This story was excerpted from Scott Merkin's White Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- I never totally understood Major League Baseball predictions, especially before the start of a single regular-season game. It’s part of our job, but teams change so much in a few weeks, let alone a few months.
Take the 2022 White Sox, for example. They entered last season heavily favored to repeat as the American League Central champs and even to contend for the American League pennant and the World Series title. Due to injuries and underperformance, Chicago finished with quite possibly the most disappointing season in franchise history. The club was not supposed to be mired in mediocrity in Year 3 of its competitive window following a prolonged rebuild.
So, with my statement now on record, I’m going to use this last Beat Newsletter before the start of Spring Training to … make predictions! Do as I say, not as I do.
1. Tim Anderson: AL MVP contender
A challenged Anderson is a more driven Anderson, even by his usual lofty standards of competition. The shortstop is ready to take the leadership reins of this team, as in his eighth season, Anderson already understands the White Sox run through his energy and through his play. He was missed following his Aug. 6 departure, leading to season-ending surgery on his left middle finger.
Anderson has the capability to be a 20-home run/20-stolen-base producer for starters, as the White Sox should run more under new manager Pedro Grifol. I’ve heard great reports concerning Anderson’s offseason work, and he should be primed for a big season. With one club option remaining in 2024, Anderson also is moving closer to that significant shortstop money we’ve seen around the league over the past two offseasons.
2. White Sox: postseason contender
I’ve viewed a few projections placing the White Sox in the middle of the pack and one with the squad finishing at 74-88. While I respect all of that excellent work, I think more of this club. The White Sox are the most talented team in the AL Central -- that is, of course, if they stay healthy and get a collective bounce-back from 2022. How, then, do they stay healthy when certain players haven’t been able to achieve that goal consistently in their careers? That work already began this past offseason.
Fans seem to think if this team stumbles early, then trades will follow at the Deadline. But in the AL Central, if you are competitive, you are a contender. See the 2022 White Sox and Twins, as an example.
3. I will eat at White Chocolate Grill at least once in Spring Training
Love that restaurant. It’s actually easier to drive 40 minutes from Glendale to Scottsdale than to go from my home in Chicago to Naperville, Ill., where they have another location.
4. Grifol is the right man for the job
In early conversations with Grifol, I get a little bit of a Rick Renteria vibe. Renteria is a great person, and underrated for the job he did with the White Sox. But Grifol already is carving out a personal path as manager, with the true test beginning on Wednesday.
5. The Eagles (band) are a can't-miss in Phoenix on March 1
This is a given, right? Can anyone hook me up for a meet and greet with Joe Walsh?
6. Beware of the Twins
I’ve got a feeling about Minnesota and the White Sox making the AL Central a three-team race. It was a three-team race last year, in not exactly the classic sense, until the Twins seemingly lost half their roster to injury.
7. White Sox players will benefit from the World Baseball Classic
Players now gravitate to this exciting international competition, and in doing so, they are preparing for regular season-type action before Spring Training dictates.
The first normal Spring Training since 2019 should be an entertaining one.