CHICAGO – Are the White Sox finished with their offseason moves?

It’s a reasonable question with 12 days remaining until pitchers and catchers report to Camelback Ranch on Feb. 14. Nothing is really complete until the White Sox take the field on March 28 for their season opener against the Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field, and even then, there’s always work to be done for the 2024 crew.

But if this roster is the group going to Glendale, Ariz., along with the non-roster invitees to be announced next week, let’s take a look at a few matters yet to be resolved or completely addressed during Chris Getz’s first run as general manager.

DYLAN CEASE

Nobody wants to trade a pitcher with Cease’s talent.

Not with two years of contractual control. Not with the reliability to take the ball every fifth day and the ability to work as a top-of-the-rotation hurler as Cease exhibited during his 2022 American Cy Young runner-up performance. 

Then again, there are no untouchables on this roster, as Getz made clear from the outset. In the position the White Sox are in, it makes better sense to bring in a young, more controllable return to build for the future for the Scott Boras-represented Cease, who might not be in Chicago after these two seasons.

Getz’s demand in a trade return is said to be high, as it should be -- it’s crucial for this move to bat 1.000 even at such an early stage of his general managerial tenure. The market sounds as if it has gone quiet from what I’ve heard this week, but it can get loud very quickly as the Corbin Burnes deal between Milwaukee and Baltimore showed.

That Cease interest could grow stronger in Spring Training or even as late as the Trade Deadline, when there won’t be free agents involved. Cease can handle the rumors for as long as he’s wearing a White Sox uniform, as he has always been able to zero in on his work.

RIGHT FIELD

This particular question has been on repeat for the White Sox since the days of Avisaíl Garcia. Gavin Sheets is in play, at least from the left side offensively, while Oscar Colás still seems destined to start 2024 at Triple-A Charlotte after getting the nod as a rookie in ’23.

Options will exist on the NRI list, but I envision the White Sox adding another outfielder as Getz also has mentioned. Maybe a right-handed-hitting veteran who could provide steady if not spectacular play in the field while serving as an equally steady presence in the clubhouse.

GETZ’S PLAN

Getz has been very forthcoming about the changes needed and some of his goals for said change, such as improving the overall defense. He hasn’t really hung a long-term description on the plan and hasn’t added anyone as a clear longer-term building block this offseason.

The White Sox have improved depth in their system as they embark on this latest rebuild, and it clearly is a rebuild. It’s what had to happen after the last rebuild netted two playoff wins in total. It just won’t be a tear-it-down-to-the-ground-floor sort of rebuild.

At some point in the not-too-distant future, the team is going to have to spend to finish it. Getz might be able to give a better big picture view as the White Sox move closer to that time.

SHEETS’ SWING CHANGE

Speaking of Sheets, the 27-year-old who has reached double-digit home runs in each of his three Major League seasons wanted to change his swing after a rough 2023 featuring a slash line of .203/.267/.331 in 344 plate appearances. So, Sheets worked with a new younger hitting coach out of Philadelphia, making the trip twice a week from his Baltimore home.

“I had a lot of time to think about my swing, and I just tinkered too much,” Sheets told me of his 2023 struggles. “... I found a swing this offseason that’s going to work, and I’m excited to put it to game speed.”

Sheets tried to become “more athletic” with his swing, getting better ball flight while making mechanical changes.

“Just getting my upper body more on posture. Getting back more to the middle of the field,” Sheets said. “Use the whole field. So, I dove into analytics a little bit, looked at my numbers. I kind of bought in a little bit to the new age of hitting and used all the data that was available. I went away from the old-school model and pulled in everything.

“I’m in a really good spot. I’ve got a swing I’m happy about and can be consistent with. I feel really good.”

Where does Cease rank on the career strikeout list for the White Sox? 

A) 18th 
B) 22nd
C) 23rd
D) 30th

• I’m once again going to encourage fans to make the trip to Arizona or Florida for Spring Training if the opportunity presents itself. It’s a chance to see players of the present and the future and get up close with the game, while doing it in good weather.

• I happened to watch the finish of an overtime victory for Nebraska men’s basketball over Wisconsin Thursday night, and I wonder if Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg ever ages. Both those teams could be interesting NCAA Tournament entrants.

“It’s been unbelievable. So much learning and growth and development. Being able to mature as a player, as a person, as an athlete. Student of the game. There have been so many categories where I’ve been able to grow.” -- George Wolkow, the No. 16 White Sox prospect per MLB Pipeline, on making the jump from high school to professional baseball after being taken in the seventh round of the 2023 Draft

"What's exciting about baseball is you have time to talk and tell stories. I cover a lot of different sports -- football, basketball, baseball -- but what makes baseball so different is just the length of the game and the ability to have conversations with your analyst. And I think that's what excites me the most.” -- John Schriffen, the new White Sox television voice

C) 23rd. Cease enters the 2024 season with 792 strikeouts, and if Cease posts 208 strikeouts as part of his fourth straight 200-strikeout season, the right-hander will become the 12th White Sox pitcher with 1,000 strikeouts. He needs 276 strikeouts to move into the Top 10.

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