WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF SEPTEMBER

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1 WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 Inbox: Who will start at second base in 2017? Scott Merkin, MLB.com White Sox in way as Tribe seeks top seed Evan Webeck, MLB.com Next step for Carlos Rodon: 200 innings Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times Chicago White Sox still focused on finding No. 1 catcher Scot Gregor, Daily Herald Inbox: Who will start at second base in 2017? Beat reporter Scott Merkin answers questions from fans By Scott Merkin / MLB.com September 22nd, 2016 Who will start next year at second base: Tyler Saladino or Brett Lawrie? -- Jack G., Chicago Saladino certainly has proven his worth as an everyday player during Lawrie's two-month injury absence. The White Sox value Saladino's versatility, but even as a starting second baseman, they still could move him around from time to time. Lawrie is arbitration-eligible, so it's an interesting decision, possibly influenced by the direction of the team. Will the White Sox target a good pitch framer? -- Eric, Oak Forest, Ill. I find it a little humorous that some White Sox fans want a pitch-framer behind the plate when they couldn't wait for the departure of Tyler Flowers, who is one of the best in the game in this category. The team really needs to find a regular fixture behind the plate. Yes, Chicago took Zack Collins with their top pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, but there's no reason to rush this young talent. The White Sox need a catcher who, most importantly, works well with the pitching staff, but also one who can provide consistent offense. A.J. Pierzynski was the most recent catcher who was counted on to go back behind the dish for 115 games or more, and even in a potential rebuild, it's a position at the top of their list to solidify. Will this be Robin Ventura's last year with the White Sox? -- Felipe, Naperville, Ill. I'm not going to speculate on whether the White Sox and Ventura will extend his managerial tenure or amicably go in different directions. That decision will be announced soon enough. Blaming a poor season on the manager -- or a couple of disappointing seasons, in this case -- seems like an easy narrative. The club's struggles have equal blame throughout the organization, leaving it "mired in mediocrity," as general manager Rick Hahn said. Chicago needs to pick a definitive lane to travel this offseason: either reinforce a pretty decent core and try to contend or go into a rebuild mode.

2 And when I say rebuild, I'm talking pretty much about a full rebuild. The farm system has improved, but it's not strong enough to thoroughly replenish. The team would have to explore moving some of its top players to bring back anywhere from eight to 10 players who could quickly contribute. My guess is that the White Sox will go for it again -- and go for it doesn't mean they have to add free agents with $100 million demands, especially in a weak free-agent market. They simply can't piece things together with players who might give them a small boost if everything falls into place but ultimately won't be a difference maker. What do you think about adding Danny Valencia at third base, moving Todd Frazier to first base and Jose Abreu to designated hitter? How about signing Brandon Moss? -- Matt, Norridge, Ill Frazier will stay at third and Abreu will remain at first base, assuming they are both with the team. Moss would provide a potential power bat from the left side, although in terms of the outfield, the team needs a center fielder more than help at the corners. However, there's always the DH opening. Let's say the White Sox could get a Major League center fielder and a catcher somehow and shore up the bullpen. Can they compete in the American League Central next season? -- Keith, Chicago Chicago's bullpen needs to get healthy, with Zach Putnam and Jake Petricka coming back from seasonending surgeries, and then hard-throwing rookie Zack Burdi joining the relief crew. The White Sox probably will add a front-line southpaw. I don't think this team is far removed from AL Central contention if it spends/reconfigures wisely. But the White Sox have missed the mark overall during the past two years. White Sox in way as Tribe seeks top seed By Evan Webeck / MLB.com September 22nd, 2016 The Indians have the American League Central nearly locked up. With 10 to play, they hold a sevengame lead over the Tigers and their magic number is down to four. So as they continue their 23-game stretch against division opponents to close the season -- opening a three-game set against the White Sox on Friday -- their eyes are set outside the Central. Cleveland is in a battle for the top seed in the American League in the playoffs with the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox. The top seed plays the winner of the Wild Card Game, rather than another division champ. While the Tribe holds a seven-game division lead, it trails the Rangers by a half-game in the race for the top seed, with Boston a game back. The Indians will need all the help they can get heading into October without Danny Salazar or Carlos Carrasco in their rotation. Trevor Bauer, who figures to be an anchor of the postseason staff, starts Friday against the White Sox Miguel Gonzalez. Bauer and Gonzalez are trending in opposite directions. While the White Sox right-hander has thrown six or more innings in every start since returning from the disabled list, Bauer hasn't completed six frames in any of his last three, allowing at least five runs in each. Three things to know about this game This will be the last series between the White Sox and Indians this season. The Indians have already clinched the season series, having won 10 of the first 16 matchups. The White Sox, however, took three of four in their series in Chicago last week.

3 Bauer has faced Chicago twice as a starter this season, with contrasting results. He struck out nine in seven innings while limiting the White Sox to one run back in June, but he allowed six runs in 5 1/3 frames two starts ago. Gonzalez faced the Indians for the first time this season two starts ago, tossing 6 2/3 innings of three-run ball. The home-field advantage that comes with the top seed could be crucial for the Tribe, too. The Indians have won 22 of their last 28 at Progressive Field and own the second-most home wins in baseball this season (52-26). Next step for Carlos Rodon: 200 innings By Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times September 22nd, 2016 Chris Sale and Jose Quintana set the standard. Carlos Rodon wants to mimic them and follow in their footsteps. Rodon has the arsenal, and the pedigree, to do it, to be a top of the rotation, All-Star caliber left-hander for the White Sox. Getting there from he s at doesn t come easy, as the 23-year-old Rodon has figured out as he pushes to the finish line of his second season. First and foremost, Rodon wants to be a 200-inning pitcher. After being fast-tracked to the majors (he pitched all of 38 innings in the minor leagues after being drafted third overall in 2014), Rodon logged 139 1/3 as a rookie in 2015, and with starts left against the Cleveland Indians on Sunday and Tampa Bay Rays next weekend, he ll likely finish above 160 innings this season. Missing three starts because of a wrist injury suffered from a pregame slip in the dugout probably kept him from getting in the general neighborhood of 200. Wait till next year, Rodon says. For sure. Our plan next year is to get to 200, he said. The plan is for them to give me every chance to do that. Those two [Sale and Quintana] will get 200, now it s my turn. I just have to go out every day, stay healthy and pitch at least six innings every time out. Pitching deep into games hasn t exactly been a snap for Rodon, who completed seven innings only three times. He possesses a premium slider, a mid-90s fastball and an improving changeup, so stuff is not a deterrent. It s about location, working ahead in counts and being more efficient with his pitches. Yeah, for sure, Rodon said. Take away the walks and just try to work on getting guys out on the first three or four pitches instead of going to full counts or 2-2 counts. When they re fouling off pitches just try to get them to put the ball in play and hit it at our guys. Rodon will take a 7-10 record and 4.29 ERA into his start Sunday as he attempts to halt a two-game losing streak after pitching to a 1.85 ERA in his previous seven starts, a run which reminded of his encouraging second-half finish of 5-2, 1.81 over his last eight starts as a rookie. Not that great is how Rodon sums up his sophomore season. That s for sure. Good thing I m young, I still get to work on some stuff and try to finish strong here. Not that great would be an understatement for the Sox season. If the Sox view Rodon as a Sale- Quintana type in the making, it will allow them to ease their grip on one of their top two and possibly trade one in the offseason for needed upgrades elsewhere. Or, they consider having all three to build around, but look where having those three as well as quality right-hander Miguel Gonzalez got them a record, sitting at a season low eight games below.500 with 10 games to go and a losing record all but assured for the fourth straight season.

4 The last time the Sox had four losing seasons in a row was , a depressing fact, but perhaps their core of quality 20-something talent under team contract control for multiple years Rodon, Sale, Quintana, Jose Abreu and Adam Eaton can get it turned around. Among those, Rodon is the one with the most room to grow. With eyes wide open, watching Sale blow past 200 innings with six straight starts of eight innings or more before he ran into a wall in a four-inning dud in Philadelphia Wednesday, was inspiration for Rodon. Just watching him, he s good at everything he does, Rodon said. He s just a winner. He s like the older brother who s good at everything and beats you at everything. WHITE SOX AT INDIANS Miguel Gonzalez (4-7, 3.83) vs. Trevor Bauer (11-8, 4.24), 6:10, CSN, 890-AM Saturday: Jose Quintana (12-11, 3.26) vs. Cody Anderson (2-4, 6.24), CSN, 890-AM Sunday: Carlos Rodon (7-10, 4.29) vs. Josh Tomlin (12-8, 4.75), Ch. 9, 890-AM Chicago White Sox still focused on finding No. 1 catcher By Scot Gregor / Daily Herald September 22nd, 2016 It's going to be another busy off-season for general manager Rick Hahn and the Chicago White Sox. In no particular order the Sox very likely will be looking for a new manager, and Don Cooper (pitching) could be the only coach returning in Ace starting pitcher Chris Sale could be traded if the White Sox get the right offer. Ditto for No. 2 starter Jose Quintana. Outfielder Adam Eaton could be traded for prospects as well, as could first baseman Jose Abreu, third baseman Todd Frazier, left fielder Melky Cabrera and closer David Robertson. No matter what direction the Sox decide to travel, the off-season is going to be lot more interesting than the current season, which mercifully ends Oct. 2. For now, we'll focus on a familiar hole that never seems to get filled -- catcher. "We've been in that situation for a few years now where we are trying to find a long-term solution at catcher," Hahn said. "Over this past year, with Zack Collins in the draft, we took someone who we feel at some point in the future is going to be able to help us there. And we acquired a kid via trade, Alfredo Gonzalez, who has been playing real well in Double-A." Collins was the No. 10 overall pick in the June draft, and the White Sox are confident he's going to damage with the bat. Before agreeing to a $3.4 million signing bonus with the Sox on June 24, Collins posted a.363/.544/.668 hitting line with 16 home runs and 59 RBI in 62 games with the University of Miami (Florida) as a junior this season. Assigned to high Class A Winston-Salem after signing, Collins held his own with a.258/.418/.467 slash line, 6 homers and 18 RBI in 36 games. He can hit, but can Collins catch?

5 The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder was behind the plate for 18 games with Winston-Salem, and Collins threw out three of 19 basestealers (16 percent). That's not good, but the White Sox expect Collins to improve with experience. In addition, developing a rapport with the staff and pitch framing are equally or more important as throwing out runners. Still a work in progress as a catcher and hitter, Collins is heading to the Arizona Fall League. Only 21, Collins figures to play most of next season with Class AA Birmingham, and maybe he joins the Sox at some point in That means the White Sox need a No. 1 catcher for Hahn mentioned Gonzalez, acquired for cash considerations in a July 2 trade with the Houston Astros. The 24-year-old catcher slashed.296/.358/.341 in 39 games with Birmingham, and he threw out seven of 32 basestealers (22 percent). On the flip side, Gonzalez has hit just 7 home runs in 324 minor-league games. Throw Gonzalez into the 2017 mix with current White Sox catchers Omar Narvaez and Kevan Smith, but all three project out as backups at best. Maybe the Sox get back a legitimate No. 1 catcher in an off-season trade, or maybe they find a stopgap for a season or so until Collins is ready. The White Sox entered the current season with Alex Avila and Dioner Navarro on one-year contracts, but neither veteran worked out. "There are some options in the pipeline, but certainly heading into this off-season we are going to find a direction for 2017 and some answers for 2017 behind the plate," Hahn said.