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2018 White Sox roster: Locks, good bets and long shots

Potential ace will benefit from 2017 experience.

Potential ace will benefit from 2017 experience.

  (Charlie Riedel / AP)

By Chris Kuc
Chicago Tribune
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Barring a major signing or trade, the White Sox opening-day roster will be made up of players already in play. The starting rotation appears set while there are several options for the restructured bullpen.

LOCK: Miguel Gonzalez

Right-hander brought back to eat up innings.

  (Nam Y. Huh / AP)

LOCK: Nate Jones

Expected to be ready for camp after elbow surgery.

  (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)

LOCK: Reynaldo Lopez

Further development of changeup will be key.

  (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

LOCK: James Shields

Found groove late in ’17 after adjusting arm angle

  (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

LOCK: Joakim Soria

Former Royals righty likely to get first crack at closer role.

  (Tony Dejak / AP)

LOCK: Welington Castillo

Free-agent signee should handle bulk of catching.

  (Julie Jacobson / AP)

LOCK: Jose Abreu

Anchor of lineup is an offensive powerhouse.

  (Nam Y. Huh / AP)

LOCK: Tim Anderson

Looking to bounce back after roller-coaster ’17.

  (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

LOCK: Yoan Moncada

Expectations soaring after strong finish in ’17.

  (Charles Krupa / AP)

LOCK: Yolmer Sanchez

Leading candidate to start at third base.

  (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

LOCK: Avisail Garcia

Brimming with confidence after All-Star season.

  (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

GOOD BET: Luis Avilan

Nearly a lock, left-hander will help solidify bullpen.

  (Alex Gallardo / AP)

GOOD BET: Carson Fulmer

Right-hander went 3-1 with a 3.86 ERA last season.

  (Kamil Krzaczynski / AP)

GOOD BET: Gregory Infante

Went 2-1 with a 3.13 ERA for Sox in ’17.

  (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune)

GOOD BET: Juan Minaya

Had nine saves in stint as Sox closer.

  (Mike Stone / AP)

GOOD BET: Kevan Smith

Close call between Smith and Omar Narvaez.

  (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune)

GOOD BET: Matt Davidson

Power potential should lead to roster spot.

  (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

GOOD BET: Nicky Delmonico

Likely to get first crack at left field.

  (Matt Marton / AP)

GOOD BET: Adam Engel

Terrific fielder needs to make more contact at plate.

  (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

GOOD BET: Leury Garcia

26-year-old is versatile and has some pop in his bat.

  (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

LONG SHOT: Chris Beck

Right-hander appeared in 57 games with Sox last season.

  (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)

LONG SHOT: Aaron Bummer

Left-hander made 30 appearances for Sox in ’17.

  (Mike Stone / AP)

LONG SHOT: Xavier Cedeno

Forearm strain limited lefty to three innings with Rays.

  (Chris O’Meara / AP)

LONG SHOT: Danny Farquhar

Had 4.20 ERA in combined 52 games with Rays and Sox.

  (Orlin Wagner / AP)

LONG SHOT: Jeanmar Gomez

Right-hander had 37 saves for the Phillies in 2016.

  (Derik Hamilton / AP)

LONG SHOT: Gonzalez Germen

Former Cubs reliever pitched in Japan last season.

  (David Zalubowski / AP)

LONG SHOT: T.J. House

Left-hander appeared in two games with Jays in ’17.

  (John Raoux / AP)

LONG SHOT: Michael Kopech

Flamethrower is Sox’s top pitching prospect.

  (Lou Foglia / Chicago Tribune)

LONG SHOT: Bruce Rondon

Hard-thrower went 1-3 with a 10.91 ERA for Tigers.

  (Patrick Semansky / AP)

LONG SHOT: Jose Ruiz

Right-hander was claimed off waivers from the Padres.

  (Charlie Riedel / AP)

LONG SHOT: Rob Scahill

30-year-old was 1-3 with a 4.43 ERA with the Brewers.

  (Derik Hamilton / AP)

LONG SHOT: Thyago Vieira

Can regularly hit triple digits with fastball.

  (Elaine Thompson / AP)

LONG SHOT: Michael Ynoa

Struggled during time in bullpen last season.

  (Jim Mone / AP)

LONG SHOT: Omar Narvaez

Set to battle Kevan Smith for backup catcher job.

  (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

LONG SHOT: Casey Gillaspie

Former first-round pick by Rays has pop in his bat.

  (David Goldman / AP)

LONG SHOT: Tyler Saladino

Injuries helped lead to disastrous ’17 (.178, 0 homers).

  (Chris Carlson / AP)

LONG SHOT: Ryan Cordell

Big potential if he can overcome back injury.

  (Morry Gash / AP)

LONG SHOT: Willy Garcia

Batted .238 with two homers and 12 RBIs with Sox.

  (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

LONG SHOT: Eloy Jimenez

Matter of when — not if — Sox’s top prospect reaches majors.

  (Charles Rex Arbogast / AP)

LONG SHOT: Daniel Palka

Could provide power from left side of plate.

  (David Goldman / AP)

LONG SHOT: Blake Rutherford

Key piece of blockbuster trade with Yankees.

  (Lenny Ignelzi / AP)

LONG SHOT: Charlie Tilson

Oft-injured center fielder needs to prove he can stay healthy.

  (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

Sports
Chris Kuc

Chris Kuc has been the Chicago Blackhawks beat reporter for the Chicago Tribune since 2007 and during that time has covered the NHL team’s two Stanley Cup championships — and everything in between. Before being assigned the Blackhawks beat, Kuc had myriad jobs at the Tribune, including High School Sports editor, copy editor, design editor and more. Kuc began his Tribune career while still in high school and recently celebrated 30 years at the paper. When he isn’t covering hockey, Kuc enjoys spending time with his family and also losing golf balls at courses throughout Chicagoland.

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