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MLB News and Headlines - 3/17/16

MLB News and Headlines - 3/17/16

Pete Rose's Attorney Doesn't Know How Trump Got Signed Ball

Pete Rose's Attorney Doesn't Know How Trump Got Signed Ball

3/16/16 MLB.com: FastCast

3/16/16 MLB.com: FastCast

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MLB • 1 year ago

5 Biggest Chicago White Sox X-Factors Heading into 2015

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Tom Szczerbowski - Getty Images Sport

5 Biggest Chicago White Sox X-Factors Heading Into 2015

Jose Abreu Alexei Ramirez Chicago White Sox — This is a whole new Chicago White Sox team in 2015 with a whole lot of potential. We know a healthy Chris Sale will shut teams down this season, and we can assume Jeff Samardzija will do much of the same, but many other players start off the year with serious question marks. Here are the team's biggest X-factors heading into 2015.

This is a whole new Chicago White Sox team in 2015 with a whole lot of potential. We know a healthy Chris Sale will shut teams down this season, and we can assume Jeff Samardzija will do much of the same, but many other players start off the year with serious question marks. Here are the team's biggest X-factors heading into 2015.

5. Alexei Ramirez

Alexei Ramirez Chicago White Sox

5. Alexei Ramirez

Alexei Ramirez Chicago White Sox — Alexei gave the Sox 15 HRs and 74 RBIs last season after going deep just six times and batting in 48 runs in the year prior. That RBI total is Ramirez’s second-highest in his seven-season career with Chicago. If he keeps trending upward, he could provide a significant offensive boost for the Sox in 2015.

Alexei gave the Sox 15 HRs and 74 RBIs last season after going deep just six times and batting in 48 runs in the year prior. That RBI total is Ramirez’s second-highest in his seven-season career with Chicago. If he keeps trending upward, he could provide a significant offensive boost for the Sox in 2015.

4. Adam LaRoche

Adam LaRoche

4. Adam LaRoche

Adam LaRoche — After playing in only 43 games in his 2011 campaign due to injury, this newly-signed slugger rebounded with an .853 OPS in 2012. That number dropped to .735 in 2013, when he still went deep 20 times but batted in only 62 runs. LaRoche improved last season with 26 homers, 92 RBIs and a .817 OPS, but this is the 35 year-old’s 12th season in the bigs. He'll be somewhere between steady and great, but that difference significantly alters the lineup.

After playing in only 43 games in his 2011 campaign due to injury, this newly-signed slugger rebounded with an .853 OPS in 2012. That number dropped to .735 in 2013, when he still went deep 20 times but batted in only 62 runs. LaRoche improved last season with 26 homers, 92 RBIs and a .817 OPS, but this is the 35 year-old’s 12th season in the bigs. He'll be somewhere between steady and great, but that difference significantly alters the lineup.

3. Jose Abreu

Jose Abreu Chicago White Sox

3. Jose Abreu

Jose Abreu Chicago White Sox — Can this breakout star match the production of his dominant 2014 campaign? Probably not, but a disappointing season from Abreu would most likely mean a disappointing baseball season for South Siders. Abreu doesn't need to post a .964 OPS or go deep 36 times to earn his keep, but a sophomore slump could force Sox fans to watch their playoff hopes dwindle quickly.

Can this breakout star match the production of his dominant 2014 campaign? Probably not, but a disappointing season from Abreu would most likely mean a disappointing baseball season for South Siders. Abreu doesn't need to post a .964 OPS or go deep 36 times to earn his keep, but a sophomore slump could force Sox fans to watch their playoff hopes dwindle quickly.

2. Jesse Crain

Jesse Crain Chicago White Sox

2. Jesse Crain

Jesse Crain Chicago White Sox — Jesse Crain was on top of the world in the middle of the 2013 baseball season. He recorded a 0.74 ERA in 38 appearances with Chicago and earned himself a trip to the All-Star game. Injuries to his throwing arm kept him out of the game ever since June 29 of that year, but the Sox agreed to a minor-league deal with Crain in 2015. If he returns to form, he could be one of the league’s best relievers once again.

Jesse Crain was on top of the world in the middle of the 2013 baseball season. He recorded a 0.74 ERA in 38 appearances with Chicago and earned himself a trip to the All-Star game. Injuries to his throwing arm kept him out of the game ever since June 29 of that year, but the Sox agreed to a minor-league deal with Crain in 2015. If he returns to form, he could be one of the league’s best relievers once again.

1. Avisail Garcia

Avisail Garcia Chicago White Sox

1. Avisail Garcia

Avisail Garcia Chicago White Sox — Here we have the guy slated to bat fifth in a suddenly stacked lineup. Garcia was once a highly-touted prospect and potential five-tool star, but injuries limited him to only 88 games with Chicago over two seasons. Since the Sox have no idea whether they’ll be praising Garcia for his breakout performance or looking for his replacement this year, the term “X-factor” seems more than fitting.

Here we have the guy slated to bat fifth in a suddenly stacked lineup. Garcia was once a highly-touted prospect and potential five-tool star, but injuries limited him to only 88 games with Chicago over two seasons. Since the Sox have no idea whether they’ll be praising Garcia for his breakout performance or looking for his replacement this year, the term “X-factor” seems more than fitting.

Doug LaCerte is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DLaC67, “like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google.

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Doug LaCerte is a writer for RantSports. Like him on Facebook.

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MLB• 1 day ago

Avisail Garcia Is White Sox's Key To Success In 2016

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MLB• 2 days ago

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MLB• 2 days ago

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MLB• 3 weeks ago

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MLB• 4 weeks ago

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MLB• Videos• 1 month ago

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MLB• 1 month ago

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MLB• 3 months ago

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