The 2024 White Sox will look a lot different than their 2023 counterparts. Between trades and free agency signings, much of the core that White Sox fans were hoping could bring sustained success have now departed for other cities. Which players are most poised for success on their new teams?
Here are some former White Sox players with new homes that are poised to rebound, and some that may have a hard time doing so.
Poised to Rebound
Tim Anderson
Anderson’s recently inked one-year, five-million deal with the Marlins gives him a change of scenery after a shaky 2023. After batting over .300 from 2019-2022, Anderson only posted a .245 average last year.
A fresh start made sense for Anderson after his injury in 2022 and struggles in 2023. This deal allows him to rebound and sign a higher-value deal next offseason. It also makes sense for the Marlins, who needed a starting shortstop and got a proven one for a cheaper price.
Anderson seems to be in the best position of all the ex-White Sox from 2023 because he has a proven track record and will get opportunities as their starting shortstop. Maybe at age 30 he does start to slow down, but a bounce-back season in Miami seems more likely.
Lucas Giolito
While the White Sox dealt Giolito to the Angels during the trade deadline last season, he now finds himself in Boston, where he signed a two-year contract this offseason. The case for a good year in his new situation is similar to Anderson’s in that he is a proven starter who will get plenty of innings this year, as he is currently the projected number two in the rotation.
Stints with the Angels and the Guardians last year were disastrous, as Giolito posted 6.98 and 7.04 ERAs respectively for those two teams. However, before the trade in 2023, he posted a 3.79 ERA on the South Side. Like Anderson, this fresh start gives Giolito the chance to flush recent struggles down the drain and try to regain the magic of the 2019-2021 seasons.
Long Shots
Yasmani Grandal
This offseason Grandal signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. As a 35-year-old catcher, the short-term deal makes sense. A 2024 bounceback is unlikely because he will lack opportunity in Pittsburgh, likely serving as the backup to former number one overall pick Henry Davis.
This will be Davis’ first full year behind the plate in the majors, so Grandal may get some time as Davis eases into the role. That being said, being the backup to an exciting young prospect is not the recipe for success for a bounce-back year. Barring injury, he will likely be a role player throughout the season
Lance Lynn
A Lance Lynn rebound could be the best story of this bunch, as he re-signed with his first club, the St. Louis Cardinals. He spent six years with the organization and netted a World Series ring. However, a bounce-back seems unlikely for the 36-year-old. Last season, Lynn gave up a whopping 44 homers. Before that, his next highest season total was 27 in 2017.
After a midseason trade to the Dodgers from the South Side, Lynn was given the opportunity to turn things around, most notably with his start in Game 3 of the NLDS. Unfortunately, he was unable to capitalize, as he gave up four home runs in one inning as the Dodgers were swept out of the playoffs by the Diamondbacks.
It would be a great story for Lynn to succeed again with his first club and bring his career full circle. However, coming off of an incredibly difficult 2023 season, it seems unlikely for the 36-year-old.
Other
Mike Clevinger remains unsigned after 131.1 innings for the White Sox last year and posting a 3.77 ERA. Liam Hendriks inked a two-year deal with the Red Sox, although he won’t be back to pitch until at least the second half of the season as he recovers from Tommy John. Kendall Graveman is another 2023 White Sox bit by the injury bug, as he will likely miss all of the 2024 season with a shoulder injury after being traded to the Astros.
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Featured Photo: marlins / Instagram
