GLENDALE, Ariz. — The White Sox starting lineup looks dangerous.
The starting rotation has three top-seven Cy Young vote-getters at the top of the rotation.
The bullpen appears to be a strong suit.
So what makes general manager Rick Hahn nervous?
Depth.
“We know we have the talent to win the championship with this group, so the wish list would be being blessed with good health,” Hahn said Wednesday on the first day of spring training. “Can’t always promise that, unfortunately. So depth may be tested from here to there.”
The Sox are already looking at top prospect Andrew Vaughn, who hasn’t played a game above Class A, as their designated hitter. They don’t have position players in the farm system who would step in seamlessly for first baseman Jose Abreu, shortstop Tim Anderson, third baseman Yoan Moncada, left fielder Eloy Jimenez and center fielder Luis Robert.
An injury to catcher Yasmani Grandal would leave the Sox with minor league free agent Jonathan Lucroy or Zack Collins, Seby Zavala and Yermin Mercedes needing to step up. Significant question marks surround all four.
And pitching is where Hahn’s greatest depth concern lies. On Tuesday, Hahn opened his first Zoom call of camp announcing that left-hander Jace Fry, who had a microdisectomy procedure on his back, will probably out till May.
After the trio of Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel and Lance Lynn, much is left to be proven by Dylan Cease, Carlos Rodon and Reynaldo Lopez.
But don’t look for the Sox, who sit in the middle of the pack of baseball’s payrolls in the $130 million range, to add any significant pieces between now and Opening Day April 1.
“We remain in contact with free agents but as I said a few weeks ago, the expectation is that any additions would be more of the non-roster invite variety if at all,” Hahn said.
Hahn did say he expects to have money to spend at the trade deadline, as needed. But he’ll head into a season with high expectations — “As we sit here today, the goal is to win a World Series championship [and] if we fall short of that, it would be a disappointment” — feeling none too secure about depth, especially on the pitching side.
“I don’t think I’m unique or the Chicago White Sox are unique in expressing pitching depth being the area of concern,” he said. “But if I had to name one, like the other 29 clubs, that would be where I would speak.”
NOTES: Second baseman Nick Madrigal, who had offseason shoulder surgery, is one week from fully completing his rehab and should be playing Cactus League games by early March.
*Left-hander Aaron Bummer was with his wife for the birth of the couple’s daughter and not in camp.
*Hahn dismissed any speculation that defensively challenged left fielder Eloy Jimenez might be looked at as the DH.
*Righty Michael Kopech and left-hander Garrett Crochet are viewed as long-term starters but Crochet will be used as a reliever this season and Hahn suggested Kopech’s 2021 role is yet to be defined.
“The goals with him are continuing him on that path to being a premium starter and at the same time, keeping him strong and fresh and contributing over the course of the entire season,” Hahn said. “Look at the Dodgers this past year. They were without [Julio] Urías for a portion of the season. He’s had his health issues along the way but he’s still viewed by them or was viewed by them as a premium starter. However I think he pitched the last three innings of their clinching World Series game this year. I don’t view the entire situation that dissimilar from that. You have a long-term goal in mind and you have short-term things you’re trying to accomplish and you want to balance those two.”
*Manager Tony La Russa will wear jersey No. 22. Yoan Moncada is 10, the number the Hall of Fame manager has worn throughout his managing career. La Russa, 76, is renting a small apartment near the Sox complex and has been working hard since he was hired, Hahn said. “It was kind of cool seeing him back in a White Sox uniform earlier today for the first time,” Hahn said. “The excitement around here is palatable, we’re ready to get going.”
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Here’s to good health: Depth is White Sox’ top concern - Chicago Sun-Times
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