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2015 MLB Spring Training: 5 Chicago White Sox Storylines to Watch

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2015 MLB Spring Training: 5 Chicago White Sox Storylines to Watch

Gordon Beckham Jose Abreu Chicago White Sox
Brian Kersey - Getty Images Sport (also title slide)

The Chicago White Sox enter 2015 with a retooled roster and a whole bunch of well-warranted optimism. In a division that suddenly seems like one of baseball's strongest, Chicago still needs a lot to go right to find themselves still playing in October. Spring Training should answer a variety of important questions for the Sox this year. Here are five of the most intriguing White Sox storylines to follow as we near Cactus-League play.

#5- Where will Carlos Rodon fit in?

Carlos Rodon
Dave Weaver-USA Today Sports

#5- Where will Carlos Rodon fit in?

Carlos Rodon
Dave Weaver-USA Today Sports

This 22-year-old left-hander will start in the Cactus League this year, but what happens next depends greatly on his performance. Even if he does return to the Sox farm system, getting a glimpse at this 6-foot-3, 245-pounder's potential should be fun.

#4- Will Chicago's defense look better this year?

Alexei Ramirez Chicago White Sox
Brian Kersey - Getty Images Sport (also title slide)

#4- Will Chicago's defense look better this year?

Alexei Ramirez Chicago White Sox
Brian Kersey - Getty Images Sport (also title slide)

According to FanGraphs, only two teams in baseball were worse than the White Sox in overall defense last season. Just being healthier should help, but replacing Alejandro de Aza's 3.5 UZR in left field with Melky Cabrera, whose UZR last year was -3.5, looks like a defensive downgrade. Hopefully fans on the South Side aren't huge fans of great glove work, because they probably won't see much in 2015.

#3- Can Jose Abreu match or improve upon his 2014 campaign?

Jose Abreu Chicago White Sox
Duane Burleson - Getty Images Sport

#3- Can Jose Abreu match or improve upon his 2014 campaign?

Jose Abreu Chicago White Sox
Duane Burleson - Getty Images Sport

The sophomore slump haunts many, many sluggers in the big leagues, but can Jose Abreu's previous experience in Cuba help him avoid it? Hitters usually have the advantage through Spring Training, so a red-hot Abreu could conjure some overreactions, while a slow start could be cause for concern. His 36 homers, 107 RBIs and a .964 OPS is hard to beat, but Sox fans are just hoping that he continues to be a top-shelf power bat this season.

#2- Will the offseason bullpen investments pay off?

Zach Duke
Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

#2- Will this offseason's bullpen investments pay off?

Zach Duke
Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The Sox knew something needed to change with their bullpen, and they went out this offseason and spent serious money to improve it. By bringing in Zach Duke, Dan Jennings and former New York Yankees closer David Robertson, Chicago dramatically upgraded one of the weakest parts of the roster, but they spent a bunch of money to do it. The White Sox will pay million to Robertson and Duke over the next four seasons.

#1- Who will start at second base?

Micah Johnson Chicago Whte Sox
Rob Tringali - Getty Images Sport

#1- Who will start at second base?

Micah Johnson Chicago Whte Sox
Rob Tringali - Getty Images Sport

Competition for the starting job at second comes down to Micah Johnson, Carlos Sanchez and Gordon Beckham. Johnson is more highly-touted among the two prospects, and Chicago expects Beckham to be more of a utility man. Still, Beckham is telling Chicago press that he will fight for the starting job, and Sanchez has an advantage over Johnson by way of his 28 big-league games played last year. It could all be up in the air until April.

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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