The young, flashy and exciting Chicago White Sox broke through as World Series contenders in 2021. While their playoff run ended disappointingly in the ALDS, they look like they'll be a serious threat for the next 3-5 years (especially when every other team in the division looks to be in rebuilding stages in 2022). Despite their young and passionate core, they brought in Tony La Russa to manage. Despite some bumps in the road (and a ton of injuries), they won 97 games! If they run it back this year and get the same amount of production from the bullpen/rotation while staying healthier.... 100+ wins and the chance at greater postseason success, here they come!
I've been giving special throwback cards with each team and thought "hey, let's give some love to the brief time Thome was on the White Sox" because it's the fourth team that comes to mind for me with JIM! and he's the fourth 1B option for the White Sox who comes to mind for me, but that OB 10/HR at 17 combo card is something a dozen or so other teams would kill to be able to plug into 1B but cannot!
Lineup: This lineup is absolutely stacked, to no one's surprise. Leading off is batting average machine Tim Anderson -- OB 8 with a 5-14 single range, and then a nice heaping of xbh pop. If he ever starts walking, he's going to be unstoppable in Showdown. Following him is fan-favorite and blog-favorite Luis Robert, who followed an exciting rookie debut with an injury plagued 2021 that resulted in a beastly card: OB 9, singles at 5, with XBH starting at 13 and 18-20 HR pop. A pair of vets with past foil cards (and the 2020 MVP winner) follow Robert, and they're supported by one of the more fascinating cards in the game: OB 10 Yasmani Grandal. Holy three value deals, Batman! For only 380 points, lock down an OB 10, HR at 18 who gets on base at 4 with Grandal (and you can play him at 1B at no penalty if the +5 arm scares you). A pair of powerful corner outfielders hit 6th and 7th, and I really hope Eloy gets to play the entire 2022 season to show just how potent his power is after he's had a few years to grow his plate discipline. Vaughn is another rising star, and don't be surprised to see both of them at a "OB 8, 17-20" level or better in 2022 set. Leury Garcia is an interesting OB 8 for under 200 pts who gets you 2B and COF eligibility, definitely a useful piece, while Cesar Hernandez frankly underwhelms me this year (usually a great value card), but he may still find a place on a roster as a speed A guy.
Bench: Not a lot to see on the bench beyond being sad that Yermin wasn't able to cap off the storybook start to the season. I'm a huge fan of the Nick Madrigal artwork by Matt and I'm hopeful that he'll continue putting up fun cards for the Cubs in the next few years -- he's likely going to be drafted in 10 team leagues if you allow the trade deadline cards!
Rotation: Whoa Nelly, the White Sox brought a three-headed monster to the 2021 set with their trio of Tier 2, no doubles beasts in the rotation. All three are foil-worthy and I would expect to see all three drafted in your leagues. Cease is a more borderline case as a Tier 3, no doubles but Control 3 -- that'll scare off plenty of drafters.... but as an IP 5, that sub-400 pt price sure brings me back for a second look. Rotation wraps up with Dallas Keuchel after a disappointing 2021 (Tier 2, no doubles in 2020).
Bullpen: Wowza, this bullpen is RIDICULOUS.... and they've added to it in this free agency by signing Kendall Graveman??? INSANE! Hendricks is the best reliever in the set as a Tier 0, no doubles. Kimbrel and Tempera add a pair of Tier 1, no doubles arms to lockdown the 7th and 8th.... and if they need it, there's a pair of Tier 2, Control 5 guys in the 4th and 5th bullpen spots. Absolutely bonkers how good this bullpen is, particularly with the three-headed monster in the rotation.
Overall: The White Sox look like they can win all of the 97 wins that Pythagorean W-L gave them and then some. The pitching is ridiculous thanks to the bullpen and the lineup is extremely fun and stout -- tons of power in the middle with good role players around its stars. Overall this team comes in at 6,660 points and certainly looks like it'll be the favorites in the AL Central in 2022!
I mean the cards are cool and all but I just don't like the use of throwback uniforms. They weren't anywhere to be found in the real sets.
ReplyDeleteThey used spring training and alternate uniforms all the time (including in foils). Furthermore, including the iconic Field of Dreams game is representative of 2021 specifically in a very unique way. So I’m sorry it wasn’t for you, but don’t agree with your implication they don’t fit in Showdown
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