The Chicago White Sox tied for second in the American League Central at 35-25 and returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2008, losing in a wild-card series to the Oakland Athletics.
They’ll be aiming higher in 2021.
“It’s perfectly reasonable to believe that we’ve opened our window,” general manager Rick Hahn said Monday.
The Sox are searching for a new manager for a team filled with young talent. Right field, designated hitter and starting pitching are among the areas on the offseason wish list. Here’s a look at who likely will return in 2021 and who could be gone.
Pitchers
Aaron Bummer
Status: Signed through 2024 (team options for 2025 and 2026).
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? Bummer was limited to nine regular-season appearances because of a left biceps strain. He’s one of the top relievers on the team.
Zack Burdi
Status: Under team control.
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? After battling various injuries earlier in his career, the Downers Grove native made eight relief appearances as a rookie in 2020. A first-round pick in 2016, Burdi has the potential to play a major role in the bullpen.
Dylan Cease
Status: Under team control.
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? Cease is one of the young core members of the rotation. He’ll look to improve his rates of 5.25 walks and 1.85 home runs per nine innings, both of which were the highest in the American League.
Alex Colome
Status: Free agent.
Will he return in 2021? No.
Why? Colome has been among the league leaders in saves the last two seasons, which will lead to high demand on the market. The Sox could turn to Bummer to close if Colome heads elsewhere.
Jimmy Cordero
Status: Under team control.
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? Cordero has shown the willingness to be used out of the bullpen on consecutive nights, a valuable trait. He ranked second in the AL with 30 relief appearances.
Garrett Crochet
Status: Under team control.
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? The 2020 first-round pick dazzled with fastball clocked at 100 mph. He was a reliever in 2020, but the long-term plan is for Crochet to start.
Dane Dunning
Status: Under team control.
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? He gained valuable experience as a rookie as part of the rotation during the stretch run. Dunning should be in the mix for the rotation.
Matt Foster
Status: Under team control.
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? One of the rookies who performed well out of the bullpen, he also can be used as an opener, which he did twice in 2020.
Jace Fry
Status: Arbitration-eligible.
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? The Sox will need left-handed help out of the bullpen, especially if Bummer becomes the closer.
Lucas Giolito
Status: Arbitration eligible.
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? He followed his breakout 2019 with another strong season, solidifying his position as staff ace. He has developed into one of the top starters in the American League.
Gio Gonzalez
Status: Team option for 2021.
Will he return in 2021? No.
Why? The Sox can retain Gonzalez for $7 million or buy him out for $500,000 but likely will look elsewhere for a veteran presence.
Codi Heuer
Status: Under team control.
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? One of the standout rookies, Heuer did not allow a run in 18 of 21 relief outings. He will be one of the key setup relievers.
Michael Kopech
Status: Under team control.
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? The No. 2 prospect in the organization opted out of 2020 for what the team termed “personal reasons.” Has the potential to be a top-line starter.
Dallas Keuchel
Status: Signed through 2022 (team option for 2023).
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? Keuchel excelled in his first season with the Sox, finishing second in the AL in ERA at 1.99. He joins Giolito at the top of the rotation.
Jimmy Lambert
Status: Under team control.
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? Lambert looks to return after missing most of 2020 because of a right forearm strain. He could add depth to the bullpen.
Reynaldo Lopez
Status: Arbitration eligible.
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? Lopez provides rotation depth. When he’s on, as was the case in late-season starts against the Twins and Indians, he can be an effective starter. But he’ll have to overcome inconsistencies that have plagued him the last two seasons.
Evan Marshall
Status: Arbitration eligible.
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? Marshall has played a key role out of the bullpen for the last two seasons. He’s likely to continue to see time in the seventh and eighth innings.
Carlos Rodon
Status: Arbitration eligible.
Will he return in 2021? No.
Why? Rodon spent a large part of the season on the injured list because of left shoulder soreness. It might be tough to find a role for him with the depth in the rotation.
Jose Ruiz
Status: Under team control.
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? Like Cordero, Ruiz gives the Sox another right-hander out of the pen. He pitched with a tear in the meniscus in his right knee, Hahn said. The injury was repaired, and Ruiz should be without restrictions by spring training.
Jonathan Stiever
Status: Under team control.
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? Stiever made two starts during the stretch run. He spent 2019 in Class A and gained valuable experience in 2020. He’s a piece for the future.
Catchers
Zack Collins
Status: Under team control.
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? The 10th pick in the 2016 draft could play a larger role as a backup, along with Yermin Mercedes or Seby Zavala, if James McCann heads elsewhere.
Yasmani Grandal
Status: Signed through 2023.
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? Grandal could be in line to catch almost every game if the Sox don’t re-sign McCann. He also could play first base when Jose Abreu needs a day of rest.
James McCann
Status: Free agent.
Will he return in 2021? No.
Why? McCann will be one of the top catchers available in free agency. He’ll have the chance to be a team’s primary starter somewhere.
Infielders
Jose Abreu
Status: Signed through 2022.
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? Abreu is a leading AL MVP candidate after finishing first in the league in RBIs for the second consecutive season. He’s a dependable force in the middle of the lineup.
Tim Anderson
Status: Signed through 2022 (team options for 2023 and 2024).
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? The shortstop was in the AL MVP conversation for much of the season and finished second in the league with a .322 average a year after winning the major-league batting title. Anderson gives the entire offense a spark.
Edwin Encarnacion
Status: Team option for 2021.
Will he return in 2021? No.
Why? The Sox hold a $12 million option for 2021, which does not include a buyout. Encarnacion didn’t quite give the production the team had hoped at DH, slashing .161/.251/.387 with 10 home runs and 19 RBIs.
Leury Garcia
Status: Team option for 2021.
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? Garcia provides depth with his versatility to play in the infield and outfield.
Nick Madrigal
Status: Under team control.
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? Madrigal was a tough out during his rookie season, particularly with two strikes. He’s a key member of the team’s young core.
Danny Mendick
Status: Under team control.
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? Mendick was instrumental when Madrigal was out with a separated shoulder early in the season. He can aid the middle infield in a backup role.
Yoan Moncada
Status: Signed through 2024 (team option for 2025).
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? One of the team’s most talented players, Moncada struggled in 2020, hitting only .225. He admitted in September that he struggled to regain strength and energy after testing positive for COVID-19.
Yolmer Sanchez
Status: Arbitration eligible.
Will he return in 2021? No.
Why? Sanchez had a limited role after rejoining the Sox in late August. With Garcia and Mendick as backups, it’s tough to see a role for Sanchez off the bench.
Outfielders
Jarrod Dyson
Status: Free agent.
Will he return in 2021? No.
Why? With Adam Engel and Leury Garcia in the mix, the Sox have outfield depth off the bench.
Adam Engel
Status: Arbitration eligible.
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? Engel is a solid contributor and a defensive specialist. He might receive more playing time depending on how everything shakes out in right field.
Eloy Jimenez
Status: Signed through 2024 (team options for 2025 and 2026).
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? Jimenez built on a successful rookie season and is a threat in the middle of the lineup. He’s one of the Sox’s core young players.
Nomar Mazara
Status: Arbitration eligible.
Will he return in 2021? No.
Why? The Sox acquired Mazara in a trade for a power boost in right field. But the left-handed hitter had only one home run in 2020. The Sox will be searching for an upgrade at the position.
Luis Robert
Status: Signed through 2025 (team options for 2026 and 2027).
Will he return in 2021? Yes.
Why? Robert showcased his star potential during his rookie season. He’s a big part of the team’s future.
