Chicago — In the months preceding 2024, the White Sox have not been as active as their devoted fan base would have hoped.
However, it would be inaccurate to describe them as inactive. The retooling process of general manager Chris Getz and his front office has already started, with the goal of creating a cohesive clubhouse culture, a strong foundational squad, and an improved defensive team.
But as the new year begins, Getz and company have more in store. Here is a quick White Sox perspective as 2024 draws near:
Prior to Spring Training, the most important question to have answered was where Dylan Cease will pitch in the upcoming season of ’24.
It almost feels as though the 2023 White Sox Opening Day starter has already been traded because of all the buzz around him and his potential destinations. However, Cease is with the team as the White Sox have an open mind to all options.
One year has passed since Cease, who turns 28 on December 28, came in second to Justin Verlander in the American League Cy Young Award voting. Cease issued a Major League-high 78 free passes in 2022 and walked 79 over 177 innings in 2023, but he also struck out at least 214 batters in each of his previous three seasons, demonstrating his endurance by making 97 starts with a 3.54 ERA during that span.
Once the more well-known free agents clear the waiver wire, business should pick up and Getz may receive offers from multiple suitors. Since the White Sox can hold onto Cease, who has two more years of control at the top of the rotation, if they don’t receive exactly what they want, it seems unlikely that they will overplay their hand in this position.
Yoán Moncada is one player who could have a breakthrough year.
After an injury-plagued ’22, the switch-hitting third baseman was a popular option in this category going into 2023. He also looked fantastic while playing for Cuba in the World Baseball Classic. However, Moncada missed most of the season due to a crippling back ailment, to the point where it appeared as though surgery could be necessary.
After returning to action on July 25th, Moncada hit.281/.324/.464 in his next 54 games, including eight home runs, twelve doubles, and twenty-seven RBIs. Moncada’s $24 million deal is guaranteed to expire in 2024; the organization has a $25 million option and a $5 million buyout for 2025. A Moncada that is in good health ought to be a prolific Moncada.
One to keep an eye on in 2024: Noah Schultz
Indeed, Colson Montgomery, who is ranked No. 17 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list, has the highest chance of having a big influence in 2024. Other young talents that could help the ’24 White Sox cause are right-hander Nick Nastrini, left-hander Jake Eder, and third baseman Bryan Ramo
It makes sense that such a prediction would annoy White Sox supporters. Not in terms of quantity, but rather with 70 victories considering that a championship window is not that far off after the most recent renovation. Let’s be truthful as well: The bar isn’t particularly high for improvement because the ’23 team was every bit as poor as the record when they finished at 61-101.
However, the White Sox have an actual ace in Schultz for many years to come. Based on his excellent raw stuff, veteran pitcher Joe Kelly believed Schultz should have been in big league camp with the ’23 White Sox. Schultz followed up this praise with a 1.33 ERA in 27 innings for Single-A Kannapolis, which included 38 strikeouts, six walks, and 17 hits. Schultz, who is 20 years old, merely needs innings to get into the Majors.
One forecast for the coming year is that the White Sox will improve from ’23 to ’24.
Will they end at.500 or qualify for the postseason? In the American League Central, everything is conceivable, if not realistic. To both of those questions, I would say no. However, their squad this year will be better than the previous one—not necessarily with more skill, but more cohesively. 70 victories so does not appear unachievable.