Emma: White Sox Have The Right Makeup To Compete
By Chris Emma—
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Through the dense clouds and morning snow showers broke a welcomed sight for the White Sox home opener. Just as the gates to U.S. Cellular Field opened for the first time this new season Friday, the sun appeared in the sky.
Roger Bossard, "The Sodfather," and his crew removed the sleet-soaked tarp off the pristine green grass, and White Sox players took the field for pregame activities. Cold weather aside, the images of baseball season returned to Chicago, with a new season and renewed hope. Finally, the festival of intrigue on the South Side begins.
The 2015 White Sox were a great disappointment, with a team touted as a contender sputtering out of the gates and never coming close to the playoff picture. Players told general manager Rick Hahn to bring back the entire group, believing the course would change.
Instead, Hahn made some necessary moves to bolster the team's defensive and base running deficiencies while getting Jose Abreu lineup protection in third baseman and cleanup hitter Todd Frazier. But the greatest change of all for these White Sox comes in chemistry. Hahn made it a goal to infuse a new energy in his clubhouse.
"You win with good people," White Sox right fielder Adam Eaton said.
Right as Eaton was saying this, Frazier ran over to Brett Lawrie and mauled him with a bear hug. Jimmy Rollins, the 37-year-old former MVP, took a lap to offer handshakes and high fives.
For all the headlines the Adam LaRoche retirement drew, this White Sox team seems closer than ever. Hahn pointed to the LaRoche saga as a future narrative, but the tight-knit fabric was established early on by these strong, engaging personalities.
Eaton feels the White Sox have lacked that the past two years he's been in Chicago, and Hahn has done something about it.
"It's a focused, energized, professional bunch that had each other's back," Hahn said.
Of course, chemistry is no problem for a team winning games, and the White Sox were doomed from their ugly start of 2015. The weight of expectations crashed upon the clubhouse, leaving a dreadful feeling for each day of work.
During this critical offseason, Hahn didn't have to channel Dr. Phil in building a roster. He had to build a better baseball team. The White Sox were -58 defensive win shares in 2015, per Fangraphs metrics. Their UBR (ultimate base running) was -10.2, which ranked 27th in baseball. Additionally, their wRC (weight runs created) was 617, ranking last in the American League.
Not even the phenomenal Chris Sale and Abreu could make up for a team that was so fundamentally poor.
Frazier's the marquee addition this offseason — a plus defensive player with a lively bat and even more lively personality. He's exactly what the White Sox needed to improve.
"Hopefully we can bring (White Sox fans) a championship," Frazier said.
In 2015, Frazier was an All-Star third baseman who posted a 4.4 WAR for the Reds, while the White Sox never found stability at third base. Lawrie, Rollins, Austin Jackson and Mat Latos are among additions who should upgrade the roster, but perhaps the biggest addition in 2016 will be replacement-level play.
Adam LaRoche was a -1.4 WAR player, Connor Gillaspie was -1.1 and Alexei Ramirez was -0.5. All three of those guys are gone from the organization, replaced by competent players who project to be at least two win shares each better. Avisail Garcia was a liability as a -1.1 player. The White Sox wouldn't give up on the 24-year-old Garcia, but he will serve a more minimal role until his play can improve.
The White Sox don't have a roster of superstars, but this is a team that's at least better than replacement level.
One year ago, Chicago's home opener was spoiled by an 0-3 start in Kansas City, where a White Sox team built to contend was humbled by the eventual World Series champions. Angst filled U.S. Cellular Field throughout the afternoon, one that would bring another loss. The season never truly took flight.
Now, the sun is shining and a new season is here, with the White Sox off to a 3-1 start. They have a makeup that will allow them to contend. It's time to prove these White Sox are indeed different.
"Let's go," Frazier said. "Let's get after it and battle."
Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.