It’s been a minute since we’ve last heard from Rick Hahn. It was right before MLB’s self-imposed lockout began. Almost 100 days, Hahn had to wait patiently for business to open back up again. Now that the lockout has ended with a new CBA in hand, Hahn still has opportunities to tweak an already strong roster with World Series aspirations.
Hahn expects almost everyone to arrive on Sunday in Glendale for Spring Training camp. By the looks on Twitter, Tim Anderson and Andrew Vaughn are already taking batting practice.
Visa issues that may delay arrival for some players, but the White Sox should be in full swing starting on Monday. The first Spring Training game is scheduled for next Friday, March 18, against the Chicago Cubs.
All White Sox fans really want to know is how quickly Hahn will address the areas of need? Remaining steadfast that the organization likes their roster heading into Spring Training, Hahn was also transparent that the front office would explore all avenues in finding improvements. Starting with what he thinks is the biggest roster concern: Pitching.
As Jim wrote in this morning’s column, it’s expected that Carlos Rodón will be pitching in another team’s uniform in 2022. That leaves a hole within the five-man starting rotation, and the working assumption is Michael Kopech is ready to step in. Going down the line, Reynaldo Lopez or Garrett Crochet take Kopech’s role as the swingman, and if anyone gets hurt, well, that’s where the trouble begins for the White Sox. However, they will not be the only team concerned about pitching depth with a short ramp-up period to the regular season. They also might not be in a hurry to move Craig Kimbrel for that reason.
The best available starting pitching options may have to come via a trade. A lot of eyes within the industry are focused on Oakland. With the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees increasing their interest in first baseman Freddie Freeman, the Athletics will have interested suitors in their All-Star first baseman, Matt Olson. They deal Olson, and the assumption is other dominos will begin to fall from their roster. Including two starting pitchers, LHP Sean Manaea and RHP Chris Bassitt. Both are entering their final year of team control and will be free agents after the 2022 season.
Even though Hahn did state that he’s currently happy with the roster on hand, there was instant confirmation when asked if he made a call as soon as the lockout ended.
Activity should pick up even though it’s not moving as rapidly as many assumed it would immediately after the lockout.
Rumors & Rumblings
Craig Mish of the Miami Herald is reporting that the Marlins are actively pursuing Pittsburgh Pirates OF Bryan Reynolds.
Bryce Harper may have other ideas for the fans who would love to see Kris Bryant return to Chicago in a Sox uniform. According to Jon Heyman, Harper is trying to recruit his friend to join the Philadelphia Phillies.
If you had RHP Drew VerHagen as the first free agent to sign after the lockout ended, go ahead and collect your winnings. After spending the previous two seasons pitching for the Nippon Ham Fighters, VerHagen signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. He’ll be competing for a spot in the Cardinals starting rotation.
