CHICAGO WHITE SOX (78-84), 4TH, AL CENTRAL
uSeason snapshot: The White Sox broke out of the gate fast and had a 23-10 record and six-game lead in the American League Central on May 9. Then everything fell apart, and the White Sox stumbled to their fourth consecutive losing season while missing the postseason for the eighth year in a row. That ended Robin Ventura’s five-year tenure as manager; he resigned and will be replaced by bench coach
acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in an offseason trade, set the franchise record for home runs by a third baseman with 40, but the White Sox finished 20th in the major leagues in runs. Left-hander went 17-10 but just 3-7 after the All-Star break. Closer
saved 37 games but blew seven chances. uWhat now: Renteria gets his second shot at managing in Chicago. He guided the Cubs to a 73-89 record in 2014, his only season on the North Side before being replaced by Joe Maddon. The question is whether Renteria will begin overseeing the beginning of a youth movement next season. Owner reportedly wants to try to make another run at the AL Central, while president of baseball operations and general manager
think it is time to rebuild. If the White Sox decide to tear down, they have a number of attractive trade chips, including Sale, left-hander na, Robertson, Frazier and center fielder Adam Eaton.
uFree agent focus: Just three players are eligible for free agency, and is the only one who is seemingly a fit in 2017 because he could mentor a younger backstop such as or Designated hitter-first base
and center fielder are unlikely to return.
Right-hander the White Sox’s firstround draft pick in 2015 from Vanderbilt, struggled in his first taste of the major leagues this season (8.49 ERA in eight relief appearances), but the 22-year-old has two plus pitches with his mid-90s fastball and power curveball. Though he will turn 21 next April, right-hander could pitch in the major leagues in 2017 after going a combined 10-12 with a 3.98 ERA in 27 starts this season between high Class A Winston-Salem (N.C.) and Class AA Birmingham (Ala.). man uProspects
John Perrotto