Levine: White Sox Look To Bolster Offense This Offseason
By Bruce Levine--
BOCA RATON, Fla. (CBS) -- Ahead of a disappointing 2015 season, the White Sox were the 2014 offseason champions in player movement perception. Just about every baseball executive and media big foo, believed the additions of a top flight closer (David Robertson), a top-of-the-rotation pitcher (Jeff Samardzija) and proven bats (Melky Cabrera and Adam LaRoche) signaled a surefire playoff team on the South Side of Chicago.
The end result was a 76-86 record. The White Sox spent only three days at .500 and only one day above break-even in the entire 2015 season. The incredible failures of last season hurt the front office and fan base alike. The team was dysfunctional from from the beginning of the season, and the didn't turn out well, with an average attendance of about 21,000 being the fourth-lowest in baseball.
Moving forward, the White Sox appear unafraid to try and bring in new players to help turn around their fortunes in 2016.
"The past is the past," general manager Rick Hahn said. "In this business, you are judged every day by results. We first try to make sure we are making the right decisions, based on scouting and talking to the right people about players we have interest in. As we found out last year when you're dealing with human beings and real life, the results do not always work out the way you envisioned. We will move forward with our work with the best information on make-up and talent. At that point, our evaluations will be made."
The White Sox had around $120 million in payroll expenditures in 2015. They have about $80 million in existing contracts for 2015, before arbitration begins. That figure makes the task of adding players through trade or free agency more realistic despite the extra spending last offseason. The team loped off $25 million with the exit and/or perceived loss of three players. The White Sox didn't pick up shortstop Alexei Ramirez's $10 million option for 2016, while right-hander Jeff Samardzija ($9.6 million) and the money owed to Jeff Keppinger ($4.5 million) are off the books.
Hahn and his front office cohorts are convinced they have the quality pitching to turn it around, with the right moves for offensive support. The White Sox need help at all three infield positions other than first base. The catching and the designated hitter roles also must be fortified if the club plans to compete. Chicago scored 622 runs (an average of 3.8 per game) last season, dead last in the American League and 28th out of the 30 teams in baseball.
Getting a run-producing shortstop will be a high priority for the White Sox. Former Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond would be a nice addition for the White Sox. At 30, Desmond has home run power in a home run-friendly ballpark. He has averaged 22 home runs and about 76 RBIs over his last four seasons. Desmond made $11.5 million in 2015 and will be looking for a long-term deal, probably in the four-year, $75-million range. His defense, while OK, isn't better than average, according to defensive metric numbers.
A trade with a team like the Brewers for shortstop Jean Segura could be a good option and match for the White Sox. Segura, 25, will improve on offense after a 2015 season in which he hit .257 with six homers, 50 RBIs and a .616 OPS. He's also under contract control for the next three seasons.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.