this offseason in a trade one should be available from the Indians, Mets and possibly the Diamondbacks. Each of these possibilities also come with limited team control.
The Indians Corey Kluber is in a similar spot to Archer but at least he’s still a legit ace. Kluber also has a couple of team options remaining which are nearly twice that of Archer. Unfortunately for him and the Indians, he has also been hurt since early May, first with a non-displaced ulna fracture in his throwing arm and then with an oblique strain while rehabbing about a month ago. As a division rival that still has its sights on contending in 2020, the Indians are less likely to deal Kluber to the White Sox. With Kluber’s injury concerns, they may have to wait until next summer’s trade deadline in order to max out on their return anyway. The biggest concern with Kluber is he will be 34 next April. However, those years do come with a fairly limited amount of wear and tear since he was a late bloomer who didn’t began racking up 200+ IP until 2014.
The Mets Noah Syndergaard figures to be the most talked about ace this winter. He’s had his own share of injury concerns and also comes with two more years of team control by way of arbitration which figures to net him about $9M in 2020 and another fair jump in 2021 with good health and production. He also just turned 27 and would fit nicely in the White Sox future rotation plans if they were able to extend him beyond 2021. The White Sox should be talking to the Mets this offseason anyway since NY has a couple of solid left-handed hitting OF’s in Brandon Nimmo and Michael Conforto who would fit their other top need for 2020 and beyond. Maybe Hahn kicks the tires on “Thor” and a real blockbuster trade emerges.
The third potential #1 available this winter might be Diamondback Robbie Ray. Like Syndergaard his age would fit nicely into the White Sox future plans with a contract extension. Ray will turn 28 next month. The best thing about him might be his left-handed arm, one that would balance off a White Sox rotation that leans right-handed. Ray has one more year of arbitration remaining and figures to net about the same $9M amount that “Thor” should land for 2020.
There is little doubt that Syndergaard or Ray would cost the White Sox dearly in top talent, at least one significant prospect or one of their young core pieces on the active roster. It’s questionable whether they would be willing to sacrifice any young talent yet as they (hopefully) transition to contending status in 2020. If they can manage to swing a trade it would be imperative that they lock up their new ace with a contract extension to justify such a sacrifice.
These posts are biblical, and life is short.
My name is biblical and baseball is my religion. As a person who is eligible to collect Social Security I’d also wager my remaining years will be considerably less than the average poster here, especially all those 12-year old trolls.
You’ve been a Sox fan this long, and you haven’t learned what giving bad contracts to marginal players does to a team? Especially a team trying to rebuild.
1.) You don’t fill holes on a roster until the rebuild is done, and should be obvious why. You’re blocking prospects and young players on the roster, this hampering their development, and stagnating the roster with mediocre players who have zero trade value, something the Sox do all too well.
2.) The time to spend money on a roster is crucial to a rebuild. Adding an elite player or two shortly after a significant amount of prospects have advanced to the big league roster as starters is optimal. It extends your window of contention by minimizing financial pressures in the short term.
3.) If the Sox can’t sign a few high caliber free agents to help them win sooner, what is the point of rebuilding? They’ll be stuck in a decade long rebuild like the Twins or Royals who typically have short windows because they never spend to keep anybody. The White Sox have the money. They’ll have even more revenue if they give baseball fans a reason to show up (a certain star pitcher). It’s really not that hard to market a winning team in Chicago. The Sox drew nearly 3M in ‘05.
All time record Home run season in MLB, save one team, The Tigers…if there was ever a time to fire your hitting coach, this would be it, Avila. Bye bye Lloyd and hopefully all the Leyland Mafia still clinging on
I wholeheartedly disagree with most of these comments regarding James McCann. I love what he has brought to the White Sox this season. It’s been a rare occurrence for the White Sox to have a catcher produce the balance of leadership, defense and offense that he has achieved in 2019. This is coming from a Sox fan who has lived and died with this team since the early 1960’s.
HOF catcher Carlton Fisk is the only White Sox that comes to mind and he did it for an extended period. A.J. Pierzynski supplied the leadership and offense for the bulk of his 8 years spent on the southside but I wasn’t always enamoured with his defense despite what his dWAR might suggest. A.J. never possessed the arm or approached the 31% CS rate of McCann. Pierzynski was able to compensate to some measure with a quick release but he also benefited from having a pitching staff generally loaded with veterans that featured many southpaws with good moves to first, none better than Mark Buehrle.
In contrast, McCann has primarily worked with a young right-handed staff that is still learning the art of holding runners close to say nothing of their command issues which only makes McCann’s job of nailing potential base stealers more difficult.
I do like what Yasmani Grandal brings to the table but his age and workload concern me. Grandal will turn 31 in November while McCann hit 29 this past June. Grandal has also logged nearly 2000 more innings behind the plate than McCann as we all post when factoring in all his postseason appearances.
I also believe that McCann still holds enormous value to this White Sox team even with a little more regression toward his career norm as a hitter. I believe he hit the proverbial ‘wall’ following the All-Star break which could be a result of his extra work trying to handle a young staff along with the fact that Wellington Castillo was sidelined which had McCann catching more than his fare share of games. Since Castillo’s return and Zack Collins most recent promotion, McCann has gotten a second wind with his offensive production which is reflected in these splits shown here: mlb.com/player/james-mccann-543510
Bottom line: I believe McCann has earned an opportunity to be the White Sox primary catcher in 2020. I think he will be just fine with his offense playing his second full season in hitter-friendly Guaranteed Rate Field rather than cavernous Comerica Park in Detroit. I also believe the White Sox will carry 3 catchers next season when rosters expand to 26 in order to accommodate both McCann and Collins in the same batting order more often. McCann will do the lions share of the catching with Collins getting semi-regular PA’s as a left-handed hitting DH and backup to a returning Jose Abreu at 1B. That third catcher will also allow McCann an extra breather behind the plate and he might also DH some when Collins starts a game or two each week. The question that remains is who that third catcher might be. Will it be a defensive specialist not currently in the system or a bat first one like Yermin Mercedes who might also become a fine platoon mate with Collins at DH since both hit from opposite sides of the plate and possess excellent power?
To conclude, I’m good with McCann, Collins and the mystery #3 catcher for 2020. If that trio doesn’t work out the White Sox can always turn their attention to J.T. Realmuto who figures to head the FA class the following offseason if he doesn’t land an extension with the Phillies first.
A player like Grandal would augment McCann and solve multiple problems.
1) Grandal gives the team another left-handed bat.
2) He and McCann could rotate at DH, which was a black hole.
3) He works counts and walks, and they haven’t had anyone like that since Adam Dunn. But Grandal can actually hit and play the field.
Collins is not ready to serve as a full-time backup, and may have to switch positions. They are better off giving him another year in AAA. to see if he can improve his defense, which he won’t do without more reps, and continue to iron out his swing. They can try out Mercedes as the third catcher/DH.
Nice summary of McCann. He is good enough if they can even extend him 1-2yrs beyond 2020 at a reasonable rate. The offense should be plentiful with in-house talent emerging and a savvy veteran lefty bat acquisition. Grandal is foreseeably the current FA signing version of Dunn that is over 30, expensive, pad stats w/walks against junk pitchers and is an easy out (K) against formidable competition when you need him most. Ask Dodger fans and look at his years of postseason stats.
Mercedes really like to “earn” the bulk of DH work even though a righty. Much better bat than Collins.
Allocate big $ for pitching, pitching and more pitching outside of lefty hitting RF.
Grandal is nothing like Dunn. He can hit LHP at a decent clip. His K rate rate has dropped, and his walk rate has increased.
Besides . . . he’s a catcher. If Adam Dunn was an average catcher and produced the way he did after his first year, most teams would be more than happy with that.
McCann is also one year younger than Grandal. So if you are worried about a regression at age 30, you should have the same concern about him.
Again, I think they should keep McCann. I like McCann. I’m just not buying that this season is reflective of who he is. But let him stick around and prove himself.
Plus, this team really needs to find more players who know how to work counts and draw walks. While I have hopes for Moncada and even Jimenez in that area, the team cannot sustain itself on a bunch of guys who have to rely upon high averages to get on base. Madrigal and Robert aren’t going to help in that category.
I’d rather just keep McCann Collins platoon
Moose wouldn’t be bad for DH
Joc Peterson or a kole kalhoun for RF
Get a top line starter add another #5
Bullpen piece or 2 and here we go
Just need JR to pony up the $ Like he said when Time was right
I would love to hear predictions on this: I think Wong is the best defensive 2nd baseman in the NL when he is healthy. I think Ozzie Albies will win NL 2nd base gold glove. I’m not saying it’s right or what should happen. I am just saying between the fact that Wong can’t stop pulling that hammy and Albies far superior health/games played in addition to Albies unquestionable superior offensive production that Albies ends up winning it. I’m not saying that’s the way it should be. I am merely making an observation of the fact that that’s the way it is. Pujols was a good defensive 1st baseman in his heyday. I watched him take gold gloves away from far superior defensive 1st baseman time and time again. That was because of his offensive production and ability to stay healthy. The NL 2nd base gold glove comes down to 2 players this season. At this point our debates about who SHOULD win are irrelevant. We don’t have a vote. I predict Albies will win. What do you guys predict?
It’s not really about the offense as much as it used to be. Defensive metrics have replaced that
> James McCann…a sort of veteran infusion
Shouldn’t a veteran have more career WAR than the beardless boys he is complementing?
For the record James McCann is tied for 3rd place in bWAR and 4th place in fWAR among White Sox players in 2019. With your criteria involving facial hair, McCann would then be tied for 1st in bWAR and 2nd in fWAR since Lucas Giolito and Yoan Moncada each sport beards.
McCann is going to splitting time with Collins next season unless the Sox move Collins in a trade this offseason. People don’t realize Collins was catching for Cease in AA and AAA so they have chemistry. Please stop thinking the White Sox are getting Grandal when their biggest concern is pitching this offseason. The offense is going to be dangerous next season.
You are really underestimating how bad this team is offensively.
Even with two guys in top five in average, top power rookie in AL, and rbi king, they are in the bottom three in runs, OBP, slugging, and OPS.
Robert and Madrigal will help, but it’s questionable how much, since Madrigal will help little with slugging, and Robert doesn’t walk.
Neither also directly address the glaring black holes at DH and RF.
They need much more than just pitching, and they need to find guys who will improve the team’s OPS.
I gotta agree again with maximumvelocity here. As much as I’m enjoying this offense in Sept, the Sox still need a serious upgrade in offense for next year. The Sox are also benefitting from some pretty bad pitching in Sept., such as Det, KC, M’s, Angels, even Minny’s pitching is unimpressive beyond Berrios. They faced some good pitchers, but have definitely feasted on bad pitching.
Eloy’s improvement next year will help significantly, along with further improvement from Yoan. The additions of Robert and Madrigal will help immensely also. Yes, Madrigal won’t help with the power, but I think he’ll be the ideal lead-off hitter for the Sox–someone who can get on base. Power in the lead-off position would be nice, but isn’t necessary. Robert might be faster and steal more bases, but Madrigal fits better as lead-off.
As for the rest, we have to hope TA and McCann are a sign of things to come and not one-year wonders. In TA’s case, I firmly believe he’s here to stay, though I don’t know that he’ll hit .330 every year. McCann, I worry a bit more offensively, though at least he’s a great asset behind the plate if his offense falls off the cliff. Again, I stress that I strongly believe neither are one-year wonders, but the possibility is real for the both of them, more with McCann.
If Abreu keeps putting up his power numbers, I’ll be happy, though he’s starting to reach the point where you don’t know which year his power numbers will start to drop.
It’s very possible Collins will become a good/great offensive asset, especially power numbers, but he’s a huge if right now. Though it’s encouraging he is finally starting to hit MLB pitching. Plus, I think he will be one of the prospects that goes in a trade. Someone has to get traded to bring back a finishing piece. I can see him being one of those prospects in that trade.
DH you can get away with a one-year deal, unless it’s someone like Grandal, which I only mention because he’s already been mentioned (and I just happen to agree with). You can switch off with Grandal and McCann at C/DH. Yes, I’m aware you can also do that with McCann and Collins. And it doesn’t have to be Grandal, he’s just a good example. By the way, I say a one-year deal otherwise, because Vaughn will be up in ’21 (if not ’20), and Abreu slides over to DH. And yes, I’m going with the fairly safe assumption the Sox sign Abreu.
RF is what they need the most offensively. I think the best possibility for a prospect to take RF, if he could ever stay healthy, is Adolfo. But he’s such an enormous injury risk, you can’t really plan for him to be in the Sox future. That should be the #1 goal this off-season–offensively, anyway.
The White Sox will be probably be on Puig or Ozuna to get that void in right field. Puig makes sense to get that Cuban connection with Abreu, Moncada and Robert. I just see the White Sox be major players this offseason. The money is available but who are the White Sox going to go after to make them a better team?
@BeeVeeTee
I keep looking at Trevor Bauer. If I may make a small case:
He’s currently 28, struggling after being #6 in 2018 Cy race. He’s been strangely traded to the Reds where his numbers are adjusting. He is in his final arbitration. The Reds traded but have not extended him, and his ARB probably won’t yield a significant gain in salary.
Since the Reds traded a top prospect in this deal, they’ll be looking for a return. White Sox have too many prospects, and certainly can make a match.
Bauer’s presence would be a boost to McCann and Giolito as they’re all Cali boys, and he adds drama in a return to the Central Division. He’s the kind of guy who will attract crowds at home and on the road. He’s was determined at the start of 2019 as a pitcher who appreciates and can help other pitchers with high attention to detail. We’d be getting him before a potentially embarrassing ARB hearing and he’s back to being a key part of a contender. Heading into his FA in 2021 we can extend if he works out, or let him walk if he doesn’t. Worst case, he buys us a fun year.
I think he will “fit in” very well with our ballclub, and I hope he comes here and finds success again. But I haven’t delved into what a potential trade candidate could be from CWS. I wonder what Cincy would want for him?
Hence, why the Reds-Indians trade is an ideal situation. We agree CWS would be wise to pursue Yasiel Puig, and it’s likely Bauer would never happen if he stayed an Indian.
The biggest issue with the White Sox was pitching! I am not sure if you and I watched the same team! Of course the White Sox offense was not good as you think I am saying but they just threw guys in there to fill up spots in the line up. The core guys showed they are going to be a good team for a few years. There is a good chance the Sox sign a pitcher and bat this offseason while making a trade or two as well for a bat and bullpen help.
Replace Garcia’s, Cordell’s, Engel’s, Jay’s, Tilson’s and Palka’s plate appearances with just league average will go a long way in improving all that you pointed out. And Anderson will never walk. I am fine if the White Sox traded him at a high.
Good point about Zack Collins. He has also logged significant time catching other potential young core starters as he’s moved up in the system including Dane Dunning and Jimmy Lambert. Collins has also worked extensively with many of the systems best bullpen arms including a few who have already made their MLB debuts. That list includes Aaron Bummer, Ian Hamilton and Jose Ruiz.
I have been paying attention to Collins’ time in the minor leagues. He is going to be the White Sox’s future catcher. Give him a full season in the league and watch his offensive number get better. Just look at Moncada from 2018 to this year. These guys just need to make that adjustment in a year or so.
I share your enthusiasm regarding Zack Collins bat, particularly when it comes to OBP and SLG. Even if those numbers resemble the late career version of Adam Dunn I can live with that from a catcher.
My concern with Collins is his defense and the handling of a pitching staff which should be priority#1 for any catcher. Reports indicate Collins is a hard worker and a bright kid. If that’s the case he should be just fine with the second part of that formula. It’s the glove and footwork behind the plate that concern me the most. His throwing arm is also considered to be just average for a catcher. Collins does get decent marks for his athleticism so that could also help with some of his physical limitations. Improved footwork could help speed up his release. That alone could help offset his average arm and increase his CS% like it did with A.J. Pierzynski.
The passed balls need to be minimized. It seemed that whenever I read a minor league box score, which was most everyday of the season for every level, a White Sox catcher would have one. Collins was no exception.
Long term, I do not believe Collins will be a major league catcher. The White Sox should sign another catcher to pair with McCann. Abreu will be back. Madrigal will be up a few weeks after the 2020 regular season starts. Robert also. Vaughn up by Opening Day 2021 if not sooner. Moving Anderson to left or right field and signing Gregorious would be an upgrade defensively at shortstop in my humble opinion while obtaining a left handed bat. Dyson would be a good 4th outfielder who bats left handed and can also pinch run. I do think signing Cole should be the #1 priority but not at the expense of preventing the White Sox from further strengthening the roster.
It was his rookie season, give hime time to develop. Sox fans are so impatient it’s crazy.
Remember, these guys can actually get better. Remember what happened with Tatis.
You’re right ChiSoxCity. Some do get better. Some do not. I hope Collins does as to have his projected offense from the catcher position adds a lot of value coupled with his low salary that would allow the White Sox to spend their money elsewhere on other needs.
Not impatient. I just don’t think he will develop into a good, defensive major league catcher. The White Sox are entering into an area that will demand more then “Just OK.” like the AT&T commercials currently running.
It should be a fun Hot Stove season.