Sox want time to evaluate Madrigal
The White Sox had most of their original 26-player roster in place in midMarch.
There likely was one relief role and one position slot to finalize before Major League Baseball went on pause March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Sox return next week. They plan to have their first on-field workout July 3 at Guaranteed Rate Field with about 44 players and will set a 30-player roster for opening day.
“We’ve got a general idea of what it is going to look like, but we just need to see where everybody’s at from a health and activity standpoint over the last few months before we can really sort of line up what the opening roster is going to look like,” Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Thursday during a Zoom call with reporters.
Here’s a look at how the roster potentially could shape up for the season opener July 23 or 24:
Roster locks
Pitchers (13): Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel, Gio Gonzalez, Reynaldo Lopez, Dylan Cease, Michael Kopech, Alex Colome, Evan Marshall, Aaron Bummer, Steve Cishek, Jace Fry, Jimmy Cordero, Kelvin Herrera.
Catchers (2): Yasmani Grandal, James
McCann.
Infielders (6): Jose Abreu, Edwin Encarnacion, Leury Garcia, Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada, Danny Mendick.
Outfielders (4): Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert, Nomar Mazara, Adam Engel.
Analysis: Kopech was slated to start the season in the minor leagues as he continued his comeback from Tommy John surgery.
There was a high probability he would have been called up in May or June. He’s now in position to aid the team immediately. Kopech made one appearance this spring, and six of his 11 pitches were clocked at either 100 or 101 mph.
“We talked about where Michael was in spring training and about how impressed we were as to how he came out of the gate despite the layoff,” Hahn said. “Hopefully he’s still in that spot when we all get together in Chicago next week. He’s certainly someone who could make a real impact for us over the course of 60 games.”
On the bubble
Pitchers (3): Carlos Rodon, Carson Fulmer, Ross Detwiler.
Catchers (2): Zack Collins, Yermin Mercedes.
Infielders (2): Nick Madrigal, Cheslor
Cuthbert.
Outfielders (1): Nicky Delmonico.
Analysis: Rodon underwent Tommy John surgery in May and could play a big role when he returns. Fulmer had a strong spring and likely was the front-runner for the final bullpen spot. Delmonico and Cuthbert were among the finalists for the 26th man in March.
Madrigal spent the spring competing with Garcia and Mendick for the secondbase job. The No. 4 pick in the 2018 draft, Madrigal was anticipated to make an impact for the Sox at some point in 2020.
“Nicky, we only got to see him for a handful of games up in Glendale (Ariz.), but he’s been, for the portion of big-league camp we’ve had so far, as advertised and certainly is a consideration for breaking with us and if not immediately then certainly helping us at some point over the course of this summer,” Hahn said.
Other considerations
■ Hahn does not anticipate a ton of activity when the transaction freeze ends Friday. “Maybe some administrative things for clubs, but I don’t think you’re going to see necessarily a flurry of trades or signings, or at least not an abnormal amount for say three weeks before opening day,” he said.
■ The Sox will have a taxi squad of 15 or 16 players who will report directly to a site to be determined around July 15, according to Hahn.
■ Hahn said the taxi squad initially would be viewed as depth and other options for the active roster. “Obviously some portion of our group is going to be younger than others and still in earlier stages of development than others, but primarily initially, you’re going to see that as comprised of depth options,” he said.
■ As for how active teams might be at the Aug. 31 trading deadline, Hahn said: “It’s going to an interesting balance between where we’re at, what we have and what’s available and what it costs.”
■ According to reports, rosters will be at 30 during the first two weeks of the season, 28 during the second two weeks and 26 thereafter.