This article was ready to go before I heard about the MASSIVE 90s drop, so I wanted to wait before putting it out. Once I finish the different teams I'll be going back and releasing an article discussing the new players on each team, since there will definitely be a bit of turnover. Due to the amount of new cards and adding 2019 statistics there actually is a noticeable affect on expected runs-seeing mid range guys move down and the outliers moving less.
Today's team is the Chicago White Sox, one of the original AL charter teams, were established in 1901. Their early history was marred by the famous Black Sox Scandal of 1919, despite winning the World Series in 1906 and 1917. They won again in 2005, and have 6 AL Pennants, 3 Central titles, 2 West titles and no wild card berths. They've had a few players enshrined in Cooperstown, however one of the best players in franchise history is excluded in Shoeless Joe Jackson. Maybe those who are lucky enough to go watch them play the Yankees in Iowa this summer will get a glimpse of him coming out of the cornfield!
Original White Sox Logo 1901-1902 (Cubs!?)
This lineup definitely is a bit underwheling upon first viewing, as seven of the nine players are 9 OB,
however it is a bit better than expected. Leading off we're slotting Tim Raines' 1992 card in at 5.08 expected runs. Despite not having the ability for a lead of HR, he gives tons of extra base hit potential and a ridiculous 24 speed. Behind him is Eaton's 2015 card that gives a very solid 4.87 expected runs with 20 speed and a lot of extra base hits. This will provide plenty of RBI opportunities for The Big Hurt, with his monstrous 1994 card. With 11 OB, a couple of home runs/doubles and only two outs he bring 6.71 expected runs and will feast against low control pitchers. Giving him a ton of protection is the 2018 Cooperstown inductee in Jim Thome. His 2006 card packs a ton of punch with 17 HR and 10 OB, he will surely get plenty of RBI opportunities and brings a 5.98 run expectation. The downside with this lineup is the lack of 10 OBs, and it shows with Charles Johnson's 2001 card batting fifth. He's a solid card with 5.15 expected runs, however it's tough to have so few high OB in this type of format. Moncada's impressive 2019 card will bat sixth-which shows the improvements he made year over year, coming in at 5.38 expected runs and giving a good bit of pop with his 9 OB.I chose to put the lower ER Johnson ahead of him to have A speed players 6-9.
Contreras and Giolito finish out the rotation with matching 6.57 expected runs, which will do well enough with 5 control. We've seen better 4th and 5th options, however we also seen a lot worse. The bullpen is really deep and consistent. Putnam is the top guy at 5.37 expected runs, and Foulke and Cott are right behind him at 5.41 with Foulke getting the edge due to his 2 IP. Bummer is also under 5.50 at 5.47, and Hermansen is right above it at 4.51.
Marshall and Jenks round out the bullpen at 5.65 and 5.80 expected runs each, with Marshall being the only 3 control option in this pitching staff. He'll inevitably have a big roll to play when facing the lower OB teams and giving some rest to the bigger arms. To fill out the roster our top pitching options are Sirotka who is the classic 5-16 starter with 7 IP, Colome who is a 4-18 and they are 6.74 and 5.81 expected runs each. Looking at hitting options on the bench and you realized how spoiled the White Sox are at 1B, with Konerko, Grandal (2019PR card coming in clutch with catcher and 1B), Baines, Abreu and Franco being top options. Konerko comes in with the powerful 9 OB, 16 HR chart for 5.60 expected runs, and Abreu gives you a slightly better chart with 8 OB for 5.05 expected runs. Grandal comes in at 5.06 expected runs and gives a clutch 10 OB. Baines is another DH option at 5.09 but we don't need just another bat. I think I'm going to go with Sirotka, Colome, Konerko and Grandal to fill out the bench. Although Anderson's defense is a bit of a week spot, there's plenty of hitting to go around here.
Overall, this team will be hard pressed to make a championship run, however there are a lot of intriguing options and potential for this team. One issue that might be holding this team back is the lack of cards before 2000 aside from Frank Thomas. The lineup totals to 3,710 which is one of the lowest totals we've seen and the rotation comes in at 2,590 which is also on the low end (if not the lowest). The bullpen comes in at a respectable 1,500 points, though that is in large part due to Foulke's 2IP card. The bench comes to 1,550 points for a team total of 9,350 which is unsurprisingly on the low end of what we've seen. Since I don't have all the point totals quickly added up I can't definitively say this is the lowest, but it's gotta be in contention for it.
Hitters
SP
RP
In regards to top seasons, surprisingly Dick Allen's 1972 season is the top WAR season in White Sox hitters history. He led the league with 37 HRs, 113 RBIs, 99 walks, .420 OBP, .603 SLG, and 1.023 OPS. Although this is a great season...he also played first base. Albert Belle's 1998 actually is high up there in which he mashed 49 HRs, with 159 RBIs and slashed .328/.399/.655/1.055 (leading the league in the last two) and also played the rare 163 games. There's not much else to see from the more modern era, but could be fun to see a Shoeless Joe Jackson card! Pitching wise, Wilbur Wood's 1971 actually has the highest WAR season in White Sox history- he went 22-13 with a 1.91 ERA, in a ridiculous 334 IP over 44 games and 42 starts. The following year he started 49 games. Guy had a rubber arm! Another arm to add would be Rich "Goose" Gossage who in 1975 had 27 saves (league leading), but also pitched in 62 games, finishing 49 of them, and racked up 141.2 IP and a 1.84 ERA. Estaban Loaizes' 2003 was another standout (and surprising) season, in which he went 21-9 in 34 starts with a 2.90 ERA and led the majors with 207 strike outs. Overall there are a few random arms that could help here, but for the most part we're getting the best of the best here. Next up, Indians!
I love that foulke card
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