It’s about time the Yankees start worrying about the White Sox

The White Sox are making moves and the Yankees better pay attention.

The imminent threats for the New York Yankees over the last five or so years have been the Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. Fans have had those teams in their crosshairs every recent offseason because any additions they made felt like a direct message to the Bombers. And, unfortunately, the Yanks never really surpassed any of them, forced to bend the knee instead.

But the scope in which the Yankees need to pay attention to fellow contenders has now broadened. General manager Brian Cashman has to be eyeing the Chicago White Sox after all they’ve done, especially since last offseason.

The clear favorites in the AL Central have made the biggest move thus far of the Winter Meetings and are now reportedly on deck to make another momentous splash … all the while the Yankees continue their staring contest with DJ LeMahieu and ignore the pitching staff.

It’s time to start expressing concern.

Trading for Lance Lynn, who departed the Yankees only to shine with the Texas Rangers and make the JA Happ signing look even worse, arguably gives them a better rotation than New York despite the presence of Gerrit Cole. This simply can’t be the case.

On top of that, the White Sox already boast a powerful lineup, which went toe-to-toe with the Bombers in 2020. Let’s take a look at those numbers quickly:

• Yankees as a team: .247/.342/.447 with 315 runs scored, 94 HRs and 301 RBI
• White Sox as a team: .261/.326/.453 with 306 runs scored, 96 HRs and 294 RBI

The Yankees have yet to make an addition (at all) this offseason while the White Sox acquired Lynn for the rotation and Adam Eaton, who will only improve those offensive numbers, for their outfield.

And then we have the bullpen situation. According to a report from Bob Nightengale, Chicago is targeting former Oakland Athletics star closer Liam Hendriks, who we’d assume would replace Alex Colome, another free agent. While the Yankees’ bullpen is better than the Sox’s, the addition of Hendriks would tip the scales because we can’t rule out the notable performances from Matt Foster, Evan Marshall, Codi Heuer and Garrett Crochet this past season. It’s not a bonafide ‘pen yet, but it could be with another addition or two.

With all of the players the Twins are set to lose, it’s clear the White Sox are about to take over the AL Central and are slated to be even better in 2021 with another year of this young roster playing together under their belt. It’d be a shame if the Yankees waited around this offseason only to get punked by this White Sox team in October baseball.

In fact, we can even think about that right now. Please just announce DJ and move on.

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