A healthy trio? Jiménez sets goal of 150+ games with Robert, Moncada

February 20th, 2024

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Here’s a basic formula needed to be followed by the 2024 White Sox.

Good health for + good health for + good health for = an increased level of success for this rebuilding team.

“For me, that’s the biggest challenge,” Jiménez said of all three staying healthy. “Being together day by day and playing 150-plus [games]. So that’s our goal.”

That goal was met with social media skepticism after the White Sox went through their first full squad workout of Spring Training. Not the success part, of course.

Not with Robert being viewed as a bona fide American League Most Valuable Player candidate. Not with Jiménez possessing 40-home run potential and not with Moncada standing as a Gold Glove caliber third baseman with a high-end on-base and power skillset.

It’s the ‘if they all stay healthy’ part raising a few collective eyebrows. According to MLB.com research, the trio have played together in 158 of 546 games since the debut of Robert Jr. in 2020. Robert played a career-high 145 games in ‘23, with his season ending on Sept. 24 due to a mild left MCL sprain, while Jiménez got into 120 games, missing May 6-28 because of an appendectomy.

And Moncada was limited to 92 games due to a chronically painful back. The doubt surrounding the trio playing significant games together is supported by repetitive injuries in the past, but the White Sox are hoping things could change in ‘24 for what could be the two, three and four hitters in their lineup.

“Unfortunately, [injuries] have hurt us the last couple of years,” said Robert through interpreter Billy Russo. “We haven’t been able to play with our full lineup. If this year, everybody manages to stay healthy and play as many games as they can, then the results are going to be good for this team. That’s definitely a big key for us.”

Manager Pedro Grifol quickly added how positive reports from the Monday physicals and the training staff left him pleased with how the team as a whole looks with Robert, Jiménez and Moncada serving as a microcosm.

“Not just how they look but how physical they are,” Grifol said. “They obviously put in some good work this offseason. And again, the offseason is critical for what we're trying to accomplish here.

“These guys to a man, they put in the work. So, we were able to do what we did today and put them through what we did today and accomplish and execute.”

Robert put his name on the map as one of the best players in the game with 38 home runs, 36 doubles, 20 stolen bases, 80 RBIs and 90 runs scored in ‘23, not to mention putting on quite a show via 50 long balls at the Home Run Derby prior to the All-Star Game. He still feels there’s room for improvement.

Jiménez knocked out 18 home runs and 23 doubles but worked this offseason on getting the ball in the air more through his swing. The fence-clearing drives launched on Monday during batting practice were a good sign of that work paying dividends.

“It’s been good,” Jiménez said. “I feel really happy about it.”

While it’s too early to make official judgments, Jiménez added with a smile, “You can see right now it’s getting better.”

When Robert was asked what he expected this season from Jiménez, the center fielder replied, “Everything,” adding the duo could carry the team and do everything together for the team. As for Jiménez’s thoughts on Robert?

“He’s going to be healthy and put up the numbers he put up last year or better,” a smiling Jiménez said.

If both of these players present accurate assessments, mixing in some prime Moncada results, then it could be the White Sox team with the ‘24 smiles.

“We are in the middle of the lineup, and every time we are together, we can help more than we can being on the bench, watching the game,” Jiménez said. “So, that’s my goal, playing.

“Always, it’s health first. I know it’s going to be a good year because I put in the work that I need to put in. Numbers are going to be there if I’m playing.”