The Chicago White Sox ran away with the American League Central in 2021, winning the division by 13 games.
Just how dominant were the Sox?
They moved into first place on May 7 and remained there the rest of the season. Their lead was never smaller than nine games after Aug. 1. They were in first for 152 days, the third-highest total in franchise history behind 2005 (183 days) and 2000 (169).
The Sox are the popular preseason pick to win the division again this season, even with starting pitcher Lance Lynn out for up to eight weeks with a torn tendon by his right knee and reliever Garrett Crochet lost for the season to Tommy John surgery.
The Sox made offseason additions at second base (Josh Harrison), right field (AJ Pollock) and in the bullpen (Joe Kelly and Kendall Graveman). The rest of the division was also active, which could set up an interesting race in 2022.
“(The Minnesota Twins are) going to be a wild card with some of the additions they had,” Sox pitcher Dallas Keuchel said during spring training, “but Detroit may take the next step, I’ve always liked Kansas City even though they really haven’t performed and Cleveland is Cleveland — they always figure out a way to win and hang in there.
“I think it’s going to be a competitive division. There are going to be two or three teams at the end that are going to duke it out, but I like our chances.”
The Twins shook things up after the lockout, signing All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa in a headline move.
“I just think he can’t get away from me,” Sox closer Liam Hendriks joked when news of the deal became public. “I just think he wants to face me a bunch, like he did for the last five years when he was with Houston (and I was) in Oakland.”
Keuchel and Correa were teammates for four years with the Astros.
“When you learn from (second baseman Jose) Altuve, you’re in good company,” Keuchel said. “But he took that leadership role and ran with it, and the last few years he was nothing short of one of the best players on the field if not the league. I think he’s going to make an immediate impact.”
The Twins also acquired catcher Gary Sánchez and infielder Gio Urshela in a trade with the New York Yankees and pitcher Sonny Gray in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds.
“Obviously last year, the Twins on paper were a team that was expected to do a lot better than they did,” Hendriks said. “Didn’t come to fruition, but they’ve gone back and they’ve stockpiled and they’ve made some moves to get better.
“Detroit’s done the same thing. We’ve done the same thing. It’s just a matter of going out there and whoever’s better on the day’s going to win. That’s what we plan on doing.”
The Sox open the season Friday against the Tigers at Comerica Park. The Tigers’ offseason moves included signing All-Star shortstop Javier Báez and starting pitcher Eduardo Rodríguez. They recently picked up outfielder Austin Meadows in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. And the top pick in the 2020 draft, first baseman Spencer Torkelson, made the team.
The Royals were the only team in the division to have a winning record (10-9) against the Sox last year. They announced Tuesday that Bobby Witt Jr., the top prospect in baseball according to MLB.com, earned a spot on the roster. Witt has played third base for a majority of spring training, according to the Kansas City Star.
The Guardians’ pitching always makes them a threat. And third baseman José Ramírez, who reportedly agreed to a five-year extension Wednesday, is as tough an out as there is in baseball.
After their successful regular season, the Sox were eliminated by the Astros in four games in an American League Division Series. Some believe a more balanced division could be beneficial if the Sox return to the postseason.
But manager Tony La Russa pointed out the Sox did face their share of challenges in 2021 along the way to winning the AL Central for the first time since 2008.
“We were in a position, just because we were short (due to numerous injuries), that we were fighting all the time,” he said. “Luckily, our guys came through. But we were never comfortable.
“Looking back, the six winning months, that shows you how consistent our guys were. But I do believe overall the tougher the season is, you pick up scabs and toughness. If you qualify for October, it’s a plus. I think the Central will definitely more competitive.”
