Tim Anderson went out with a batting title, and flashed signs of better glove days ahead.
Welington Castillo lent additional credibility to my notion that he might have a better 2020 than James McCann.
A mixture of White Sox fixtures and departures combined to win the finale over Detroit. They finished the year 72-89, which at least spares them from their third consecutive 90-loss season.
Anderson went 0-for-2 at the plate, with Victor Reyes flagging down his last bid for a hit this season. That said, Rick Renteria let him leave the field to a standing ovation, partially because he finished the year hitting a league-best .335. A smaller part? Anderson stole two hits with sensational ranging plays to his left, with one in the first, and another in the fourth.
Jose Abreu didn’t add to his RBI lead, but he still secured the RBI title during a painful day. Spencer Turnbull plunked him twice, but he struck back for a double in the sixth that put a decisive four-run frame in motion.
He followed Danny Mendick’s first career walk with a 109-mph double to left that moved Mendick to third. Abreu departed to a standing ovation in what could theoretically be his last game with the White Sox (it probably won’t be), but the Sox continued. Yoan Moncada tied the game with a groundout, and Eloy Jiménez sneaked a double inside third base to score pinch-runner Ryan Goins and put the Sox ahead. Welington Castillo put a stamp on the inning with an opposite-field blast.
Ross Detwiler made Rick Renteria’s last game of the season easy by pitching into the sixth. Jimmy Cordero picked up the win by stranding a pair of inherited runners with a couple of weak groundouts, and Josh Osich, Evan Marshall, Aaron Bummer and Kelvin Herrera guided the win across the finish line. Herrera allowed the only run on the bullpen’s tab with a solo shot that prevented him from lowering his ERA below 6.00 on the season.
Bullet points:
*Yoan Moncada also made a couple of outstanding plays, including a diving stab and a charging stab and throw on a chopper.
*One of Detwiler’s runs was deserved (a Miguel Cabrera solo shot), but the second run scored because Daniel Palka let a two-out flare drop to the side of this sliding attempt, resulting in an RBI single.
*Palka did recover to cut down Jordy Mercer at second for the assist.
*Detwiler tried retailiating for the two Abreu HBPs, but missed hitting John Hicks.
*The White Sox went 12-14 in September, and 12-6 against the 114-loss Tigers.
Record: 72-89 | Box score | Highlights
I might be ok with bring back Castillo on a minor league deal as organizational depth at catcher. The steroids suspension last year kind of makes me think he sucks though.
Castillo is not signing a Minor League deal.
Why, his offense sucked pretty hard this year, and he was never a great defensive catcher.
There are so many options out there, why bring this bum back?
Do Puig or Castellanos have any family members that play catcher?
He seems well liked in the clubhouse. He is no risk on a minor league deal.
So what? Pretty much every fan hates looking at him and he’s largely sucked during his time here. There’s zero reason to roll with him again when they already have a right-handed catcher for next season, even if an upgrade is still desirable.
I think we are arguing about nothing. All I said was I’d be ok with Castillo being organizational depth. McCann did have a pretty bad second half, but the Sox could roll with McCann and Collins next year if they want to spend at other positions. They seem to really like McCann even if his hitting dropped off a cliff after the All Star break. If they go with McCann and Collins, it would not be a bad idea to stick Castillo in AAA. I don’t think he is going to get a major league contract.
McCann had a bad 2nd half and yet it was better than Castillo’s 2nd half….and first half.
I doubt Castillo will settle for a minor league deal with 6 seasons of major league service on his resume.
Well, a lot of things we really needed to go right went right, but Hahn can’t botch that with another offseason of cringe-worthy wrongs. They have a chance to be in the conversation in September next year, and they should be jumping at the chance to make that leap forward.
I couldn’t agree more. This is an absolutely critical offseason. Go get ’em Rick!
Avi Garcia for RF it is!!!!
Pirates rumored to be interested in Vizquel. Really hope it happens. He’s terrible.
That seems like a fit.
Terrible Manager, but a flashy dresser!
I really hope Castillo is not back with the organization in any capacity. Yes, he had a good “salary drive” in September. He was horrible during the first five months of the season, and he embarrassed the team with his suspension in 2018. Good riddance. Don’t let the door hit you in the butt on the way out.
I am OK with Collins being the backup catcher next season. His defense is better than Castillo’s, and his hitting seemed to improve when he came back up the majors.
Sox finished the season with 6 players with a 2.0 fWAR or better:
Moncada – 5.6
Giolito – 5.1
Anderson – 3.5
McCann – 2.3
Lopez – 2.3
Nova – 2.0
This is a perfect example of how much the ball has changed the perception of what average is. Reylo has put up an average season even with all of his struggles. With his potential, there is still no reason not to go into next season with him penciled in at no 5 in the rotation