2020

LF: Kyle Tucker

SS: Tim Anderson

2B: Yoan Moncada

3B: Josh Donaldson

DH: Jose Baustista

1B: Jose Abreu

C: Zack Collins

RF: Andrew Stevenson

CF: Charlie Tilson

There isn’t much change from 2019 to 2020, except for the major signing of free agent Jose Bautista. While it may seem outlandish due to Bautista’s star power, by 2020 he could be the perfect free agent target for the White Sox.

For one, he played in Toronto with Donaldson. If the White Sox go on to have success during Donaldson’s tenure, I’m sure he’ll try to recruit his buddy to the South Side.

More importantly, Bautista will be 39 when entering the 2020 offseason. He isn’t going to be demanding a massive contract. If the 2017 offseason is any indication, the MLB seems to be souring on power hitters with players such as Chris Carter, Mike Napoli and Pedro Alvarez failing to have homes two weeks before Spring Training. If that trend continues into 2020, the White Sox should be able to sign Bautista to a fairly cheap deal.

While it’s hard to predict what kind of power Bautista will have at age 39, it isn’t hard to image that he could still hit 20+ home runs. Bautista is one of the best power hitters of this generation. If the former Blue Jay could stay off the DL, he should add another power bat to the middle of the White Sox lineup.

Other than Bautista, the only other chance is Abreu moving down the lineup. By 2020, all of Abreu’s arbitration years will be up, making him a free agent. The 2020 free agency class is weak for first baseman outside of Paul Goldschmidt. With the White Sox unlikely to sign the currently Diamondbacks All-Star, they will add Abreu on a team-friendly two year deal.

If these predictions held true, the Chicago White Sox would have one of the best lineups in the MLB. They have a good mix of speed and power and could realistically lead the league in both home runs and stolen bases.

The White Sox rebuild is far from over. But if their pitching prospects pan out and they hit on some big free agents, there’s a good chance the World Series trophy could be coming to the South Side by 2020.

Feel free to continue the conversation on Twitter: @DFappiano14