Major League Baseball’s Opening Day is just around the corner! With that being said, it is time to make predictions for each team heading into the 2021 season following a campaign shortened by the pandemic in 2020.

> GET THE BEST CHICAGO WHITE SOX TICKET DEALS HERE!

The Chicago White Sox made some big free-agent additions over the course of the offseason. After seven straight losing seasons and no playoff appearances since 2008, the White Sox finished second in the American League Central, earning a wildcard berth in 2020. Looking onto 2021, the battle for the AL Central this upcoming season should be interesting, to say the least.

Here are Chicago’s projected starters.

Chicago White Sox Projected Batting Order:

1. OF Luis Robert
2. 3B Yoan Moncada
3. 1B Jose Abreu
4. OF Eloy Jimenez
5. SS Tim Anderson
6. C Yasmani Grandal
7. OF Adam Eaton
8. OF Leury Garcia 
9. 2B Nick Madrigal

Chicago White Sox Projected Starting Rotation:

• SP1: Lucas Giolito
• SP2: Lance Lynn
• SP3: Michael Kopech
• SP4: Dallas Keuchel
• SP5: Dylan Cease
• CL: Liam Hendricks

Chicago White Sox Team Outlook:

Throughout the 2020 offseason, the White Sox did their part to push their team towards success in 2021. Regarding the starting rotation, the south side of Chicago gained an experienced arm by trading starter Dane Dunning to the Rangers for veteran Lance Lynn. Additionally, Chicago gained an elite closer by signing reliever Liam Hendricks via free agency, and later signed starter Carlos Rodon.

Chicago’s offense is in good shape, considering the team has three future stars in 24-year-old Eloy Jimenez, 23-year-old Luis Roberts, and 25-year-old Yoan Moncada. Their offense also has three bats that have proven successful in shortstop Tim Anderson, catcher Yasmani Grandal and first baseman Jose Abreu. Not to mention, the White Sox were able to acquire Adam Eaton during free agency. The core of this offense is very, very good.

2021 will be the year that the White Sox fight for first place in the division. They have the offensive power along with a strong enough pitching staff to battle amongst the top teams in the American League. Chicago’s new additions will help them push for a World Series title.

Chicago White Sox Schedule:

> GET THE BEST CHICAGO WHITE SOX TICKET DEALS HERE!

The White Sox added to their offseason moves after signing former Yankee, Edwin Encarnacion, to a one-year deal worth $12 million. The contract also includes a $12 million club option for 2021.

The 37-year-old designated hitter/outfielder was ranked 25th out of 50 free agents this offseason by CBS Sports. He’ll most likely continue to DH at this point in his career and will probably be a back-up first baseman to Jose Abreu. He joins a club that finished third place in the AL Central division.

In 109 games played, Encarnacion finished 2019 with an batting average of .244 with 34 homeruns and 86 RBIs. He looks to bolster the White Sox lineup whose designated hitters only accounted for a pathetic 17 homeruns in 550 plate appearances last season. The former Yankee is the only player in the MLB with 30 plus homeruns in the last eight seasons, according to MLB Stats. The White Sox are counting on home run help after being ranked 25th in baseball with only 182 last year.

The White Sox are determined to make the playoffs for the first time since 2008 when they lost in the ALDS to Tampa Bay. The club has already signed Abreu to a three-year extension, and added right-fielder Nomar Mazara through a trade with the Texas Rangers. They also signed catcher Yasmani Grandal to a four-year, $73 million deal, so their lineup has definitely improved.

To improve their pitching rotation the club signed two starting pitchers, Dallas Keuchel and Gio Gonzalez. Keuchel signed a three-year $55 million deal and Gonzalez comes to Chicago on a one-year deal worth $5 million.

The former Cy Young winner is coming off a short season after remaining a free agent until June when the Braves signed him to a one-year deal worth $13 million. Last season he had 19 starts with a 3.75 ERA, but only 91 strikeouts. On the bright side he only allowed 115 hits; the second lowest amount in his career.

Gonzalez had a short season with only 17 starts, but recorded a 3.50 ERA and 78 strikeouts.

Hopefully these moves pan out and allow the White Sox to have a winning record for the first time in seven years.

Yasmani Grandal is now officially a member of the Chicago White Sox.

The 31-year-old free-agent catcher signed a four-year, $73 million deal with the White Sox on Thursday, the biggest contract in the franchise’s history. According to ESPN, Grandal is expected to earn $18.25 million per season through 2023.

White Sox vice president Kent Williams explained in comments to reporters that signing Grandal was part of the team’s long-term strategy and had been planned “going back five years ago.” Williams also called the two-time All-Star a “quality guy.”

Last offseason, Grandal reportedly rejected a four-year offer from the New York Mets that would have paid him $60 million. Now, it’s clear his decision was a sound one.

SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

Grandal is coming off what is undoubtedly the best season of his career with the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cuban-American catcher recorded career-highs in total homers (28), runs scored (79), runs batted in (77) and stolen bases (five) this year. Grandal also walked over 100 times to log a .380 OBP, which ranked first among MLB catchers, and posted his highest OPS (.848) since his rookie year with the San Diego Padres in 2012.

The catcher thanked the Brewers and their fans in an Instagram post on Thursday:

Grandal, who also previously played with the Los Angeles Dodgers, will now join a White Sox roster that includes Jose Abreu, Tim Anderson and Yoan Moncada.