The Chicago White Sox are not going to be very good in 2017, hell they won't even be that good in 2018. A rebuild doesn't happen overnight, it'll take a few years before the White Sox return to relevance. While losing is never fun, fans have been calling for the team to rebuild. The White Sox were in the middle of the pack for too long. It was time for a change of direction, moving Chris Sale and Adam Eaton was just the beginning. Chicago now has a glutton of talented pitching prospects in Michael Kopech, Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and others. Assuming all of them reach their potential and avoid major injury, the White Sox could have the best pitching staff in the major leagues. With the team's future pitching staff practically in place, the White Sox could focus on building their lineup. The team stilll has multiple assets that could be moved in Jose Quintana, Todd Frazier, David Robertson and others. There is a chance that more top prospects are brought to the South Side. For now, the only major hitting prospects on the White Sox are Yoan Moncada and Zack Collins. Both are vital to the team's future success and will be cornerstones in the lineup upon their arrival to the MLB. The White Sox are building their team around young, talented prospects. However eventually the team will need to start signing major free agents. General Manager Rick Hahn has said that the team will be more than willing to add outside talent when the team is ready to compete. When the time comes, the White Sox need to be willing to add top-flight talent to boost their postseason potential. Having a solid blend of top free agents mixed with their already established top prospects could give the White Sox one of the most potent offenses in the MLB. If their pitching staff plays out, the South Siders could be destined for the World Series. The White Sox lineup should see massive changes from now until 2020. By then, the team should be ready to compete for a playoff birth. While it may look bleak now, the future is bright for the Sox. While reading this, remember that it is all speculation. This is not a confirmation that the team will show interest in any of these players, but rather an educated guess of potential future moves. However if any of them do happen, remember that I told you first. It may take a few years for the Chicago White Sox to reach the playoffs. But if they're prospects pan out and they're willing to spend in free agency, the South Siders should have an extremely dangerous offense by the 2020 season.

2017

CF: Charlie Tilson SS: Tim Anderson 1B: Jose Abreu 3B: Todd Frazier LF: Melky Cabrera RF: Avisail Garcia C: Geovany Soto DH: Peter Bourjos 2B: Tyler Saladino The White Sox 2017 Opening Day roster is basically set. It seems unlikely that the team makes any more major moves prior to the start of the season. Even if they were to trade Jose Quintana, it's improbable that any prospect acquired would make an impact in the 2017 season, let alone Opening Day. While 1-6 in the order is likely locked in, there is a chance for change towards the bottom half of the lineup. At catcher, Geovany Soto seems likely to earn the starting job due to his veteran presence and his ability to work with the White Sox young pitching rotation. However Chicago does have a once promising catcher in Omar Navarez. Perhaps the team would rather start him and use Soto as a safety blanket. In the end, Soto's veteran leadership gives him the nod on Opening Day. Designated Hitter is anybody's guess at this point. The White Sox have been connected to a power bat in the past. If they were to make a big move, it would likely be for the DH position. Despite that reported interest, the White Sox will stay in house, opting for Peter Borjous at the DH position. While Roster Resource currently has Cody Asche as the projected White Sox starter, it makes much more sense for Borjous to get the nod. Neither option is necessarily great, but Asche has shown absolutely nothing over his career. If he finds his swing in Spring Training, he could perhaps earn a starting role. For now, his positional versatility (third/outfielder) makes him better suited as a utility man. Bourjos hasn't necessarily been electric during his career, hitting .243 with 37 home runs, 149 RBIs and 61 stolen bases over 713 games. But the veteran outfielder is a better hitter and overall offers more on offense. Asche isn't turning into a trade piece anytime soon, meaning that the better hitter will get the nod start at DH. In this case that is Peter Bourjos. Second base may be the most "shocking" pick of the 2017 Opening Day lineup. Most expect Brett Lawrie to get the start. Lawrie is likely considered the favorite, however the White Sox would do much better by starting Saladino. Saladino was a bright spot for the South Siders last year, hitting .282 with eight home runs, 38 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in 93 games. In a rebuilding year, the White Sox should see what the have in Saladino. If Saladino succeeds there's a chance he could even become a trade piece. Earlier this offseason, CBS Sports Mike Axisa suggested the Dodgers should consider Saladino for their second base vacancy. Yes Lawrie is the more experienced player, but at catcher/DH there were no great options behind the veteran. At second base the White Sox may have a rising star in Saladino. They should give him the 2017 season to prove himself. Overall, this White Sox lineup is not one that will excite fans. However in a rebuilding year, the addition and development of prospects is much more important than production at the MLB level. Fans could take solace in the fact that the White Sox will make two big trades prior to the 2017 Trade Deadline: Jose Quintana to the Houston Astros for: Francis Martes, Kyle Tucker and David Paulino David Robertson to the Washington Nationals for: Erick Fedde and Andrew Stevenson

2018

CF: Charlie Tilson SS: Tim Anderson 2B: Yoan Moncada 1B: Jose Abreu DH: Danny Valencia 3B: Matt Davidson RF: Willy Garcia C: Rene Rivera LF: Adam Engel The 2018 season will likely be another rebuilding year for the White Sox. Yet, the team still sees multiple changes that'll help them grow towards the future. Todd Frazier, Melky Cabrera, Avisail Garcia and Brett Lawrie will all see their contracts run out. The White Sox are better off letting them walk, giving younger players a chance at the MLB level. The biggest change from 2017 to 2018 is the arrival of Yoan Moncada. The White Sox top prospect is almost guaranteed to get called up during the 2017 season as he is on the cusp of the MLB. Chicago will likely wait until Moncada's Super Two status kicks in, giving the team an extra year of control. Moncada is the team's second baseman of the future and barring a major injury, will be a major part of the franchise for years to come. Chicago does make two major signings in 2018 adding catcher Rene Rivera and third baseman/outfielder Danny Valencia. Top prospect Zack Collins is still probably about a year or so away from being ready for the big leagues. The White Sox would be smart to add a veteran catcher to help mentor their young pitching staff. You may be wondering why Rivera? Geovany Soto is a veteran, why is Rivera a better catching option for the White Sox? Rivera is one of the premier pitch framers in the MLB. In 2016 he ranked as the 13th best pitching framing catcher, highest for any 2018 free agent catcher. Assuming he continues with that success, he is the perfect catcher to help lead a rotation that could feature the likes of Michael Kopech, Lucas Giolito and others. Valencia has succeeded in the past, hitting atleast 17 home runs the past two seasons. While he is slated to play DH, he has experience at third base/outfield. This 2018 lineup is filled with prospects. If any of them struggle, Valencia could slide right in flawlessly. Valencia gives the White Sox an extremely talented insurance policy. Outside of those three, the White Sox see three more newcomers to the 2018 Opening Day lineup. Matt Davidson, Willy Garcia and Jacob May will all force their way into the lineup after a strong Spring Training. Davidson is the ideal in-house replacement for Frazier. After dealing with an injury all of last season, 2017 will give Davidson a chance to prove he belongs on an MLB roster. Garcia was claimed from the Pirates earlier this offseason in a move that flew under the radar. However Garcia has legit potential and was ranked as the Pirates 12th best prospect in 2015 by MLB Pipeline. Garcia has spent 720 games in the minor leagues, hitting .257 with 79 home runs, 367 RBIs and 55 stolen bases. The 2018 season will allow for Garcia to prove he is a legit prospect and could play at the MLB level. The 2018 left field position will come down to prospects Adam Engel and Jacob May. In the end, Engel's star will shine a bit brighter, earning him the Opening Day nod. Engel has had a successful minor league career, hitting .264 with 24 home runs, 157 RBIs and 179 stolen bases. Unfortunately for him, the White Sox farm system is filled by outfielders with upside. The 2018 season will give him a chance to prove he's not just another guy. Like the 2017 season, 2018 won't give fans any playoff expectations. It does however allow for the White Sox front office and fans to get a glimpse of some of the team's fringe prospects. Guys like Davidson, Garcia and Engel will finally get their shot on the big stage, how they handle it is up to them. If nothing else, watching Yoan Moncada's full season debut on the South Side should give fans big hopes for the team's future.

2019

LF: Kyle Tucker SS: Tim Anderson 2B: Yoan Moncada 3B: Josh Donaldson 1B: Jose Abreu C: Zack Collins DH: Danny Valencia RF: Andrew Stevenson CF: Charlie Tilson Assuming the White Sox pitching prospects pan out, the team should be in the playoff hunt by 2019. With their rotation full of young talent in Carlos Rodon, Michael Kopech, Lucas Giolito, Francis Martes (from Quintana trade) Reynaldo Lopez or others, the team should be able to open the checkbook towards improving their lineup. The 2019 free agent class is led by two All-World players in Manny Machado and Bryce Harper. It seems incredibly unlikely that the White Sox would be willing to spend the $400+ million it'll take to land one of the two. The White Sox will sign the next best player in Josh Donaldson. Rick Hahn has said that the team will be willing to spend when the time is right. The 2019 season will be that time. Adding Donaldson would give the White Sox a former MVP and a true power source in the middle of the lineup. Donaldson, Tim Anderson, Moncada and Jose Abreu would give the White Sox arguably the best infield in the major leagues. Chicago will have to open the check book, but Josh Donaldson would give the White Sox a true star, and his signing could be the final offensive piece in a World Series winning team. Outside of Donaldson's signing, the White Sox see three of their top prospects debut. Kyle Tucker, who was acquired in the Quintana deal, should form a dynamic duo atop the lineup with Tim Anderson. Tucker has appeared in just 180 minor league games, yet he has already stolen 50 bases. While speed is his moneymaker, he should be able to hit for average and a bit of power as the team's leadoff man. Tucker should be able to get on base and manufacture runs with his speed. It doesn't hurt that he is hitting in front of the likes of Moncada, Donaldson, Abreu and others. Zack Collins is attempting to build himself into the White Sox catcher of the future. By 2019 he will have accomplished that feat. Collins is one of the best power hitters in the minor leagues and is currently ranked as the 81st best prospect in baseball. Collins has legit 25+ home run potential. The fact he is hitting sixth should tell you how deep the Sox 2019 lineup will be. Andrew Stevenson, who was acquired in the David Robertson trade, just beats out Willy Garcia for the starting right fielder role. Stevenson's speed is too hard to ignore as he has stolen 62 bases in 188 games. Putting Stevenson in the same lineup as guys like Tucker and Charlie Tilson could put the White Sox towards the top of the stolen base leaderboard. Coupled with four plus players with 25+ home run potential, talk about a well-rounded lineup. This lineup is deep enough to take the White Sox to the World Series. If the pitching staff pans out, there's a good chance Chicago could be World Series bound. There's a chance that 2019 is the year for the South Siders.

2020

LF: Kyle Tucker SS: Tim Anderson 2B: Yoan Moncada 3B: Josh Donaldson DH: Jose Baustista 1B: Jose Abreu C: Zack Collins RF: Andrew Stevenson CF: Charlie Tilson There isn't much change from 2019 to 2020, except for the major signing of free agent Jose Bautista. While it may seem outlandish due to Bautista's star power, by 2020 he could be the perfect free agent target for the White Sox. For one, he played in Toronto with Donaldson. If the White Sox go on to have success during Donaldson's tenure, I'm sure he'll try to recruit his buddy to the South Side. More importantly, Bautista will be 39 when entering the 2020 offseason. He isn't going to be demanding a massive contract. If the 2017 offseason is any indication, the MLB seems to be souring on power hitters with players such as Chris Carter, Mike Napoli and Pedro Alvarez failing to have homes two weeks before Spring Training. If that trend continues into 2020, the White Sox should be able to sign Bautista to a fairly cheap deal. While it's hard to predict what kind of power Bautista will have at age 39, it isn't hard to image that he could still hit 20+ home runs. Bautista is one of the best power hitters of this generation. If the former Blue Jay could stay off the DL, he should add another power bat to the middle of the White Sox lineup. Other than Bautista, the only other chance is Abreu moving down the lineup. By 2020, all of Abreu's arbitration years will be up, making him a free agent. The 2020 free agency class is weak for first baseman outside of Paul Goldschmidt. With the White Sox unlikely to sign the currently Diamondbacks All-Star, they will add Abreu on a team-friendly two year deal. If these predictions held true, the Chicago White Sox would have one of the best lineups in the MLB. They have a good mix of speed and power and could realistically lead the league in both home runs and stolen bases. The White Sox rebuild is far from over. But if their pitching prospects pan out and they hit on some big free agents, there's a good chance the World Series trophy could be coming to the South Side by 2020.   Feel free to continue the conversation on Twitter: @DFappiano14