2017

CF: Charlie Tilson

SS: Tim Anderson

1B: Jose Abreu

3B: Todd Frazier

LF: Melky Cabrera

RF: Avisail Garcia

C: Geovany Soto

DH: Peter Bourjos

2B: Tyler Saladino

The White Sox 2017 Opening Day roster is basically set. It seems unlikely that the team makes any more major moves prior to the start of the season. Even if they were to trade Jose Quintana, it’s improbable that any prospect acquired would make an impact in the 2017 season, let alone Opening Day.

While 1-6 in the order is likely locked in, there is a chance for change towards the bottom half of the lineup.

At catcher, Geovany Soto seems likely to earn the starting job due to his veteran presence and his ability to work with the White Sox young pitching rotation. However Chicago does have a once promising catcher in Omar Navarez. Perhaps the team would rather start him and use Soto as a safety blanket. In the end, Soto’s veteran leadership gives him the nod on Opening Day.

Designated Hitter is anybody’s guess at this point. The White Sox have been connected to a power bat in the past. If they were to make a big move, it would likely be for the DH position. Despite that reported interest, the White Sox will stay in house, opting for Peter Borjous at the DH position.

While Roster Resource currently has Cody Asche as the projected White Sox starter, it makes much more sense for Borjous to get the nod. Neither option is necessarily great, but Asche has shown absolutely nothing over his career. If he finds his swing in Spring Training, he could perhaps earn a starting role. For now, his positional versatility (third/outfielder) makes him better suited as a utility man.

Bourjos hasn’t necessarily been electric during his career, hitting .243 with 37 home runs, 149 RBIs and 61 stolen bases over 713 games. But the veteran outfielder is a better hitter and overall offers more on offense. Asche isn’t turning into a trade piece anytime soon, meaning that the better hitter will get the nod start at DH. In this case that is Peter Bourjos.

Second base may be the most “shocking” pick of the 2017 Opening Day lineup. Most expect Brett Lawrie to get the start. Lawrie is likely considered the favorite, however the White Sox would do much better by starting Saladino.

Saladino was a bright spot for the South Siders last year, hitting .282 with eight home runs, 38 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in 93 games. In a rebuilding year, the White Sox should see what the have in Saladino.

If Saladino succeeds there’s a chance he could even become a trade piece. Earlier this offseason, CBS Sports Mike Axisa suggested the Dodgers should consider Saladino for their second base vacancy.

Yes Lawrie is the more experienced player, but at catcher/DH there were no great options behind the veteran. At second base the White Sox may have a rising star in Saladino. They should give him the 2017 season to prove himself.

Overall, this White Sox lineup is not one that will excite fans. However in a rebuilding year, the addition and development of prospects is much more important than production at the MLB level.

Fans could take solace in the fact that the White Sox will make two big trades prior to the 2017 Trade Deadline:

Jose Quintana to the Houston Astros for: Francis Martes, Kyle Tucker and David Paulino

David Robertson to the Washington Nationals for: Erick Fedde and Andrew Stevenson