The World Baseball Classic can be looked at from two different perspectives. The first being a chance to see our favorite players from our teams go out and represent their native countries. The second being a nervous wreck, fearing a heavier workload in the middle of Spring Training can have long-term consequences down the road. The tournament itself is essentially an exhibition, but for the White Sox players participating, it could be a great measuring stick to see where they stand against some top tier competition.
Jose Quintana
Ideally, Jose would not be pitching in this tournament at all. Not only is he the best player on the White Sox, but he is also the biggest remaining trade chip the front office possesses. One injury could see his trade value plummet, in turn setting the White Sox rebuild back for a prolonged period of time. However, with Quintana not having thrown much this spring, minus a few simulated starts, it could be beneficial to see him finally get into a groove. If he throws well enough against some top tier competition, it may be possible to see his trade value trend up even more.
Miguel Gonzalez
Miguel Gonzalez was a pleasant surprise last year amid a season of disappointment. A reclamation project, Don Cooper really brought out the best of Miguel, and for a while was a dominant number 4 starter in the rotation. Before all went to hell for the White Sox that is. Seeing him pitch in the World Baseball Classic should make fans truly happy. If he shines, is would be a feel-good-story come full circle. What makes it even more special is that Gonzalez is said to have over 100 family members coming to watch him pitch for his country. Even if Miguel gets roughed up, it will still be special to go see him out there. He has come a long way from being an inconsistent hit or miss pitcher, to a serviceable mid-rotation starter, to playing for his home country in the World Baseball Classic.
David Robertson And Nate Jones
Of the 4 players from the White Sox to play in the World Baseball Classic, David Robertson and Nate Jones will be the two to keep an eye on. Everyone already knows what Quintana will bring, and Gonzalez is more of a feel good story than anything. He is not in the White Sox long-term plans, and most certainly will not bring back a top prospect in a trade. Then there are Robertson and Jones.
Last season, Robertson was pitching through injury, a logical reason as to why he saw his outstanding career numbers take a drop. Now healthy, he will be able to show that he is once again a dominant closer. Teams like the Washington Nationals will surely be watching him not only during the WBC, but over the next couple months as well. The tournament could essentially be looked at as a tryout for Robertson. An above average performance will see his trade stock solidify, while another setback might scare teams away.
Nate Jones has also battled some injuries in his career, but when he is healthy, he is truly one of the more underrated relievers in baseball. If David Robertson were to be traded, Jones would most certainly become the White Sox closer. In a league where relief pitching is becoming one of the more dominant assets of the game, it will be interesting to see what Nate Jones brings to the World Baseball Classic. Perhaps with a strong enough outing on a bigger stage, Jones will start to get the recognition he deserves. If he can follow up a strong tournament with a great first half of the season, he could be another current member of the White Sox to see a solid return via trade.
The biggest thing about the World Baseball Classic for the White Sox, (or any team really) is that all of the players make it out healthy. Managers all across the league have to be biting their fingernails to the nub watching their players risk injury for an exhibition tournament. However, the White Sox organization could quietly reap the benefits of strong outings from Quintana, Robertson, and Jones. With the injuries suffered by many starters around the league already (Price, and Reyes are the big ones here) and the importance of the bullpen in today's game, the trade value for the White Sox big 3 could skyrocket if they perform to their potential at the tournament.
Great outings or not, prayers up that they all make it out unscathed.
