YOUNG CORE OFFERS HOPE FOR OFFENSE
After trying every way to contend, the Chicago White Sox are rebuilding. Chris Sale and Adam Eaton are gone, and others might follow as GM Rick Hahn tries to build the farm system. USA TODAY Sports’ Peter Barzilai takes an in-depth look at the team. *Denotes prospect Catcher
Nothing says rebuilding like going with two catchers who have combined for 133 plate appearances in the majors, but barring a trade or free agent signing, Omar Narvaez and Kevan Smith figure to share time. Narvaez, with 117 of those plate appearances, is a lefthanded hitter and did well in 2016. Smith, a seventh-round pick in 2011, made his big-league debut last season but at 28 his upside is limited.
Depth chart: Narvaez, Smith, *Zack Collins
First base
Jose Abreu had a dip in his numbers because of a slow start, but as a result, he’s probably one of the few veterans the White Sox are not looking to trade as of now. He has a reasonable salary ($10.8 million) and is not a free agent until after the 2019 season. Consequently, the White Sox can keep him and see if his trade value increases or decide if he is somebody worth investing in for the long haul.
Depth chart: Abreu, Todd Frazier, Matt Davidson
Second base
Brett Lawrie likely will start the season holding down this spot, but don’t expect it to last. Not because he has played in more than 126 games once in five full seasons. Yoan Moncada, the main piece in the Sale trade, should get a shot at taking the job during the season. He turns 22 on May 27 and gives the White Sox a dynamic double-play combo for the foreseeable future.
Depth chart: Lawrie, Tyler Saladino, Carlos Sanchez, *Moncada
Third base
Don’t expect Frazier to remain on the White Sox through the 2017 season, let alone avoid being traded before the start of the season. He’ll be a free agent next winter, and while he’s largely a one-dimensional player at the plate, those 75 home runs over the last two seasons are bound to be attractive to a contender. Davidson was rated a top-100 prospect by Baseball America dating to 2011 and finally might be ready for an earnest big-league shot after a much-improved season at Class AAA.
Depth chart: Frazier, Davidson, Saladino
Shortstop
Tim Anderson made his major league debut June 10 and immediately established himself. The 23-year-old is a key part of the rebuild and will have to improve his plate discipline (13 walks in 431 plate appearances) so he can become an effective presence at the top of the order.
Depth chart: Anderson, Carlos Sanchez, Tyler Saladino
Left field
Melky Cabrera continued his up-again, down-again trend with an excellent season (.800 on-baseplus-slugging percentage in 2016, .709 in 2015, .808 in 2014, .682 in 2013, .906 in 2012). Now he is entering the last season of his contract and at 32 is another candidate to be traded before or during the season. Rymer Liriano is a bit of a wild card. He was claimed off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers after missing all of 2016 with a concussion. A former top prospect with the San Diego Padres, he figures to get a chance to make the team out of spring training, provided he’s healthy.
Depth chart: Cabrera, Liriano, Avisail Garcia
Center field
Charlie Tilson was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals before the trade deadline for reliever Zach Duke and now sees himself with a wide-open chance to be the White Sox’s center fielder. Tilson, 24, was drafted in the second round in 2011 and has hit at every stop. His initial chance with the White Sox was cut short in 2016 when he suffered a season-ending torn hamstring a few days after being dealt. Luis Alexander Ba-